THERMOPYLAE
A
clipper ship is described as being a fast sailing ship with fine lines,
raked masts and sharp bows noted for its speed in the tea carrying trade.
The fastest of these were referred to as “Extreme Clippers”
Among
them were the THERMOPYLAE and the CUTTY SARK.
These two among the extreme clippers are most noted for
the fast runs they made in competition with each other from China to London
with tea, although they were not the only vessels engaged in the trade.
The
rivalry between the Tea Clippers was intense. The first vessel
home meant that her cargo could be sold at a higher price with the crew
enjoying a bonus on their passage rate. Although both the THERMOPYLAE
and the CUTTY SARK claimed the fastest passage
time it was not until the 16 th June 1872 that both vessels left
Shanghai in company bound for London with a cargo of tea. Unfortunately
the CUTTY SARK lost her rudder while passing through
the Sunda Straits. THERMOPYLAE arrived in London
on the 11 th October while CUTTY SARK arrived seven
days later
The
THERMOPYLAE was built of composite construction (wood
and iron) at Aberdeen in1868 by Walter Hood & Co. for the Aberdeen
White Star Line with George Thompson & Co as Managers.
Designed
by Bernard Waymouth (born 1824), who became senior surveyor for Lloyds
Register in 1858 and during the 1860's was an authority on composite construction.
In 1871 he became Principal Surveyor and two years later was appointed
Secretary until his death in 1890.
The
dimensions of THERMOPYLAE were 212ft Length 36ft Beam
21ft depth giving her a gross tonnage of 927 and a net tonnage of 947.
Her British Ship Number was 60688
Keel
laid 16 th September 1867
All
outer planking completed 26 th June 1868
Launched
19 th August 1868
Finished
and equipped 17 th September 1868
Classified
17A1 Lloyds (the 17 denotes the number of years she could hold the
A1 classification until her next survey thus indicating the quality of
her build)
Decks
Yellow Pine, ceilings Teak
In
addition to the 20 sails normally associated with a full rigged ship she
carried further studding and staysails. Sail plans show that she did not
fly skysails
THERMOPYLAE
sailed on her maiden voyage on the 8 th November under
the command of Captain Robert Kemball and completed the passage from Gravesend
to Hobson's Bay, Melbourne in 63 days. A record for a sailing ship that
still exists to this day.
It
is estimated that THERMOPYLAE over a 24 hour run could
cover 348 nautical miles (400 land miles) giving her an average speed
of 14½ knots (16.65 mph) although she has been credited with reaching
speeds in excess of 20knots.
Passage
from China to London was round the Cape of Good Hope . The Suez Canal
was opened in 1869 allowing steamships to compete with the tea clippers
and carry a greater load. The tea clippers had ceased to be commercially
viable.
In
1899 she was sold to W Ross & Co. Ship-brokers, London and passed
on to The Mount Royal Milling and Manufacturing Co. Victoria, British
Columbia, Canada for £5,000 who shortly thereafter reduced her to
Barque Rig.
In
1895 she was sold to the Portuguese Government as a sail training ship
being renamed PEDRO NUNES. (Pedro Nunes [Nunez] 1502-1578
was a Portuguese Scholar involving himself in the fields of Mathematics,
Geography and Physics)
In
1903 she became a coaling hulk
On
October the 13 th 1907 the THERMOPYLAE was torpedoed
in the bay of Cascais off Estoril during a traditional festival. This
yearly event, when the national flag of Portugal is presented to the Navy,
began with an enormous naval parade, followed by boat racing and water
polo tournaments. During the afternoon, in the presence of the Royal family,
the festival ended with the torpedoing of various targets including the
THERMOPYLAE . Two naval ships sunk the clipper
with gunfire after she burst into flames following the impact of the torpedoes.
Both
ships still exist. The CUTTY SARK is berthed in
her own dry dock at Greenwich, London (SEE
PICTURE) whereas the THERMOPYLAE is lying where
she was sunk in 1907.
In-Depth
Productions Ltd
will carry out underwater filming of the wreck, which will probably be
shown on Television during 2008 . Click
Here for More
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