Iserbrook (ship)

A Sailor's Mug with the image of the Brig Iserbrook
History
Name:	Iserbrook
Owner:	Johan César VI. Godeffroy 1853-74 John Bell 1874-80
Port of registry:	Hamburg (1853–74) Sydney (1874–80) 20/1874
Ship registration number:	unknown later 20/1874
Ship official number:	69750
Builder:	Reiherstieg Schiffswerfte & Maschinenfabrik Joachim Eduard von Somm Hamburg Germany
Launched:	1853
Completed:	15 June 1853
Fate:	Burned and scuttled 21 December 1878 Refloated 1879 Sank 30 January 1880 Wreck destroyed with explosives October 1880
General characteristics
Type:	Brig
Tonnage:	207.75 GT
Length:	110.4 feet (33.65 m)
Beam:	25 feet (7.62 m)
Height:	10.8 metres (35.43 ft)
Decks:	One and a half
Ship primary use:
Ship industry:
Ship passenger capacity:

Burned and scuttled 21 December 1878 Refloated 1879 Sank 30 January 1880

Iserbrook was a general cargo and passenger brig built in 1853 at Hamburg (Germany) for Joh. Ces. Godeffroy & Sohn. It spent over twenty years as an immigrant and general cargo vessel, transporting passengers from Hamburg to South Africa, Australia and Chile, as well as servicing its owner’s business in the Pacific. Later on, the vessel came into Australian possession and continued sailing for the Pacific trade. In 1878 it caught fire and was sunk the same year. At last, it was re-floated and used as a transport barge and hulk in Sydney until it sunk again and finally was blown up.

The vessel was built for the Hamburg trading company Joh. Ces. Godeffroy & Sohn. At the time, the enterprise was operated by Johan César VI. Godeffroy who had large trading interests in the Pacific, focussing mainly on Copra, Coconut oil and luxuries like pearlshell. In the 1850s and 60s, the company was also strongly associated with emigration from Germany to Australia, especially to Adelaide and Brisbane.

In its original Hamburg registration (Bielbrief), the Iserbrook was described as being a "Brigg". As base measurements were given:

According to its 1874 Australian registration the ship ran as a wooden framed carvel brig with two masts, one and a half decks and a square stern. Its base measurements according to this source were:

The vessel's first major journey was made under command of Captain J. J. Krüger as a migration voyage, departing from Hamburg on 23 November 1853, and arriving at Port Adelaide on 13 March 1854. At the latter date, approximately 79 immigrants were on board.

During its time in Port Adelaide, a John Bosh and a Mr. Christian where apprehended under a warrant and charged with being absent without leave from the Iserbrook. The pair denied the charge, and stated they had gone to town to obtain from Mr. Amsberg, German Consul, some papers they wanted to take home, and that they were willing to return on board. By request of Captain Krüger, both man were ordered to be detained at the police station till the vessel was ready to proceed to sea (which was the same afternoon). From Port Adelaide, the brig continued to Batavia (Dutch East Indies) via Melbourne.