HEROINE

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

Date1844

Object NameSCHOONER

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

DimensionsLength 71.7' x Breadth 16.7' x Depth 9.4'
gross tonnage 109 tons

Object numberABDSHIP001032

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Hall & Co
Yard Number: 144

Fate: unknown, last in Lloyd's 1856 (H336).

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Schooner rigged

Owners:
1844-46: James Cormack, registered at Wick (Builder's List held in the Lloyd's Library in the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
1847-50: Ross and Co., registered at Inverness (Lloyd's)
1852-54: Cormack, registered at Leith

Masters:
1844-46: Master Cormack
1847-50: Master Congalton
1852-54: Master D. Cormack

Voyages (Lloyd's Register):
1845-46: Aberdeen coaster
1847-50: Leith coaster
1852-54: London - Africa

General History:
08/11/1853:
Schooner HEROINE sailed from London about 18 months ago on a trading voyage to Africa, her owner Captain Cormack being master. He traded with the King of Tabout [Tabou, at the western end of modern Côte d'Ivoire] on credit, to be paid for in palm oil, etc., and having failed to receive this, took the King and some of his people and kept them on the vessel. The King's son and subjects came out in canoes and boarded the vessel. Capt. Cormack was stabbed from behind and pitched overboard and remainder of crew except one boy were murdered. 2 days later the brig TWEED chanced to anchor there and paid the natives to give up the HEROINE. The ship was brought home with difficulty by Capt. Stafford, being dismasted in a heavy gale near the Western Isles.
(Daily News)

23/11/1853:
Treacherously murdered by the natives of Tabou, West Africa, on 11 July aboard the schooner HEROINE, Captain Daniel Cormack of Wick, age 39.
(Aberdeen Journal)

09/01/1854:
Grand Tabou, a large village 30 miles East of Cape Palmas has been destroyed with shot and shell from HMS PENELOPE in consequence of the brutal murder of Captain and crew of British merchant schooner HEROINE.
(Morning Chronicle)

10/10/1854:
The afficted widow and boy of the late lamented Capt. Cormack of British Schooner HEROINE, massacred on the cost of Africa, most respectfully solicit at the hands of merchants, captains and the charitable public at large a little means by which she may be able to support herself and child in some respectable business.
(Liverpool Mercury)

Notes: Contract cost £1123 (Builder's List held in the Lloyd's Library in the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)