The gigantic clipper ship Great Australia, recently built for Messrs. Baines and Co. of Liverpool

The clipper Great Australia was built in 1860 to cater for immigration to Australia.

A 1661 ton barque, copper fastened, built by Stewart and Co., at St. Johns, Canada and launched in August 1860. Dimensions: length 199.8 feet, breadth 40.4 feet, depth 28.9. Owner W. Wright Liverpool.^[1] Captain, John Baker. She sank off the coast of Burma in 1872.

Newcastle Chronicle and Hunter River District News (NSW), Wednesday 12 June 1861, page 4

THE GIGANTIC CLIPPER SHIP "GREAT AUSTRALIA."

We hail with pleasure and with pride the addition of another gigantic and elegant clipper ship to the mercantile marine of Liverpool. Always forward to meet the demands of the public, Messrs. James Baines and Co. have just added to their large and unrivalled fleet of Australian emigrant ships a splendid vessel, named the Great Australia, built for them, under Lloyd's special survey, by Messrs. Stewart and Co., of St John's, and launched in August last. It will be remembered that the Black Ball Line is the only one that has ever been honoured by a visit from royalty; and on the occasion of Her Majesty's inspection of two of the most celebrated of the vessels, the Queen was graciously pleased to observe that she had not any idea that such splendid ships were to be found in the merchant service of the country. Such a high degree of commendation has for ever stamped the fame of the celebrated Black Ball Line; and it is most creditable to the proprietors that they have not relaxed their efforts to maintain that high reputation which they enjoy in the commercial world, and in the minds of the public; for every successive ship that has been built for the firm appears to have excelled her predecessor in some one point or another, until we suspect that, ere long, no fleet of merchant ships will in any way compare with the "Black Ballers" for speed, strength, and comeliness of build. Liverpool jealously watches over the standing of the Black Ball Line, which has in point of fact become the institution in our midst; and we are glad to find that the Great Australia has commenced her career so auspiciously. Laden to the depth of 21 feet, she has, at the worst season of the year made the run from St. John's to Liverpool in seventeen days — the quickest passage for the last twelve months. We will endeavour to give a faint outline of what the Great Australia really is. A magnificent three-decker, the Great Australia is 240? feet 10 inches over all, her breadth 40 feet ? inches, depth 29 feet, and her registered tonnage no less than 1660 tons. Built for carrying a good cargo and a considerable number of passengers, her lines are most admirable. She is strong and must sail with great speed. Her proportions show that she has been the work of skilful hands; indeed we cannot but express the highest admiration of the tout ensemble of the gigantic passenger ship. The Great Australia has a very neat and light rounded stern, beautifully decorated with gilded carved work; and her figure-head — one of the most beautiful in Liverpool — was made expressly for her in this country, and sent out to St. John's, where it was fitted.

The passenger accommodation is unrivalled. A large house abaft the foremast is forty-five feet in length, and is to be fitten up most tastefully for passengers. The saloon aft is about forty feet in length, and will be a model of neatness and splendour. The upholstering must command universal admiration; and the decorator has applied his skill with charming effect, 'neat, not gaudy' would appear to have been the motive of the designer. It is a thousand pities that good taste is so much violated by ship decorators; the artist employed on board this vessel has read lesson to his fellows, which cannot; but prove beneficial to them. The third-class passengers find the accommodation in the spacious, well ventilated, and well-lighted 'tween decks far superior to anything that has ever been seen before. The berths are judiciously arranged, and everything about the apartment wears an aspect of comfort and cheerfulness. On the culinary compartments every conceivable attention has been bestowed; and the safety of the ship and all on board most considerately cared for. The pr…sion against fire is most complete; the anchors are of the very best material, and the cables have undergone the admiralty test. The masts and other spars have been most carefully made. They are of a mammoth size, but similar in their graceful proportion. Altogether it may be said to be the model passenger ship. Liverpool, and we have no doubt she will have every berth engaged; captain Baker is a splendid specimen of a British sailor and a thorough gentleman, whilst all of his officers and men have been chosen for their unimpeachable character for ability and integrity.

In 1872 the Great Australia, homeward bound from Rangoon, was totally wrecked on the Krishna shoal. The officers and crew were saved. ^[2] Reportedly wrecked on 14 July 1872. ^[3]

^[1] Wallace, Frederick William, Wooden Ships and Iron Men SULLY Printed in GB ND

^[2] Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXXI 19 October 1872 page 2

^[3] The Standard (London) 24 July 1872 Page 6

Glazed earthenware jug in the collection of the Australian National Maritime Museum, decorated with pink splash lustre and black transfer prints depicting the three-masted clipper ship GREAT AUSTRALIA. A range of ceramic ware was produced at Sunderland, England to commemorate the GREAT AUSTRALIA.