Burmah (ship)

History
Name	Burmah
Operator	Willis, Gann & Co
Fate	Declared lost 1860
General characteristics
Type	Passenger ship

Burmah was a passenger ship, which disappeared en route from England to New Zealand in 1859 or 1860.

Last voyage

Burmah was chartered by Willis, Gann & Co. The ship left London for New Zealand on 30 August 1859. ^{[1] [2]} Burmah was seen by the ship Regina on 17 November, about 14 days sailing distance west of New Zealand, at 48°S97°E / 48°S 97°E / -48; 97 . Regina passed icebergs the day after it passed Burmah. ^[3] Burmah never arrived at New Zealand and was officially declared lost by Lloyds on 6 May 1860. ^[4]

Burmah was carrying passengers and an assortment of breeding livestock.

The novelist Samuel Butler was booked to travel on Burmah to New Zealand, but he changed to a different ship, Roman Emperor , at the last moment, and therefore avoided the loss of Burmah. ^[5]

References

1. Otago Witness , 10 October 1859 p.4
2. "Gravesend". Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser. 30 August 1859. p. 5.
3. Otago Witness, 11 February 1860 p.5
4. Otago Witness, 4 August 1860
5. Lyttelton Times , 28 January 1860