Fishburn (ship) facts for kids

Have you ever heard of a ship named Fishburn? Well, it's not just one ship! Over the years, several different ships have proudly carried the name Fishburn. Let's explore some of their interesting journeys and stories.

The First Fishburn (1753)

This Fishburn was a sailing ship launched in 1753. She weighed about 170 tons. In January 1755, she helped transport soldiers. These troops traveled from Ireland all the way to Virginia in America. They were going to join General Edward Braddock's important journey. This journey was an expedition against French forces in the Ohio River Valley.

Unloading Cargo in 1762

Later, in 1762, the Fishburn was docked in Norfolk. To unload her cargo, a team of workers spent three weeks on the job. This team included between six and 24 enslaved people, along with six other men. Everyone worked for the same pay to get the ship unloaded.

Fishburn of the First Fleet (1780)

Another ship named Fishburn was built in Whitby in 1780. This ship became very famous because she was part of the First Fleet. The First Fleet was a group of ships that sailed from England to Australia in 1788. They carried the first European settlers and convicts to start a new colony there.

A Key Supply Ship

The 1780 Fishburn was the biggest of the three supply ships in the First Fleet. These supply ships carried important goods and food for the long journey and for setting up the new settlement. After her return from Botany Bay in Australia, the Fishburn seems to disappear from historical records around 1789.

The Sunderland Fishburn (1799)

A third ship named Fishburn was launched in Sunderland in 1799. Her early voyages were quite eventful.

Caught in an Embargo

In 1800, this Fishburn was arrested in Riga. This happened because Russia had placed an embargo on British ships. An embargo is like a ban that stops ships from trading or entering a country's ports. After some time, the ship was released. New owners then used her to sail between London and Honduras. Sadly, this Fishburn was lost at sea in February 1803, after leaving Honduras.

The Last Fishburn (1846)

The final ship we know of named Fishburn was also launched in Sunderland, but much later, in 1846. She was a smaller ship, weighing about 176 tons. Unfortunately, her career was very short. This Fishburn was wrecked just one year later, in 1847.