Borrowdale (ship) facts for kids

The name Borrowdale has been given to several ships throughout history, often named after the beautiful Borrowdale valley in England. These ships each had their own unique stories, from carrying early settlers to Australia to transporting goods across vast oceans. Let's explore some of these fascinating vessels.

Exploring Ships Named Borrowdale

This section will introduce the different ships that shared the name Borrowdale, highlighting their roles and adventures across the seas. Each ship played a part in maritime history, from the late 18th century to the early 20th century.

The First Borrowdale: A Pioneer Ship

The very first ship known as Borrowdale was launched in 1785. This was a large merchant ship, meaning it was built to carry goods for trade. It had three masts and was square-rigged, which describes how its sails were set up to catch the wind.

Journey to Australia

This Borrowdale became famous for its role in the First Fleet. The First Fleet was a group of 11 ships that sailed from England in 1787. Their mission was to take settlers and people who were sent to help establish the first European colony in Australia. The Borrowdale served as a storeship, carrying important supplies like food, tools, and other necessities for the new settlement. Sadly, this pioneering ship was wrecked in 1789, just two years after its historic voyage.

The Iron Steamers: Borrowdale's Legacy

Later, two other ships also carried the name Borrowdale, but these were much more modern for their time. They were both iron cargo screw-steamers, meaning they were made of iron, used a steam engine with a propeller (or screw) for power, and were designed to carry cargo.

The 1873 Borrowdale: A Steamer's Travels

One of these steamers, built in 1873 by Short Brothers in Sunderland, was quite large, measuring 991 NRT (Net Registered Tonnage), which is a way to measure a ship's cargo capacity. This ship had a long life, changing its name twice. It was first renamed Embiricos in 1883 and then Nora in 1888. In 1895, while carrying coal from Shanghai to Nagasaki, it became stranded at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

The 1890 Borrowdale: A Mysterious Disappearance

Another iron cargo screw-steamer named Borrowdale was launched in 1890 by James Laing in Deptford. This ship measured 682 NRT. On January 21, 1915, it set sail from Cardiff, Wales, carrying a cargo of coal to Granville, France. However, it never reached its destination. The ship disappeared and was officially declared missing. Experts at the time believed it likely sank during a strong storm (a gale) that occurred on January 22.

The Sailing Barque: Borrowdale's Final Voyage

The last ship we'll explore named Borrowdale was a beautiful sailing ship called a barque. A barque is a type of sailing vessel with at least three masts. This particular Borrowdale was built in 1868 by W. H. Potter & Sons in Liverpool and measured 1268 GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage), another way to measure a ship's overall size.

Encounter in the Atlantic

In 1917, during a time of global conflict, this Borrowdale was sailing under a Russian flag. On April 30, 1917, a German submarine, known as a U-boat, stopped the ship in the Atlantic Ocean, south of Ireland. The U-boat then sank the Borrowdale. Fortunately, all the crew members on board survived this event.