City of Adelaide (1864) facts for kids
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|} The City of Adelaide is a famous clipper ship, built in Sunderland, England. It was launched on May 7, 1864. This ship was designed to carry both passengers and goods between Britain and Australia.
From 1864 to 1887, the ship made 23 yearly trips from London and Plymouth to Adelaide, South Australia. It played a big part in helping people move to Australia. On its way back, it carried passengers, wool, and copper from Adelaide and Port Augusta to London.
After 1887, the ship had many different jobs. It carried coal around the British coast and timber across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1893, it became a floating hospital in Southampton. In 1923, the Royal Navy bought it and renamed it HMS Carrick to avoid confusion with another ship. It was used as a training ship in Scotland.
In 1948, the ship was no longer needed by the Navy. It was given to a club in Glasgow and used as their headquarters on the River Clyde. In 1989, it was damaged by floods. The ship was then protected as a historic building, but it sank at its mooring in 1991.
The Scottish Maritime Museum rescued Carrick in 1992 and moved it to Irvine, North Ayrshire. Work started to restore it, but funding stopped in 1999. For many years, the ship's future was uncertain. In 2001, a meeting led by the Duke of Edinburgh decided to change the ship's name back to City of Adelaide.
In 2010, the Scottish Government decided the ship should move to Adelaide, Australia, to become a museum. The Duke of Edinburgh officially renamed it in 2013. In September 2013, the ship was moved by a large barge from Scotland to the Netherlands. From there, it traveled on a cargo ship and arrived in Port Adelaide on February 3, 2014. It is now waiting to be fully restored.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name |
|
| Owner |
|
| Operator |  Devitt and Moore (1864–87) |
| Port of registry |
|
| Route | London — Plymouth — Adelaide — Port Augusta — London (typical 1864–87) |
| Builder | Pile, Hay & Co |
| Launched | 7 May 1864 |
| Commissioned | 1923 |
| Decommissioned | 1948 |
| Maiden voyage | 6 August 1864 |
| Out of service | 1893–1922; since 1948 |
| Stricken | Removed from register 7 February 1895 |
| Homeport |
|
| Identification |
|
| Nickname(s) | The City |
| Status | Awaiting restoration at Port Adelaide, South Australia |
| Badge |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Type |
|
| Tonnage | 791 NRT |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 33.3 ft (10.15 m) |
| Depth | 18.8 ft (5.73 m) |
| Sail plan |
|
- Carrying Coal (1887–1888)
- Transporting Timber (1888–1893)
- A Floating Hospital (1893–1922)
- Royal Navy Training Ship (1922–1948)
- Clubhouse for Sailors (1948–1990)
- Becoming a Museum Ship (1990–Present)
- The Challenge to Save the Ship
- Rescue Efforts Begin
- Choosing the Best Option
- Getting Ready for the Journey
- The Final Voyage Home
- Temporary Home in Port Adelaide
- Permanent Home for the Ship
Why is City of Adelaide Special?
City of Adelaide is the oldest surviving clipper ship in the world. There are only two clippers left, the other being Cutty Sark (built in 1869). It is also one of only three ocean-going ships built with a special "composite" design that still exist.
This ship is important because it carried many people who moved from Britain to Australia. It is the only surviving passenger sailing ship built for this purpose. It also played a role in the timber trade between North America and the UK, being the last ship from that era still around.
The way City of Adelaide was built shows how shipbuilding changed in the 1800s. It was built before special rules for composite ships were made, so it was "over-engineered" (built extra strong). This extra strength likely helped it survive for so long.
Because of its importance, City of Adelaide was a highly protected historic structure in Scotland before it moved to Australia.
How Was City of Adelaide Built?
City of Adelaide was built to carry both people and goods. It had cabins for first and second-class passengers. When needed, its cargo area could be set up for many more passengers, often called "steerage" class.
The ship has a special "composite construction." This means it has a strong frame made of wrought iron (a type of metal) and a hull (the main body) made of timber planks. This design gave it the strength of an iron ship but also the good insulation of a wooden ship.
Unlike iron ships, composite ships could have their bottoms covered with copper. This copper covering stopped sea creatures and plants from growing on the hull, which helped the ship move faster. Because of their strong iron frames, composite ships could carry very large sails, making them some of the fastest ships of their time.
City of Adelaide was built in 1864, which was early in the time composite ships were made (around 1860-1880). It was built before official rules for composite ships were published. This means some parts of its structure were built stronger than they needed to be, which is why it's called "over-engineered." This extra strength probably helped it survive for so long, even after it got stuck on a beach in Australia in 1874.
A Look at Its History
Starting Its Journey
Captain David Bruce had a lot of experience sailing between London and Adelaide. He had City of Adelaide built especially for this route. The ship was ordered from William Pile, Hay and Company in Sunderland and launched on May 7, 1864. Captain Bruce owned a quarter of the ship.
While a company called Devitt and Moore managed the ship in London, they didn't own all of it. Other owners included Harrold Brothers, who were agents in Adelaide, and Henry Martin, who owned copper mines in Australia.
Voyages to South Australia (1864–1887)
The ship sailed for 23 years, making yearly trips to and from South Australia. It played a very important role in the growth of the colony. Experts believe that a quarter of a million people in South Australia today can trace their family history back to passengers on City of Adelaide.
The City of Adelaide was one of the fastest clippers on the London-Adelaide route. It once shared the record of 65 days for the journey.
On August 24, 1874, the ship got stuck on Kirkcaldy Beach near Grange, Australia. There were over 320 people on board. Strong storms caused the ship to get stranded. The passengers were safely taken off the next day by steam tugs. The ship was refloated on September 4, mostly unharmed.
By the 1880s, City of Adelaide also stopped at Port Augusta on its return trips. Here, it loaded copper from mines and wool from sheep farms before racing back to London for wool sales. In 1881, the ship's sails were changed, and it became a barque.
Famous Passengers
Some notable people who traveled on City of Adelaide include:
- Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld – a former Premier of New Zealand and Governor of other colonies.
- Cyril Maude – a famous English stage and film actor.
- Alfred Sandover – a generous donor.
- Frederick Bullock – a mayor of Adelaide. He kept a diary of his journey as a 15-year-old.
Carrying Coal (1887–1888)
In 1887, City of Adelaide was sold to a coal merchant in Dover. It was then used to carry coal from the River Tyne to Dover in the "collier" trade.
Transporting Timber (1888–1893)
In 1888, the ship was sold again, this time to timber merchants in Belfast. It began carrying timber across the North Atlantic Ocean.
In the 18th century, Britain needed a lot of timber, especially for ship masts. They started getting timber from North America. This became a huge business. Many ships carried timber from North America to Britain. On their return trips, they often carried people who wanted to move to North America. This led to many new immigrants arriving.
City of Adelaide was based in Belfast and often visited ports in North America, like Miramichi, New Brunswick. Of the thousands of sailing ships that carried timber between North America and the UK, City of Adelaide is the last one left.
A Floating Hospital (1893–1922)
The City of Adelaide stopped being a sailing ship in 1893. The city of Southampton bought it for £1750 to use as a floating hospital, mainly for people with infectious diseases. In 2009, a new health center in Southampton was named the Adelaide Health Centre in honor of the ship.
In 1923, the Admiralty (the British Navy) bought City of Adelaide. It was towed to Irvine, Scotland, and turned into a training ship. It was renamed HMS Carrick to avoid confusion with another ship. It served as a Naval Drill Ship for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) in Scotland.
Clubhouse for Sailors (1948–1990)
After World War II, the ship was going to be scrapped. But thanks to some important people, it was given to the R.N.V.R. Club (Scotland) in 1948. It was towed to Glasgow and used as the club's headquarters. This move was even called 'Operation Ararat'.
The ship stayed in Glasgow until 1989, when it was damaged by flooding. The club realized they couldn't afford to keep it up.
Becoming a Museum Ship (1990–Present)
In 1990, a new group called the Clyde Ship Trust bought the ship for just £1. They prepared it for moving. In August 1990, it was towed to Princes Dock.
However, in early 1991, the ship sank at its moorings for unknown reasons. The Clyde Ship Trust couldn't afford to rescue it.
Rescue by Scottish Maritime Museum
In 1992, with help from Historic Scotland and Scottish Enterprise, the ship was rescued by the Scottish Maritime Museum. It was moved to Irvine, North Ayrshire, with plans to preserve and restore it. The ship was recognized as a very important part of the UK's historic ships.
Work continued until 1999. After that, funding for the Scottish Maritime Museum changed, and work on City of Adelaide stopped. The museum was asked to move the ship from the slipway where it was stored.
Clipper Ship City of Adelaide Ltd. (CSCOAL)
On September 6, 2013, the ownership of the ship was transferred to a new group called Clipper Ship City of Adelaide Ltd. (CSCOAL).
Saving and Moving the Ship to Australia
The Challenge to Save the Ship
After 1999, the Scottish Maritime Museum faced financial difficulties. They had to pay a penalty fee for keeping City of Adelaide on the slipway. In May 2000, they even asked for permission to take the ship apart. However, many people and organizations from around the world objected, including the Australian Foreign Minister. The council refused to allow the demolition in 2001.
Meeting with the Duke of Edinburgh
In September 2001, The Duke of Edinburgh organized a meeting in Glasgow to discuss the ship's future. Everyone agreed that City of Adelaide was a very important historic vessel. They also agreed that there weren't enough resources in Scotland to save it. The Duke suggested that the ship should be moved from the slipway. It was also decided that the ship should go back to its original name, City of Adelaide.
New Plans and Delays
In 2003, a businessman named Mike Edwards donated money for preservation work. He explored restoring the ship for tourist sailing, but it was too expensive to make it seaworthy for passengers. It was decided it would be better as a static exhibit. This gave the ship a few more years of protection.
By 2006, the Scottish Maritime Museum was again in a difficult spot. The river near the ship had become very shallow, making it hard to move the ship. The museum again applied to take the ship apart. Many people objected, especially after a fire broke out on the Cutty Sark, the only other surviving clipper.
Rescue Efforts Begin
The decision to deconstruct the ship made groups in Australia and Sunderland work harder to save it. The Australian group, Clipper Ship "City of Adelaide" Ltd (CSCOAL), planned to move the ship to Port Adelaide in South Australia. They started an online petition asking the British Prime Minister to help save the ship and give it to the people of South Australia. Many important Australians signed a letter supporting this.
The Scottish Maritime Museum asked for bids to either demolish or move the ship. CSCOAL submitted a bid to move the whole ship, not just pieces. The museum was in a tough situation, facing high costs. The Scottish Government had to decide whether to pay for the ship's demolition or its removal from Scotland.
Choosing the Best Option
In March 2010, the Scottish Government looked at different options for the ship. These included taking it apart, moving it elsewhere in Scotland, moving it to Sunderland, or moving it to Australia.
In May 2010, a diary from James Anderson McLauchlan, a Scot who sailed on City of Adelaide in 1874, was presented to highlight the ship's human history. The Duke of Edinburgh also spoke about the ship's difficult situation.
On August 28, 2010, it was announced that City of Adelaide would not be taken apart. CSCOAL's plan to move the ship to Australia was chosen as the best option. The cost to transport it to Australia was estimated at A$5 million.
Getting Ready for the Journey
Before the ship could be moved, a detailed survey of the River Irvine was done because it had become shallow. A 3D laser survey of City of Adelaide was also completed. This helped design the special cradle needed to move the ship. The ship's timbers were also cleaned and treated.
In 2011, companies in South Australia built the 100-tonne steel cradle for the ship. Parts of the cradle arrived in Scotland in January 2012.
There was a delay of almost a year because the Scottish Maritime Museum had long talks with the slipway owners to get access to their land. During this time, CSCOAL sent the ship's timber rudder to South Australia. This was to test the customs and quarantine rules for exporting from the UK and importing into Australia.
The agreement to access the slipway was reached in March 2013. CSCOAL then sent a project manager to Scotland to assemble the cradle under the ship.
The actual journey of City of Adelaide from Scotland to South Australia began in September 2013. The ship, on its cradle, was moved onto a barge and taken to Chatham, Kent. On September 20, 2013, City of Adelaide left the Irvine River. It arrived at Chatham Docks on September 25, 2013.
There was a brief delay because funding for the journey to Australia had not been approved by the new Australian government. CSCOAL arranged for the ship to be towed to Greenwich, near Cutty Sark. On October 18, the Duke of Edinburgh officially renamed the ship City of Adelaide again. The next day, the Australian Government approved the A$850,000 grant for the transport.
On October 24, City of Adelaide arrived in Dordrecht, Netherlands, for special treatment to meet Australian quarantine rules. After this, on November 22, 2013, the clipper was lifted onto the large cargo ship MV Palanpur for its journey to South Australia.
The Final Voyage Home
One hundred and forty-nine years after its first trip to Adelaide, City of Adelaide began its last journey home. It left Rotterdam, Netherlands, on November 26, 2013, on the deck of MV Palanpur. The ship crossed the Atlantic, stopped in Norfolk, Virginia, and then continued south.
On January 5, 2014, it briefly stopped in Cape Town, South Africa, a port it had visited before. After another stop in Port Hedland, Western Australia, the City of Adelaide finally arrived at the Outer Harbor of its home port, Port Adelaide, on February 3, 2014.
Temporary Home in Port Adelaide
After arriving at Berth 18 in the Port River, City of Adelaide was lifted from Palanpur onto an 800-tonne barge called Bradley. This was a long process.
On the evening of February 6, the ship was moved further up the river to Dock 1 in Port Adelaide's inner harbor. It stayed there for some time while a permanent location was chosen. A celebration for the ship's 150th anniversary was held on May 17, 2014.
In April 2017, the South Australian Government announced that Dock 2 would become the area for all of Port Adelaide's historic ships. On July 18, 2017, Mrs. Pamela Whittle, a descendant of Captain David Bruce, made a generous donation to help restore the ship. This money will be used to recreate the Captain's living area.
A new Coat of Arms, ordered by the Adelaide City Council, was placed on the ship's stern on October 15, 2017. On January 10, 2018, the ship was moved a short distance within Dock One. On March 15, 2018, a children's activity book about the ship was launched. In November 2018, the ship's wheel, added by the Royal Navy in 1923, was put on display.
On November 29, 2019, City of Adelaide was towed to its permanent home in Dock 2, Port Adelaide.
Permanent Home for the Ship
City of Adelaide is now in Dock 2, still on the Bradley barge. There are plans to move the ship from the barge onto the land in 2021. CSCOAL has a long-term lease for the land from the South Australian Government. They plan to create a "seaport village" with City of Adelaide as its main attraction.
Images for kids
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City of Adelaide being welcomed by a piper as she enters the inner harbour of Port Adelaide,
6 February 2014 -
City of Adelaide aboard Bradley barge in the inner harbour of Port Adelaide,
6 February 2014 -
City of Adelaide being nudged into her temporary location in Dock 1, Port Adelaide,
6 February 2014 -
A salute by fire-fighting vessel MV Gallantry for City of Adelaide 's 150th anniversary, 17 May 2014
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City of Adelaide 's 150th anniversary cake,
17 May 2014 -
Scotch College pipe band and highland dancers at City of Adelaide 's 150th anniversary, 17 May 2014
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David Brown Clyde Cruising Club presenting SV Carrick bible to Creagh OConnor AM Pt Adelaide
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The Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide, Martin Haese, signs the Visitor book inside the historic clipper ship City of Adelaide.
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This location map shows the former location of the City of Adelaide in Dock One, Port Adelaide
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Schools are now regularly bringing groups of students to visit City of Adelaide
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Tours are now being conducted inside the ship 3 times daily. Access is via external stairs.
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Interior preservation works, upper deck, view towards stern. 6 May 2018
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City of Adelaide being moved to Dock 2, Port Adelaide,
29 November 2019
