In the early 1900s many hard-working sailing vessels saw out their days plying the waters between Australia and the islands of the South Pacific. Few, however, would have had such a fascinating history as that of the Norna. The Norna was built in New York in 1879 as a luxury ocean-going schooner rigged yacht. SheContinue reading “The Norna and the Conman Commodore”
Category Archives: #Maritime History
The Huia schooner – Elegant and Fast
The New Zealand topsail schooner Huia has long been heralded as the best-looking vessel of her type and one of the fastest sailing. Launched at Kaipara Harbour New Zealand in 1894, the Huia was built using Kauri planks over a puriri timber frame. Measuring 35 metres (115 ft) in length and registered at 196 tons,Continue reading “The Huia schooner – Elegant and Fast”
Diving for the Gothenburg Gold
On 24 February 1875 the steamer Gothenburg ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef and sank during a ferocious storm with the loss of over 100 lives. A fortune in gold also went to the bottom. That the Gothenburg had sunk with 3,000 ounces (93 kgs) of gold belonging to the English, Scottish and AustralianContinue reading “Diving for the Gothenburg Gold”
The Countess of Minto’s brush with Disaster
In 1851 two men pulled off a sailing feat few thought possible. They had been the only hands on board the Countess of Minto when it vanished during a violent storm stranding the rest of the crew on a remote desert island. Everyone thought the ship had foundered but four weeks later it sailed intoContinue reading “The Countess of Minto’s brush with Disaster”
HMS Guardian: All Hands to the Pumps
In September 1789 H.M.S. Guardian sailed from Portsmouth, England with much needed supplies for the newly established penal settlement in New South Wales. But its voyage was cut short when it struck an iceberg in the Southern Ocean and began filling with water. After an uneventful passage south, the Guardian had stopped at Table BayContinue reading “HMS Guardian: All Hands to the Pumps”
Tales from the Quarterdeck 