Norfolk (1798 sloop) facts for kids
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A replica of Norfolk
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | Norfolk |
| Launched | 1798 |
| Fate | Wrecked 1800 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 25 (bm) |
The Norfolk was a small sailing ship, called a sloop, built in 1798 on Norfolk Island. It was made from local Norfolk Island Pine trees. This ship was very important for exploring the coast of Australia and connecting the early colonies. Sadly, the Norfolk was wrecked in 1800.
The colony needed a ship to travel between Norfolk Island and the mainland. This was to make sure they had enough supplies. So, Captain Townson decided to build a small, decked boat with a sloop sail. This boat was the Norfolk.
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Exploring Australia's Coast
Governor Hunter quickly gave the Norfolk to Matthew Flinders, a skilled sailor. The ship was meant for surveying, which means mapping out the land and sea.
In 1798-1799, Flinders and George Bass used the Norfolk for a very important journey. They sailed all the way around Tasmania. This trip proved that Tasmania was an island, separate from mainland Australia. They also discovered Bass Strait, the sea passage between them.
After this, Flinders took the Norfolk north. He mapped areas like Moreton Bay and Hervey Bay in what is now Queensland. These places had been seen by James Cook, but Flinders charted them in more detail.
The Convict Seizure
After its exploration trips, the Norfolk was used to carry food from the Windsor area to Port Jackson (modern-day Sydney). In 1800, a group of convicts took over the ship at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.
They planned to sail the Norfolk all the way to the Maluku Islands (also known as the Spice Islands). However, they ran the ship aground near the Hunter River. This spot is now called "Pirate Point" in the suburb of Stockton.
Modern Replica and Tributes
In 1998-1999, a man named Bern Cuthbertson built a replica of the Norfolk. He used special Tasmanian timbers like Huon and Celery Top pines. Bern then sailed this replica on all the same journeys the original Norfolk made.
Today, this replica Norfolk is on display at The Bass and Flinders Centre in George Town, Tasmania. It helps people remember the important history of the original ship and its explorers.
To celebrate Bern Cuthbertson's voyages, special medallions were made from sterling silver and 18-carat gold. Most of these were given to the people who sailed with him.
In 2000, a place in Moreton Bay was named Norfolk Point. This was done to honor Matthew Flinders and the visit of the replica Norfolk. A plaque there tells the story of the naming.
Related Organizations
- TS Norfolk, Australian Navy Cadets
