Borrowdale (1785 ship) facts for kids
Borrowdale from three angles
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | Borrowdale |
| Namesake | Borrowdale |
| Launched | 1785, Sunderland |
| Fate | Sunk, 31 October 1789 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Storeship |
| Tons burthen | 272, or 340 (bm) |
| Length | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Beam | 22 ft (6.7 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 22 |
| Armament | 4 guns |
Borrowdale was a sailing ship launched in 1785. She was a "storeship" for the First Fleet. This was a group of 11 ships that carried settlers and convicts to start the first European colony in Australia. Sadly, Borrowdale was wrecked in 1789.
Contents
The Ship Borrowdale
Borrowdale was built in Sunderland, England, in 1785. She was a type of ship called a collier. Colliers were ships designed to carry coal.
Joining the First Fleet
Borrowdale was one of three colliers owned by George and William Leighton. These owners were coal shippers from Sunderland. The British government hired their ships to carry supplies to Australia. Before this, the ships had carried coal from Newcastle to London.
Borrowdale became one of the 11 ships of the First Fleet. This fleet was tasked with taking settlers to Botany Bay in Australia.
Voyage to Australia
Borrowdale was first listed in Lloyd's Register in 1786. This record showed H. Reed as her master (captain) and Leighton as the owner. It also noted her trade route as London to Botany Bay.
Departure from England
The ship left Portsmouth, England, on May 13, 1787. This was the start of her long journey.
Arrival in Australia
Borrowdale arrived at Botany Bay, near Sydney, Australia, on January 20, 1788. However, the colonists found Botany Bay was not a good place to settle. So, Borrowdale and most other ships sailed to Port Jackson. They arrived there on January 26, 1788.
Return Journey
Borrowdale left Port Jackson on July 14, 1788. She was heading back to England by sailing around Cape Horn.
Challenges on the Way Home
The crew faced a serious problem called scurvy. This illness is caused by a lack of Vitamin C. Many sailors became very sick. The ship's master, Hobson Reed, had to take the ship to Rio de Janeiro. The harbor master and his crew had to help bring the ship into port.
Sadly, five of the crew members died on the way home. One of them was Captain Reed's father, Joseph Reed. He was an experienced sailor in the coal trade. Borrowdale finally arrived back in Plymouth, England, on March 25, 1789.
The End of Borrowdale
After returning to England, Borrowdale went back to being a collier. She continued to carry coal.
A Violent Storm
On October 30, 1789, a powerful storm hit off the coast of Norfolk. Many ships were damaged, and some even sank.
Shipwreck
On October 31, 1789, Borrowdale sank off Great Yarmouth. Captain Reed and almost all of his crew were lost with the ship. Only one person survived.
Legacy
In 1985, a First Fleet-class ferry was named after Borrowdale. This ferry is still in use today (2022) and is run by Sydney Ferries.
See also
- First Fleet
- Journals of the First Fleet
