The Barque Macquarie, Newcastle c1887-1897
Watercolour
40.7 x 55.5 cm
Signed and inscribed Newcastle, NSW
H. Charleston fl. 1890-1919 refer also Charlston Studios, Newcastle, photographers c1898-
When launched in 1875, the iron, full-rigged ship Macquarie was hailed as the finest passenger sailing ship afloat. She was built and owned by the famous London shipowners R. Green and Co. ... Built at a cost of £42,000, and originally named Melbourne, she was beautifully modelled and of exceptionally strong construction with fully furnished accomodation for 50 passengers. Until she was sold in 1887 she regularly traded between London and Melbourne, after that, her name was chaged to Macquarie and she was placed in the Sydney trade until 1897 when she became one of Lord Brassey’s cadet ships, providing ocean training under sail for the future officers of the British Merchant Service.
Daisy Bates sailed home to England on the Macquarie in February 1894. An account of this voyage, titled Going Home in a Sailing Ship By Daisy M. Bates appeared in The Australasian, 3 December, 1927 and included ... ”Her passenger accomodation was excellent - good sized open berths, quiet service and a good table. She carried a well stocked little farm comprising pigs, sheep, fowls, geese & c, and two cows. All of which were comfortably housed in her roomy foreparts, plus a variety of parrots and other pets belonging to the sailors.”
Item #3531
Price: $5,500.00