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Narrative of the wreck of the barque JULIA ANN
Narrative of the wreck of the barque JULIA ANN

Narrative of the wreck of the barque JULIA ANN

Author
Date1858
Object number00018318
NameBook
MediumGilt on morrocco, pencil, Ink on paper
DimensionsOverall: 226 x 148 mm, 0.15 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThis narrative is an account of the wreck of the barque JULIA ANN. It was published in New York and is covered in Moroccan leather with a decorative gilt border. The narrative chronicles the ship's voyage from Sydney to San Francisco, ending prematurely when it wrecked on the French Polynesian island of Maneua. The survivors spent two months living on the deserted atoll before they were rescued. HistoryThe JULIA ANN was one of over 200 vessels that sailed from Australia to California during 1849 to 1851, transporting more than 7000 passengers seeking gold. It was built in 1851 by Stetson at Robbinston, Maine. It was initially active in the American gold rush before supplying food, utensils and miners for the Australian gold diggings. JULIA ANN's first journey to Australia was in 1853 under the Empire City Line of San Francisco and it went on to make four successive voyages between 1852 and 1855, under the command of Captain Benjamin Pond. On its return trips to the United Sates the vessel carried coal from Newcastle to be sold in America. In 1855, on its fifth journey between Sydney and San Francisco JULIA ANN hit a reef near Scilly Island in French Polynesia. The vessel had left Sydney carrying miners from the gold fields and many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons). The final destination of San Francisco was never reached. The vessel wrecked and fifty-one passengers managed to scramble to safety on the atoll, only losing two women and three children. Over two months the survivors salvaged materials from the shipwreck to repair one of the ship's boats, in which ten volunteers rowed 400 km to reach help and bring back a rescue vessel. SignificanceThis rare book highlights the wreck of the JULIA ANN, a vessel that played an important role in Australian trade during the gold rush period. The account reflects the unfortunate fate of many merchant passenger and cargo ships travelling the world oceans during the 18th century.