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Ganges (1882) facts for kids

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History
United Kingdom
Name Ganges
Owner Nourse Line
Builder Osbourne, Graham & Company, Sunderland
Launched 25 March 1882
Norway
Acquired 1904
Renamed Asters
Fate Sunk, 28 May 1917
General characteristics
Class and type Iron barque
Tons burthen 1,768 tons
Length 241 ft (73 m)
Beam 37.2 ft (11.3 m)
Draught 22.5 ft (6.9 m)

The Ganges was a large sailing ship, known as an iron barque. It was the second ship owned by the Nourse Line to carry this name. The first Ganges was built in 1861 but was wrecked in 1881.

This newer Ganges was built by Osbourne, Graham & Company in Sunderland, England. It was launched on March 25, 1882. The ship was 241 feet (73 m) long, which is about the length of two tennis courts. It had a beam (width) of 37.2 feet (11.3 m) and a draught (how deep it sat in the water) of 22.5 feet (6.9 m). It weighed 1,529 tons.

Voyages of the Ganges

The Ganges traveled to many places around the world. It often carried passengers who were moving to new countries for work. These people were called "indentured labourers." This meant they agreed to work for a certain time to pay for their journey.

Journeys to Fiji

The ship made three trips to Fiji, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean.

  • On June 27, 1885, it carried 523 workers from India.
  • On September 3, 1899, it brought 464 more Indian workers.
  • Finally, on June 21, 1900, it carried 554 passengers to Fiji.

Trips to the West Indies

The Ganges also sailed to the West Indies, a region of islands in the Caribbean Sea.

  • On November 25, 1890, it arrived in Trinidad with 568 passengers.
  • On April 23, 1889, it reached Suriname, a country in South America.

Later Life as the Asters

In 1904, the Ganges was sold to new owners in Norway. They changed its name to Asters.

During World War I, the Asters was on a voyage from Le Havre, France, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was carrying a cargo of oil and wax. On May 28, 1917, a German submarine called SM UC-55 attacked the ship. The submarine used a torpedo to sink the Asters in the Atlantic Ocean. This happened about 150 miles (240 km) northwest of the Isles of Scilly, which are islands off the coast of England. Luckily, everyone on board the Asters survived the attack.

See also

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