FAIRY QUEEN

DateFebruary 1863

Object NameBRIG

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensions213 tons
111' length x 24' breadth x 13' depth

Object numberABDSHIP003020

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: David Burns & Co, Aberdeen

Fate: wrecked at Timaru, South Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand, 28 August 1873.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Brig rigged, 1 deck, 2 masts, round stern, carvel built, female figurehead.

Owner:
1863: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owner;
John McLauchlan, shipowner, Aberdeen, 64 shares.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
1876: G. Nipper, port of registry Melbourne. (no owner or master in Lloyd's between 1868 and 1875)

Masters:
1864-67: Master R. Stephen

Voyages (from Lloyd's):
1864-65: Aberdeen - North America
1866: Newcastle - Archangel.
1867-73: Stockton - Mediterranean

General History:
16/09/1873:
'A violent gale that has been blowing on the southern coast of New Zealand has caused some severe disasters to shipping. The following are the particulars ascertained from private letters and Auckland papers to hand:—the brig FAIRY QUEEN, owned by Messrs Nipper and See, of this city, went on shore from her anchors at Timaru, on the 28th August, and became a total wreck. She was from Newcastle, with a cargo of coals, of which she had discharged all but forty tons. Fortunately no lives were lost. The brig is insured in the Victoria Office, Melbourne, for £1600; and the wreck has been sold for £136.
(Brisbane Courier)

Note: despite this apparently fatal wreck FAIRY QUEEN continues to be listed in Lloyd's Register until 1884 but with her last survey at Stockton in 1866. It should also be noted that Lloyd's only gives her owner as G. Nipper from 1876, i.e, after her loss (having had none listed since 1868). Lloyd's continuing to show her voyage to the Mediterranean is also likely a result of Lloyd's recieving no updates to say that she had departed for Australia until long after the event.