SV Osmium (1805)

In order to start off the company, Roberts purchased an old 53m 1792 schooner from another company, then painted her, replaced the rudder and added an extra sail, and renamed her Osmium. With this, he employed a small crew and bought some cheap cargo- 80 tons of wheat, 80 tons of wine and 90 tons of ale. She set sail bound for Melbourne, Australia, making the trip in only 65 days. She led a very successful career, although by 1812 she was showing her age. She was armed with cannons on deck for self-defence; however in 1814, she was sunk by an American ship which saw her as a threat. She was instantly holed below the waterline and had no time to fire back. She sank in around a minute and a half with the loss of 19 souls- leaving 10 survivors.

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