FRIAR TUCK
Shipbuildervessel built by
Alexander HALL & Co.
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date1857
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 193.3' x breadth 31.1' x depth 17.7'
gross tonnage 662 tons
gross tonnage 662 tons
Object numberABDSHIP001092
Keywords
Yard Number: 204
Fate: Wrecked at St. Mary's Pool, Newford Island, Scilly Isles, 2 December 1863.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper.
Owners:
1857-63: James Beazley, registered at Liverpool.
Masters:
1858-59: Master Fordyce
1861-63: Master S. Darlington
Voyages:
1858-59: London - China
1861-62: Liverpool - India
1863: Liverpool - China
General History:
In six years of sailing FRIAR TUCK made £15,215 in profits [...] Outward-bound to Hong Kong in 1858, she lost a man overboard off the Cape of Good Hope when going 14 knots with all starboard stunsails set but although the ship was hove to, he could not be saved. The passage occupied 102 days from London.
In 1858-59 when she raced home against KELSO, CAIRNGORM etc, her captain and crew were promised £150 if they were the first to arrive, but unfortunately they were unable to pass the four ships ahead of them.
When homeward-bound from Shanghai in 1863, she put into St. Mary's Bay, Scilly Isles, on 27 November, but her anchor cables parted andshe drove ashore on Newford Island becoming a total loss. Her figurehead is preserved at Tresco.
(David R. MacGregor (1983) "The Tea Clippers: Their History and Development 1833-1875" (Conway Maritime, London), p. 102)
02/03/1859:
Report of ship, FRIAR TUCK, Richardson master, to London from Whampoa via Macao. Sailed from Macao 10th November 1858 passed through Straits of Sunda 5th December rounded Cape of Good Hope 4th January (strong westerly winds). Crossed equator 25 January, arrived in Downs 22nd February after 7 days in English channel with light south easterly winds and calms. 98 days passage.
(Aberdeen Journal)
19/07/1860:
FRIAR TUCK, ship, of Liverpool, from London for Hong Kong, 24 days out 9th June, latitude 6 37 N, longitude 25 50 W [off West Africa].
(Morning Post (London))
05/12/1863:
Information on wreck of FRIAR TUCK, Rocket apparatus, assisted by large numbers of the inhabitants, rescued 17 men, remaining 4 members of crew landed by boat. Upwards of 1,000 chests and boxes of tea landed. Most of these completely saturated with water, but about 400 chests saved. Masters name given by Cornwall gazette as Tierney.
(Standard (London))
02/12/1863: St. Mary's Pool, Newford Island, Scilly Isles.
NNW Hurricane at dawn on Wednesday, caused the vessel to part her cables and drive on shore being one of 500 vessels seeking shelter in the [St Mary's] Roads. [...] The FRIAR TUCK cut away her masts after she struck but quickly filled. Three small shiploads of dry and damaged tea were saved by customs officers under Lt. Hire RN. The threat of pillage was such that the receiver Mr. A. Coll, sent to Penzance for 3 or 4 trustworthy officers and 'glutmen'. Much tea was stolen [...] 304 chests were saved undamaged; 93 chests part damaged; 750 chests saturated [...] 19 crew were saved by rocket apparatus [a line fired to the ship from shore], 2 crew and 2 pilots by small boat. Chinese geese now at Tresco are descended from those on board. Figurehead is in the Valhalla Collection [at Tresco Abbey Garden].
(Richard & Bridget Larn (1997) "Shipwreck Index of British Isles" (Lloyd's Register, London), vol. 1, section 3)
Note: Contract cost, £11,739 (builder's list held in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
