TOPAZ
TOPAZ
Years Active: 1833-1853
Vessel Type: Brig
Brig
Nationality: American
Condemned as unseaworthy, in April 1853, after running aground in the west of the Falklands but, seven months later, sails away headed for the USA.
Main Use:
Whaling/Sealing
Years Active:
1833-1853
Power:
Sail
Built:
1833
Size:
138 Net tons
23.65 x 7.01 x 2.72 metres
(length, breadth, depth) metres
Design/Build:
Somerset, Massachusetts, USA
Main Use: Whaling/Sealing
Built: 1833
Power: Sail
Design/Build: Somerset, Massachusetts, USA
Size: 138 Net tons
Dimensions: 23.65 x 7.01 x 2.72 metres
On 23rd June 1852, the American-built brig, TOPAZ, left New London in Connecticut on a whaling and sealing cruise to the South Atlantic, commanded by Nicholas C. Anthony and a crew of 16. Around nine months later she runs ashore on New Island, in the far southwest of the Falkland Islands archipelago. Nothing is known about how she got there or what the exact damage was. On 21st April 1853, she arrived in Stanley for “repairs” but was subsequently condemned as ‘unseaworthy’. However, just over seven months later, on 12th December, the TOPAZ is logged leaving Stanley under her own sail, for Philadelphia, in the USA, alongside a schooner called ZERVIAH. Captain Anthony is not on board either vessel, which are both loaded with guano from another ship, condemned in Stanley, the CLYDE. It seems the TOPAZ’s original commander may have found employment on another vessel, the PETRAL, which left the Falklands two months earlier, on 4th October 1853.
On 23rd June 1852, the American-built brig, TOPAZ, left New London in Connecticut on a whaling and sealing cruise to the South Atlantic, commanded by Nicholas C. Anthony and a crew of 16. Around nine months later she runs ashore on New Island, in the far southwest of the Falkland Islands archipelago. Nothing is known about how she got there or what the exact damage was. On 21st April 1853, she arrived in Stanley for “repairs” but was subsequently condemned as ‘unseaworthy’. However, just over seven months later, on 12th December, the TOPAZ is logged leaving Stanley under her own sail, for Philadelphia, in the USA, alongside a schooner called ZERVIAH. Captain Anthony is not on board either vessel, which are both loaded with guano from another ship, condemned in Stanley, the CLYDE. It seems the TOPAZ’s original commander may have found employment on another vessel, the PETRAL, which left the Falklands two months earlier, on 4th October 1853.
