Chusan (1852)

[shipstamps]

Chusan was the first steamer to carry passengers and mail to Australia. Built in 1852, her 80 horsepower engine gave her a top speed of eight knots. Her sails were in reality the main motive power.
Australia SG1729 Singapore SG375 Tuvalu SG835. Guyana SG2698
Maritime Heritage The Romance of Sail

[D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen]

Built in 1851-'52 by Miller Ravenhill & Salkeld, Low Walker, Newcastle for the P&O Lines.
Gt:699, Loa:57,91m. (190') Br:8,97m. (29'5") D:4,90m. (16'1") 2 cyl. direct oscillating engine:80 ihp. 8 kn. coal:125 tons.
24-03-1852 Registered, built for China feeder service.
15-05 Maiden voyage Southampton - Cape Verde (for coal)- Capetown - Melbourne - Sydney, where she arrived on Aug.03. Aug.31 Sydney - Melbourne - Singapore mail run inaugurated.
1854 Placed on Calcutta - Straits Settlements - Singapore - Hong Kong service.
1858 Based Hong Kong for Manila or Shanghai service, June 3 sold in Shanghai to David Sassoon & Sons.
1866 Sold to Feudatory of Matsuyama, 1868 sold to Choshu Dan, renamed in KAYO MARU and converted into a warship, 1870 broken up.
(Merchant Fleets in profile 1, Duncan Haws)