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THOMAS ARBUTHNOT

Shipbuildervessel built by Alexander HALL & Co. (Footdee, Aberdeen)

DateApril 1841

Object NameSHIP

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 131' 4" x breadth 26' 1" x depth 19' 2"
gross tonnage: 621 ton

Object numberABDSHIP001001

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Hall & Co.
Yard Number: 115

Fate: Stranded at Bombay 1858, likely then scrapped though last Lloyd's entry is 1862 (T192).

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged, 1 deck, 3 masts, standing bowsprit, square stern, carvel built, quarter galleries, male figurehead

Owners:
1841: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
Thomas Arbuthnot, Nether Kinmundy, Peterhead, 21 shares; William James Anderson, Peterhead, 21 shares; James Anderson, shipowner, Peterhead, 16 shares; John Brown, shipmater, Peterhead, 6 shares.
09/1848: Registration cancelled, now registered in London.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
1849-53: Phillipps (Lloyd's)
1854-62: Frederick Bryant

Masters:
1841-42: Master John Brown
1842-48: Master J. Smith
1849-51: Master G. Heaton
1852-54: Master J. Banatyne
1855-62: Master R. Martin

Voyages (Lloyd's):
1841-42: Aberdeen - the East Indies
1842-43: Clyde - Bombay
1845-48: London - Madras
1849-54: London - Sydney
1855-57: London - Australia

General History:
07/04/1841:
'...made first voyage from this port to Peterhead, where the owners and their friends are to have a splendid entertainment on board. She is to sail from Peterhead for Greenock, where, we understand, she will take on passengers and goods for Port Philip & New Zealand.'
(Aberdeen Journal)

29/06/1841 (quoting Aberdeen Herald):
Report of launch - this splendid vessel [...] received her name from the Captain's Lady (Capt. J. Brown) [...] largest British oak vessel that has been built at this port. In terms of stability and symmetry a more admirable example of naval architecture is seldom to be seen. The cabins are fitted out in the most superb style. The saloon is lit by ports, is 7 feet high and has a library and a splendid mirror and is finished in style equal at least to any of the first class steamers. Cabins for 22 1st class passengers range off the saloon and are elegant and commodious, with side ports. There is a shower bath off the lobby. 2nd class cabins for 61 passengers are under poop and each has a side port. The steerage, also 7 feet high, is on a level with 2nd class and is to be fitted out for 140 passengers. Altogether cabins are most commodious and elegant of any ship from Aberdeen. THOMAS ARBUTHNOT will sail from Glasgow for New Zealand and Port Philip [Victoria]. She will afterwards be employed in the New South Wales and East India trade.
(The Australian (Sydney))

15/05/1847:
Arrived Port Philip 4 May - THOMAS ARBUTHNOT, ship, John Thompson Commander, from Portsmouth in ballast with 288 exiles [convicts] from Parkhurst, Pentonville and Millbank Prisons after passage of 114 days. One died on passage of consumption. Military Guard of 2 Officers, 4 N.C.O.'s and 29 rank and file.
(The Australian (Sydney))

16/03/1850:
Report of House of Lords debate on emigration, in which was quoted allegation in blue book of emigration commissioners that surgeon of THOMAS ARBUTHNOT "was charged with indiscretion towards some of the female emigrants and Chief Officer was found in bed with one of the single females".
(Morning Chronicle)

08/08/1850:
Report received at Colonial Office of safe arrival at Sydney 3 Feb. of ship THOMAS ARBUTHNOT, in which 7 emigrant girls from north Dublin Poor Law Union. Colonial Secretary reports highly favourable state of healthy, clean and orderly emigrants and not slightest reason to believe any immoral conduct occurred among female orphans. No death during voyage and no individual in hospital on arrival.
(Freeman's Journal)

03/01/1852:
Quotes letter to agents from Capt. G. H. Heaton, Master of THOMA ARBUTHNOT - "we have on board £800 worth of Australian gold, the first shipped from the Colony... I had great difficulty getting away from Sydney although I promised my crew double wages, some 6 or 7 left me as soon as the affair became known. I placed 2 armed policemen, night and day, one at each end of the ship. Still those that could swim got off somehow. I had to pay £5 and £5 per month for sailors to ship.
(Sydney Morning Herald)

04/07/1853:
Reports landing at Southampton of 1st Division 20th Regiment (from Quebec) by troopship THOMAS ARBUTHNOT.
(Morning Chronicle)

24/01/1857:
Geelong, 23 Jan - emigrant ship THOMAS ARBUTHNOT just arrived.
(Melbourne Argus)

13/05/1858:
Reports unsuccessful claim for unpaid wages by William Clark, formerly carpenter of THOMAS ARBUTHNOT - he stated he shipped on her 10/9/1857, claimed there were holes in bottom before she left Plymouth, that he served 5 months and 16 days. At Geelon he complained forecastle was leaky, he had wet bed and he claimed ship was in a dangerous state. Harbour Master, 2 carpenters and 2 captains were brought aboard and testified ship was seaworthy. Clark sentenced to 10 weeks hard labour. Clark claimed ship subsequently condemned at Bombay - Mate testified ship had been in collision at Bombay and that "ship is not yet condemned". [This last reference to ship sailing to Australia].
(Daily News)

18/02/1859:
A meeting has been held of the creditors of Mr. F. Bryant, general merchant, trading under the title of Bryant and Davies, who stopped last month. The balance-sheet showed total liabilities expected to rank upon the estate £53,193, with net assets amounting to £15,504; of which the principal items are good debts, £10,613; surplus property held by secured creditors, £3034 ; stock in hand, £1566, &c. The cash in hand is only £15. The good debts, except about £101), are all owed by native traders in Bombay, and 10 per cent. has been deducted for cost of collection. There are two ships considered of no value, the THOMAS ARBUTHNOT and Thetis. The former from a collision was stranded at the entrance of Bombay harbour, and on being sold did not realise more than the expenses. As she could have been repaired the agent of Lloyd's refused to allow her to be condemned.
(Home News for India, China and the Colonies, p. 216)

Notes: Cost at construction £9381, or £18 5s. per ton (Builder's List in the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
1842: Some repairs, sheathed with yellow metal and part felt; 1845, 1848, 1851, 1855; Yellow metal repaired
1844: Some repairs and new keelson; 1848, 1850, 1853: further repairs
(Lloyd's)