EMPEROR

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

Date1849

Object NameBARQUE

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 135' x breadth 23.2' x depth 16.9'
gross tonnage 363 tons

Object numberABDSHIP001060

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Hall & Co.
Yard Number: 172

Fate: Wrecked near Wexford, Ireland, 28 March 1857.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Barque rigged clipper

Owners:
1849: Benjamin Derbyshire, registered at Liverpool (Builder's list held in Lloyd's Library of Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
1854-56: E. Friend, registered at Liverpool (Lloyd's Register)
1857: Adamson, registered at Sunderland

Masters:
1854-56: Master P. Mitchell
1857: Master Adamson

Voyages (Lloyd's Register):
1854-55: Liverpool - Rio de Janeiro
1856: Liverpool - South America.
1857: Clyde - Moulmein (Burma)

General History:
09/10/1849:
THE NEW BARQUE " EMPEROR." We noticed at anchor in the river, a few days ago, a fine new barque, called the EMPEROR; and our reporter, having occasion to pass along the Prince's Dock on Thursday, had his attention again drawn to her; was politely invited by her commander, Captain E. C. Friend, to inspect her, and was much gratified by the visit. She was built at Aberdeen, by Messrs. Alexander Hall and Sons, the builders of the Pilot Fish, and other crack vessels that now hail from our port, and are engaged in the trade between it and Bahia in the Brazils, and owned by Benjamin Darbyshire, Esq., merchant, here. [...]
The model of the EMPEROR is somewhat peculiar, yet withal very beautiful. She presents a fine rotundity of side, with ample top bearings; sharp extremities; and all her lines beautifully blended,—producing a symmetrical whole pleasing to the eye of a sailor, no lumps being observable. She tumbles in a little on deck, throwing the bulwarks, or top weight, more amidships a good old-fashioned principle. One peculiarity is a considerable overflanche of bow, and projection of figurehead, the object being not only for dryness in a sea-way, but saving in registered tonnage. She has nevertheless quite sufficient forebearings to encounter a storm, the grand secret being, in our opinion, the form of her floorings and general build. [...] The stern is of elliptic form, which we prefer to the semicircular. Her masts rake very considerably, and, as a whole, when seen broadside to the spectator, she presents the appearance of a huge yacht or privateer; and such is her fine finish in planking, that she has been taken by persons at a distance for an iron vessel. Her hull is painted, above the copper, of an olive-brown colour; and a band of white, with a narrow streak of bright yellow below it, runs all along the topgallant bulwarks, from figure-head to taffrail. The head and stern are both chastely ornamented. [...]
There is a spacious raised quarterdeck, which permits space for two elegant and roomy cabins — one abaft, a private room for ladies (should any be passengers), and the other a saloon or dining-room. Both are empanelled in French-polished mahogany, and the seats, sofas, &c., upholstered in black hair-cloth. The larger cabin is lighted by an oblong raised deck-light, the roof and coombings of which are painted in delicate light tints with foliated scroll-work, within which are lively pictures of Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco, and Bahia, the last in two views. The beams of the cabins are of hecmatae, cased in polished mahogany. The state rooms are more roomy than those of many much larger ships, and are fitted up in a handsome and most convenient manner, several ingenious novelties being here introduced as well as in other parts of the ship. The berths are eight in number, exclusive of the captain's and mate's rooms. The whole of the joinery was done by Messrs. Hall, and, like every part of the hull, is finished with great care and fidelity of workmanship.
[...] In fine, no labour or expense has been spared to render the EMPEROR an honour to any port, and we heartily wish her every success.
(Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser)

12/07/1853:
Arrival of clipper barque EMPEROR, Capt. William Bruce, at Liverpool from Bahia (Brazil) 28 May with 11 passengers.
(Morning Chronicle)

20/04/1857:
(Board of Trade Enquiry, Liverpool). Barque EMPEROR, 363 tons, left Liverpool 28 March last for Bahia with full cargo of general merchandise. Vessel rounded Holyhead about midnight and set SW course. At 11.0am land was sighted, which Chief Officer reported to be Bardsey (Wales) about 10 miles distant. Captain Mitchell did not see the land himself, but went down to dinner. By late afternoon weather was very thick, but Captain considered himself to be mid Channel (St. George's Channel). She struck land off Merris Castle to eastward of Blackwater Head about 14 miles from Wexford. Her wheel, rudder head and everything abaft the windlass except the upper works of the ship were carried away and she became unmanageable. Whole of the crew and passengers (2 ladies) got safely ashore by the boats. Captain immediately went to Wexford and engaged a steamer to try to save the wreck. When he returned on following morning vessel had disappeared, having drifted about 4 miles to NE over the bank. At the enquiry Capt. Mitchell attributed loss of ship to mate having been deceived by fog into thinking Bardsey was 10 miles distant when it must have been 20. Despite testimonial that he was in general a very careful navigator, Captain's certificate was withdrawn on grounds he should have known distances were difficult to judge in fog and should have been sounding depth with lead.
(Liverpool Mercury)

Notes: Contract price: £4,679. (Builder's List in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)