Early Trade Between Canada and Australia and the Wreck of the William Salthouse (1841)

The William Salthouse was the first merchant vessel to sail with a cargo of merchandise from the British Dominion of Canada to the newly established colonies of Australia. The vessel was lost on 27 November 1841 while attempting to enter Port Phillip Heads during a voyage from Montreal and Quebec to Melbourne. Historical and archaeological research has revealed that much of the cargo of salted meats and fish was contained in casks (or barrels) which were the most common containers for shipment of bulk commodities during the first half of the nineteenth century. Many of the casks were marked with information about their origin, weight and contents. Other components of the cargo included alcohol in bottles and casks. This paper discusses aspects of the cargo in light of the social and economic context for trade between Canada and Australia at the time.