Governor King (ship)

History
Australia
Namesake	Governor Philip Gidley King
Owner	Henry Kable & James Underwood
Builder	Kable & Underwood
Launched	1803
Fate	Wrecked on 22 April 1806
General characteristics
Type	Schooner
Displacement	38 tons
Propulsion	Sail

Governor King was a 38-ton schooner built in 1803 by James Underwood, Sydney, Australia and was wrecked in April 1806.

Governor King was launched in May 1803 by James Underwood, for Kable and Underwood.^[1]

On 20 April 1806 Governor King arrived off Port Jackson from Norfolk Island.^[2] Finding the wind direction unfavourable for entering the harbour the ship headed north to Newcastle and dropped anchor in the harbour. A strong current dragged the ship on the 22 April and it hit the rocks so violently that the stern shattered and it filled instantly, breaking up in a few hours. The crew and much of the cargo of pork being carried was saved but the ship was destroyed.^[3][4][5]

References

1. "SHIP NEWS". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. Vol. I, no. 16. New South Wales, Australia. 19 June 1803. p. 4 – via National Library of Australia.
2. "SHIP NEWS". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. Vol. IV, no. 161. 13 April 1806. p. 2 – via National Library of Australia.
3. Australian Shipwrecks - vol1 1622-1850, Charles Bateson, AH and AW Reed, Sydney, 1972, ISBN 0-589-07112-2 p41
4. "View Shipwreck - Governor King". Australian National Shipwreck Database. Aust Govt.
5. "MURDER". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. Vol. IV, no. 164. 4 May 1806. p. 1 – via National Library of Australia.