The clipper ship GUIDING STAR chartered for the gold regions of Australia
Maker
Illustrated London News
(Established 1842)
Date1853
Object number00001096
NameEngraving
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 400 x 270 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA page from the Illustrated London News of 1 October 1853 featuring and engraving titled 'The clipper ship GUIDING STAR chartered for the gold regions of Australia' with accompanying article.HistoryThe GUIDING STAR was a clipper ship built in 1853 primarily as a passenger transport ship from the UK to the Australian goldfields. She left her base in Liverpool on January 8 1855 for another round trip to Australia with 480 passengers, mostly immigrants and 60 crew on board. The owners, Miller & Thompson - Golden Line had insured her for the very large sum of $12,000. Whether that was a premonition or not, the GUIDING STAR was lost somewhere in the Southern Ocean. She was seen by the MERCURY on the 12th February and a week later in the same area numerous large icebergs were recorded by other ships. It is supposed, although never confirmed, that the GUIDING STAR was lost to icebergs at some date around the 20th February 1855.
Interestingly in September of that same year, an article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald recounting the discovery of a number of letters discovered in a bottle from Scottish passengers aboard the GUIDING STAR on her final voyage. They tell of being very well and comfortable aboard the ship, but that was on February 9th so still give no clue as to the final fate.
Illustrated London News
1855
