CAIRNGORM
Shipbuildervessel built by
Alexander HALL & Co.
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Shipownervessel built for
Jardine, Matheson & Co.
(Shipowners, Opium Traders and Merchants, Hong Kong)
DateJanuary 1853
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 200' x breadth 36' 6" x depth 20' 6"
gross tonnage: 980 tons
gross tonnage: 980 tons
Object numberABDSHIP001071
Keywords
Yard Number: 183
Fate: Wrecked when entering the river Min Jiang, for the port of Fuzhou, in 1863. 6 men reported missing.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper.
Owners:
1853: Messrs Jardine, Mathison & Co. (China merchants) (David Jardine, Canton). Captain J. Robertson, Cheshire, Captain Duncan Forbes, Aberdeen, registered at London.
1862: Baines & Co.
Masters:
1862: Master Cairncross
1863: Master S. Banks
General History:
1853: Maiden voyage - best homeward run from Shanghai - under 110 days.
1857: Outbreak of Second Chinese war
1858: Canton River closed - operations moved to Whampoa. Commanded by Captain Ryrie.
1858: Autumn - Large amounts of tea awaiting shipment as soon as Peace Treaty ratified - 24 October. CAIRNGORM left Whampoa 6 November, along with WYNAUD, CHIEFTAIN and LAMMERMUIR.
Participated in first Tea Race under Ryrie. Agreed bonus of £200 for Master and Mates to be divided pro-rata for first ship. CAIRNGORM docked first and gained the bonus.
1863: Voyage Liverpool to Australia. Surveyed February 1863.
1870: No mention in Lloyd's Register.
19/01/1853:
'LAUNCH OF A MAGNIFICENT CLIPPER.
Last week there was launched, from the building yard of Messrs A. Hall and Sons, a splendid clipper ship, named the CAIRNGORM. The vessel, owing to the extreme sharpness of her bottom, was launched on a cradle yesterday week, when there was not sufficient water to float her off; it was then deemed necessary to remove the cradle, and on Saturday the launch was accomplished, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, and she was floated into the Victoria Dock to receive her equipment.
The dimensions of the CAIRNGORM are - length, 200 feet between perpendiculars; extreme breadth, 36½ feet; depth of hold, 20½ feet. Her tonnage is 1250 om, or 980 nm. Messers Jardine, Mathison, and Co., China merchants, are the owners; and the vessel is built expressly for the China trade. She will be commanded by Captain John Robertson, whose services, first in the JOHN O'GAUNT and more recently in the STORNOWAY, are well known.
In the latter vessel he has, for the last two years, successfully run the race of competition in carrying the first of the new teas from China to this country. The CAIRNGORM is, we believe, the largest sailing vessel ever before built in Scotland; and is certainly about the finest. Her sailing qualities, we are confident, will prove of the very first order, and in carrying power there is every reason to believe she will be equally capable. The Cairngorm lies at Waterloo Quay, and is well worth seeing, as an admirable model of a vessel combining immense size with great elegance of appearance.
(Aberdeen Journal)
Ran Lisbon to Hong Kong in 72 days.
Figurehead - Highland Chieftain - carved by Robert Hall? for £21-15/5.
1855: Loaded at Whampoa at £7 per ton.
1863: Bound from Sydney - wrecked on 29 September whilst attempting to enter the River Min.
((David R. MacGregor (1983), “The Tea Clippers: Their History and Development 1833-1875 (Conway Maritime, London), pp. 61-2)
08/04/1853:
ship CAIRNGORM, from London for Hong Kong, having when 100 miles west of Ushant, carried away head of her mainmast, put into Lisbon for repairs. Expected to be detained 2 weeks.
(Hull Packet)
07/09/1853:
CAIRNGORM, John Robertson master, passed straits of Sunda 2 July, having made run from Lisbon in 60 days - another proof our shipbuilders can compete most successfully with our American friends.
(Dundee Courier)
17/11/1853:
CAIRNGORM, Capt. Robertson, has arrived in the donns from China. Left Macao Roads 7 Aug. and passed Scilly lights 12 Nov., thus making passage from land to land in 97 days, which considering time of year she had to pass through China seas, is most excellent work and we believe has never been surpassed.
(The Standard (London)).
05/07/1854:
Lost from CAIRNGORM on night of 19 march on her way to China, Alexander L. Phillips, 7th son of Mr. Andrew Phillips, late of Aberdeen.
(Aberdeen Journal)
26/01/1855:
For Hong Kong direct with prompt dispatch, celebrated Aberdeen clipper ship CAIRNGORM, John Robertson commander, lying in East India Dock, London, has elegant poop accommodation for passengers. [Still being advertised 17 Feb.]
(Daily News)
17/09/1855: CAIRNGORM arrived Hong Kong 30 June, having left London 29 March, thus making voyage to China in short spell of 93 days. A London built vessel, CHALLENGER, arrived Hong Kong day before CAIRNGORM, but left London 19 days before her.
(Aberdeen Journal)
17/12/1856: Died, London, Capt. Charles Iruine of celebrated Aberdeen clipper CAIRNGORM. His early death was hastened, if not entirely caused, by great exertions which he made to bring his ship home quickly in order to keep up her reputation for fast passages. He was an exceedingly smart seaman and conscientious officer & is deeply regretted by owners of ship & large circle of friends.
(The Standard)
30/01/1859:
Clipper ship CAIRNGORM, formerly renowned in China trade for rapid passages& now one of black ball line from London, has made fastest passage to Sydney of the season - start point [Devon] to port Jackson in 82 days. She made extraordinary run from meridian of Madagascar to Sydney in 19 days, av. 260 miles per day.
(Standard)
13/02/1861: CAIRNGORM, Capt. Caincross, departed Sydney 7 Dec. for London.
(Standard)
12/02/1863: Liverpool for Queensland - to sail from Liverpool 10 March & Glasgow 15 March, beautiful ship CAIRNGORM, J. Martin commander.
(Liverpool Mercury).
02/11/1863: Foo Chow Foo - CAIRNGORM, ship, of Aberdeen, from Australia to this port, was wrecked entering river Min 23 Sept. - a boat with 6 men missing.
(Standard).
Note: Contract cost £15,434. (builder's list held in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
