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

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

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

The wooden ship 'Swiftsure', 1212 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [wooden ship, 1326 gross tons, ON8300, 219.0 x 39.8 x 22.8. Built 1854 at Boston, USA as the 'Fatherland', renamed on purchase by R&H Green in the 1850s. Sold and upon alteration became 1268 gross tons and owned by Hall Bros. Wrecked at Tripoli in 1883. Purchased by Greens for use in the passenger trade to Melbourne at the height of the gold rushes. See 'Blackwall Frigates' although not a frigate built ship].

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

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

The wooden ship 'Anglesey', 1012 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [wooden ship, 1012 tons, ON26417, 182.0 x 34.0 x 22.0: Built 1852 Green, Blackwall, London. Owners: Messrs. Green, reg. London. Sold 1874 to others, and sold foreign 1875. Fate not traced. Famous for well presented figurehead of the Earl of Anglesey which was only exhibited on special occasions. Made an exceptional passage to Melbourne in 1871. See Blackwall Frigates.]

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 original print, PRG 1373/2/61.[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.]

The 'Superb' anchored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Superb' anchored at Gravesend, U.K.

The iron ship 'Superb', 1451 tons, anchored at Gravesend, U.K. Also refer to the original print, PRG 1373/2/49 [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 'Kent' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

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

The wooden ship 'Kent', 998 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'May Queen' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'May Queen' moored at Gravesend, U.K.

The iron ship 'May Queen', 733 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [iron ship, later barque, 781 gross tons, 733 net tons. ON60694, 178.6 x 31.2 x 19.0. Owner: William Shirres, registered Aberdeen, master J Leslie. c.1879 owner John Leslie, registered London. Wrecked at Lyttelton New Zealand 26 January 1888. Apparently rigged down to a barque about the time of her sale. Always in the New Zealand trade. In all made 17 voyages between UK and New Zealand. From 1871 till 1876 she was under charter to Shaw Savill and Co. and usually made a fair passage. Although her main port was Dunedin, she also visited Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Nelson and Napier. See 'White Wings' for full details of trips to New Zealand and 'NZ Shipwrecks' p. 234 for details of loss].

The 'Taranaki' docked at a port in New Zealand

The 'Taranaki' docked at a port in New Zealand

The iron ship 'Taranaki', 1126 tons, docked at a port in New Zealand [iron ship, 1193 gross tons 1126 net tons. ON76749, 228.2 x 35.2 x 21.0. Built 1877 (1) R Duncan and Co. Port Glasgow. Owners James Galbraith, registered Glasgow, within a year or two owner was John Leslie. Before 1910 sold to Italian owners without change of name. A regular trader to New Zealand, operating under charter to the Shaw Savill organisation and usually thought of as one of their ships although always registered in the name of John Leslie apart from a year of two when it was in the name of James Galbraith, the senior partner of the Albion Line. Her last voyage to New Zealand appears to have been made in late 1899. Her usual port was Dunedin, although she made one visit to Wellington, Lyttelton and Timaru. See 'White Wings by Brett and 'Colonial Clippers' which mistakenly records that the ship was owned by Shaw Savill].

The 'Marlborough' docked at Port Chalmers, New Zealand

The 'Marlborough' docked at Port Chalmers, New Zealand

The iron ship 'Marlborough', 1124 tons, docked near a rocky outcropping at Port Chalmers, New Zealand [iron ship, 1191 gross tons. (1124 net tons) ON73858, 228.0 x 35.0 x 21.0. Built 1876 (6) R Duncan and Co. Port Glasgow. Owners James Galbraith (Albion Line) registered Glasgow, c. 1880 John Leslie. Missing - sailed from Lyttelton January 11, 1890 with cargo and one passenger, was spoken two days later and was never seen again. Another regular trader to New Zealand, ususally operating under charter to Shaw, Savill, which has led to statements being made that they owned the ship. She made 14 voyages to New Zealand visiting Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin and Bluff, but her greatest claim to fame is the mystery of her loss which has been subject to all sorts of solutions but nothing conclusive has ever been established. Magazine items; shipwreck books, and other publications continue to produce solutions to the mystery. See 'White Wings' Vol. 1 - apart from list of trips also gives a solution to the mystery. 'New Zealand Ships' p.241 for loss - with another solution to mystery. 'Colonial Clippers' which gives the wrong date for loss. NB: All above references claim she was owned by Shaw Savill which is incorrect. These notes are from Ron Parsons].

The 'Blenheim' docked near a rocky outcropping

The 'Blenheim' docked near a rocky outcropping

The iron ship 'Blenheim', 1136 tons, docked near a rocky outcropping, probably Port Chalmers, new Zealand. [iron ship, 1136 gross tons. ON76932. 215.3 x 34.0 x 20.4. Built 1877 (1) A. Stephen and Sons, Glasgow as 'Wanganui' for New Zealand Shipping Co. Ltd. registered London transferred to Lyttelton register in 1881. Sold 1888 and renamed 'Blenheim', owned by John Leslie and registered at Aberdeen: sold to Norwegians in 1903. Under both names she traded to New Zealand regularly until 1899 making visits to Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers. As with others of the fleet owned by John Leslie she was usually running under charter to Shaw Savill and was frequently said to have been their property, incorrectly.]

The 'Blenheim' in an unidentified port

The 'Blenheim' in an unidentified port

The iron ship 'Blenheim', 1136 tons, in an unidentified port. [iron ship, 1136 gross tons. ON76932. 215.3 x 34.0 x 20.4. Built 1877 (1) A. Stephen and Sons, Glasgow as 'Wanganui' for New Zealand Shipping Co. Ltd. registered London transferred to Lyttelton register in 1881. Sold 1888 and renamed 'Blenheim', owned by John Leslie and registered at Aberdeen: sold to Norwegians in 1903. Under both names she traded to New Zealand regularly until 1899 making visits to Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers. As with others of the fleet owned by John Leslie she was usually running under charter to Shaw Savill and was frequently said to have been their property, incorrectly.]

The 'Hinemoa' in an unidentified port

The 'Hinemoa' in an unidentified port

The four masted steel barque 'Hinemoa', 2283 tons, in an unidentified port [steel 4 mast barque 2283 gross tons. ON98591, 278.1 x 41.9 x 24.2 Built 1890 (11) Russell and Co. Greenock. Owners John Leslie, registered Glasgow. c.1915-6 to Liverpool owners and survived WW1. When first built was fitted with refrigerating machinery and made her maiden voyage to New Zealand. Was reputed to have been the first four mast barque to have been seen in the area. After this trip she was mainly employed in the Australian trade and made some smart passages. See:'White Wings' Vol. 1 which says she was purchased by Leslie in 1916 - she was SOLD about that time by Leslie. 'Last of the Windjammers'. Vol. 11 dwells upon her alleged bad luck. 'Colonial Clippers' makes brief mention of the ship].

The 'Hinemoa' in an unidentified port

The 'Hinemoa' in an unidentified port

The four masted steel barque 'Hinemoa', 2283 tons, in an unidentified port [steel 4 mast barque 2283 gross tons. ON98591, 278.1 x 41.9 x 24.2 Built 1890 (11) Russell and Co. Greenock. Owners John Leslie, registered Glasgow. c.1915-6 to Liverpool owners and survived WW1. When first built was fitted with refrigerating machinery and made her maiden voyage to New Zealand. Was reputed to have been the first four mast barque to have been seen in the area. After this trip she was mainly employed in the Australian trade and made some smart passages. See:'White Wings' Vol. 1 which says she was purchased by Leslie in 1916 - she was SOLD about that time by Leslie. 'Last of the Windjammers'. Vol. 11 dwells upon her alleged bad luck. 'Colonial Clippers' makes brief mention of the ship].

The 'Sussex' moored at Falmouth

The 'Sussex' moored at Falmouth

The iron barque-ex ship 'Sussex', 1305 tons, moored at Falmouth.

The 'Surrey' and 'La Hogue' at Sydney

The 'Surrey' and 'La Hogue' at Sydney

The wooden ship 'Surrey' (left), 1089 tons, and 'La Hogue' (right) at Sydney ['Surry' = wooden ship, 1089 gross tons. ON12873. 192.2 x 37.1 x 22.7. Built 1857. G Marshall, Shields. Owners: G Marshall and Sons, registered London, by 1880 owned in Marseilles. There is a brief mention in the book 'Blackwall Frigates'].

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

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

The wooden ship 'Surrey', 1089 tons, moored at Gravesend, U.K. [wooden ship, 1089 gross tons. ON12873. 192.2 x 37.1 x 22.7. Built 1857. G Marshall, Shields. Owners: G Marshall and Sons, registered London, by 1880 owned in Marseilles. There is a brief mention in the book 'Blackwall Frigates'].

The 'Essex' moored in an unidentified port

The 'Essex' moored in an unidentified port

The wooden ship 'Essex', 1256 tons, moored in an unidentified port [wooden ship, 1256 gross tons. ON47400. 208.0 x 36.5 x 23.1. Built 1863 (7) G Marshall, Sunderland. Owners G Marshall registered London. Lost in 1880 (iron beams) There were two ships of this name built about the same time - there is frequent confusion about them] See 'Blackwall Frigates'.

The 'Wiltshire' as 'Gwalla' at Port Adelaide

The 'Wiltshire' as 'Gwalla' at Port Adelaide

The iron barque ex ship 'Wiltshire' after being renamed 'Gwalla', 1461 tons, at Port Adelaide [owned by Trinder Anderson, formerly 'Wiltshire'].

The 'Wiltshire' as 'Gwalla' at Port Adelaide

The 'Wiltshire' as 'Gwalla' at Port Adelaide

The iron barque ex ship 'Wiltshire' after being renamed 'Gwalla', 1461 tons, at Port Adelaide [owned by Trinder Anderson, formerly 'Wiltshire'].

The 'Fitzjames' under sail

The 'Fitzjames' under sail

The steel ship 'Fitzjames', 1951 tons, under sail [steel ship 1851gross tons. ON115795. 267.1 x 40.1 x 23.6. Built 1902 (4) W Hamilton and Co. Port Glasgow. W Montgomery, registered London. Sold in 1909 to F Laiesz and renamed 'Pinnas'. Abandoned in a sinking condition in the South Atlantic 25 April 1929. While under the British flag made some visits to Australia but was better known under the Flying 'P' house flag of Laiesz in the South American nitrate trades. See 'The Last of the Windjammers' Vol. 11. Square Riggers - final Epoch - Hurst'].

The 'Grace Harwar' under sail

The 'Grace Harwar' under sail

The steel ship 'Grace Harwar', 1877 tons, under sail [steel ship, 1877 gross tons. ON96655, 266.7 x 39.1 x 23.5. Built 1889 (10) W Hamilton and Co. Port Glasgow. Owners: W Montgomery, registered London, during WW1 sold to G Erikson of Mariehamn, broken up in 1935. Well known in Australian waters for most of her life; a frequent visitor when owned in England, and after WW1 in most of the 'grain races'. See 'Square Riggers - The Final Epoch' by Hurst, for full details of postwar trips and passage times etc. See 'The Last of the Windjammers' Vol. 2 for pre-war information].

The 'Grace Harwar' under sail

The 'Grace Harwar' under sail

The steel ship 'Grace Harwar', 1877 tons, under sail [steel ship, 1877 gross tons. ON96655, 266.7 x 39.1 x 23.5. Built 1889 (10) W Hamilton and Co. Port Glasgow. Owners: W Montgomery, registered London, during WW1 sold to G Erikson of Mariehamn, broken up in 1935. Well known in Australian waters for most of her life; a frequent visitor when owned in England, and after WW1 in most of the 'grain races'. See 'Square Riggers - The Final Epoch' by Hurst, for full details of postwar trips and passage times etc. See 'The Last of the Windjammers' Vol. 2 for pre-war information].

The 'Eva Montgomery' in an unidentified port

The 'Eva Montgomery' in an unidentified port

The steel ship 'Eva Montgomery', 1944 tons, in an unidentified port. Also refer to the print PRG 1373/2/86 [steel ship, 1944 gross tons. ON112822, 267.0 x 40.1 x 23.6. Built 1901 (3) W Hamilton and Co. Port Glasgow. Owners: W Montgomery, registered London sold to Hamburg in 1909 and renamed 'Orla'. Went missing in April 1912 on a voyage from Newcastle, NSW to South America. See 'Last of the Windjammers, Vol. 2].

The 'Ladye Doris' anchored in an unidentified port

The 'Ladye Doris' anchored in an unidentified port

The steel ship 'Ladye Doris', 1947 tons, anchored in an unidentified port [steel ship, 1947 gross tons. ON114736. 267.4 x 40.1 x 23.6. Built 1901 (8) W Hamilton and Co. Port Glasgow. Owners W Montgomery, registered London, sold 1910 to Hamburg and renamed 'Oliva' held at Valapariso during WW1 and then alloted to France as reparations. Sold c.1923 to Chile and renamed 'Dharma'. Fate not located. Said to be one of the 'beautiful sisters' along with 'Eva Montgomery' In the nitrate trade after sale in 1910. See 'Square Riggers; the Final Epoch' by Hurst. The Last of the Windjammers, Vol. 2'.

The 'Lynton' anchored in an unidentified port

The 'Lynton' anchored in an unidentified port

The four masted steel barque 'Lynton', 2531 tons, anchored in an unidentified port [steel 4 mast barque, 2531 gross tons. ON102141. 299.8 x 43.7 x 24.5. Built 1894 (1) R&J Evans, Liverpool. Owners: Liver Shipping Co. Ltd. (Johnston, Sproule and Co., managers) registered Liverpool: 1899 W Montgomery registered London: 1906 to Thomas A Shute: in 1914 sold to Russian owners: torpedoed off the south coast of Ireland, May 21, 1917. Said to have been one of the most handsome barques built on the Mersey with excellent accommodation and a good turn of speed. Described as a 'Skysailyarder'. While sometimes seen in Australia, was more generally employed in the South American nitrate trades. See 'Last of the Windjammers' Vol. 2].

The 'Eva Montgomery' in an unidentified port

The 'Eva Montgomery' in an unidentified port

The steel ship 'Eva Montgomery', 1944 tons, in an unidentified port. Also refer to the print PRG 1373/2/83 [steel ship, 1944 gross tons. ON112822, 267.0 x 40.1 x 23.6. Built 1901 (3) W Hamilton and Co. Port Glasgow. Owners: W Montgomery, registered London sold to Hamburg in 1909 and renamed 'Orla'. Went missing in April 1912 on a voyage from Newcastle, NSW to South America. See 'Last of the Windjammers, Vol. 2].

The 'Harold' anchored in an unidentified port

The 'Harold' anchored in an unidentified port

The steel barque 'Harold', 1376 tons, anchored in an unidentified port [steel barque, 1376 gross tons. ON95419, 240.0 x 36.5 x 21.3. Built 1888 (5) R Duncan and Co. Port Glasgow. Owners: T Stephens and Sons, registered London, c. 1910 JB Walmsley and Co. registered Liverpool. Mentioned briefly in 'Last of Windjammers' Vol. 2].

The 'Allahabad' in port

The 'Allahabad' in port

The iron ship 'Allahabad', 1143 tons. [Iron ship (rigged down to a barque. c. 1877- 8.) 1191gt (1143n) 205.6 x 34.8 x 22.6. Built 1864 (9) WH Potter and Co. Liverpool. Owners Thomas Stephens and Sons, registered London. Made one trip to New Zealand in 1873 with 276 passengers. See 'White wings' in Vol. 1]. A researcher believes the location is not Gravesend as originally documented, but more likely Port Chalmers, New Zealand. The 'Allahabad' disappeared without trace on a voyage to Dunedin carrying a cargo of coal from Glascow. An enquiry was held and one of the assessors in the enquiry was Capt. Robert Harland, presumably the same Robert Harland who captained several immigrant voyages to New Zealand, two on the 'Mariner' and later one on the 'Buckinghamshire'. He may also have captained the 'Mariner' to South Australia.

The 'Thomas Stephens' at Gravesend, U.K.

The 'Thomas Stephens' at Gravesend, U.K.

The steel ship 'Thomas Stephens', 1528 tons, at Gravesend, U.K. [steel? ship, 1559 gross tons. ON63199, 263.0 x 38.2 x 23.1. Built 1869 (7) WH Potter and Co., Liverpool. Owners: TW and WA Stephens , registered London. 1896 sold to Portugese Government for naval training ship, and renamed 'Pero d'Alemguer' and eventually hulked. During WW1 re-rigged and went 'missing' when crossing the Atlantic in January 1916. Said to have been intended for the Black Ball Line this ship did not sail for that flag but was employed for many years as a unit of the London Line of Australian Packets, chartered by Bethell and Co., and frequently was in Sydney and Melbourne. Also made at least one trip to New Zealand. Was considered to be a very handsome ship and often called a clipper. A favourite passenger ship for many years. See 'White Wings' and 'Colonial Clippers'].

The 'Blackadder' moored in an unidentified port

The 'Blackadder' moored in an unidentified port

The iron ship 'Blackadder', 917 tons, moored in an unidentified port. [iron ship, 970 gross tons. (917 net tons) ON63573. 216.6 x 35.2 x 20.5. Built 1870 (2) Maudslay, Sons and Field. Greenwich. Owners John Willis and Sons. Registered London in 1890s sold to Norwegians and wrecked at Bahia 9 April 1905. (NB various writers have shown the name of this ship as two words - Black Adder - however all the underwriters registers show it as one word) Built as a tea clipper in the hopes of retaining the trade for sailing ships in face of the shorter time taken by steamers once the Suez Canal was opened. Finally driven from the China trades (where the ship had gained an unjust reputation of being unlucky) she was placed in the Australian trade where she was quite successful for the remainder of her career under the British flag. Said to have the same hull lines as 'Cutty Sark' and to be modelled upon the very successful early Willis ship 'The Tweed'. See 'The China Clippers', 'The Colonial Clippers', 'The Blackwall Frigates'.]

The 'Blackadder' under sail

The 'Blackadder' under sail

The iron ship 'Blackadder', 917 tons, under sail. [iron ship, 970 gross tons. (917 net tons) ON63573. 216.6 x 35.2 x 20.5. Built 1870 (2) Maudslay, Sons and Field. Greenwich. Owners John Willis and Sons. Registered London in 1890s sold to Norwegians and wrecked at Bahia 9 April 1905. (NB various writers have shown the name of this ship as two words - Black Adder - however all the underwriters registers show it as one word) Built as a tea clipper in the hopes of retaining the trade for sailing ships in face of the shorter time taken by steamers once the Suez Canal was opened. Finally driven from the China trades (where the ship had gained an unjust reputation of being unlucky) she was placed in the Australian trade where she was quite successful for the remainder of her career under the British flag. Said to have the same hull lines as 'Cutty Sark' and to be modelled upon the very successful early Willis ship 'The Tweed'. See 'The China Clippers', 'The Colonial Clippers', 'The Blackwall Frigates'.]