STAR OF AFRICA

Shipbuildervessel built by DUTHIE (Footdee, Aberdeen)

DateOctober 1876

Object NameBARQUE

MediumIRON

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 154.5' x breadth 27.3' x depth 15.9'
gross tonnage 445 tons

Object numberABDSHIP000573

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: John Duthie, Sons & Co.
Official Number: 51643

Fate: wrecked on Albatross rock, near Capetown, South Africa, 29 August 1880

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Barque rigged, 1 deck, 2 tiers, raised quarter deck 34'.

Owner:
1876-80: Anderson and Murison, registered at Capetown.

Master:
1877-80: Master W. Barron.

General History:
14/11/1876:
Barque STAR OF AFRICA, launched some weeks ago from Messrs Duthie's building yard, sailed on Saturday for Capetown with full cargo of coals.
(Dundee Courier)

01/09/1880:
Capetown, 30 Aug. - British barque STAR OF AFRICA, from Calcutta for this port, struck on the Albatross Rock yesterday and became a total wreck. All on board except the second officer and one seaman were lost.
(York Herald)

20/09/1880:
STAR OF AFRICA, owned by Messrs Anderson & Murison, has been totally wrecked on Albatross Rock, Captain Barron, his wife, the first mate and most of crew were drowned. The spot where she struck is about a mile from shore on a most desolate coast. Surf breaks very heavily and it would seem impossile for any boat to land in safety. Course had just been shaped, vessel was running at about 10 knots and anchors were being got ready to enter Table Bay when at about 4.30a.m. she struck. Sails were at once set to head for the shore, when she struck again aft and at once went down. There was no time to launch any boats. The second mate felt himself being drawn down into the vortex, when he clung to a hencoop and after some time managed to get to an upset boat, to which 4 or 5 others were holding on. They succeeded in righting her and with an oar which he found he managed with great difficulty (she being waterlogged) to scull her onshore. His fellow sufferers had died from exhaustion. Only other survivor was a Manilla man.
(South Australian Register)