Northfleet (ship) facts for kids
The Northfleet was a large British sailing ship. She is famous for a terrible accident in January 1873. The ship sank in the English Channel after a collision with another vessel.
The Northfleet photographed on the Thames a few days before her loss.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | Northfleet |
| Owner |
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| Builder | Northfleet, Kent |
| Launched | 1853 |
| Fate | Sunk in a collision on 22 January 1873 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage |
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| Length | 180 feet (55 m) pp |
| Beam | 32.3 feet (9.8 m) |
| Depth of hold | 20 feet (6.1 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
About the Ship
The Northfleet was a type of ship called a Blackwall Frigate. These were strong, fast sailing ships. They were often used for long journeys.
The ship was built in 1853 in Northfleet, Kent, England. It was owned by Duncan Dunbar at first. Later, John Patton, Jr., from London owned it.
The Northfleet weighed 951 tons. It was about 180 feet (55 m) long. That's about the length of five school buses! It was 32.3 feet (9.8 m) wide.
For many years, the Northfleet sailed between England and places like Australia, India, and China. It carried goods and people across the oceans.
The Sinking
In 1872, the Northfleet was hired for a special trip. It was going to carry workers and their families to Tasmania. They were going to help build a railway line there. The ship also carried heavy iron rails and other equipment for the railway. Captain Edward Knowles was in charge of the ship.
The Northfleet left Gravesend on January 13, 1873. It was heading for Hobart, Tasmania. There were 379 people on board. This included the crew, a few passengers, and many families who were moving to Tasmania.
The weather was bad, so the ship had to stop and anchor several times. On the night of January 22, the ship was anchored near Dungeness. This is a headland in the English Channel.
Around 10:30 p.m., a steamer crashed into the Northfleet. The steamer then pulled away and disappeared into the dark. The Northfleet was carrying a lot of weight. It sank very quickly, in about half an hour.
Other ships nearby did not realize what had happened right away. There was a lot of panic as the ship went down. Sadly, 293 people drowned. Only 86 people were saved. Only two women and two children survived from all the families on board. The captain went down with his ship.
Later, the steamer that caused the crash was found. It was a Spanish ship called the Murillo. It was stopped near Dover eight months after the accident. A court decided that the Murillo should be sold. The officers of the Murillo were also strongly criticized for their actions.
Images for kids
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Divers getting ready to explore the sunken ship, from the Illustrated London News, 6 February 1873.
