Paddlesteamer built in 1850 by T. Wingate in Glasgow.
Measuring 175,8 x 21,8 x 12,1. Taken over by The
North Europe Steam Navigation Company in 1854 she sailed on a regular route between
Christiania and Hull, calling at Christiansand between 1852 - 1858. It is
told that the winter in 1855 was very cold, and that the Christianiafjord
was frozen all the way to Oks&slashoy. On April 25th the ice opened so ships
could sail in to Nesodden. Couriers captain Fairburn then decided to try to
break trough the ice to unload in Christiania. Fairburn used all the speed
the steam engine could give to run the ship into the ice, backing out every
time the ship was stuck. Fairburn finally succeeded in his efforts, and
was saluted as a hero by the numerous people on the pier. The paddle
wheel was of course badly damaged, but was temporarily repaired in Christiania.
Captain Fairburn was given a silver pot by businessmen in Christiania. The
pot had the following engraving:
In remembrance of the 26th April 1855 when Captain Fairburn, gallantly forcing
the icy barrier of Christiania, brought his steamvessel the Courier safely into
port and thus opened the navigation, from Norwegian subscribers.
The Courier was, according to Credland and Thompson, struck in 1875 on passage from
Seaham to Aberdeen. She was then sold at auction and subsequently scrapped.
