Eastminster (ship) facts for kids
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Eastminster
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Eastminster |
| Owner | E.W. Berryman |
| Builder | Built in Port Glasgow, Scotland |
| Launched | June 1876 |
| Fate | Lost February 1888 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Full-rigged iron-hulled ship |
| Tons burthen | 1145 tons; 1208 tons |
| Length | 226 ft (69 m) |
| Beam | 35 ft 3 in (10.74 m) |
| Draught | 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m) |
Eastminster was a large sailing ship built in Port Glasgow, Scotland, in 1876. She was made of strong iron and had many sails, making her a "full-rigged ship." This type of ship was often used to carry people who were moving to new countries, known as an emigrant vessel.
Contents
The Story of the Ship Eastminster
Eastminster was a very important ship for her time. She was built to be strong and reliable for long voyages across the world's oceans. Her main job was to transport people, often families, who were leaving their homes to start new lives in places like Australia.
Building a Mighty Ship
The Eastminster was built in a famous shipbuilding area in Scotland. She was launched in June 1876. Being an "iron-hulled" ship meant her main body was made from iron, which was a modern and strong material for ships back then. This made her very sturdy for tough journeys at sea.
- Length: About 226 feet (69 meters) long.
- Width: About 35 feet (10.7 meters) wide.
- Depth: She could sit about 20 feet (6.2 meters) deep in the water.
- Weight: She weighed over 1,100 tons.
Her Last Journey
In February 1888, the Eastminster was in Australia. She was getting ready to leave Maryborough, Queensland, and sail to Newcastle, New South Wales.
Ignoring a Warning
On February 17, 1888, a strong storm was brewing. The local harbor pilot, who guides ships safely in and out of ports, warned the Eastminster's crew about the rising gale (a very strong wind). However, the ship decided to leave the port anyway and headed out to sea.
Lost at Sea
Soon after the Eastminster left Maryborough, a powerful tropical cyclone (a huge, dangerous storm) hit the area. The ship was caught in this terrible weather. She was never seen again after that day.
People believed the Eastminster was lost during the cyclone. Later, parts of her wreckage were found on a coral reef in the Capricorn and Bunker Group. This group of islands is in the Coral Sea, about 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) east of Rockhampton, Queensland. Sadly, the ship was lost with everyone on board.
