Clarence Visits Australia
The answer lies within the history and purpose of the Clarence. The Clarence was built by William Pile Jr. in 1858. William Pile Jr. was contracted by Richard Green to build ships for his line of Blackwall Frigates. This attests to the quality of Pile's work as Green owned a shipyard where it would have been much cheaper to build a ship. The Clarence was one of several ships constructed with the purpose of running a passenger service to Australia, although it was also successful in the coolie trade. Perhaps the success of the Clarence can be attributed to its destination. In an era of technological advancement, sailing ships had to compete with the faster and more comfortable steam ships. The Clarence's runs to Australia prolonged the wooden sail-ship industry.
Between 1870-1872, the Clarence made two voyages from Gravesend, England to Melbourne, Australia. The Clarence was taking passengers from the homeland, England, to discover a land of economic opportunity and prosperity. 20 years previous, ships were overwhelmed with passengers rushing to discover their fortunes in the gold mines of the Outback. Now, passengers emigrated to Australia for the rural farmlands. England was becoming increasingly industrialized and the skills of the laboring poor were better utilized in Australia. The journey averaged about 4 months. The Clarence landed at the Sandridge Railway Pier in Melbourne.
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