.jpg) Photograph ofRodney | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner |
|
| Port of registry | |
| Builder | William Pile,Sunderland |
| Yard number | 234 |
| Launched | 2 March 1874 |
| Completed | April 1874 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | wrecked 1901 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | iron-hulledclipper |
| Tonnage | 1,519 GRT, 1,447 NRT |
| Length | 235.6 ft (71.8 m) |
| Beam | 38.4 ft (11.7 m) |
| Depth | 22.6 ft (6.9 m) |
| Decks | 2 |
| Sail plan | full rig |
Rodney was an iron-hulledclipper ship that was built inSunderland in 1874 and wrecked on theCornish coast in 1901. She was one of the last ships built for theAustralian migration trade.Devitt and Moore operated her between Britain and Australia for more than two decades. Rodney set numerous records for speed, and had luxuries that were unusual for her era.
In the 1890s French interests boughtRodney and renamed herGipsy. She was working as acargo ship when she was wrecked.
William Pile, Junior builtRodney inSunderland,County Durham. She was launched on 2 March 1874 and completed that April.[1] Her registered length was 235.6 ft (71.8 m), her beam was 38.4 ft (11.7 m) and her depth was 22.6 ft (6.9 m). Hertonnages were 1,519 GRT and 1,447 NRT.[2]
Rodney had berths for passengers infirst class.[3] Her cabins were unique for their era as they had fitted lavatory basins, and chests with drawers. She also had bathrooms that provided hot and cold water. All of these things were considered a luxury at the time.[3]
Pile builtRodney forDevitt and Moore, whoregistered her atLondon. HerUnited Kingdomofficial number was 68905 and hercode letters were NCSH.[4]
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Rodney was promoted for her speed. In 1880 she made her best trip toAdelaide, arriving in 74 days. Under Captain A Louttit in 1882, she made her best trip toMelbourne, which took only 69 days from theEnglish Channel.Rodney beat her own record five years later fromThe Lizard toSydney under Captain Barrett, arriving in 67 days. This equalled a record thatPatriarch set in 1870.[3]
Her best voyage home to the Lizard from Sydney was 77 days in 1889–90. On that voyageRodney raced with the clipperCutty Sark, the two shifted positions and passed each other numerous times.Cutty Shark won the race in 73 days, butRodney was one of the few ships to have been competitive.[3]
On 1 November 1895Rodney lost herlion figurehead in a gale in theEnglish Channel while en route fromGravesend,Kent toSydney,New South Wales. The figurehead washed ashore atWhitsand Bay,Cornwall six months later.[5]
In 1896 or 1897[a] F Boissière boughtRodney, renamed herGypsy, and registered her inNantes.[1][6] On 7 December 1901 she was sailing fromIquique,Chile to France with a cargo ofnitrate when she was wrecked atDownderry on the coast ofCornwall.[1] Her insurers declared her atotal loss.[3]
