Birker

Official Number
70475

The Birker was a full-rigged ship built by the Barrow Shipbuilding Company. She was launched on the 8th April 1875, Yard No. 22, for John Henry Bushby.

The Birker was lost on the 27th June 1895. She struck rocks when leaving the bay at Isla de los Lobos, Tierra del Fuego. She had loaded a cargo of guano, and was bound for Europe. All aboard were saved.

Name
Year Built
Gross Tons
Length (feet)
Breadth (feet)
Depth (feet)
Masts
Figurehead
Stern
Lloyd's Classn.
Birker
1875
1042 
 209.0
34.2 
20.9 
3 
 
 
 100 years A1, Special Survey

Sources :

  1. "Portrait of a Shipbuilder: Barrow-Built Vessels since 1873", ed. Nigel Harris ISBN 0 947971 32 7 (published 1989).
  2. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1878-9: Birker, iron ship, 1042 gross tons, official no.70475, signal letters NVRM, owned by J.H.Bushby & Co., registered at Barrow, master Capt.Reynolds.
  3. Record of American and Foreign Shipping, 1890 - names master as Capt.H.Lightbody, owner as Shaw, Bushby & Co. - the vessel had by this time been reduced to barque rig.
  4. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1894-5: Birker, iron barque, 1042 gross tons, owned by J.H.Bushby, registered at Barrow, master Capt.A.Sampson.
  5. Wreck reported in the Glasgow Herald,  2nd July 1895 and Belfast News-Letter, 3rd July 1895.