| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Owner | Muir & Co. |
| Builder | Portland, New Brunswick |
| Launched | 1826 |
| Fate | Wrecked 6 May 1829 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 309, or 314 (bm) |
Comet was launched in New Brunswick in 1826. She was wrecked on 6 May 1829 in the Torres Strait, north of present-day Queensland, Australia. Her crew survived.
| Year | Master | Owner | Trade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1827 | J.Morrison J.Fraser |
Muir & Co. | Greenock–New Brunswick | LR |
| 1829 | J.Fraser | Muir & Co. | Greenock–Van Diemen's Land | LR |
Loss: Comet sailed from Sydney on 12 April 1829, bound for Batavia. She reached the Torres Straits on 5 May, and the next day wrecked on Boot Reef (10°12′S 144°36′E / 10.2°S 144.6°E / -10.2; 144.6). The crew survived on her quarterdeck for three days before they were able to launch her boats. They then sailed to Murray Island, where they found Fairfield, of Aberdeen, Both, master, which rescued them.
Post script
Seven years later Captain Fraser would wreck Stirling Castle on Eliza Reef (near present-day Rockhampton, Queensland), on passage from Sydney for Singapore and Manila.
Citations
- ^ Hackman (2001), p. 264.
- ^ Canadian Archives and Library: Item: 12615: COMET.
- "PORTSMOUTH, OCT. 17.", The Morning Chronicle (London, England), 19 October 19, 1829; Issue 18757.
- "Ship News". The Times. No. 14048. London. 19 October 1829. col B, p. 4.
- Paterson (2013), p. 29.
References
- Hackman, Rowan (2001). Ships of the East India Company. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-96-7.
- Paterson, Lance (2013). Wreck-ollections: Ships and Shipwrecks in Queensland Waters. Vol. 3.