STAR OF RUSSIA / LA PEROUSE

BUILT BY HARLAND AND WOLFF IN 1874 IN BELFAST, FOR  CORRY & CO, ORIGINALLY FOR THE INDIAN TRADE ( JUTE )

HER MAIDEN VOYAGE WAS TO CALCUTTA WHICH SHE COMPLETED IN EIGHTY-SEVEN DAYS. HER OFFICIAL NUMBER WAS 63958. SHE WAS SOME 1981 TONS, WITH A IRON HULL AND THREE MASTS.

 IN 1895 DURING A VIOLENT STORM ALL MEN ON DECK, APART FROM THE MAN AT THE WHEEL WERE LOST OVERBOARD AND DROWNED.

SHE HAD A BAD REPUTATION AFTER THIS PROBABLY UNJUSTIFIED

 HAD THE MATE ( WHO ALSO PERISHED )  ORDERED THE SAILS BOUGHT IN EARLIER THE TRAGEDY MAY WELL HAVE NOT HAPPENED.

 SHE WAS SOLD TO SHAW SAVILL & ALBION AROUND 1897 / 98 AND THEN IN 1898 SOLD TO J.MOORE OF SAN FRANCISCO.

SHE WAS SOLD TO ALASKA PACKERS ASSOCIATION IN 1901.

 IN 1926 SHE WAS CONVERTED INTO A FLOATING WAREHOUSE AT APIA, SAMOA AND RE-NAMED 'LA PEROUSE' .

LATER SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO NOUMEA AND USED AS A COAL BARGE. SHE WAS MOVED TO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA IN 1929.

SHE NOW LIES AT THE BOTTOM OF PORT VILA HARBOUR IN  35 METRES OF WATER, HER HULL IS STILL INTACT. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT SHE IS A POPULAR DIVE SITE.