The two masted schooner Vixen was built at Peel in 1852, for 37 men of Peel who wanted to join the Australian gold rush.
It was expensive to travel by normal trade ships and that led to the men to have their own ship built.
The voyage began on the 26th January 1853 with a public send off - they finally reached Australia after rounding the Cape of Good Hope.
The voyage took 92 days, a remarkabley fast time for a vessel of her size.
The stamp shows Vixen leaving Peel.
Ted Evans, Liverpool.
IOM SG386
Vixen
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aukepalmhof
- Posts: 7796
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Re: Vixen
The wooden schooner VIXEN was built by Henry Graves at Peel, Island of Man.
August 1851 completed for himself and 36 other shareholders. Official No. 24336.
Tonnage 93 register ton, dim. 73.5 x 17.6 x 10.2ft. (draught)
The VIXEN when gold was found in Australia, a number of Manxmen who were anxious to go there, fitted the VIXEN out for a voyage to Australia.
To fit out the schooner was cheaper than to buy a passage ticket.
The VIXEN sailed from Peel under command of Captain Thomas Cubben on 26 January 1853 at 03.00 p.m. for Australia, with on board 37 passengers.
23 February she crossed the line, passed Cape of Good Hope 28 March and arrived at Port Philip Head after a passage of 92 days. A very quick passage for a small vessel.
From Australia the VIXEN sailed back to Great Britain, arrived Liverpool on 03 July 1855, a crew list filled away showed she sailed from Peel 26 January and arrived in Liverpool on 3 July 1855.
The crew list itself had been ‘altered’ however and it appears that the same crew rejoined at Port Philips on 12 February 1855. The amendment has been overwritten presumably no blank form was available.
It looks of the VIXEN thereafter remained in home waters until 26 March 1864 when she foundered 2 miles NW of the Calf of Man, with the loss of 6 crew members and the wife of the master.
Source: Mr. G Somner, World Ship Society.
August 1851 completed for himself and 36 other shareholders. Official No. 24336.
Tonnage 93 register ton, dim. 73.5 x 17.6 x 10.2ft. (draught)
The VIXEN when gold was found in Australia, a number of Manxmen who were anxious to go there, fitted the VIXEN out for a voyage to Australia.
To fit out the schooner was cheaper than to buy a passage ticket.
The VIXEN sailed from Peel under command of Captain Thomas Cubben on 26 January 1853 at 03.00 p.m. for Australia, with on board 37 passengers.
23 February she crossed the line, passed Cape of Good Hope 28 March and arrived at Port Philip Head after a passage of 92 days. A very quick passage for a small vessel.
From Australia the VIXEN sailed back to Great Britain, arrived Liverpool on 03 July 1855, a crew list filled away showed she sailed from Peel 26 January and arrived in Liverpool on 3 July 1855.
The crew list itself had been ‘altered’ however and it appears that the same crew rejoined at Port Philips on 12 February 1855. The amendment has been overwritten presumably no blank form was available.
It looks of the VIXEN thereafter remained in home waters until 26 March 1864 when she foundered 2 miles NW of the Calf of Man, with the loss of 6 crew members and the wife of the master.
Source: Mr. G Somner, World Ship Society.