Lady Nelson
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The Lady Nelson was a vessel used in the exploration of the coast of Australia in the early years of the 19th century.
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[edit] Description
The Lady Nelson was named in honour of the wife of Horatio Nelson, England's naval hero. She was built in Deptford, England in 1799 and purchased by the Royal Navy in 1800.
She was a Brig designed especially for inshore exploration, with a draught of only 6', and three sliding keels. This unusual feature was originally conceived by naval architect John Schank.
Her length was 52'6", her tonnage 60 tonnes, and she was originally armed with 2 brass carriage guns. Her crew consisted of fifteen men: the commander, two mates, and twelve seamen.
She was fitted out with a further four guns and provisions for 9 months and sent to Australia under the command of Lieutenant James Grant.
[edit] Exploration of the Victorian coast
The Lady Nelson reached the western coast of Victoria, Australia in December 1800, and was subsequently the first vessel to pass through Bass Strait on her way to Sydney. Grant named Cape Schanck, Mount Gambier, Northumberland Cape, Cape Banks, Cape Bridgewater, Mount Schank, Lady Julia Percy Island, Portland Bay, Point Danger and Cape Otway along the southern coast. After arriving in Sydney, she soon turned around to further explore the south coast, now with John Murray aboard as first mate, and surveyed as far as Westernport Bay. However, her most famous southern voyage was in early 1802 when John Murray, having been given command of the Lady Nelson, discovered the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. On the same voyage he also surveyed King Island and the Kent Group.
[edit] Association with Matthew Flinders
The Lady Nelson is also associated with Matthew Flinders. In 1803 the Lady Nelson was intended to accompany Flinders' other survey ship, the Investigator, in surveying the coast north of Sydney. However, she accompanied the Investigator only as far as Cumberland Island when Flinders decided she was unseaworthy and sent her back.
[edit] The Loss of the Lady Nelson to Privateers
On September 22nd 1825, The Sydney Gazette reported: 'The Lady Nelson, brig, has been most unfortunately cut off at Timor by Malay privateers and all the crew sacrificed, except the Captain. The little 60 ton ship contributed more to the exploration and settlement than any other. She served in the colony for a quarter of a century'.
[edit] Modern replica
A modern replica of the Lady Nelson was built in c. 1988 and is based in Tasmania and operates as a sail training vessel after a recent 4-month refurbishment.
[edit] See also
- Brig
- History of Geelong
- Ship replica (including a list of ship replicas)
- Tall ship
[edit] References
- The discovery of the relics of H.M. Colonial Brig Lady Nelson and the schooner Stedcombe / Peter Spillett (1982, ISBN 0-9599702-1-5)
- First lady: the story of HMS Lady Nelson / Lorraine Paul (1982, ISBN 0-909131-91-0)
- H.M. Survey vessel Lady Nelson and the discovery of Port Phillip / John Murray, edited and introduced by John Currey (2002, ISBN 0-949586-11-0)
- Rebirth of a Lady: The Lady Nelson project, from conception to rebirth, book 1, 1980 to launch, reflections and recollections / John R. Sargent (1998, ISBN 0-9585284-3-8)
- Papers of Geoffrey Chapman Ingleton - maritime historian and marine artist, includes Lady Nelson material
- Chart of the N and W. parts of Bass's Straits discovered and sailed through in a passage from England to Port Jackson in December 1800 in H.M. armed surveying vessel Lady Nelson commanded by Jas. Grant ...
- Chart of King's Island, in Bass's strait [sign denoting anchorage in Elephant Bay Lat. 39p0s51'17"S. Long. 143p0s57'45"E / by acting Lieut. John Murray, in the Lady Nelson 1802. Plan of Port Phillip in Bass's Strait / discovered & partly surveyed by Acting Lieut. John Murray, in the Lady Nelson January 1801]
- Chart of the sound and coves between the East and West Islands of Kent's Group in Bass's Strait: discovered and sailed thro by Lieut: Flinders in 1798 ; examined in the Lady Nelson by Acting Lieut. John Murray, 1801
- Chart of Western Port and coast to Wilson's Promontory forming part of the North side of Bass's Strait / surveyed by order of Governor King by Ensign Barrallier in HM armed surveying vessel Lady Nelson ; Lieut. James Grant, Commander, in March, April and May, 1801
[edit] External links
- The Logbook of the Lady Nelson at Project Gutenberg
- Lady Nelson Tasmanian Sail Training Association
