SS Kaffraria
| Remains of SS Kaffraria The remains of the SS '’Kaffraria at Otterndorf, Germany | |
| Career (British) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | SS Kaffraria |
| Owner: | W.S. Bailey |
| Ordered: | 1862 |
| Builder: | J Laing Ltd |
| Launched: | 1864 |
| Maiden voyage: | 1864 |
| Out of service: | 7 January 1892 |
| Homeport: | Hull |
| Identification: |
Official number 49917 Code letters WFVQ 30x15px 30x15px 30x15px 30x15px |
| Fate: | Wrecked in the River Elbe, Germany |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 872 gross tonnage, increased to 1039 tons in 1871, 803 under deck and 675 net |
| Length: | 237 feet (72 m) |
| Beam: | 29 feet (8.8 m) |
| Propulsion: |
Compound Engines with 4 cylinders of 21 & 38 inches diameter each pair Built by Humber Iron Works. Single screw. |
| Speed: | 8-10 knots |
SS Kaffraria was a British cargo owned by Bailey & Leetham of Hull. She was built in 1864 by J. Laing & Son, Ltd, of Sunderland. She was originally built for the shipping company Ryrie & Co of London who sold her to Bailey & leetham in 1871
Contents
Composition
Initially the ship displaced 872 gross tons, but this was increased in 1873 to 1039 gross tons[1]. She was 237 feet long and had a beam of 29 feet with a depth of 16 feet. She was constructed from Iron and was a single screw Schooner. She had 1 deck with two tiers of beams. She had 5 cemented bulkheads, a well deck, and a double bottom aft[1]. she had a four cylinder compound engine which produced 90 horsepower. The engine was built by the Humber Iron Works of Hull. Her Lloyds Register Code letters were WFVQ and her Official Number was 49917
Fate
Whilst under the command of Captain W. Barron, the SS Kaffraria ran aground in the river Elbe at Otterndorf, Germany on 7 January 1891. The ship had a cargo of general export goods such as Kitchen utensils, children’s toys, bundles of wool, hand tools and all kinds of domestic appliances. This precious cargo was very swiftly removed by the local residents by both legal and illegal methods. Later on 8 January the ship sank. The wreck became a threat to shipping and in 1984 the wreck was removed. The stern part of the ship with the rudder and screw can be seen today at Otterndorf.
Foot Note
Kaffraria was the descriptive name given to the southeast part of what is today the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
