This article discusses the shipwreck of the Tayleur. For its dimensions and construction: see Tayleur was lost at Lambay. For a review of the book see: "Bound for Australia". For the Tayleur Medals, see Tayleur fund for the succour of shipwrecked strangers
The sailing ship Tayleur was lost at Lambay just north of Dublin on 21 January 1854. Of the 650 aboard only 290 survived, merely three of the hundred women survived and only three of fifty children reached shore. The loss was due to a combination of compass error, an untried ship, a small crew and a storm. After the wreck there were several inquiries which sought to explain the loss of a brand new ship. There are similarities with the Titanic which was also a White Star line ship on her maiden voyage carrying emigrants. The Tayleur was state of the art at the epitome of sailing ship design just at the time when steamers were coming into service. She was the largest merchant sailing ship in the British fleet though there were larger American ships. The demand for passage to Australia was driven by the gold rush at Ballarat. The Tayleur was not a chartered emigrant ship and those aboard had paid for their passage themselves; the compliment included many well to do people and most aboard were tradesmen.
- Iron Clipper by Bert Starkey
- Bound for Australia by Edward J Bourke