Cataraqui (1845) Ship Model 100cm – Historic Tasmanian Shipwreck (Last one)

The Cataraqui was a British emigrant sailing barque built in 1840 and used to transport passengers from Britain to the Australian colonies during the mid-19th century migration era. On 4 August 1845, while approaching Bass Strait on her voyage to Port Phillip (Melbourne), the ship was wrecked off the west coast of King Island, Tasmania, during a violent storm. With over 400 people on board and only a few survivors, the disaster is regarded as the deadliest civilian maritime shipwreck in Australian history and remains a significant part of the nation’s maritime heritage.

This handcrafted model of the Cataraqui captures the classic form of a 19th-century three-masted emigrant barque, featuring a traditional wooden hull, detailed rigging, and full sail arrangement. Built using plank-on-frame construction and finished with fine hand-painted details, the model offers a historically inspired and elegant display piece. Mounted on a wooden base, it is ideal for collectors, maritime enthusiasts, and those seeking a meaningful tribute to this historic vessel.

Key Features of the 100cm Cataraqui Model Ship:

• A realistic replica of the Cataraqui, fully assembled and ready for display—not a kit.
• Dimensions: 100cm L x 27cm W x 74cm H.
• Built to scale using historical references, plans, and imagery of the original 1845 emigrant barque for an accurate and refined finish.
• Made hand-built with everything created using individual model wooden planks.
• High-quality wood is used to help make sure that it can handle changes in temperature.
• All of the major features, like anchors, are made directly using sculpted metals.
• Additional intricate details include rigging lines, rudder chains, lifeboats, deck structures, and period-accurate fittings.
• Handmade sails included, with a series of fine linen prepared for the best finish.
• The Cataraqui model ship is mounted on a solid wooden display base.
• A historical fact sheet is also provided, making it easy to share the story and significance of the Cataraqui.

About the Cataraqui

The Cataraqui was a British emigrant sailing barque built in 1840 in Quebec and later operated from Liverpool during a period of large-scale migration to the Australian colonies. As a three-masted wooden sailing vessel, she was designed to carry passengers and cargo across long ocean voyages, transporting emigrants seeking new opportunities in Australia during the mid-19th century.

In April 1845, the Cataraqui departed Liverpool bound for Port Phillip (now Melbourne) with hundreds of emigrants on board, including many families. After a voyage of more than three months, the ship approached the hazardous waters of Bass Strait, an area long known for its strong winds, reefs, and unpredictable weather conditions that posed significant risks to sailing ships of the era.

On 4 August 1845, during a severe storm, the vessel was driven onto rocks off the west coast of King Island, Tasmania, near Fitzmaurice Bay. The ship quickly broke apart in heavy seas only a short distance from shore. Of the more than 400 passengers and crew aboard, only a small number survived, making the wreck of the Cataraqui the deadliest civilian maritime disaster in Australian history.

Today, the story of the Cataraqui remains an important and solemn part of Australia’s maritime heritage. Memorials on King Island honour those who lost their lives, and the ship is remembered as a symbol of the perilous journeys undertaken by early emigrants travelling to Australia in the age of sail.