Star of India
The Sailing Ship "Star of India"
Launched in 1861, the Star of India was a superbly built three-masted Blackwall frigate, with a length of 188 feet, beam of 34 feet and a displacement of 1,102 tons. It was used as a migrant ship between England and Australia/New Zealand in the period 1861-1873. William Hudson was a passenger to Melbourne on its maiden voyage.
Photograph Hud-lon-901. From "The Rand and McNally Colour Illustrated Guide of Sailing Ships" by Attilio Cucari.
Description of the Sailing Ship
The "Star of India" was a three-masted frigate launched in 1861, and was on its maiden voyage to Australia when William Hudson sailed from Liverpool on 23 December 1861. The following information has been obtained on the vessel:
From "The Blackwall Frigates" by Basil Lubbock, p225 and p248: "One of five frigate-built ships launched in 1861. After a long career as a first class passenger ship in the Indian and Australian trades also went to the Norwegians and was abandoned in the North Atlantic, timber laden in 1893. Built 1861, Tons 1045, Builders Stephen, Dundee, Owners J. Somes, 190-4 : 34.2 : 22.1"
From the "Rand and McNally Colour Illustrated Guide of Sailing Ships"by Attilio Cucari: "Star of India, 1861. Lloyd's Register of Ships lists three ships named Star of India. The most interesting of the three is the ship launched in 1861. It was superbly built and carried passengers first from England to Australia, then in 1873 to New Zealand. The hull had all the features of the famous Blackwall frigates and was constructed of wood that had been aged 20 to 25 years."
The Star of India was painted according to the Blackwall standards. The upper part was black with a broad white band, and the lower part was white, reminiscent of British warships. The Star of India belonged to Joseph Somes, one of the most dynamic 19th-century shipping magnates. The ship was later sold to the Norwegian Michelsen and assigned to Atlantic shipping. It had to be abandoned in mid-Atlantic in 1892, and later sank.
Type: Blackwall frigate; Launching: 1861; Builder: Stephen, Dundee; Owner: Joseph Soames, London; Length: 188 ft; Beam: 34 ft; Depth: 22 ft; Displacement: 1,102 tons; Crew: 42.
William Hudson - Passenger to Australia (23 December 1861-31 March 1862)
William Hudson was 34 years old on the 23 December, 1861 when he boarded the "Star of India" in Liverpool, and set sail for Melbourne, Australia, arriving on the 31 March, 1862. The following extracts are taken from "Schedule B - Names and Descriptions of Passengers":
"Name: Star of India; Master: Peter Buchan; Tons Register 1697; Aggregate number of superficial feet for other than cabin passengers: 3871; Total adults that can be carried exclusive of crew and cabin passengers: 254; Where bound: Melbourne. The ship was certified as carrying provisions sufficient according to the requirements of the Passengers Acts for 155 statute adults for a voyage of 140 days. Signed Peter Buchan, Master, 23 December, 1861."
The total passenger list of 163 comprised 143 adults (married: male 7, female 12; single: male 106, female 18), children 17, infants 3. Of these, 75 were English, 28 Scottish, 50 Irish and 10 from other parts. Only five adults were classed as cabin passengers.
William Hudson was the first listed passenger, with the following details given: "Name of Passenger: Wm Hudson; Single, male, age 34; Profession: lab.; Origin: English; Destination: Melbourne."