Saturday, August 10, 2013

The Wreck of the Tornado

The Tornado was very fortunate to avoid being wrecked on its passage to New Zealand. Her quick thinking Chief Mate, James Carmichael, clearly thought better of having another voyage with Captain Aitken and found alternative employment:
Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVI, Issue 1268, 11 November 1859
The Tornado sailed from Auckland to Callao on October 31, 1859, with Captain Aitken still in charge.

Daily Southern Cross 28 November 1859_Tornado
 She was apparently meant to pick up a cargo of guano from Callao and then, in October 1860, take passengers from Galsgow to Otago (according to this advertisement in August).
Falkirk Herald August 02 1860
Luck wasn't with her on the return voyage though. She was wrecked in the Straits of Magellan, her crew rescued by HMS Mutine.
Stirling Observer August 23 1860
News of her loss eventually filtered back to New Zealand in October 1860. Perhaps some of her passengers weren't entirely surprised at her fate!
Daily Southern Cross 26 October 1860

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