Arthur D. Edwardes : SUMMARY RECORD [PRG 1373] • Photograph

The 'Sobraon' at West Circular Quay, Sydney

The 'Sobraon' at West Circular Quay, Sydney

The composite ship 'Sobraon', 2131 tons, at West Circular Quay, Sydney [composite ship, 2131 tons, ON54680. 272.0 x 40.0 x 27.0. Built 1866 (4) Hall, Russell and Co., Aberdeen. Owners: Lowther, Maxton and Co., registered London. c.1870 Devitt and Moore: 1892 NSW Government; 1911 Federal Government for Naval Training ship and renamed 'HMAS Tingira'. Sold out of the service in 1928, it was reported she was to be broken up, but in 1934 she was reported to be in use as a 'rest home for out of work boys'. In 1937 sold for conversion to a museum but the buyer went bankrupt and the vessel passed to Mr. W Ford, Berry's Bay, North Sydney and was finally demolished in WW2. There seems to be no foundation for the story that the vessel was laid down as a auxiliary steamer for the Black Ball Line. Even before she was purchased by Devitt and Moore whenever she loaded on the Australian berth she was under charter to that firm. Her first owners were in the China tea trade. claimed to have been the largest composite ship built. The ship was named after a decisive battle in the Sutlij war of 1846. Accommodation was for 90 first and 40 second class passengers. Her first trip to Australia was in 1866 when she made the trip to Sydney in 75 days. For a description of a passage made in 1882 see SB Vol. XVII (New Series) Jan. 1954 page 4 et seq.] [Tingira = native term for The Open Sea. While under this name was employed as a training ship for boy entries to RAN and was moored usually in Rose Bay, Sydney. 1914-1928].

The 'Sobraon' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Sobraon' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The composite ship 'Sobraon', 2131 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [composite ship, 2131 tons, ON54680. 272.0 x 40.0 x 27.0. Built 1866 (4) Hall, Russell and Co., Aberdeen. Owners: Lowther, Maxton and Co., registered London. c.1870 Devitt and Moore: 1892 NSW Government; 1911 Federal Government for Naval Training ship and renamed 'HMAS Tingira'. Sold out of the service in 1928, it was reported she was to be broken up, but in 1934 she was reported to be in use as a 'rest home for out of work boys'. In 1937 sold for conversion to a museum but the buyer went bankrupt and the vessel passed to Mr. W Ford, Berry's Bay, North Sydney and was finally demolished in WW2. There seems to be no foundation for the story that the vessel was laid down as a auxiliary steamer for the Black Ball Line. Even before she was purchased by Devitt and Moore whenever she loaded on the Australian berth she was under charter to that firm. Her first owners were in the China tea trade. claimed to have been the largest composite ship built. The ship was named after a decisive battle in the Sutlij war of 1846. Accommodation was for 90 first and 40 second class passengers. Her first trip to Australia was in 1866 when she made the trip to Sydney in 75 days. For a description of a passage made in 1882 see SB Vol. XVII (New Series) Jan. 1954 page 4 et seq.] [Tingira = native term for The Open Sea. While under this name was employed as a training ship for boy entries to RAN and was moored usually in Rose Bay, Sydney. 1914-1928].

The 'Sobraon' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Sobraon' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The composite ship 'Sobraon', 2131 tons, on the River Thames [composite ship, 2131 tons, ON54680. 272.0 x 40.0 x 27.0. Built 1866 (4) Hall, Russell and Co., Aberdeen. Owners: Lowther, Maxton and Co., registered London. c.1870 Devitt and Moore: 1892 NSW Government; 1911 Federal Government for Naval Training ship and renamed 'HMAS Tingira'. Sold out of the service in 1928, it was reported she was to be broken up, but in 1934 she was reported to be in use as a 'rest home for out of work boys'. In 1937 sold for conversion to a museum but the buyer went bankrupt and the vessel passed to Mr. W Ford, Berry's Bay, North Sydney and was finally demolished in WW2. There seems to be no foundation for the story that the vessel was laid down as a auxiliary steamer for the Black Ball Line. Even before she was purchased by Devitt and Moore whenever she loaded on the Australian berth she was under charter to that firm. Her first owners were in the China tea trade. claimed to have been the largest composite ship built. The ship was named after a decisive battle in the Sutlij war of 1846. Accommodation was for 90 first and 40 second class passengers. Her first trip to Australia was in 1866 when she made the trip to Sydney in 75 days. For a description of a passage made in 1882 see SB Vol. XVII (New Series) Jan. 1954 page 4 et seq.] [Tingira = native term for The Open Sea. While under this name was employed as a training ship for boy entries to RAN and was moored usually in Rose Bay, Sydney. 1914-1928] In the book 'Fast sailing ships 1775-1875' this photograph is captioned "Sobraon is seen in the River Thames off Gravesend.

The 'South Australian' in an unidentified port

The 'South Australian' in an unidentified port

The composite ship 'South Australian', 1040 tons, in an unidentified port [composite ship, 1078 tons, ON60837, 201.0 x 36.0 x 20.1. Built 1868 (2) W Pile and Co., Sunderland. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Regular trader to South Australia for Devitt and Moore although sometimes to be seen in Melbourne. Withdrawn c.1890].

The 'Macquarie' under sail in Sydney Harbour as flagship for a regatta

The 'Macquarie' under sail in Sydney Harbour as flagship for a regatta

The iron ship 'Macquarie', 1857 tons, under sail [built as 'Melbourne' in 1875 (see 'Melbourne' for basic detail) and renamed in 1888. Well known in the Australian passenger trade, trading mainly to Sydney].

The 'Macquarie' at Sydney Harbour as flagship for the Balmain regatta

The 'Macquarie' at Sydney Harbour as flagship for the Balmain regatta

The iron ship 'Macquarie', 1857 tons, at Sydney [built as 'Melbourne' in 1875 (see 'Melbourne' for basic detail) and renamed in 1888. Well known in the Australian passenger trade, trading mainly to Sydney]. Photograph was taken at the fifty-first annual Balmain Regatta on 12 November 1900.

The 'Macquarie' under sail in Sydney Harbour as flagship for a regatta

The 'Macquarie' under sail in Sydney Harbour as flagship for a regatta

The iron ship 'Macquarie', 1857 tons, under sail [built as 'Melbourne' in 1875 (see 'Melbourne' for basic detail) and renamed in 1888. Well known in the Australian passenger trade, trading mainly to Sydney].

The 'Macquarie' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Macquarie' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The iron ship 'Macquarie', 1857 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [built as 'Melbourne' in 1875 (see 'Melbourne' for basic detail) and renamed in 1888. Well known in the Australian passenger trade, trading mainly to Sydney].

The 'Hesperus' under sail

The 'Hesperus' under sail

The iron ship 'Hesperus', 1777 tons, under sail. The iron ship, 'Hesperus', 1777 tons, at anchor [iron ship, 1859 gross tons. ON68500, 262.2 x 39.7 x 23.5. Built 1873 (11) R Steele and Co. Greenock. Owners: J Anderson (Anderson,Anderson and Co.) registered London, sold 1890 to Devitt and Moore, sold in 1899 she became the Russian 'Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna' then British again as 'Silvana' and under that name was broken up at Genoa in the 1920s. As an Orient Line vessel she remained in the Adelaide trade almost without a break until sale in 1890 put her into the eastern coast trade as a training ship for cadets under Lord Brassey's scheme. After sale to the Russians she remained a training ship up to the time of the outbreak of WW1. In the Adelaide run she was always a favourite passenger ship and although not noted for speed was regarded as very comfortable and regular].

The 'Hesperus' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Hesperus' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The iron ship 'Hesperus', 1777 tons, moored in an unidentified port. The iron ship, 'Hesperus', 1777 tons, at anchor [iron ship, 1859 gross tons. ON68500, 262.2 x 39.7 x 23.5. Built 1873 (11) R Steele and Co. Greenock. Owners: J Anderson (Anderson,Anderson and Co.) registered London, sold 1890 to Devitt and Moore, sold in 1899 she became the Russian 'Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna' then British again as 'Silvana' and under that name was broken up at Genoa in the 1920s. As an Orient Line vessel she remained in the Adelaide trade almost without a break until sale in 1890 put her into the eastern coast trade as a training ship for cadets under Lord Brassey's scheme. After sale to the Russians she remained a training ship up to the time of the outbreak of WW1. In the Adelaide run she was always a favourite passenger ship and although not noted for speed was regarded as very comfortable and regular].

The 'Illawarra' in The Thames

The 'Illawarra' in The Thames

The iron ship 'Illawarra', 1963 tons, at Gravesend, U.K. [iron ship, 1963 tons, ON85076, 269.1 x 40.6 x 24.0. Built 1881 (10) Dobie and Co., Glasgow. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold 1907 to Norwegian owners, without change of name. Abandoned in the North Atlantic, March 1912, in sinking condition. Employed in Devitt and Moore's Sydney trade, and in their cadet training scheme in association with Lord Brassey].

The 'Illawarra' under sail

The 'Illawarra' under sail

The iron ship 'Illawarra', 1963 tons, under sail [iron ship, 1963 tons, ON85076, 269.1 x 40.6 x 24.0. Built 1881 (10) Dobie and Co., Glasgow. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold 1907 to Norwegian owners, without change of name. Abandoned in the North Atlantic, March 1912, in sinking condition. Employed in Devitt and Moore's Sydney trade, and in their cadet training scheme in association with Lord Brassey].

The 'Illawarra' moored in an unidentified port

The 'Illawarra' moored in an unidentified port

The iron ship 'Illawarra', 1963 tons, moored in an unidentified port [iron ship, 1963 tons, ON85076, 269.1 x 40.6 x 24.0. Built 1881 (10) Dobie and Co., Glasgow. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold 1907 to Norwegian owners, without change of name. Abandoned in the North Atlantic, March 1912, in sinking condition. Employed in Devitt and Moore's Sydney trade, and in their cadet training scheme in association with Lord Brassey].

The 'Illawarra' in a boatyard

The 'Illawarra' in a boatyard

The iron ship 'Illawarra', 1963 tons, at the Alfred Graving Dock, Williamstown, Victoria [iron ship, 1963 tons, ON85076, 269.1 x 40.6 x 24.0. Built 1881 (10) Dobie and Co., Glasgow. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold 1907 to Norwegian owners, without change of name. Abandoned in the North Atlantic, March 1912, in sinking condition. Employed in Devitt and Moore's Sydney trade, and in their cadet training scheme in association with Lord Brassey]. The 'Illawarra' is in the Williamstown Dockyard in Victoria in the Alfred Graving Dock.

The 'Collingwood' in an unidentified port

The 'Collingwood' in an unidentified port

The iron ship 'Collingwood', 1034 tons, in an unidentified port. [iron ship, 1064 tons. ON65731m, 211.1 x 34.8 x 21.0. Built 1872 (6) W. Hood and Co. Aberdeen. Owners Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold to Norwegian owner with name unchanged. Sunk by German submarine 12 March 1917.]

The 'Collingwood' dismasted at Port Adelaide

The 'Collingwood' dismasted at Port Adelaide

The iron ship 'Collingwood', 1034 tons, dismasted at Port Adelaide. [iron ship, 1064 tons. ON65731m, 211.1 x 34.8 x 21.0. Built 1872 (6) W. Hood and Co. Aberdeen. Owners Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold to Norwegian owner with name unchanged. Sunk by German submarine 12 March 1917.]

The 'Hawkesbury' docked at East Circular Quay, Sydney

The 'Hawkesbury' docked at East Circular Quay, Sydney

The composite ship 'Hawkesbury', 1120 tons, docked at East Circular Quay, Sydney [composite ship 1179 tons, ON60903. 203.0 x 36.2 x 21.5. Built 1868 (11) W Pile and Co. Sunderland. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Became Swedish without change of name, c.1890. Built for, and usually employed in, the Sydney trade].

The 'Hawkesbury' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Hawkesbury' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The composite ship 'Hawkesbury', 1120 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [composite ship 1179 tons, ON60903. 203.0 x 36.2 x 21.5. Built 1868 (11) W Pile and Co. Sunderland. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Became Swedish without change of name, c.1890. Built for, and usually employed in, the Sydney trade].

The 'Harbinger' in an unidentified port

The 'Harbinger' in an unidentified port

The iron ship 'Harbinger', 1473 tons, in an unidentified port (possibly Port Adelaide) [iron ship, 1473 gross tons, ON73711, 253.5 x 37.6 x 22.4. Built 1876 (8) R Steele and Co. Greenock. Owners: Anderson, Anderson and Co. Registered London. c.1890 Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold Russian 1897. Said to have been the last sailing ship built to carry passengers in the Australian trades, and constructed especially to try and outdo the 'Torrens'. Did not remain long in the South Australian trade, but became very popular in the Melbourne run].

The 'Harbinger' in an unidentified port

The 'Harbinger' in an unidentified port

The iron ship 'Harbinger', 1473 tons, in an unidentified port [iron ship, 1473 gross tons, ON73711, 253.5 x 37.6 x 22.4. Built 1876 (8) R Steele and Co. Greenock. Owners: Anderson, Anderson and Co. Registered London. c.1890 Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold Russian 1897. Said to have been the last sailing ship built to carry passengers in the Australian trades, and constructed especially to try and outdo the 'Torrens'. Did not remain long in the South Australian trade, but became very popular in the Melbourne run].

The 'Harbinger' under sail

The 'Harbinger' under sail

The iron ship 'Harbinger', 1473 tons, under sail [iron ship, 1473 gross tons, ON73711, 253.5 x 37.6 x 22.4. Built 1876 (8) R Steele and Co. Greenock. Owners: Anderson, Anderson and Co. Registered London. c.1890 Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold Russian 1897. Said to have been the last sailing ship built to carry passengers in the Australian trades, and constructed especially to try and outdo the 'Torrens'. Did not remain long in the South Australian trade, but became very popular in the Melbourne run].

The 'Harbinger' at Port Adelaide

The 'Harbinger' at Port Adelaide

The iron ship 'Harbinger', 1473 tons, at Port Adelaide [iron ship, 1473 gross tons, ON73711, 253.5 x 37.6 x 22.4. Built 1876 (8) R Steele and Co. Greenock. Owners: Anderson, Anderson and Co. Registered London. c.1890 Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold Russian 1897. Said to have been the last sailing ship built to carry passengers in the Australian trades, and constructed especially to try and outdo the 'Torrens'. Did not remain long in the South Australian trade, but became very popular in the Melbourne run].

The 'Rodney' moored in Sydney Harbour

The 'Rodney' moored in Sydney Harbour

The iron ship 'Rodney', 1447 tons, moored in Sydney Harbour [iron ship, 1519 tons, ON68905, 235.6 x 38.4 x 22.6. Built 1874 (3) W Pile and Co., Sunderland. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold 1897 to French owners and renamed 'Gipsy'. Wrecked on the Cornish Coast 7 Dec. 1901, when homeward from Iquique with nitrate. Built for and always employed in the Australian passenger trade under British control].

The 'Rodney' moored in The Thames

The 'Rodney' moored in The Thames

The iron ship 'Rodney', 1447 tons, moored in The Thames [iron ship, 1519 tons, ON68905, 235.6 x 38.4 x 22.6. Built 1874 (3) W Pile and Co., Sunderland. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold 1897 to French owners and renamed 'Gipsy'. Wrecked on the Cornish Coast 7 Dec. 1901, when homeward from Iquique with nitrate. Built for and always employed in the Australian passenger trade under British control].

The 'Neotsfield' anchored in Sydney Harbour

The 'Neotsfield' anchored in Sydney Harbour

The iron ship 'Neotsfield', 1894 tons, anchored in Sydney Harbour [iron ship, 1894 tons, ON93623, 269.6 x 40.1 x 22.7. Built 1889 (9) A McMillan and Son, Dumbarton. Owners: Fredk. H. Dangar, registerd Sydney c.1903/4 R Thomas and Co. (Neotsfield Ship Ltd) registered London. Sunk by German submarine 26 June 1917, 112 miles SW from Bishop's Rock. Never owned by Devitt and Moore, although included in that section].

The 'Tamar' in Sydney Harbour

The 'Tamar' in Sydney Harbour

The steel ship 'Tamar', 2115 tons, in Sydney Harbour [steel ship, 2115 tons, ON96592, 286.8 x 42.5 x 24.0. Built 1889 (6) Napier, Shanks and Bell. Glasgow. Owners: Devitt and Moore, registered London. Sold 1900 to TA Shute of Liverpool. Broken up 1923].

The 'Derwent' anchored in an unidentified port

The 'Derwent' anchored in an unidentified port

The iron ship 'Derwent', 1970 tons, anchored in an unidentified port [iron ship. 1970 tons. ON89640, 275.0 x 40.2 x 23.7. Built 1884 (10) A McMillan and Son, Dumbarton. Owners Devitt and Moore, registered London. 1904 sold Norwegian owners. Stranded April 1917, but refloated and broken up in 1926 according to one source but also reported to have been converted into a barge in USA in 1925 and not finally dismantled until 1949. (These conflicting statements probably arising from the fact that there were two ships of the same name removed from active trading about the same time) However a barge of this name and description is listed in Lloyds Register for 1930s and it is clar that this vessel was sold in 1925 for conversion to a barge. In the Australian wool trade while owned by Devitt and Moore].

The 'Derwent' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Derwent' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The iron ship 'Derwent', 1970 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [iron ship. 1970 tons. ON89640, 275.0 x 40.2 x 23.7. Built 1884 (10) A McMillan and Son, Dumbarton. Owners Devitt and Moore, registered London. 1904 sold Norwegian owners. Stranded April 1917, but refloated and broken up in 1926 according to one source but also reported to have been converted into a barge in USA in 1925 and not finally dismantled until 1949. (These conflicting statements probably arising from the fact that there were two ships of the same name removed from active trading about the same time) However a barge of this name and description is listed in Lloyds Register for 1930s and it is clar that this vessel was sold in 1925 for conversion to a barge. In the Australian wool trade while owned by Devitt and Moore].

The 'Port Jackson' moored in an unidentified port

The 'Port Jackson' moored in an unidentified port

The four masted iron barque 'Port Jackson', 2212 tons, moored in an unidentified port [iron 4 mast barque, 2212 tons, ON84362, 286.2 x 41.1 x 25.2. Built 1882 (8) A Hall and Co., Aberdeen. Owners: Duthie Bros. registered Aberdeen later Devitt and Moore's Ocean Training Ships Ltd. Torpedoed April 28, 1917. Regular Australian trader and when sold to Devitt and Moore became a cadet training ship, remaining in the Australian trade].

The 'Port Jackson' under sail

The 'Port Jackson' under sail

The four masted iron barque 'Port Jackson', 2212 tons, under sail [iron 4 mast barque, 2212 tons, ON84362, 286.2 x 41.1 x 25.2. Built 1882 (8) A Hall and Co., Aberdeen. Owners: Duthie Bros. registered Aberdeen later Devitt and Moore's Ocean Training Ships Ltd. Torpedoed April 28, 1917. Regular Australian trader and when sold to Devitt and Moore became a cadet training ship, remaining in the Australian trade].