Royal Charter (ship)

A scene of the wreck of the "Royal Charter"

Llanallgo church nr. Moelfra, Anglesey - where 140 sufferers in the Royal Charter are buried

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Royal Charter (ship) was a steamship built in 1855 by Gibbs, Bright & Co. at the Sandycroft Ironworks on the River Dee, North Wales. Originally constructed as a tea clipper for the Australian trade, she was later refitted for the British-Australian passenger service. The ship is most renowned for her tragic sinking on 26 October 1859, which resulted in the loss of over 800 lives, making it one of the deadliest maritime disasters in British history.

Design and Construction

The Royal Charter was a 2,719-ton vessel, measuring 200 feet in length with a 40-foot beam. She was an iron-hulled ship, which was a relatively new innovation at the time, providing both strength and durability. Her design incorporated both sail and steam power, making her one of the first composite ships. This hybrid propulsion system allowed her to make faster voyages than purely sail-powered ships, a significant advantage in the competitive passenger and cargo markets of the time.

Service

After her launch in 1855, the Royal Charter was employed in the lucrative trade routes between England and Australia, capitalizing on the Australian Gold Rush of the 1850s. She was known for her speed, completing the journey from Australia to England in under 60 days, which was remarkably fast for that era. Her primary role was to transport passengers, mail, and gold from the Australian goldfields to Britain.

The Sinking

The Royal Charter met her tragic end on a return voyage from Melbourne to Liverpool in 1859. Caught in a violent storm off the coast of Anglesey, Wales, she was driven onto rocks near Moelfre. Despite the efforts of the local lifeboat and the heroism of some of the passengers and crew, over 800 people lost their lives. The disaster was exacerbated by the large quantities of gold on board, leading to acts of bravery but also of desperation and lawlessness among survivors and rescuers.

The loss of the Royal Charter had a profound impact on maritime safety, leading to changes in weather forecasting and the development of the Meteorological Office in the UK. It also influenced the design of ships and the implementation of life-saving equipment on board.

Legacy

The sinking of the Royal Charter remains one of the most tragic maritime disasters in British history. It is remembered in Anglesey and the maritime community for the loss of life and the bravery of those involved in the rescue efforts. The disaster has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and research projects, highlighting its significance in the history of maritime safety and ship design.