MOSS TROOPER
MOSS TROOPER
Years Active: 1864-1874
Vessel Type: Wooden Barque
Barque
Nationality: English
Abandoned by her crew near the Falkland Islands in October 1874, after her coal cargo caught fire, just before she disappeared in a “sheet of flame”.
Main Use:
Cargo
Years Active:
1864-1874
Power:
Sail
Built:
1864
Size:
510 Net tons
43.65 x 8.66 x 5.52 metres
(length, breadth, depth) metres
Design/Build:
Fell at Workington, Cumberland, England
Main Use: Cargo
Built: 1864
Power: Sail
Design/Build: Fell at Workington, Cumberland, England
Size: 510 Net tons
Dimensions: 43.65 x 8.66 x 5.52 metres
The MOSS TROOPER, left Liverpool in England on 29th June 1874 with a cargo of coal for Valparaiso in Chile under the command of Captain Corlon. Everything went according to plan until the 30th September, when the crew discovered the cargo was on fire. By 21:00 on 2nd October, Captain Corlyon declared the fire out of control and ordered the boats lowered and the crew into them. The ship was only 30 miles from Arch Island of West Falkland. The boats remained close to the burning vessel, hoping that the flames and smoke might attract a passing vessel. They watched as the MOSS TROOPER’s masts collapsed, and vessel soon disappeared in a sheet of flame. At around 23:00 hrs, they started to row towards land and after pulling for 18 hours, reached Arch Island, where they made a fire on the rocks. The plan was to row at first light to the West Falkland’s mainland. But, the island they were on caught fire. Fortunately this attracted local farmers, who rescued the crew and took them to safety.
The MOSS TROOPER, left Liverpool in England on 29th June 1874 with a cargo of coal for Valparaiso in Chile under the command of Captain Corlon. Everything went according to plan until the 30th September, when the crew discovered the cargo was on fire. By 21:00 on 2nd October, Captain Corlyon declared the fire out of control and ordered the boats lowered and the crew into them. The ship was only 30 miles from Arch Island of West Falkland. The boats remained close to the burning vessel, hoping that the flames and smoke might attract a passing vessel. They watched as the MOSS TROOPER’s masts collapsed, and vessel soon disappeared in a sheet of flame. At around 23:00 hrs, they started to row towards land and after pulling for 18 hours, reached Arch Island, where they made a fire on the rocks. The plan was to row at first light to the West Falkland’s mainland. But, the island they were on caught fire. Fortunately this attracted local farmers, who rescued the crew and took them to safety.
