Bonanza

Official Number 10510

The Bonanza was a schooner built by Thos. & Jno. Brocklebank at Bransty, Whitehaven, launched 27th March 1830. She sailed for the Brocklebank Line for most of her life, mainly to South America, but also in the China trade, where she earned a reputation for speed. Reputedly she took 91 days from Shanghai to Liverpool in 1844. On these voyages she was commanded by Capt.Clement Mossop.

Source 2 reports that in March 1855 she sailed for Callao, under Capt.A.Penrice of Workington, and with a crew of ten.

The Bonanza was sold to J.Mondel in 1856 and was lost on a return voyage from the West Indies, on the 7th October 1856. Bound from Porto Cabello to City St.Domingo, the vessel struck on the reefs at the east end of St.Domingo. The crew were saved.

Sources :

1. "Shipbuilding in Whitehaven - A Checklist" by Harry Fancy, Whitehaven Museum (1984)
2. "From Cumberland to Cape Horn" by D.Hollett.
3. "Clipper Ships" by David R.Macgregor ISBN 0 85242 618 6. - reports that the vessel was a brig.
4. 1857 Mercantile Navy List gives port of registry as Liverpool, official number and signal letters KNSP, tonnage 154.
5. Wreck reported in the Liverpool Mercury newspaper, Sat., 22nd November 1856.