Parthia
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Texas Tech University Libraries
Abstract
Ship Name:Parthia; Sailed: 1891-1895; Type: Wood 3-masted; Built by: Bath, Maine, Houghton Brothers; Dimensions: 260.3' x 44.4' x 19.6'; Tonnage: 2495 tons.
Description
I do not know where this photograph was taken—someone once suggested Bristol—but regardless, we see a skysail-tall and stately ship of considerable size. The Houghtons built good-looking ships, even if Parthia set no sailing records. Parthia was the last and the largest of the ships built by the Houghtons of Bath, but Parthia only made four round-trip voyages to California in her short life. On the fifth voyage, laden with Welsh coal, Parthia’s cargo spontaneously combusted about 400 miles from the coast of Chile. After struggling to extinguish the fire for four days, Parthia had to be abandoned. The crew escaped in two boats (the ones in the photograph on top of the deckhouse). The two boats were separated, and after much travail, rescued—none were lost.
Keywords
Merchant Ships, Ships