Placilla (ship)

Career
Name:	Placilla (1892-1903) Optima (1903-05)
Owner:	F. Laeisz, Hamburg (1892-1901) Rhederi AG von 1896 (1901-05)
Port of registry:	Hamburg (1892-1905)
Builder:	J C Tecklenborg, Geestemünde
Launched:	22 February 1892
In service:	1892
Out of service:	18 January 1905
Identification:	Code Letters RJLM
Fate:	Ran aground
General characteristics
Tonnage:	2,895 GRT 2,780 NRT
Length:	113.00 m (370 ft 9 in) overall 95.82 m (314 ft 4 in) between perpendiculars
Beam:	13.58 m (44 ft 7 in)
Height:	52.50 m (172 ft 3 in) (tallest mast height over waterline)
Depth:	8.04 m (26 ft 5 in)
Propulsion:	3,700 square metres (40,000 sq ft) sails
Sail plan:	Barque

Placilla was a four-masted barque which was built for F. Laeisz, Hamburg, Germany in 1892. She was sold in 1901 and renamed Optima in 1903. In 1905 she was wrecked on the Haisborough Sands.

Description

Placilla was built by J C Tecklenborg, Geestemünde. She was 113.00 metres (370 ft 9 in) long overall,^[1] with a beam of 13.58 metres (44 ft 7 in) and a depth of 13.58 metres (44 ft 7 in). She had four masts and was rigged as a barque, with royal sails over double top and topgallant sails.^[2] Her air draught was 52.50 metres (172 ft 3 in). Her sail area was 3,500 square metres (38,000 sq ft).^[1] Placilla was a sister ship to Pisagua, which was launched seven months later than she was. ^[3]

History

Placilla entered service with F Laeisz, Hamburg in 1892.^[2] She was used on the route between Germany and Chile. In 1892, Placilla made the voyage from Lizard Point to Valparaiso, Chile in 58 days.^[1] This was a record time. It was equalled by Potosi (1900), Iquique, Chile to the English Channel of 71 days and a voyage from Pisagua, Chile to The Lizard in 78 days.^[1] In 1901 she was sold to Rhederei AG von 1896, Hamburg. She was renamed Optima in 1903. On 6 January 1905, she departed Hamburg bound for Santa Rosalía, Mexico with a cargo of coke. On 18 January 1905, she ran aground on the Haisborough Sands, off the coast of Norfolk and was wrecked.^[2]

Captains

The captains of Pisagua were:-^[2]

• Robert Hilgendorf (1892-94)
• O Schmidt (1894-1901)
• Butz (1905)

Code Letters

Placilla was assigned the Code Letters RJLM.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Placilla" (in German). Werften und Stadtgeschichte Bremerhavens. http://werften.fischtown.de/archiv/placilla.htm. Retrieved 26 January 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Placilla". Lars Bruzelius. http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Fourmast_ships/Placilla%281892%29.html. Retrieved 26 January 2010. 
3. ^ "Pisagua". Lars Bruzelius. http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Fourmast_ships/Pisagua%281892%29.html. Retrieved 26 January 2010. 
4. ^ "Pitlochry". Lars Bruzelius. http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Fourmast_ships/Pitlochry%281894%29.html. Retrieved 26 January 2010. 

External links

Photo of Placilla

Coordinates: 52°48′46″N 1°48′21″E / 52.81278°N 1.80583°E / 52.81278; 1.80583