Torrington was a brig built in 1847. It sank in New Zealand in 1851.
Construction and Registration
Torrington was built in Nova Scotia in 1847. It weighed 128 tons.[1]
The brig was Registered No. 80 of 1849, Port of Sydney, New South Wales.
Voyages
The owner of the vessel was a Mr J Peacock, who was also the master.[1] Torrington was first reported trading in New Zealand in 1849.[2]
By 1850, Torrington was operating in New Zealand, trading general goods[3] and visiting the ports of Lyttelton (formerly called Port Cooper), Nelson, Akaroa, and Wellington.[4]
In February 1851, Mr Peacock was convicted by the Magistrates Court in Wellington of using the vessel to smuggle goods, including 7-8 tons of flour, gunpowder and tobacco. Mr Peacock was fined $100 and forfeited the goods.[5]
Wreck
On 27 June 1851, a very severe gale blew through Lyttelton Harbour, where Torrington was in port. The vessel was reduced to a wreck.[1][6] William and John was also wrecked in the gale.
Cargo was salvaged from the wreck, which was auctioned in July 1851.[7] The wreck remained on the sea floor and visible; six months after it sank the Harbour Master referred to its wreck as a landmark in the harbour for ships discharging ballast.[8] A one-quarter share in the hull of Torrington (with corresponding salvage rights) was auctioned on 5 March 1852.[9]
References
- ^ a b c Ingram & Wheatley, C.W. & P.O. (2007). New Zealand Shipwrecks. Auckland: Hodder Moa. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-86971-093-4.
- ^ "NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN, VOLUME VI, ISSUE 455, 12 DECEMBER 1849". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT, VOLUME V, ISSUE 461, 13 MARCH 1850". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT, VOLUME VI, ISSUE 553, 29 JANUARY 1851". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "OTAGO WITNESS, ISSUE 1, 8 FEBRUARY 1851". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, VOLUME VI, ISSUE 430, 12 AUGUST 1851". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "LYTTELTON TIMES, VOLUME I, ISSUE 27, 12 JULY 1851". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "LYTTELTON TIMES, VOLUME I, ISSUE 51, 27 DECEMBER 1851". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "LYTTELTON TIMES, VOLUME II, ISSUE 60, 28 FEBRUARY 1852". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
This page was last edited on 27 September 2023, at 04:31