Rapid 1811 - American - WA

An American China trader wrecked at Ningaloo reef in 1811. The first example of an outwardbound American China trader to be examined from the archaeological perspective. Reported in the Columbian Sentinel dated 3 August 1811 to have had $280 000 in specie on its outward journey from Boston. Rapid departed Boston for Canton on 28 September 1810. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope, sailed across the southern Indian Ocean and then north-east towards North-West Cape on the Australian coast but was wrecked on the on 98th day of the voyage. The next day, a storm was raging and the crew set fire to the ship, sacrificing everything so that the wreck would not appear above water and attract other ships to the scene before the Captain could return to save the 280 000 American dollars being carried on board.