JOHN TAYLOR

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

Date1851

Object NameCLIPPER

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

DimensionsLength 164.4' x Breadth 28.8' x Depth 19.6'
gross tonnage 784 tons

Object numberABDSHIP001064

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Hall & Co.
Yard Number: 176

Fate: missing in the Indian Ocean, November 1857.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper, 3 masts

Owner:
1852-57: Taylor and Co., registered at Liverpool

Masters:
1852-54: Master W. Hawkins
1855-58: Master J. Cawkitt.

Voyages (Lloyd's):
1852-54: London - Melbourne
1855-56: London
1957-58: London - China

General History:
'On her maiden passage to Bombay in 1851 she was dismasted off the Cape Verde Islands during a severe gale, only the main and mizzen lower masts being left standing. One man was killed and three others injured. [...] On her second voyage shesailed out to Melbourne in 90 days [...] She fist went to China in 1855 and loaded tea at Whampoa at £6 10s per ton. The following year she reached Hong Kong on 28 May 1856, 103 days from London. In 1857 she sailed from Shanghai for Liverpool on 16 October, passed Anjer on 15 November and was never heard of again, being officially posted missing.'
(David R. MacGregor (1983), "The Tea Clippers: Their History and Development 1833-1875 (Conway Maritime, London) p. 57)

25/06/1851:
Marriages - Mr. William Hawkins, Commander of the ship 'JOHN TAYLOR' of Liverpool, son of the late Lieutenant George Hawkins, R.N., to Margaret, eldest daughter of Mr. John Dennison, Shipowner, Aberdeen.
(Aberdeen Journal)

15/10/1851:
Fine new clipper ship 'JOHN TAYLOR' sailed from Liverpool 5 August for Bombay. 31 August she encountered a very heavy and sudden squall. Before there was time to take in a sail she was dismasted, with the exception of the main and mizzen lower masts. One man was killed and three severely inured: the 'ELEANOR THOMPSON' supplied her with spars, sails etc. and on 1st September she was preparing to rig jury masts.
(Belfast Newsletter)

11/09/1852:
Sept. 10 - ship John Taylor, 787 tons, W. Hawkins commander, from London June 12. Names 23 cabin passengers "and 193 in the steerage".
(The Argus (Melbourne))

25/09/1852:
The John Taylor from London arrived last evening with upwards of 200 passengers, all in good health and high spirits for the [gold] diggings, neither births nor deaths occurred which, considering the number, is favourable for the ship. The John Taylor has a small amount of specie on board, about £3000.
(The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, (N.S.W.)) (quoting Melbourne Argus)

17/05/1853:
Magnificent Aberdeen-built clipper ship 'JOHN TAYLOR', A1 15 years, J. M. Cawkitt Commander, to sail from Port of London punctually 5 July for Canterbury, Wellington and New Plymouth. The ship will carry an experienced surgeon and, being built expressly for the passenger trade, affords a most desirable opportunity for families emigrating to New Zealand.
(Morning Chronicle)

26/03/1854:
Ship 'JOHN TAYLOR' left Gravesend July 10 with 140 passengers and anchored Canterbury 18 October. Strong contrary winds were experienced until reachng Cape Finiesterre, causing much sea sickness. The Cape was passed on 12 September. On 20 September they had a hurricane from W.S.W., the force of the wind sending the ship's forecastle under in 2 or 3 plunges. The ship behaved nobly, from that time till sighting New Zealand they had strong gales. On arrival at Canterbury Capt. Cawkitt was presented with an address and money to buy piece of plate by the passengers and healths of Capt. and Mrs Cawkitt were proposed. 4 deaths occurred on passage among the children.
(Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper)

17/04/1858:
Little hope is now entertained for the safety of the ship 'JOHN TAYLOR', from Shanghai to Liverpool on 16 October 1857.
(Caledonian Mercury)

26/10/1858:
Deaths - Captain R. W. Charlesson (eldest son of Lieutenant Charlesson, R.N.) of the ship 'JOHN TAYLOR', supposed to have foundered in a hurricane off the Mauritius on his passage from Shanghai to this port. Last heard of 15 November 1857 passing through the Strait of Sunda.
(Liverpool Mercury)

Note: Contract cost £14,670 or £18 18s. per ton (Builder's List in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)