LAFONIA [1892]
LAFONIA [1892]
Years Active: 1892-1945
Vessel Type: 2-masted wooden Schooner
Schooner
Nationality: Falkland Islands
Struck the floating dock and sank in Stanly Harbour during the Great Easter Monday gale of 2nd April 1945 after being blown from her moorings.
Main Use:
Passenger, Mail and cargo
Years Active:
1892-1945
Power:
Sail
Built:
1892
Size:
109.6 Gross, 94.7 Net tons
30.85 x 6.52 x 3.44 metres
(length, breadth, depth) metres
Design/Build:
Philip and Co. at Dartmouth, Devon, England
Main Use: Passenger, Mail and cargo
Built: 1892
Power: Sail
Design/Build: Philip and Co. at Dartmouth, Devon, England
Size: 109.6 Gross, 94.7 Net tons
Dimensions: 30.85 x 6.52 x 3.44 metres
Previously known as the GEORGE HOLT (1892-1904), the LAFONIA was a former Liverpool Pilot boat, “the finest in the fleet”, bought by the Falkland Islands Company, arriving in Stanley on 14th December 1904.During more than a quarter of a century in the Falklands, as a schooner, the LAFONIA enjoyed a dramatic career. In May 1905, she was alongside the hulk of the SS GREAT BRITAIN when it caught fire. In March 1906, during a ‘furious’ gale, LAFONIA dragged her anchors and was blown ashore onto Bleaker Island. Undamaged, she was dragged off by the tug SAMSON and refloated. Two months later, LAFONIA rescued the passengers and crew from the schooner, FORTUNA, wrecked in a gale. On 21st January 1911, LAFONIA was hit and damaged in Stanley Harbour by the hulk NIMROD when it was blown from its moorings. In November 1911, LAFONIA was again driven ashore, this time in Port Harriet. In1931 she was converted into a lighter and her shipping registry closed.14 years later she sank in Stanley harbour.
Previously known as the GEORGE HOLT (1892-1904), the LAFONIA was a former Liverpool Pilot boat, “the finest in the fleet”, bought by the Falkland Islands Company, arriving in Stanley on 14th December 1904.During more than a quarter of a century in the Falklands, as a schooner, the LAFONIA enjoyed a dramatic career. In May 1905, she was alongside the hulk of the SS GREAT BRITAIN when it caught fire. In March 1906, during a ‘furious’ gale, LAFONIA dragged her anchors and was blown ashore onto Bleaker Island. Undamaged, she was dragged off by the tug SAMSON and refloated. Two months later, LAFONIA rescued the passengers and crew from the schooner, FORTUNA, wrecked in a gale. On 21st January 1911, LAFONIA was hit and damaged in Stanley Harbour by the hulk NIMROD when it was blown from its moorings. In November 1911, LAFONIA was again driven ashore, this time in Port Harriet. In1931 she was converted into a lighter and her shipping registry closed.14 years later she sank in Stanley harbour.
