Norfolk (brig)
Encyclopedia
The Norfolk was a brig
built in Quebec
in 1797. It was wrecked at Tahiti
in 1802.
The Norfolk was constructed in Quebec
in 1797 and registered in London
in 1797 as the Harbinger. Governor Philip Gidley King
purchased her in 1801 and renamed her the Norfolk. She had a crew of eight. The ship was visiting Matavai Bay, Tahiti
when a hurricane struck on 25 March 1802. Captain William House ran Norfolk aground, as the alternative was for her to be smashed on the rocks. She grounded and the crew escaped to safety. The hull was salvaged but as it was being towed to another island it sank.
Brig
A brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
built in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
in 1797. It was wrecked at Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
in 1802.
The Norfolk was constructed in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
in 1797 and registered in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1797 as the Harbinger. Governor Philip Gidley King
Philip Gidley King
Captain Philip Gidley King RN was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. He is best known as the official founder of the first European settlement on Norfolk Island and as the third Governor of New South Wales.-Early years and establishment of Norfolk Island settlement:King was born...
purchased her in 1801 and renamed her the Norfolk. She had a crew of eight. The ship was visiting Matavai Bay, Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
when a hurricane struck on 25 March 1802. Captain William House ran Norfolk aground, as the alternative was for her to be smashed on the rocks. She grounded and the crew escaped to safety. The hull was salvaged but as it was being towed to another island it sank.