Burmah (ship)

The Burmah was a passenger ship, which disappeared en route from England to New Zealand in 1859 or 1860.

Last voyage

The Burmah was chartered by Willis, Gann & Co. The ship left London for New Zealand on 27 or 28 August 1859.[1] Burmah was seen by the ship Regina on the 17th of November, about 14 days sailing distance west of New Zealand, at 48°S 97°E / 48°S 97°E. The Regina passed icebergs the day after it passed Burmah.[2] Burmah never arrived at New Zealand and was officially declared lost by Lloyds on May 6, 1860.[3]

Burmah was carrying passengers and an assortment of breeding livestock.

The novelist Samuel Butler was booked to travel on the Burmah to New Zealand, but he changed to a different ship, the Roman Emperor at the last moment, and therefore avoided the wreck of the Burmah.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Otago Witness, 10 October 1859 p.4
  2. ↑ Otago Witness, 11 February 1860 p.5
  3. ↑ Otago Witness, 4 August 1860
  4. ↑ Lyttelton Times, 28 January 1860