Fatima was an English barque that was wrecked on 26 June 1854 in the Torres Strait. She was built by R. Hutchinson, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, launched in 1849 and registered at Liverpool. Her cargo capacity was 521 tons burthen.

History
NameFatima
BuilderR. Hutchinson, Sunderland, England
Launched1849
FateWrecked upon Great Detached Reef on 26 June 1854.
General characteristics
Class and typeBarque
Tons burthen521 tons
Length112 feet (34 m)
Beam26 feet (7.9 m)
Draught19 feet (5.8 m)

She sailed from London, England on 17 January 1850, under the command of Captain Ray, arriving at Port Adelaide, Australia on 11 June.[1]

Under the command of Captain W. Hardie, on a voyage from Melbourne to Batavia, she struck the Great Detached Reef and was wrecked on 26 June 1854.[2] The crew were rescued by the Bato off Raine Island.

Amongst the passengers on the outward voyage from London to Melbourne were Edward Thomas Fysh and his sister Harriet Fysh. Harriet married William Henderson Hardie in Melbourne and was on board the Fatima when the vessel was wrecked on Great Detached Reef. Harriet Fysh was grand aunt to Wilmot Hudson Fysh, pioneer aviator and co-founder of Qantas.

Notes

edit
  1. ^ "Vessels in Harbour". South Australian Register, Wednesday 12 June 1850, p.2. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  2. ^ "The Wrecks in Torres' Straits". The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 9 September 1854, p.4. Retrieved 11 January 2012.