Hello All
Here is another intriguing mystery.
The Madagascar, the second Blackwall Frigate, was built for George and Henry Green at the Blackwall shipyard they co-owned with the Wigram family.
A one-eighth share in the vessel was held throughout her 16-year career by her first master Captain William Harrison Walker, the remainder continuing to be owned by various members of the Green family. The Madagascar carried freight, passengers and troops between England and India until the end of 1852.
In addition to her normal crew she also carried many boys being trained as officers for the merchant marine. Known as midshipmen from naval practise, their parents or guardians paid for their training, and they only received a nominal wage of usually a shilling a month. As a result of the Victorian Gold Rush the Madagascar was sent to Melbourne with emigrants under the command of Captain Fortescue William Harris. She left Plymouth on 11 March 1853 and, after an uneventful passage of 87 days, reached Melbourne on 10 June. Fourteen of her 60 crew jumped ship for the diggings, and it is believed only about three replacements were signed on. She then loaded a cargo that included wool, rice and about 2.9 tonnes of gold valued at £240,000, and took on board about 110 passengers for London.
On Wednesday 10 August, just as she was preparing to sail, police went on board and arrested a bushranger John Francis who was later found to have been one of those responsible for robbing the Melbourne Private Escort between the McIvor goldfield (Heathcote, Victoria) and Kyneton on 20 July. On the following day two others were arrested, one on board the ship and the other as he was preparing to board. As a result of these arrests the Madagascar did not leave Melbourne until Friday 12 August 1853 and after leaving Port Phillip Heads she was never seen again.
When the ship became overdue many theories were floated, The mystery of her fate has been speculated upon for years. And there has been many claims.
A famous shipwreck hunter Ben Crop belived the Madagascar sailed North from Mebourne to go to London via singapore and the ship might be shipwrecked of the barrier reef? Some think the ship proberly hit an Iceburgh rounding cape Horn or was sunk by a rogue wave? Some think she hit one of the lonely rock outcrops south of New zealand? There was also suggestions that she was wrecked at dusky sound in New Zealand? others have theorised that was burnt and sunk from internal combustion of the wool? Others believe she was looted and burned and survivors came ashore in South America?
2.9 Ton would be upwards of about 124 million dollars if found to day? A nice reward if some one can find it?
Hardluck
Posted on: February 25, 2012, 07:32:19 PM
Hello All
Perhaps some one has found it?
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Hardluck
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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,35256.msg216837.html#msg216837
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« Last Edit: March 17, 2012, 12:02:25 am by hardluck »
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