VINDEX
Shipbuildervessel built by
Alexander HALL & Co.
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date1855
Object NameSCHOONER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 109.7' x breadth 23.6' x depth 13'
gross tonnage 179 tons
gross tonnage 179 tons
Object numberABDSHIP001089
Keywords
Yard Number: 201
Fate: unknown, last in Lloyd's 1864 (V185).
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Topsail schooner with clipper bow.
Owner:
1856-64: Wilkinson Dent, London
Masters:
1856-60: Master R. Barcham
1861-64: Master Lewis
Voyages:
1856-64: Aberdeen - China
General History:
14/11/1855:
Schooner VINDEX, of London, Capt. Barcham, which left this port Tuesday for China, came back Thursday, having experienced strong gales to the southward and lost gib boom, gaff etc. Memorial from crew has been sent to board of trade charging master with improper conduct in management of vessel and men.
(Aberdeen Journal)
20/02/1856:
VINDEX. Aberdeen - China, Capt. Barcham, spoken lat. 14.10S, long. 27N (off West Africa), 27 days out making a capital passage.
(Aberdeen Journal)
01/01/1857:
British schooner VINDEX entered at Nagasaki after permission of Japanese authorities.
(Cheshire Observer)
17/03/1859:
Clipper schooner VINDEX, Capt. Morice, arrived Shanghai from Nagasaki.
(Morning Chronicle)
'During the [eighteen] 'fifties a great many very beautiful, fine lined, heavily rigged topsail schooners came out from England and took their places in the opium coasting trade. Amongst these were the NINA, EAMONT, UNDINE, VIOLET, VINDEX, WILD DAYRELL, WATERWICH, CHIN-CHIN, SALAMANDER [also built by A. Hall] and SPRAY'
(Basil Lubbock (1933) "The Opium Clippers" (Brown, Lon, & Ferguson Ltd, Glasgow), p. 339)
During the Taiping rebellion against the Chinese government (1850-1870) she was armed for the defence of Amoy (Xiamen):
26/01/1865:
Amoy 12 December [1864] The Taepings are supposed to number 15,000 men. For the protection of foreign residents there are at present at anchor in harbour the following vessels of war :—H.M.S. PELORUS, Captain Kingston; gunboats FLAMER, COCKCHAFER, and JANUS; also H.I. Majesty's schooner VINDEX, Captain B. Caw; she formerly belonged to Messrs. Dent and Co., and if called upon would do good service, as she is a beautiful craft, armed to the teeth, and commanded by a very able officer. It is quite necessary to have all these vessels, should the rebels come.
(London and China Telegraph)
Notes:
Contract cost, £5,090 (builder's list held in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
July 1871
15 February 1858
