HANNIBAL
Shipbuildervessel built by
Alexander HALL & Co.
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date1852
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 158' x breadth 25.6' x depth 18.5'
gross tonnage 576 tons
gross tonnage 576 tons
Object numberABDSHIP001068
Keywords
Yard Number: 180
Fate: wrecked off New Caledonia, 20 miles south of Port St. Vincent, 3 August 1854.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper, 1 deck, a poop deck and a forecastle, 3 masts, round stern, carvel built, male figurehead
Owners:
Registered at Aberdeen for owners;
George Milne, Kinaldie, 40 shares; John Cook, 16 shares; Alexander Walker, shipmaster, 8 shares.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
Master:
1852-54: Master A. Walker
Voyages (Lloyd's):
1852: Aberdeen - China
1853: London - China
1854: London - Australia
General History:
First voyage was Aberdeen to London thence to Shanghai and back to London. This voyage began on 12 December 1851 and ended 28 December 1852.
Second voyage - London to Hong Kong and Whampoa and back to London. 29 December 1852 - 10 December 1853.
Third voyage: London to Sydney, thence to China and back to London.
(The John Cook Papers: Account book for vessels BEAUTIFUL STAR and HANNIBAL ABDMS003001.4)
09/01/1852:
China - the following well-known A1 clipper ships built expressly for this trade will be despatched for Shanghai direct [...] HANNIBAL, new ship, 638 tons, Commander A. Walker, February 5.
(Daily News)
18/01/1853:
For Hong Kong and Whampoa, the splendid new Aberdeen clipper ship HANNIBAL, 13 years A1, A. Walker Commander, 576 tons register. Loading in West India Docks, will be despatched 25 January... has a poop and excellent passenger accommodation.
(Daily News)
15/06/1854:
14 June - HANNIBAL, ship, weighing 576 tons, Captain Alexander Walker, arrived in Sydney from the Downs. Passenger - Mrs. Walker.
(Sydney Empire)
28/07/1854:
27 July - HANNIBAL departs for Hong Kong. Passenger - Mrs. Walker.
Sydney Morning Herald
26/09/1854:
By CONSTANTINE, French frigate, from New Caledonia, Captain Walker, wife and crew of Aberdeen clipper ship HANNIBAL have arrived in Sydney. Captain Walker reports that on 3 August at 5am, when about 20 miles off Port St. Vincent, they struck a reef at New Caledonia. They then got out the boat and pulled to a small island, and went aboard again the next day to get provisions and water, before starting for the island of Fines, on third day afterwards they were picked up by CONSTANTINE. The hull of HANNIBAL was still whole, but the masts had gone over the side when the captain left. All hands saved.
(Colonial Times, (Hobart, Tasmania))
27/09/1854:
Auction sales - at Moray & Co's auction rooms on 11 October, wreck of clipper ship HANNIBAL.
(Sydney Empire)
14/12/1854:
Advice from Sydney 20 September of arrival of French Corvette CONSTANTINE with Capt. and Mrs Walker and crew of clipper ship HANNIBAL which sailed from Sydney for China July 28. Capt. Walker states that on 3 August the ship struck on a reef off New Caledonia, about 20 miles to the southward of Port St. Vincent. She soon after fell upon her beam ends. The boats were immediately hauled out, provisions put in and the crew pulled to a small island inside the reef. The day after the French authorities came down and rendered every assistance in their power. A considerable quantity of sails and provisions were saved, the sails being sold. Capt. Walker attributes the loss of his vessel to a current running at 3 mph. 3 years before he had been in the same track, but did not experience any current. When he left the ship her main and mizzen masts were gone and she would probably soon break up. She is partly insured.
(Daily News)
Notes: contract cost £9,337 or £15 15s. per ton (Builder's List held in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
