Cimba was a notable British-built clipper constructed in Aberdeen in 1878, primarily serving in the Australian wool trade. She featured an iron hull, distinguished by her vivid green paint accented with gold scrollwork, a yellow stripe along her sides, white bulwarks, and white upperworks. Her figurehead was a lion, symbolizing strength and regality. The vessel was heavily rigged, with her main lower masts measuring approximately 60 feet—somewhat shorter than typical for clippers—and equipped with heavy lower yards, each over 4 tons, contributing to her reputation as a tender ship that heeled easily under sail. During her 20-year career in the wool trade, Cimba operated regularly between London and Sydney, making nearly three decades of visits to Port Jackson. Her first captain, J. Fimster, commanded her until 1895, after which Captain J. W. Holmes took over. Holmes had an extensive maritime background, having served as third mate aboard Salamis, chief mate on the clippers Blackadder and Hallowe'en, and as commander of Leucadia. Under Holmes and later Norwegian ownership, Cimba's primary cargo shifted to lumber, including firewood transported from the Baltic to East Indian Dock in Aberdeen Bay. Cimba achieved a remarkable sailing record in 1905 when she completed a passage from Callao to Iquique in just 14 days, setting a sailing ship record for that route. Her operational history includes notable speed and efficiency, exemplified by her quick passage from Dublin to the St. Lawrence in 14 days. Her maritime end came on 26 July 1915, when she was stranded in fog near Pointe Des Monts in the Gulf of St. Lawrence while en route from Liverpool to Matane. She was the last sailing vessel to be lost in that area, marking the conclusion of her distinguished career. Cimba remains a significant vessel for her speed records, extensive service in the wool trade, and her distinctive iron hull and rigging.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.