VISION
Shipbuildervessel built by
Alexander HALL & Co.
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date31 December 1853
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD; Oak, Larch, and Red Pine
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 170' x breadth 27.6' x depth 18.2'
gross tonnage 563 tons
gross tonnage 563 tons
Object numberABDSHIP001077
Keywords
Yard Number: 189
Fate: Wrecked in the Min river, Fujian, China, June 1857.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper
Owners:
1854-57: James Beazley, 32 shares; George Clore, shipbuilder, 16 shares; Joseph Hubbeck, 16 shares, registered at Liverpool.
(David R. MacGregor (1983) "The Tea Clippers, their history and development 1833-1875" (Conway Maritime, London, first edition 1952), p. 65)
Masters:
1854-55: Master A. Douglas
1856-57: Master Cobb
Voyages:
1854-55: Aberdeen - Australia
1856-57: Liverpool - China
General History:
04/01/1854:
On Saturday last, there were two vessels launched from the building-yard of Messrs Hall & Sons—the first, a full-rigged clipper-ship, named the "VISION,” of Liverpool, having been purchased by James Beazley, Esq., expressly for the China trade. She is 723 tons old measure, and 563 tons new. Since the builders commenced this ship, she has attracted considerable attention, on account of her being built on what is called the diagonal principle of construction [...] She glided noiselessly afloat, when, owing to the extreme sharpness of the bottom, a large quantity of light pine, which had been required for her launching cradle, floated out on one side before the other, and the vessel heeled over until one side was exposed to view, showing her to be as free from unfairness or wrinkle if cast in a mould. She is almost ready for sea, and will leave for Liverpool in a few days, under the command of Captain Douglas, formerly of this port.
(Aberdeen Journal)
18/02/1854:
The new clipper ship "VISION" arrived Liverpool last evening from Aberdeen.
(Morning Chronicle)
11/10/1854:
The new principle of building wooden vessels diagonally instead of the time-honoured plan of ribs and longitudinal planking with transverse supports has raised controversy as to whether it gave enough strength to make a vessel watertight. The clipper ship "VISION" sailed from Liverpool to China with a very heavy cargo of bale goods and much iron in her bottom. A report from Mr E. P. C. Rickett, Government Surveyor at Hong Kong, says he boarded the vessel soon after her arrival and has no hesitation in saying he never saw a cargo of the same description turned out in better conidtion - did not observe any sea damage at all.
(Aberdeen Journal)
Must have been one of Hall's last ships to be built with the Aberdeen bow (long sharp entrance and long tapering run) before tonnage law changed. Her builders expected her to be very fast. [...] On her maiden voyage she went out to Hong Kong in 95 days from Liverpool 18 March to 21 June 1854. Loading at Whampoa she was the first vessel to arrive home with the new tea that year, taking 103 days to Liverpool.
1857 she loaded 5,000 chests tea at Hong Kong and whilst proceeding to Foochow to complete her cargo she took the ground (through the fault of her pilot) on north bank of River Minn near the Mingan Pass on about 10-15 June and the strong tide capsized her. She later became a total wreck.
(MacGregor, "The Tea Clippers", pp. 63-5)
28/10/1854:
The clipper ship "VISION", Capt. A. Douglas, arrived in the Mersey from Hong Kong after a capital run of 103 days. She sailed from Hong Kong 15 July, Canton 16 July and Anjer [Java] 14 August. She brings to this country the first cargo of the new teas. The "VISION" has made the run to Hong Kong and back in 7 months and 13 days - fastest passage on record.
(Daily News)
05/01/1855:
Clipper ship "VISION" for Singapore touched the ground on the Plunkington Bank, but came off next tide. She will have to go into dock and be discharged for examination.
(Morning Chronicle)
19/08/1857:
Hong Kong, June 24 - confirms loss of the ship "VISION", Gaudy, while under pilot charge at entrance of River Min. Having discharged bulk of her cargo from England at Hong Kong, she left 20th June for Foochowfoo. Whether there was a want of pilot knowledge, or by an excusable accident, the "VISION" took the ground and became a total wreck. She had taken about 5000 chests of old tea in here, the whole of which is gone, though some treasure on board was promptly salved by parties from the Pagoda Anchorage.
(Aberdeen Journal)
Note: Contract cost, £9,400 or £16.15/- per ton (Builder's List held in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
