East Croft

Official Number
63885

The East Croft was an iron ship, built in 1875 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast, for John Gambles, of Harrington. She was commanded first by Capt.John Tayler Rimmer, previously of the John Gambles.

The Cumberland Pacquet, Thursday, 6th July 1875, page 1;

" SHIPLAUNCH :- A new iron ship of 1,350 tons register, and intended for the East Indian and Calcutta trade, which has been built for Mr.John Gambles, of Harrington, was launched last week at Belfast. She was christened the East Croft by Mrs.Rimmer, wife of the captain."

The East Croft was commanded by Captain Rimmer until his retirement in 1895. She was bought by Norwegian owners at some time, retained her name, but was reduced from ship to barque rig. The last newspaper reports I can find for her are from 1909, when she was damaged by grounding at Copenhagen, then sailed for Australia after repair.

Name
Year Built
Gross Tons
Length (feet)
Breadth (feet)
Depth (feet)
Masts
Figurehead
Stern
Lloyd's Classn.
East Croft
1875
 1312
 238.0
35.5
22.3
3
 
 
100 years A1, Special Survey 

Sources :

  1. The National Library of Australia website has newspaper reports and one photograph of the East Croft.
  2. National Maritime Museum has one photo of the East Croft, negative no. P2720.
  3. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1878-9: East Croft, iron ship, 1367 grt, official no.63885, built by Harland, at Belfast, in June 1875, owned by J.Gambles, registered at Workington, master Capt.J.T.Rimmer.
  4. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1899-1900: East Croft, iron barque, 1367 grt, official no.63885, signal letters PCMQ, owned by Trinder, Anderson & Co., registered at Workington, master Capt.W.Hamond.