Berar (ship)

The Berar, named after a region in western India, was a sailing ship of 902 tons, owned by Tyser & Haviside and was built in 1863 by William Pile at Sunderland. [ cite news| url = http://www.red-duster.co.uk/tyser.htm | title= G. D. TYSER & CO]

Trips to New Zealand

Initially the Berar was used to carry immigrants to Australia and New Zealand. Under charter to the [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/shaw.html Shaw Savill Company] , the ship made three trips to New Zealand, two to Wellington and one to Auckland. Leaving London on 5 February 1865, she reached Wellington on May 10, a passage of 93 days. Her next voyage was to Auckland. She left London on 22 May 1873, and reached Auckland after a passage of 103 days on 3 September . On this occasion she brought out 308 immigrants, who arrived well, in spite of the fact that it was a large number for a ship of her size. [cite news | url = http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ourstuff/Berar.htm | title = Berar]

On 18 October 1874, the Berar left London for New Zealand, arriving at Wellington 96 days later, on 22 January 1875. This trip was marred by 21 deaths due to Scarlet Fever. Following this voyage a Royal Commission of Enquiry was convened into the outbreak of the disease and subsequent deaths on board. [ [http://members.shaw.ca/geneal05/Curgenven.htm The Curgenven Connection] ]

Trip to Fiji

The Berar, arrived in Fiji on 29 June 1882 carrying 424 indentured labourers from Calcutta. This was the second indenture ship to Fiji and its journey was uneventful. This was the first ship to make use of the quarantine facilities built on the island of Nukulau.

Destruction

The Berar ran aground in 1896 on the coast of England and was destroyed. [cite news | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=332086 | title = Geology in the Landscape of East Devon ]

Famous passengers

The grandfather (maternal) of New Zealand's current Governor-General, Judge Anand Satyanand, arrived in Fiji abroad the Berar in 1882. [cite news | title = Getting to know our new Governor-General | url = http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/APRIL_15_2006_WEB_EDITION/2.htm ]

See also

* Indian Indenture Ships to Fiji
* Indian indenture system

External links

* [http://members.shaw.ca/geneal05/Curgenven_files/image002.jpgPainting of Berar]

References