Tam O'Shanter (ship)

Tam O'Shanter was a sailing ship built in 1829 in North Hylton. In 1830 she sailed to India under a license from the British East India Company (EIC). Next, she was a West Indiaman, sailing to Bermuda and Jamaica. She then played a role in the founding of Adelaide in 1836. Tam O'Shanter ran aground in 1837 off Tasmania and was considered a write-off.[3]

History
United Kingdom
RouteSouthern Australia
BuilderRobert Reay, North Hylton, Sunderland[1]
Launched2 April 1829[1]
FateGrounded 30 August 1837
General characteristics
Class and typeBarque
Tons burthen383,[2] or 38331⁄94[1] (bm)
Length104 ft 8 in (31.9 m)
Beam28 ft 8 in (8.7 m)
Height5 ft 9 in (1.8 m)

Career

The original owner was Captain Lindsey. She first appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1830.[2]

In 1813 the EIC had lost its monopoly on the trade between India and Britain. British ships were then free to sail to India or the Indian Ocean under a license from the EIC.[4] Captain T.Lindsay sailed for Madras and Bengal on 4 July 1830.[5]

Year Master Owner Trade Source
1830 Lindsey Lindsey & Co. London-Calcutta LR
1835 Davis Baker & Co. London–Jamaica LR; small repairs 1835

In 1835 Thomas Dobson bought her, and the merchant Osmond Gilles chartered her as part of the First Fleet of South Australia. In 1836 Tam O'Shanter, Whiteman Freeman, master, accompanied HMS Buffalo on the trip, with Gilles travelling on Buffalo. They left London on 29 July arriving at Kingscote on 20 November. They then entered Holdfast Bay, but ran aground when they tried to enter Port River.[6]

Tam O'Shanter ran aground on 19 December 1836, was refloated on 23 December, and was beached.[7]

Tam O'Shanter was carrying a consignment of books from the South Australian Literary and Scientific Association, which had been formed in London in 1834. This included 117 books provided by Robert Gouger, who had arrived shortly before on board Africaine. A mishap occurred whilst unloading, and the trunk containing the 200 books fell in the sea. However they were recovered undamaged. These books constituted the kernel of what was to become the State Library of South Australia.[8]

Fate

Tam O'Shanter was wrecked on 30 August 1837 on the north coast of Van Diemen's Land, 16 nautical miles (30 km) east of the mouth of the Tamar River.[9] She was on a voyage from South Australia to Sydney.[10]

See also

Citations
  1. Hackman (2001), p. 316.
  2. LR (1830), Supple. pages "T", Seq.№8.
  3. "TAM O'SHANTER". Passengers in History. South Australian Maritime Museum. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  4. Hackman (2001), p. 247.
  5. LR (1830), "Ships trading to India".
  6. Cummings, Diane. "BOUND FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA - TAM O'SHANTER 1836". www.slsa.sa.gov.au. State Library of South Australia. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  7. "Shipping Intelligence". Caledonian Mercury. No. 18303. Edinburgh. 10 August 1837.
  8. Henderson, Kelly. "York Gate Geographical and Colonial Library" (PDF). www.icomos.org. ICOMOS. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  9. "Wreck of the ship 'Tam o'Shanter'". The Cornwall Chronicle. Launceston, Van Diemen's Land. 2 September 1837. p. 2.
  10. "Wreck of the ship "Tam o'Shanter."". The Sydney Monitor. Sydney. 27 September 1837. p. 3.

References
  • Hackman, Rowan (2001). Ships of the East India Company. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-96-7.
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