The “Star of the East.”

A far more worthy ship to compete with the Marco Polo was the Star of the East, which arrived in Liverpool on 5th March, 1853, 20 days out from St. John’s against strong N.E. winds. She was built by W. &. R. Wright, her dimensions being:—

Length of keel206 feet.
Length over all237 „
Beam40 feet 10 in.
Depth of hold22 feet.
Registered tonnage 1219 tons.

The following are some of her spar measurements:—

Mainmast—extreme length 84 feet; diameter 41 inches.

Main topmast—extreme length 53 feet; diameter 19 inches.

Main topgallant mast—extreme length 75 feet; diameter 14 inches.

Bowsprit and jibboom—outboard

55 feet.

Mainyard

89 „

Main topsail yard

70 „

Main topgallant yard

52 „

Main royal yard

36 „

Main skysail yard

27 „
Sail area (studding sails excepted) 5500 yards.

At the time of her launch she was considered the finest ship ever built at St. John’s. On her arrival in Liverpool she was at once bought by Mr. James Beazley, having cost him when ready for sea £22,683. She loaded for Australia in the Golden Line, and went out to Melbourne in 76 days under Captain Christian, late of Beazley’s Constance. From Melbourne she went to Sydney and loaded across to Shanghai; then sailing from Shanghai in the favourable monsoon, arrived home in 104 days, 4 of which were spent anchored off Gutztaff Island in a typhoon. The whole voyage only occupied 9 months 27 days, and she cleared £8018 clear profit. Her second voyage on the same route she did still better, clearing £8920.