State Library of South Australia

The 'Torrens' undergoing repair in Fletcher's Slip [PRG 1373/2/28] • Photograph

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Summary

The composite ship 'Torrens', 1276 tons, undergoing repairs on Fletcher's Slip, Port Adelaide. She returned to England, with a straight stem, where a new bow was fitted.

The composite ship 'Torrens', 1276 tons, at Port Adelaide [composite ship, 1335 gross tons, 1276 net tons. ON73595. 222.1 x 38.1 x 21.5. Built 1875 (10) J Laing, Sunderland. Owners: AL Elder and others, registered London (the others included her long time master, Captain SH Angel, not the one associated with 'Beltana'). Sold 1903 to Italian owners, and broken up in 1910. With the exception of the 'Loch' ships the last sailing ship to regularly carry passengers in the Australian-England trade. A very lengthy and comprehensive item in 'Colonial Clippers' gives an outline history. See pages 132 onwards. The damage caused by an iceberg, shown in some of the illustrations demonstrates the immense strength of the vessel. There are innumerable references to this vessel in books, newspaper cuttings etc. as she was a favourite passenger ship with a long career. Latter day writers frequently have called her 'The Wonderful Torrens'].

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Physical description

Photograph; 19.1 cm x 24.4 cm

Dates / Publication details

1899

Collection

Part of A.D. Edwardes Collection

Subject

Torrens (Ship)
Torrens (Ship)
Sailing ships

Catalogue record

Return to catalogue

General notes

This is one of the ships owned by A. L. Elder and Co., London. These vessels were engaged in the passenger and cargo trade between Britain and South Australia. General cargo was brought to Port Adelaide and wool, grain and other products were loaded in Port Adelaide and the outports for the United Kingdom. The famous "Torrens" commanded by Captains R. Angel, Cope and F. Angel was one of the most popular vessels on the South Australian run. Joseph Conrad served as First Officer in this ship for two annual voyages, London to Adelaide, 1891-1893. According to a researcher, Capt R (Robert) Angel was never captain of the "Torrens". Capt H. R.(Henry Robert) Angel was the principal owner and captain of the "Torrens" between the vessel's launch in 1875 and his retirement in 1890.

This image is from the A.D. Edwardes Collection of about 8,000 photographs, mostly of sailing ships from around the world, taken between about 1865 and 1920. Mounted in 91 albums, the photographs are arranged by country of ownership, with some special volumes such as 'Shipping at Port Adelaide' and 'South Australian outports'. Additional information, giving the history of the ships where known, has been provided by maritime historian, Ron Parsons.

Digitisation information

Date

14/06/2007

Format

image/tiff

Resolution

4,049 x 3,163 pixels (12.8 MP)

Size

38.44 MB

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