Moltke (1870) facts for kids
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Wreck of the Moltke (Early 20th Century)
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | Moltke |
| Owner |
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| Builder | Godeffroy-Zeit, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 216 |
| Completed | 1870 |
| Out of service | 1911 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type | Three-masted Iron hulled Barque |
| Tonnage | 828 NRT |
| Beam | 9.8 m |
| Crew | 14 (1890) |
The Moltke was a large sailing ship built in Hamburg, Germany in 1870. It had three masts and was called a "barque." This means it was a type of sailing ship with a special rigging setup.
In 1890, the Moltke crashed near northern Queensland, Australia. It was later pulled free and used as a "hulk." A hulk is an old ship that can no longer sail. It is often used for storage. In 1911, the Moltke was purposely sunk near Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island. Today, the ship's wreck is a popular spot for divers. Many different kinds of sea creatures now call it home!
The Moltke's Journey
The Moltke was built in 1870 by a company called Godeffroy-Zeit in Hamburg, Germany. It was made for another company, Fritze & Gerdes. The ship was known for being "beautiful" and "spotlessly clean." It even had expensive furniture inside!
In 1890, the Moltke sailed all the way from Germany to Townsville, Australia. After dropping off its cargo and passengers in Townsville, the ship continued its journey. It was heading towards Rockhampton.
The Shipwreck of 1890
On April 3, 1891, the Moltke was sailing near Cape Bowling Green. This area is in the northern part of the Flinders Channel. Suddenly, the ship hit a reef and got stuck. The crew had to leave the ship. They returned safely to Townsville.
From Wreck to Hulk
After the crash, a group of local investors helped save the Moltke. A tugboat named SS Christina Gollan pulled the ship off the reef. It was then towed back to Townsville port. The items and cargo from the ship were sold. The Moltke itself was put back to work.
However, it was no longer used for sailing. Instead, it became a "coal hulk" for Burns, Philp and Company Limited. This meant it was used to store coal.
The Final Sinking
In 1911, a local dentist named Dr. McCabe bought the Moltke hulk. He owned land at Geoffrey Bay. He wanted to sink the ship to protect a jetty in the bay. A specialist named William Bright was hired to use explosives to sink the ship.
During the sinking, something unexpected happened. The explosives went off too early! Luckily, the tugboat pilot managed to release the tow lines. He quickly moved his boat away from the Moltke. The ship sank, but it ended up in the wrong spot. It now rests about 10 meters deep.
