LocationBass Strait, lost at sea VHR NumberS432 Date lost09/1853 Year of construction1837 |
The Madagascar is significant for its role in transporting passengers to and from the gold rushes of Victoria, and for the events associated with its loss
| Physical Description | |
|---|---|
| Construction Material | Wood |
| Hull Details | Blackwaller |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Number of Masts | 3 |
| Length / Breadth / Depth | 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0 |
| History | |
| Built Date | 1837 |
| Registration Port / Country | London / |
| Details |
The Madagascar rode at anchor with a full passenger list and large cargo of gold for about a month. Detectives boarded the ship before it departed and arrested several passengers believed involved with the McIvor Gold Escort Robbery near Kyneton in July 1853. The Madagascar departed Melbourne in September and was never seen again. Theories as to the ship's final resting place range from the Pacific Islands to the coast of Chile or Brazil in South America. Another theory is that the ship and its precious cargo of gold was seized by pirates and all the passengers killed. Captain Gardner who was the master of the Earl of Charlemont (wrecked at Barwon Heads in June 1853) was travelling on the Madagascar with his wife.
|
| Uses of Vessel | |
| Primary Use | Transport |
| Voyage Details | |
| Date Lost | 09/1853 |
| Voyage | from Melbourne to England |
| Cargo |
Huge cargo of gold and silver (and passengers). 68,390 ounces of gold dust, one box of specie, 8 boxes of silver and 9 boxes of sovereigns
|
| Owner | R. Green |
| Cause of Loss |
Lost enroute to England
|
| Further Details | |
| Number of Passengers | 0 |
| Comments on Passenger |
Full passenger list
|
| Number of Crew Members | 0 |