SCHOONER AUSTRALIA

THE SCHOONER AUSTRALIA

OLD PIRATE SHIP

CRISFIELD , MARYLAND

An Old Vessel, of the Schooner Type, Captured by American

Privateers in a Sea Conflict of 1812 as a War Prize.

Crisfield , Monday, December 8, 1941 Wilmington Morning News.

There is a lot of interest at the Crisfield Marine Railway where the

British vessel “Australia” is being restored by it's owner, E. Paul

duPont of Wilmington , Delaware.

The “ Australia “ schooner, built with hand hewn timbers, but her

age is unknown., was a Prize of War taken by American privateers in

the War of 1812.

Her last rigging carried only a main sail, foresail, main jib and flying

jib.

Back in 1891 she was in the West Indies trade, bringing fruit, rum and

molasses to the United States, under the command of the late Captain

Winfield Scott Nelson. Later she had been sailed as a oyster dredge

schooner and pungy boat.

The “ Australia “ is 70 foot in length with ample beam, somewhat

under 100 tons capacity.

The schooner is marked by a reminder on the entrance to the captains

quarters , “Captains Prize” which indicates she was captured from a

foreign power.

Abstract: 12/03/2018 by Harrison H. Wilmington Morning News ,

Monday December 8, 1941.