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

The 'Combermere' at Port Chalmers, New Zealand

The 'Combermere' at Port Chalmers, New Zealand

The iron ship 'Combermere', 1727 tons, at Port Chalmers, New Zealand. [iron ship, 1727 tons, ON84113, 251.3 x 39.0 x 24.0. Built 1881 (5). Richardson, Duck and Co. Stockton. Owners CW Kellock and Co. Registered Liverpool, later J Edgar and Co. registered Liverpool, passed to Italian owners in first decade 20th century without change of name.] [Note from R Parsons - Although included in the Mere Line I find no evidence of ever having been owned or chartered by that firm. Presumably in error due to the similarity of nomenclature] Various fleeting references to this vessel in both volumes of The Last of the Windjammers by Lubbock. However nothing of particular interest.

The 'Combermere' docked portside

The 'Combermere' docked portside

The iron ship 'Combermere', 1727 tons, docked on her portside. [iron ship, 1727 tons, ON84113, 251.3 x 39.0 x 24.0. Built 1881 (5). Richardson, Duck and Co. Stockton. Owners CW Kellock and Co. Registered Liverpool, later J Edgar and Co. registered Liverpool, passed to Italian owners in first decade 20th century without change of name.] [Note from R Parsons - Although included in the Mere Line I find no evidence of ever having been owned or chartered by that firm. Presumably in error due to the similarity of nomenclature] Various fleeting references to this vessel in both volumes of The Last of the Windjammers by Lubbock. However nothing of particular interest.

The 'Buttermere' in an unidentified port

The 'Buttermere' in an unidentified port

The iron barque 'Buttermere', 1021 tons, in an unidentified port. [iron barque, 1021 gross tons. ON76414, 214.0 x 34.4 x 20.2. Built 1877(1) Whitehaven, SB Co. Whitehaven. Owners Fisher and Sprott, reg. Liverpool later renamed Freia by Norwegian owners and then Pax Danish. Apart from a visit to Wellington NZ in 1880, I cannot locate any reference to the activities of this vessel in Australian waters. Sold out of English ownership in the early 1890's. - note by Parsons] Square Riggers, The Fi nal Epoch, by Hurst (Teredo Books) nd.

The 'Ellesmere' as a barque

The 'Ellesmere' as a barque

The four masted iron ship 'Ellesmere', 2708 tons, as a barque. Also refer to the enlarged print PRG 1373/2/45 [iron 4 mast ship, 2708 gross tons. ON91920. 308.0 x 45.2 x 24.7. Built 1886 (4) Oswald, Mordaunt and Co. Southampton. Owners: Sailing Ship Ellesmere Co. Ltd. (Fisher and Sprott) registered London. Sold of German owners before 1900 and renamed Schiffbek and altered to 4 mast barque rig. Hurst (Last of the Square Riggers) p. 127 says the ship was taken over by the Portuguese in 1917 and her fate is unknown. He incorrectly states the ship was built at Whitehaven].

The 'Thirlmere' anchored

The 'Thirlmere' anchored

The iron ship 'Thirlmere', 1777 tons, anchored near a hilly shoreline [iron ship, 1777 gross tons, ON70841. 260.0 x 39.1 x 23.1. Built 1874 (1) Whitehaven SB Co. Whitehaven. Owners: Sprott and Fisher, registered Liverpool, later W Lowden and Co.. See 'Last of the Windjammers' by Lubbock]. A researcher has suggested that the location may be San Francisco, and that the Captain of the 'Thirlmere' was Captain Brown.

The 'Thirlmere' anchored near cliffs

The 'Thirlmere' anchored near cliffs

The iron ship 'Thirlmere', 1777 tons, anchored near cliffs [iron ship, 1777 gross tons, ON70841. 260.0 x 39.1 x 23.1. Built 1874 (1) Whitehaven SB Co. Whitehaven. Owners: Sprott and Fisher, registered Liverpool, later W Lowden and Co.. See 'Last of the Windjammers' by Lubbock].

The 'Ravenswood' under sail

The 'Ravenswood' under sail

The iron barque 'Ravenswood', 1123 tons, under partial sail [iron barque, 1123 gross, ON63890, 216.2 x 35.8 x 20.6. Built 1877 (12) WH Potter and Co., Liverpool. Owners: J Sprott, registered Workington: later Fisher and Sprott; later JB Walmsley and Co.]

The 'Inglewood' in an unidentified port

The 'Inglewood' in an unidentified port

The iron barque 'Inglewood', 1077 tons, in an unidentified port [iron barque, 1077 gross tons, ON63886, 215.0 x 34.1 x 21.1. Built 1875 (7) R Williamson and Son, Harrington, Owners: John Sprott, registered Workington; later Fisher and Sprott, by mid 1890s owned by R Williams and Son, (the original builders) then shortly after becomes Norwegian property without a change of name. Made one passage to Auckland, arriving in command of Captain J Brocklebank, 26 December 1879 with 38 passengers. See also letter filed with 'Mallsgate'. The 'Inglewood' was reputedly a sister ship of the 'Mallsgate' and 'Geltwood', and was owned initially by Fisher & Sprott of Liverpool and registered at Workington, UK. The vessel was sold back to her builders in 1889 and was managed by R.'Williamson & Son of Workington until 1899. From 1891 to 1896, she was under the command of Captain W.F. Bunn. As with many of the large iron sailing ships, she was sold to Norwegian owners. In 1900 the 'Inglewood' was registered at Laurvig (Larvik), Norway, owned by C.H.Neilson. On the 28th March 1908 the 'Inglewood' exploded in Mandal Harbour, killing her whole crew of 14. She was bound from New York to Stockholm with a naphtha cargo (see 'Blengfell for a similar accident'). Statistics: built 1875; 1077 gross tons; 215 feet long; 34.1 feet wide; 21.1 feet deep; 3 masts].

The 'Inglewood' in an unidentified port

The 'Inglewood' in an unidentified port

The iron barque 'Inglewood', 1077 tons, in an unidentified port. The 'Inglewood' was reputedly a sister ship of the 'Mallsgate' and 'Geltwood', and was owned initially by Fisher & Sprott of Liverpool and registered at Workington, UK. The vessel was sold back to her builders in 1889 and was managed by R.'Williamson & Son of Workington until 1899. From 1891 to 1896, she was under the command of Captain W.F. Bunn. As with many of the large iron sailing ships, she was sold to Norwegian owners. In 1900 the 'Inglewood' was registered at Laurvig (Larvik), Norway, owned by C.H.Neilson. On the 28th March 1908 the 'Inglewood' exploded in Mandal Harbour, killing her whole crew of 14. She was bound from New York to Stockholm with a naphtha cargo (see 'Blengfell for a similar accident'). Statistics: built 1875; 1077 gross tons; 215 feet long; 34.1 feet wide; 21.1 feet deep; 3 masts [iron barque, 1077 gross tons, ON63886, 215.0 x 34.1 x 21.1. Built 1875 (7) R Williamson and Son, Harrington, Owners: John Sprott, registered Workington; later Fisher and Sprott, by mid 1890s owned by R Williams and Son, (the original builders) then shortly after becomes Norwegian property without a change of name. Made one passage to Auckland, arriving in command of Captain J Brocklebank, 26 December 1879 with 38 passengers. See also letter filed with 'Mallsgate'].

The 'Mallsgate' at Port Adelaide

The 'Mallsgate' at Port Adelaide

The iron barque 'Mallsgate', 1073 tons, in an unidentified port [iron barque, 1073 gross tons. ON63889, 215.3 x 34.1 x 21.0. Built 1877 (5) R Williamson and Son, Harrington. Owners: John Sprott, registered Workington, later Fisher and Sprott. Wrecked on Middleton Reef, off the coast of Australia, 21 July 1889. Thought to have been designed by Captain James sprott, longtime master of the vessel and brother of the first owners, however this is quoted by Lubbock without supporting references. He also makes a series of other statements such as that the vessel was built regardless of cost; was the finest iron barque rigged ship built; carried little cargo, all apparently unsupported. She was wrecked when laden with coal and bound from Newcastle, NSW to San Francisco. 'Last of the Windjammers' Vol. 11 gives a lengthy report on the escape and open boat voyage of the crew].

The 'Mallsgate' docked alongside a seawall

The 'Mallsgate' docked alongside a seawall

The iron barque 'Mallsgate', 1073 tons, docked alongside a seawall [iron barque, 1073 gross tons. ON63889, 215.3 x 34.1 x 21.0. Built 1877 (5) R Williamson and Son, Harrington. Owners: John Sprott, registered Workington, later Fisher and Sprott. Wrecked on Middleton Reef, off the coast of Australia, 21 July 1889. Thought to have been designed by Captain James sprott, longtime master of the vessel and brother of the first owners, however this is quoted by Lubbock without supporting references. He also makes a series of other statements such as that the vessel was built regardless of cost; was the finest iron barque rigged ship built; carried little cargo, all apparently unsupported. She was wrecked when laden with coal and bound from Newcastle, NSW to San Francisco. 'Last of the Windjammers' Vol. 11 gives a lengthy report on the escape and open boat voyage of the crew].

The 'Rydalmere' in an unidentified port

The 'Rydalmere' in an unidentified port

The iron ship, 'Rydalmere', 1246 tons, in an unidentified port [iron ship, later barque, 1312 gross tons,ON70908. 236.0 x 36.1 x 22.1 Built 1875 (2) Whitehaven SB Co., Whitehaven, owners: Joseph Sprott, registered Liverpool, later Fisher and Sprott. Rigged down to a barque in the mid 1880s. Later owned by Lowden and Co.]

The 'Kentmere' in an unidentified port

The 'Kentmere' in an unidentified port

The four masted iron ship 'Kentmere', 2521 tons, in an unidentified port [iron ship, later 4 mast barque (probably converted about the time she began to carry bulk oil) 2521 gross tons, ON87141. Built 1883 (6) WH Potter and Sons. Liverpool. Owners: Ship Kentmore Co. Ltd (Fisher and Sprott) registered London c.1900 Anglo-American Oil Co. Ltd. Registered London. A number of of references to the ship, but nothing of importance are to found in 'The Coolie Ships and Oil Sailers' by Basil Lubbock].

The 'Ellesmere' anchored near hills

The 'Ellesmere' anchored near hills

The four masted iron barque 'Ellesmere', 2708 tons, achored near hills. Also refer to the original print PRG 1373/2/35 [iron 4 mast ship, 2708 gross tons. ON91920. 308.0 x 45.2 x 24.7. Built 1886 (4) Oswald, Mordaunt and Co. Southampton. Owners: Sailing Ship Ellesmere Co. Ltd. (Fisher and Sprott) registered London. Sold of German owners before 1900 and renamed Schiffbek and altered to 4 mast barque rig. Hurst (Last of the Square Riggers) p. 127 says the ship was taken over by the Portuguese in 1917 and her fate is unknown. He incorrectly states the ship was built at Whitehaven].

The 'Melbourne' at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Melbourne' at Gravesend, U.K.

The iron ship, 'Melbourne', 1857 tons, 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] [iron ship 1965 gross tons, 1857 net tons. ON70749, 269.8 x 40.1 x 23.7. Built 1875 (6) R&H Green, Blackwall London. Owners: R&H Green. Registered London, 1887 Devitt and Moore; 1903 renamed 'Fortuna' on sale to Norwegian owners and became a coal hulk in Sydney before WW1. The 'Melbourne' ran regularly to Melbourne until 1887 with an average voyage time of 82 days. She was sold in 1897 to Devitt and Moore who renamed the ship 'Macquarie' in 1888 and operated her to Sydney. When Devitt and Moore became associated with Lord Brassey's cadet scheme the 'Macquarie' was employed in training cadets while en route UK-Australia-UK. Very full notes in 'Blackwall Frigates'. Noted in 'Colonial Clippers'].

The 'Melbourne' under partial sail

The 'Melbourne' under partial sail

The iron ship, 'Melbourne', 1857 tons, under partial 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] [iron ship 1965 gross tons, 1857 net tons. ON70749, 269.8 x 40.1 x 23.7. Built 1875 (6) R&H Green, Blackwall London. Owners: R&H Green. Registered London, 1887 Devitt and Moore; 1903 renamed 'Fortuna' on sale to Norwegian owners and became a coal hulk in Sydney before WW1. The 'Melbourne' ran regularly to Melbourne until 1887 with an average voyage time of 82 days. She was sold in 1887 to Devitt and Moore who renamed the ship 'Macquarie' in 1888 and operated her to Sydney. When Devitt and Moore became associated with Lord Brassey's cadet scheme the 'Macquarie' was employed in training cadets while en route UK-Australia-UK. Very full notes in 'Blackwall Frigates'. Noted in 'Colonial Clippers'].

The 'Carlisle Castle' at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Carlisle Castle' at Gravesend, U.K.

The iron ship 'Carlisle Castle', 1458 tons, at Gravesend, U.K. [iron ship 1545 gross tons, 1458 net tons. ON60871, 229.8 x 37.8 x 22.8. Built 1868 (9) R&H Green, Blackwall London. Owners R&H Green, registered London. sold 1893 to J Robinson, rigged down to a barque, probably upon sale in 1893. Totally wrecked with the loss of all hands, near Rockingham, south of Fremantle, WA on the night of 12 July 1899.] Futher references see Blackwall Frigates, Colonial Clippers, The Sea and the Forest, Fall, Uni of WA 1972 (for details of wreck). Australian Encyclopaeda Vol.II 1926 which gives incorrect information re lives lost.

The 'Superb' anchored in an unidentifed port

The 'Superb' anchored in an unidentifed port

The iron ship 'Superb', 1451 tons, anchored in an unidentified port. Also refer to the enlarged print, PRG 1373/2/65 [iron ship, 1451 gross tons ON54755. 230.3 x 37.9 x 23.1. Built 1866 (9) E&H Green, Blackwall, London. Owners: R&H Green, registered London. c.1890 to Liverpool owners, and late some decade to Norwegian owners, without change of name. Abandoned, dismasted 27 April 1900 in south Atlantic. Subsequently taken into Gibraltar and converted into coal hulk, which was broken up about 1901/2. The first iron hulled ship built at the Blackwall yard. Regularly employed in the Melbourne passenger trade].

'The Lord Warden' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

'The Lord Warden' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The wooden ship "The Lord Warden', 1237 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [wooden ship, 1237 gross tons, ON45005, 210.3 x 36.6 x 22.6. Built 1862 (5) Pile, Hay and Co. Sunderland. Owners: R&H Green, registered London. Sold 1884 G Ossoinakdi, Fiume. Foundered in 1889. Commenced for Greens in the Calcutta trade but was later transferred to the Melbourne run. See 'The Blackwall Frigates'].

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

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

The composite ship 'Shannon', 1292 tons, moored Gravesend, UK. [wooden ship, 1292 gross tons, ON44996, 217.0 x 37.7 x 22.8. Built 1862 (5) R&H Green, Blackwall, London. Owners: R&H Green, registered London (iron beams) Sold May 1883 to Wright Bros. registered London: 1887 James C Ellis, registered Sydney who were the owners when she sprang a leak while en route to Newcastle, NSW - Wellington, and put into Papeete where she was condemned, in June 1888. Ran for Greens regularly in the Melbourne trade and made some notable passages. Was employed as a collier when abandoned. In Blackwall Frigates story is recalled when some of the apprentices passed the ship off as a former warship involved with the 'Chesapeake'].

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

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

The wooden ship 'Highflyer', 1092 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [wooden ship (later barque) 1012 gross tons. ON43956, 193.7 x 35.5 x 20.0. Built 1861 (10) R&H Green, Blackwall, London. Registered London. Sold c.1880 H Ramien. registered Elsfleth (and probably at this time rigged down to a barque) Still listed till late 1890s under Norwegian flag and her original name. Built as a tea clipper but made some runs to Australia - it was not unusual for a ship to load for Australia, then go north to China for tea and then home, making a rough triangle or 'round' voyage].

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

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

The wooden ship 'Malabar', 1219 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [wooden ship, later barque. 1219 gross tons. ON28740. 207.2 x 36.6 x 22.5. Built 1860 (5) W Pile, junior. Sunderland. Owners: R&H Green, registered London, sold 1878 Foley and Co., registered London. Often employed as a troopship to India, but also traded to Australia. See Blackwall Frigates, and Colonial Clippers].

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

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

The wooden ship 'Newcastle', 1137 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [wooden ship, 1137 gross tons. ON27220, 196.5 x 36.5 x 22.5. Built 1859 W Pile, junior, Sunderland. Owners: R&H Green, registered London, c.1880 Foley and Co., registered London. In her early career was engaged in the transport of coolies and troops, but from about 1869 was engaged in the Australian trade of Messrs. Green. See 'Blackwall Frigates' for extended references to some trips in the Australian trade, and other notes].

The 'Renown' moored in an unidentified port

The 'Renown' moored in an unidentified port

The wooden ship 'Renown', 1293 tons, moored in an unidentified port [wooden ship, 1293 gross tons, ON28731, 216.6 x 37.5 x 22.7. Built 1860 (5) R&H Green, Blackwall, London. Owners: R&H Green, registered London (iron beams) sold in 1882 to Bollard and Kleinschmidt, registered Bremen. Wrecked before 1890. Mostly in the Australian trades. See 'Blackwall Frigates']. The 'Renown' was commanded by William Wildash for five return voyages from London to Melbourne from 1874-1879. Both passengers and cargo were carried, and coverage of the journeys was given in the Melbourne 'Argus' [information supplied by a researcher].

The 'Renown' moored in an unidentified port

The 'Renown' moored in an unidentified port

The wooden ship 'Renown', 1293 tons, moored in an unidentified port [wooden ship, 1293 gross tons, ON28731, 216.6 x 37.5 x 22.7. Built 1860 (5) R&H Green, Blackwall, London. Owners: R&H Green, registered London (iron beams) sold in 1882 to Bollard and Kleinschmidt, registered Bremen. Wrecked before 1890. Mostly in the Australian trades. See 'Blackwall Frigates'].

The 'Dover Castle' docked at Port Chalmers, New Zealand

The 'Dover Castle' docked at Port Chalmers, New Zealand

The wooden ship 'Dover Castle', 1003 tons, docked at Port Chalmers, New Zealand, [wooden ship, 1003 gross tons. ON20847, 185.0 x 34.0 x 22.0. Built 1858 Pile Sunderland. Owners R&H Green, registered London 1872 Shaw, Savill and Co. c.1880-1 sold to CY Boe of Arendal and renamed Kem and under this name finally broken up after many years. (Her being broken up resulted from a standing upon the coast of Norway) Under the ownership of Greens was employed in the Australian trade. From 1872 made several voyages to New Zealand, the first being to Lyttelton and where she arrived May 7, 1872. On her arrival at Auckland in August 1875 she had aboard the only survivor of the Cospatrick. Ref. Blackwall Frigates, White Wings Vol. 1 Breet, 1924].

The 'Clarence' at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Clarence' at Gravesend, U.K.

The wooden ship 'Clarence', 1032 tons, at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Windsor Castle' moored in an unidentified port

The 'Windsor Castle' moored in an unidentified port

The wooden ship 'Windsor Castle', 1075 tons, moored in an unidentified port [wooden ship, 1075 gross tons. ON15822, 195.5 x 36.2 x 22.5. Built 1857 W Pile, Junior, Sunderland. Owners: R&H Green, registered London. Sold 1882 to E Cox, registered London. Foundered off Algoa Bay in 1884. Built for the Australian passenger trade and toward the end of her career on the run was well known in the Brisbane run. NB. Do not confuse with vessel of the same name and similar size operating about the same period. Early career spent in the Melbourne trade with occasional visits to Sydney, but for the last few years under the flag of Green she was a regular visitor at Brisbane. See 'Blackwall Frigates' and 'Colonial Clippers'].

The 'Alnwick Castle' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Alnwick Castle' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The wooden ship 'Alnwick Castle', 1109 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [wooden ship, 1087 gross tons, ON15854. 195.0 x 35.2 x 22. Built 1856. Pile, Sunderland, registered London by R&H Green, sold in 1873 and was wrecked on the coast of Mexico in 1881. At this time was the property of Sir John Arnot, of Cork. Ususally employed in the Indian trade and sometimes carried coolies to the West Indies].

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

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

The wooden ship 'Agamemnon', 1431 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. Also refer to the enlarged print, PRG 1373/2/64. [W ship, 1431 g.t., ON26291, 252.3 x 36.2 x 23.2, B. 1855 R&H. Green, Blackwall, London: Owners: R&H Green, reg. London. Sold for conversion to coal hulk c. 1877. Usually employed in the Indian trade until 1870 when she was transferred to the Australian passenger trade for the last years of her existence as a rigged vessel. See Blackwall Frigates.]