Parramatta (1866) facts for kids
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Parramatta
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Parramatta |
| Owner |  Devitt and Moore |
| Builder | James Laing, Sunderland England |
| Launched | May 1866 |
| In service | 1866 |
| Fate | Lost at sea 1898 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Blackwall frigate |
| Tons burthen | 1521 (bm) |
| Length | 231 ft 0 in (70.4 m) |
| Beam | 38 ft 2 in (11.6 m) |
| Depth | 22 ft 8 in (6.9 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Notes | Teak-built |
The Parramatta was a large sailing ship built in 1866 in Sunderland, England. For many years, she sailed between Great Britain, Australia, and America. She was known as one of the fastest "Blackwall frigates." These ships often carried wool from Australia to the United Kingdom. Sadly, the Parramatta was lost at sea in 1898.
About the Parramatta
The Parramatta was launched in May 1866. It was built for a company called Devitt and Moore in the United Kingdom. The ship got its name from the Parramatta River near Sydney in Australia.
This type of ship was called a Blackwall frigate. They were large ships with three masts. They were designed to replace older ships that carried goods from India. These new ships were used to carry wool from Australia to the United Kingdom. They also carried passengers in both directions. The Parramatta was the second fastest ship of its kind, only slower than a ship named Tweed.
Journeys and Captains
For most of its life, Captain John Williams was in charge of the Parramatta. He commanded the ship from 1873 to 1874. Later, in 1887, the ship was sold to new owners in Norway. Their name was J. Simonsen, from Mandal.
When the Parramatta sailed from London to Sydney, the trip took about three months. During these long journeys, the ship would publish a fun magazine for its passengers. This magazine came out every two weeks. Sometimes, these magazines were even made into books after the trip. One of these magazines was called the Parramatta Sun. It was published on a trip to Sydney from September to December 1879. You can even find a copy of it online today!
In 1890, the Parramatta left England for Moscow. On this journey, it stopped in many places. These included Alexandria, Jerusalem, Cyprus, and Constantinople. A famous explorer and nurse named Kate Marsden was on board. She was visiting hospitals for people with leprosy. She was on her way to Siberia for her travels.
What Happened to the Ship?
On January 12, 1898, the Parramatta began its last journey. It sailed from Galveston, Texas, carrying a cargo of pitch-pine wood. The ship was headed for King's Lynn in Norfolk, England. However, the Parramatta was never seen or heard from again. It was lost at sea.
