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Article: Never to reach their Liverpool home; A new book marks the 150th anniversary of the doomed treasure ship Royal Charter, lost in a hurricane hours from arriving safely in port. Peter Elson reports.(Features)
- Article from:
- Daily Post (Liverpool, England)
- Article date:
- November 9, 2009
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 MGN Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Peter Elson
LUCK is the crucial ingredient in life. So, around 480 crew and passengers, including many women and children, must have felt their ship was literally coming in, as the steam-clipper Royal Charter approached Liverpool.
Many had enjoyed more than good luck in the Australian goldrush, almost exactly 150 years ago, returning to Britain, expecting to be set up for life.
Eye-watering s by these lucky adventurers.
The gold bullion cargo alone was insured for pounds 322,000 at 1859 values, now worth pounds 32.2m.
There was luck, too, in this age of perilous travel, Royal Charter had sailed safely half-way round ...