WINDSOR CASTLE (1857)
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:39 pm

Built on the yard of Pile at Sunderland for R&H Green, London, as a Blackwall Frigate in 1857.
Launched under the name WINDSOR CASTLE.
Tonnage 1.087 ton, dim. 195.5 x 36.2 x 22.5ft.
She was mostly used in the England to Melbourne trade.
25 December 1871 in position 38 19N 10 50W on a voyage from London to Melbourne, during a terrific gale lost her crossjack yard, the ship was rolling wildly, and one of the hands, John Kendall lost his balance and fell through the poop-rail overboard, it was pitch dark and blowing a gale, noting could be done to save him.
After arrival Melbourne and discharging she sailed to Newcastle N.S.W. where she loaded coal for Hong Kong.
15 June 1872 arrived at Hong Kong, after discharging she sailed for Manila on 25th June and arrived Manila 05th July.
From Manila she sailed for Liverpool, but by refusal of the men to man the windlass the sailing was delayed. Two men were put in irons, with the help of 6 men of a Spanish brigantine who was nearby the afterguard of the WINDSOR CASTLE, hove into 30 fathoms, then the men gave in, were logged for refusal of duty and the episode closed. She sailed on 1 September.
It looks she was short on provisions on 30 September she anchored off the town of Bally, where she obtained some stores, two bullocks and a goat.
She arrived on 30th December 1872 off the Mersey and at 02.00 a.m. she dropped anchor, after a passage of 121 days.
In 1874 she had a bad passage, on the outward voyage she lost her mizzen topmast and main top gallant yard, there was trouble again with the crew, and the first mate went mad, and on arrival in Sydney had to be taken to the Gladsville asylum in Sydney.
At that voyage she was under command of Capt. N.Harrison with a crew of 49, 13 first class, 13 second and 5 third class passengers, she sailed from London on 16 February 1874, arrived 10 May at Brisbane
Sailed from Brisbane on 14 June and arrived 24 June at Sydney.
02 August sailed for London, via Cape Horn, 10 August a heavy breaker came on board which broke away a large part of the bulwark on starboard. On 13 August a leak was discovered forward, she was making 3 or 4 inch of water each hour.
On 23 August an a.b fell down from aloft on deck, but being heavily clothed he was not badly hurt.
On 4 Sept. the ship did make more water, and the firepump was rigged in the tweendeck and worked by the passengers, to keep the water down.
During very bad weather in position 38 57S 37 50W the mainmast carried away, close off to the deck, taken with it the mizzen topmast. So quick as possible the wreckage alongside the ship was cut away, but without studying sails the ship rolled and laboured very heavily. Later she was complete dismasted.
By fitting a jury rig and by constant pumping she slowly sailed to Bahia Blanca where she arrived on 14 October.
After discharging part of the cargo, and repair she sailed on 9 January 1875, but at sea she was again making water in the holds and the captain decided to make a call at Rio de Janeiro where she arrived on 2 February. For the second time the cargo was discharged, and the ship dry-docked.
07 March towed to sea and arrived Gravesend on 28 April after a passage of 269 days from Sydney.
Thereafter mostly used with general cargo and passengers out to Australia and with wool back, till she was sold in 1882 to D Rose & Co. Again used in the trade to Australia, took part in the wool fleet of 1882/1883 arrived London 20 January 1883.
Also used in the wool fleet from Australia in 1883/84 arrived London 06 February 1884.
1884 She foundered 40 miles south of Algoa Bay, most probably on her outward voyage, I can not find her in the wool fleet of 1884/85.
Belize 1981 $2 sg 676, scott 614.
Sources: The Blackwall Frigates and The Colonial Clippers both by Basil Lubbock.