Pioneer Ships to arrive in South Australia 1836
The brig Rapid - 4th ship to arrive
| Ship type | 2 masted brig |
|---|---|
| Built | in Yarmouth in 1826 |
| Figurehead | A greyhound |
| Dimensions | 76' long, beam 22', draught 13'- extra deck added for passengers |
| Space between decks | 4' 1" (1.2 metres) |
| Burthen tonnage | 162 tons |
| Despatched by | The Commissioners - purchased for £1,700 plus £450 for extra deck and repairs |
| Captained by | Colonel William Light - Commander of the Colonization Expedition |
| Cargo | Provisions, ordnance & surveying stores, spare spar masts, 16' hatch boat, 18' gig boat |
| Ship's doctor | Dr. John Woodforde |
| Souls on board | 33 - crew 19, passengers 14 including 2 women (Sarah Bradley, wife of a seaman and Maria Gandy, Light's housekeeper). Light had only half his survey officers on board. The others, including Deputy Kingston, were on the Cygnet |
| Departed | London 21st May 1836 |
| Arrived | Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island 20th August - 112 sailing days without touching land |
| Event of note | Rapid Bay was named after her by Colonel Light |
| Fate | Wrecked on a reef at Rotumah on 24 Dec 1840 |