Norway Heritage logo
S/S Calabria, Cunard Line Main Page >>

BurdenBuiltShipowner or operator Dimensions
2,902 gross 1857 at Glasgow by J. & G. Thomson & Co. Cunard Line 331.7ft x 42.1ft 
 Year Departure ArrivalRemarks
 1856  Nov. 1, keel laidAtlantic Journey ID 1330
 1857  June 10, launched for European & Australian as the "Australasian"Atlantic Journey ID 1331
 1859  Purchased by Cunard, operated as AustralasianAtlantic Journey ID 1332
 1860  Chartered by Allan Line for one round voyage Liverpool-Quebec-MontrealAtlantic Journey ID 1333
 1869  New single expansion engines, accommodation: 80-1st class and 900-steerageAtlantic Journey ID 1334
 1870  Renamed "Calabria"Atlantic Journey ID 1337
 1870  Liverpool     New York  Aug. 25 Record breaking journeyTransatlantc ID
 1870  Liverpool     Boston  Oct. 14 Agent Gunnestad & Raffel, ChristianiaTransatlantc ID
 1871  Liverpool     Boston  May 13 Transatlantc ID
 1871  Liverpool  July 11  New York  July 23 Transatlantc ID
 1872  Liverpool  Apr. 02  New York  Apr. 12 Transatlantc ID
 1872  Liverpool  May 07  New York  May 18 Transatlantc ID
 1872  Liverpool     New York  June 21 Crossing the Ocean in 10 daysTransatlantc ID
 1872  Liverpool  July 16  New York  July 26 Transatlantc ID
 1872  Liverpool  Aug. 20  New York  Aug. 30 Arrived in New York after crossing the Ocean in 9,5 daysTransatlantc ID
 1872  Liverpool  Sept. 25  New York  Oct. 05 Transatlantc ID
 1872  Liverpool     New York  Dec. 11 Transatlantc ID
 1873  Liverpool  Apr. 01  New York  Apr. 11 Transatlantc ID
 1873  Liverpool     New York  June 22 Transatlantc ID
 1873  Liverpool     New York  Aug. 30 Transatlantc ID
 1876  Sold to Telegraph Construction & Maintenance Co.Atlantic Journey ID 1338
 1879  Compound enginesAtlantic Journey ID 1335
 1898  ScrappedAtlantic Journey ID 1336
The information listed above is not the complete record of the ship. The information was collected from a multitude of sources, and new information will be added as it emerges
Calabria, Cunard Line steamship
Calabria (as the Australasian), Cunard Line steamship
Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy


The original dimensions of the ship were as follows: Length over all, 360 feet (including the bowsprit); breadth of beam, 42 feet; depth moulded. 31 feet, 6 inches; tonnage, builder's measurement, 2800 tons. She was fitted with engines of the direct-acting construction, delivering 700-horse power.

She was built with three decks. On the spar-deck was a spacious poop, fitted entirely for first-class passengers. There was also a top gallant forecastle for the crew, and the usual deck-houses, sculleries, butcher’s and baker's shops, cowhouses, and such. On the main-dock was a magnificent saloon, capable of dining about 200 passengers. Alongside the saloon, and the entire length of the vessel, accommodation passengers were fitted. The lower deck was appropriated to mail-rooms, bullion-rooms, store-rooms, wine-cellars, and such.

The ship was fitted with a water-ballast tank, capable of holding 400 tons of water. This tank was made perfectly water-tight and was suitable for carrying water, coals, or other cargo. This was considered to be a very important and novel addition to this class of vessel. For filling and emptying the tank a powerful steam engine was employed, capable of throwing four tons of water per minute.

The ship was also equipped with Clifford's patent lowering-apparatus for boats, Cunningham's patent reefing-topsails, and lightning-conductors on Sir Snow Harris's principle. The ironwork inside at bottom was coated with Westwood and Baillie's patent cement. This was the first ship built for the European and Australian Mail Company under contract with Government for conveyance of The Australian mail. It was also one of the largest and most completely equipped merchant ships built in the UK till then.

On the trial trip which took place at Southampton, the measured distance at Stokes Bay a maximum speed of 14: 575 knots per hour was attained, and an average of four runs, two with and two against the tide, gave 13:325 knots - a result deemed highly satisfactory by all concerned. On the trial the ship drew 21 feet of water, with 1200 tons cargo on board.

The first commander of the ship was Captain Geoffrey Sceales. The Australasian left Southampton for Alexandria on October 12, 1857. She was intended for the station between Suez and Australia

CALA1

Emigrant Ship databases

Agents & Shipping lines
Shipping lines, Norwegian agents, authorizations, routes and fleets.

Emigrant ship Arrivals
Trond Austheim's database of emigrant ship arrivals around the world, 1870-1894.

Norwegian departures
100 Years of Emigrant Ships from Norway - indexed by year 1825-1925
Passenger lists
Norwegian Emigrants 1825-1875 Pre 1875 Norwegian emigrants, passenger lists
Images
Categories:
  >> Steamships
       arranged by shipping line
  >> Sailing ships
  >> Historic Documents
       & passenger lists
  >> The Voyage
  >> Ports - harbors
  >> Yards & Construction
  >> Miscellaneous
  >> Pioneers & Settlements
 
Images added during the last 14 days
You can add images of ships and other related motives by using the "Upload Image" link within the appropriate category.
Articles
A selection of articles dedicated to help you in your genealogy search for your Norwegian ancestors. Transcripts and pictures of historic documents in connection with the ships and emigration. Also including articles about Pioneers & Norwegian Settlements Around the World
Articles about selected ships ships and special events in their history. Descriptions of some of the great maritime disasters involving emigrant ships, like the wrecking of the steamer Atlantic of the White Star Line, sinking of the ocean liner Empress of Ireland and the Thingvalla line steamer Norge disaster. Check this section if you have an interest in shipwrecks.
This section contains articles describing the transatlantic voyage, the condition of the steerage accommodations and the experience of an ocean travel on an emigrant ship. You will find in-depth studies concerning the emigration process, statistics and facts, and information about the immigration processing centers line Castle Garden and Ellis Island.
Forum
10 last postings: