AMBASSADOR
AMBASSADOR
Years Active: 1869-1895
Vessel Type: 3-masted composite Barque
Barque
Nationality: Norwegian
Storm damaged and declared a ‘write-off’ in the Falklands in 1895. Taken to Chile. Used for storage until 1899. Declared an Historic Monument in 1973.
Main Use:
Cargo
Years Active:
1869-1895
Power:
Sail
Built:
1869
Size:
714 Gross, 692 Net tons
53.64 x 9.54 x 5.82 metres
(length, breadth, depth) metres
Design/Build:
William Walker at Lavender Dry Dock, Rotherhithe, London
Main Use: Cargo
Built: 1869
Power: Sail
Design/Build: William Walker at Lavender Dry Dock, Rotherhithe, London
Size: 714 Gross, 692 Net tons
Dimensions: 53.64 x 9.54 x 5.82 metres
Caught in a storm whilst en route from Jacksonville in Florida, to Honolulu in Hawaii, with a cargo of phosphate, AMBASSADOR arrived in Stanley harbour in the Falklands in a poor state on 30th June 1895. Her bulwarks were stove in, the top sides were leaking badly and part of her cargo was damaged. The captain had already thrown 35 tons of cargo overboard in an attempt to lighten the vessel, as the phosphate had absorbed water. Three months later, the owners did a ‘write-off’ deal with the insurance underwriters for 50% of the value of the hull. The cargo was removed and taken on to Honolulu in two chartered vessels. The hull was sold for £850 and towed to Punta Arenas in Chile, where it was used as a storage hulk before being beached in 1899. In 1973, Chile declared her a historic monument. As of 2024, the wreck had been reduced to a skeletal frame.
Caught in a storm whilst en route from Jacksonville in Florida, to Honolulu in Hawaii, with a cargo of phosphate, AMBASSADOR arrived in Stanley harbour in the Falklands in a poor state on 30th June 1895. Her bulwarks were stove in, the top sides were leaking badly and part of her cargo was damaged. The captain had already thrown 35 tons of cargo overboard in an attempt to lighten the vessel, as the phosphate had absorbed water. Three months later, the owners did a ‘write-off’ deal with the insurance underwriters for 50% of the value of the hull. The cargo was removed and taken on to Honolulu in two chartered vessels. The hull was sold for £850 and towed to Punta Arenas in Chile, where it was used as a storage hulk before being beached in 1899. In 1973, Chile declared her a historic monument. As of 2024, the wreck had been reduced to a skeletal frame.
