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Lot Essay
Ordered by Crawford & Rowat's Port Line, Port Patrick was the first all-steel full-rigger in the company's Glasgow-based fleet of bulk carriers. Built by Archibald Russell & Co. at Port Glasgow in 1889, she was registered at 1,740 tons gross (1,595 net) and measured 260½ft in length with a 38ft beam. Although no record-breaker, she nevertheless turned in some very good passages during her career, most notably in 1894 when her 98-day run from Oregon to Queenstown (Ireland) carrying timber proved the fastest of the year on that particular route. Far more memorable than her sailing performance however was her remarkable luck in escaping not just one but two near-wrecking within five years, both of which almost sank her.
The first occurred in 1901 whilst she was on her way from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to Newcastle, New South Wales, in ballast. Slowly working her way up Australia's east coast, she was suddenly struck by a fierce squall which nearly overwhelmed her. Drifting inshore with her anchor dragging and her sails in ribbons, her stern was practically on the beach before a second anchor began to bite. Her crew got off safely and were picked up by a passing steamer that took them into Sydney with the news that Port Patrick lay abandoned close by. Two local tugs, anxious for salvage rights, raced to her and, in the nick of time, towed her clear of the shore and into Melbourne. Just over five years later, on 2nd January 1907, she was leaving Astoria loaded with grain when she collided with the port's lightship causing it severe damage. Relatively undamaged herself, Port Patrick continued on her way but the very next day struck an uncharted shoal and was nearly smashed to pieces before she could be refloated. Leaking badly, her captain gently coaxed her into port for major repairs whereby she narrowly survived her second disaster.
In July 1913, Port Patrick was sold to O.A. Fardig of Finland for 125,000 markkas and he kept her for five years until she was sold to the Nystad Ocean Ship Company in 1918. Remaining in service for a further five years, she was sold to German ship-breakers in 1923 and scrapped soon afterwards.
The first occurred in 1901 whilst she was on her way from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to Newcastle, New South Wales, in ballast. Slowly working her way up Australia's east coast, she was suddenly struck by a fierce squall which nearly overwhelmed her. Drifting inshore with her anchor dragging and her sails in ribbons, her stern was practically on the beach before a second anchor began to bite. Her crew got off safely and were picked up by a passing steamer that took them into Sydney with the news that Port Patrick lay abandoned close by. Two local tugs, anxious for salvage rights, raced to her and, in the nick of time, towed her clear of the shore and into Melbourne. Just over five years later, on 2nd January 1907, she was leaving Astoria loaded with grain when she collided with the port's lightship causing it severe damage. Relatively undamaged herself, Port Patrick continued on her way but the very next day struck an uncharted shoal and was nearly smashed to pieces before she could be refloated. Leaking badly, her captain gently coaxed her into port for major repairs whereby she narrowly survived her second disaster.
In July 1913, Port Patrick was sold to O.A. Fardig of Finland for 125,000 markkas and he kept her for five years until she was sold to the Nystad Ocean Ship Company in 1918. Remaining in service for a further five years, she was sold to German ship-breakers in 1923 and scrapped soon afterwards.