Madagascar (ship)

The Blackwall Frigate Madagascar - Lithograph c1853.
History
Great Britain
Builder:	Wigram and Green, Blackwall Yard, London
Launched:	1837
Homeport:	London
Fate:	Lost, 1853
General characteristics
Type:	Blackwall Frigate
Tonnage:	951 "New Measurement"
Length:	150 ft 7 in (45.90 m)
Beam:	32 ft 7 in (9.93 m)
Draught:	15 ft (4.6 m) fully laden
Depth of hold:	22 ft 5 in (6.83 m)
Propulsion:	Sail
Sail plan:	Three-masted full-rigged ship
Crew:	60

The Madagascar was a large British merchant ship built for the trade to India and China in 1837, which went missing on a voyage from Melbourne to London in 1853. The disappearance of the Madagascar was one of the great maritime mysteries of the 19th century and has probably been the subject of more speculation than any other 19th century maritime puzzle, except for the Mary Celeste.

The Madagascar, the second Blackwall Frigate, was built for George and Henry Green at the Blackwall Yard, London, shipyard they co-owned with the Wigram family.

A one-eighth share in the vessel was held throughout her 16-year career by her first master Captain William Harrison Walker, the remainder continuing to be owned by various members of the Green family. The Madagascar carried freight, passengers and troops between England and India until the end of 1852. In addition to her normal crew she also carried many boys being trained as officers for the merchant marine. Known as midshipmen from naval practice, their parents or guardians paid for their training, and they only received a nominal wage of usually a shilling a month.

Due to the Victorian Gold Rush the Madagascar was sent to Melbourne with emigrants, under the command of Captain Fortescue William Harris. She left Plymouth on 11 March 1853 and, after an uneventful passage of 87 days, reached Melbourne on 10 June. Fourteen of her 60 crew jumped ship for the diggings, and it is believed only about three replacements were signed on. She then loaded a cargo that included wool, rice and about two tonnes of gold valued at £240,000, and took on board about 110 passengers for London.

On Wednesday 10 August, just as she was preparing to sail, police went on board and arrested a bushranger John Francis who was later found to have been one of those responsible for robbing the Melbourne Private Escort between the McIvor goldfield (Heathcote, Victoria) and Kyneton on 20 July. On the following day two others were arrested, one on board the ship and the other as he was preparing to board. As a result of these arrests the Madagascar did not leave Melbourne until Friday 12 August 1853 and after leaving Port Phillip Heads she was never seen again.