ROTOMAHANA
ROTOMAHANA
Years Active: 1881-1884
Vessel Type: Full-rigged Iron Ship
Full-rigged
Nationality: English
Reduced “to pieces” after running aground in Falkland Sound after her cargo caught fire in August 1884.
Main Use:
Cargo
Years Active:
1881-1884
Power:
Sail
Built:
1881
Size:
1,658 Gross, 1,584 Net tons
78.88 x 11.67 x 6.92 metres
(length, breadth, depth) metres
Design/Build:
Russell & Co. at Cartsdyke West Yard, Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Main Use: Cargo
Built: 1881
Power: Sail
Design/Build: Russell & Co. at Cartsdyke West Yard, Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Size: 1,658 Gross, 1,584 Net tons
Dimensions: 78.88 x 11.67 x 6.92 metres
The ROTOMAHANA, from Liverpool, was wrecked on the Elephant Cays rocks in the Falkland Sound on 19th August 1884, after her cargo caught fire. Her crew survived, although rescuing them turned into something of a farce. Initially, the Master of the burning vessel dispatched his Third Officer to Stanley to seek assistance. The Schooner HORNET, belonging to the Falkland Islands Company, was accordingly chartered by the Falkland Islands Government, on behalf of the Board of Trade in London, for the sum of £45, to proceed to the scene of the wreck and rescue the crew. Prior to her arrival, however, the steamer RANEE, from Stanley, had arrived in the Sound and taken off some of the crew, who were landed at Port Stephens on West Falkland. The wreck of the ROTOMAHANA was later sold at auction to Dean and Co. of Stanley for £10-10-0d. A telegram in Buenos Aires, from the ship’s Master, states: “ROTOMAHANA total loss; crew saved; fire; stranding Falkland Sound; exonerated; coming home.”
The ROTOMAHANA, from Liverpool, was wrecked on the Elephant Cays rocks in the Falkland Sound on 19th August 1884, after her cargo caught fire. Her crew survived, although rescuing them turned into something of a farce. Initially, the Master of the burning vessel dispatched his Third Officer to Stanley to seek assistance. The Schooner HORNET, belonging to the Falkland Islands Company, was accordingly chartered by the Falkland Islands Government, on behalf of the Board of Trade in London, for the sum of £45, to proceed to the scene of the wreck and rescue the crew. Prior to her arrival, however, the steamer RANEE, from Stanley, had arrived in the Sound and taken off some of the crew, who were landed at Port Stephens on West Falkland. The wreck of the ROTOMAHANA was later sold at auction to Dean and Co. of Stanley for £10-10-0d. A telegram in Buenos Aires, from the ship’s Master, states: “ROTOMAHANA total loss; crew saved; fire; stranding Falkland Sound; exonerated; coming home.”
