Hesperus

The Hesperus was a substantial iron sailing ship built in 1873 by Robert Steele and Company in Greenock, Scotland. She was described as a "beautiful iron ship" and served initially as a passenger vessel before later transferring to Russian ownership.

Construction and Early Service

Built in 1873 at the Greenock yards of Robert Steele and Company, the Hesperus represented the quality shipbuilding Scotland was known for during this period. On October 24, 1878, under the command of Captain Harry Thomas Rowe RNR, she completed a voyage from London to Port Adelaide carrying immigrants.

Ownership and Later Years

The vessel was owned by Anderson, Anderson & Co, operators of the Orient Line, and was registered in Aberdeen as of 1899. Subsequently, she was sold to the Russian Government, who renamed her Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna. Her career ended in 1924 when she was scrapped at Genoa, Italy.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Built	1873
Builder	Robert Steele and Company
Location	Greenock, Scotland
Length	262.2 feet (79.9 meters)
Beam	39.7 feet (12.1 meters)
Depth	23.5 feet (7.2 meters)
Gross Tonnage	1,859
Net Tonnage	1,777
Construction	Iron
Final Fate	Scrapped at Genoa, 1924