c. 1900, Photograph, PRG 1373/12/94
The steel barque 'Carmanian', 1840 tons, at Hobart, Tasmania. The first Master of the 'Carmanian 'was Captain W.F. Bunn, who originated from Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk, UK. He captained her for about four years, and the vessel then changed owners, but Captain Bunn still retained the command. The Carmanian's last visit to England under his command was in 1901. On 19th May 1904, whilst on his last voyage before retiring, a voyage from New Caledonia to Delaware, Captain Bunn died at sea and was buried at sea the next day, arriving at Delaware under the command of the First Mate. The following information is taken from the ship's entry at the Through Mighty Seas website : The 'Carmanian' was a steel ship built by R.Williamson & Son at Workington, UK, launched on Monday, 19th April 1897. She was operated by her builders until 1903, when she was sold to E.F.& W.Roberts, also of Workington. In 1910 the 'Carmanian' was sold to Norwegian owners and was registered at Stavanger, retaining her name. The 'Carmanian' was lost during the First World War, on passage from Buenos Aires (departed 18th February, 1916) to Queenstown with a wheat cargo. The barque was sunk by gunfire from a German submarine U19, 55 miles off the West coast of Ireland on Tuesday, 25th April 1916. The crew abandoned ship in two boats, one of which capsized, drowning all aboard. The other, containing the master and nine men, reached the Dingle peninsula in Ireland and the men were rescued by cliff ladders. Some of the rescuers were later commended by the King of Norway. Statistics: built 1897; 1867 gross tons; 260 feet long, 38/7 feet wide; 23.6 feet deep; 3 masts. Lloyds Classification:100 years A1, Special survey. [steel ship later barque 1867 tons, ON95406, 260.0 x 38.7 x 23.6. Built 1897 (5) R Williamson and Sons Workington. Owners Andrada Sailing Ship Co. Ltd (EF and W Roberts) reg. Workington, c.1910 to Norwegian owners without change of name.]