Blackadder (clipper) facts for kids
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|} The Blackadder was a fast sailing ship called a clipper. It was built in 1870 in Greenwich, England, for a company named Jock Willis & Sons. This ship was a "sister ship" to another famous clipper, the Hallowe'en.
On its very first journey, the Blackadder had serious problems with its masts and rigging, which are the ropes and chains that hold the sails. It lost its main masts but managed to sail to the Cape of Good Hope using temporary sails. After 1900, the ship was sold to a Norwegian owner. Sadly, on November 5, 1905, the Blackadder was wrecked while carrying coal from Wales to Brazil.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | Blackadder |
| Owner | Jock Willis & Sons |
| Builder |
|
| Launched | 1 February 1870 |
| History | |
 Norway |
|
| Owner | J.Aalborg |
| Port of registry | Kragerø |
| Acquired | 1900 |
| Fate | Wrecked 5 November 1905 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Iron-hulled clipper |
| Tonnage |
|
| Length | 216.6 ft (66.0 m) |
| Beam | 35.2 ft (10.7 m) |
| Depth | 20.5 ft (6.2 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship, re-rigged as barque |
What was the Blackadder?
The Blackadder was an iron-hulled clipper. Clippers were special sailing ships known for their speed. They were designed to carry valuable cargo like tea from China as quickly as possible. This was important because the first ship to arrive with the new season's tea could sell it for a higher price.
Why were clippers important?
In the 1800s, clippers were at the cutting edge of shipping technology. They were faster than older sailing ships. However, steamships were starting to become popular. Steamships could travel on a set schedule and use the new Suez Canal, which was too narrow and difficult for large sailing ships. Even so, many ship owners still believed in clippers because they didn't need to buy expensive coal, leaving more space for cargo.
How was the Blackadder designed?
The Blackadder was built by Maudslay, Sons & Field. This company was mainly known for engineering, not for building entire ships. The design of the Blackadder's hull (the main body of the ship) was based on another successful ship owned by Jock Willis, called The Tweed. The Tweed was originally a warship that Willis had bought and changed into a sailing cargo ship.
What happened on the maiden voyage?
Even before the Blackadder's masts were fully installed, problems began. The metal parts that held the topmasts in place were made incorrectly and bent out of shape. Workers tried to fix this by adding extra support, but the bent parts couldn't be fully repaired. Despite these issues, the ship set sail for China.
During the journey, the temporary repairs failed. The main mast became loose and eventually broke, tearing through the deck and falling into the sea. Soon after, the mizzen mast (the mast at the back of the ship) also fell. The crew worked hard to save the remaining foremast (the mast at the front). They managed to set up some sails and steer the damaged ship towards Simon's Bay in South Africa.
After reaching port, the Blackadder had more bad luck, including hitting a sunken ship and colliding with two other vessels. New masts and parts had to be sent from Britain. The ship eventually continued its journey to Shanghai. It even had more collisions on the way! When it finally returned to London, the ship's insurance company refused to pay for the damage, saying the ship wasn't safe when it left. This led to a long legal battle.
What happened after the first journey?
After the difficult maiden voyage, the original captain was replaced. The Blackadder continued to sail, but it still faced many challenges.
What other challenges did the ship face?
- Lost Masts Again: On one trip, the ship was caught in a powerful storm called a typhoon. It leaned over so much that its main and mizzen masts had to be cut down again to stop it from capsizing (flipping over).
- Hit a Reef: While sailing in the China Sea, the Blackadder hit an uncharted reef (a hidden rock formation). The crew had to throw cargo overboard to try and free the ship. They even abandoned the ship at one point, but a sudden gust of wind blew the ship off the reef, and they were able to get back on board.
- New Owners: In 1900, after Jock Willis died, the Blackadder was sold to a Norwegian owner.
- Final Wreck: The ship's long and eventful career ended on November 5, 1905, when it was wrecked off the coast of Brazil.
Images for kids
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The Blackadder as a full-rigged ship
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