Africaine (also known as African or Africanus) was a robust barque launched in 1831 at Jarrow on the River Tyne by shipbuilders Thomas and Robert Brown Junior. With a tonnage of 317 tons, she measured approximately 98 feet 9.5 inches in length, 27 feet 2.5 inches in beam, and 6 feet 7 inches in depth. Designed for long voyages, her sturdy construction suited her well for transoceanic travel. Initially owned by Thomas Finlay and John Finlay Duff, she was registered in London and identified in Lloyd’s Register as African in 1832, with Thompson as master and Fenwick as owner, operating on the London–Quebec route. Throughout her career, Africaine undertook several significant voyages. Notably, in 1833, she sailed from Liverpool to Smyrna but grounded briefly at Cape Trafalgar, which she was helped off after a three-hour delay. Between 1834 and 1835, under Captain John Finlay Duff, she traveled via Calcutta, Mauritius, and Hobart to Sydney, marking her role in facilitating trade and migration. In 1836, she was chartered by Robert Gouger and John Brown to carry emigrants as part of the First Fleet of South Australia. Departing London on 28 June 1836, Africaine arrived at Holdfast Bay near Adelaide on 13 November 1836, carrying settlers for the fledgling colony. After disembarking passengers and cargo, she continued to Hobart Town and Launceston, supporting the colony’s growth through subsequent voyages. Ownership changed multiple times, from Thomas and John Finlay Duff to Michael Connolly, J. Griffiths, William Dutton, and James Henty, with her registration shifting to Launceston and later Newcastle. In 1840, under William Dutton, she visited New Zealand’s whaling grounds. Her service came to an end when she was wrecked on 23 September 1843 near Cape St Lawrence (Cape North), Cape Breton Island, while voyaging from Newcastle to Quebec. The wreck resulted in the loss of two crew members and marked the conclusion of a vessel that played a notable part in the early maritime history associated with Australian colonization.

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