ROBIN HOOD
Shipbuildervessel built by
Alexander HALL & Co.
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
DateNovember 1856
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionsgross tonnage 852 tons
Object numberABDSHIP001093
Keywords
Yard Number: 205
Fate: Sunk after a collision off Dungeness, 23 November 1864.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper, figurehead of 'Robin Hood'.
Owners:
James Beazley, registered at Liverpool
Masters:
1857-62: Master George Cobb
1863-64: Master J. Mann
Voyages:
1857: London- China
1858: London - Hobart, Tasmania
1861-64: London - China
General History:
She was perhaps Hall's most successfull tea ship up to the advent of the FLYING SPUR, wrote Captain Shewan in Sea Breezes. She certainly was a profitable ship but her passages were not exceptional in spite of her undoubtedly fine lines. Unfortunately her her half-model represents a larger ship than the one built [model in the collection of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum]. [...] In eight voyages she made some £26,000 in profits. [...] she set nothing above royals and the yards on the fore and main were of similar lengths, the lower yards being 79ft overall.
Although ROBIN HOOD's passages seem only to be a good average when looked at on their own, it can be seen that when compared with other clippers sailing at the same time her's are almost invariably shorter. Her fastest homeward passage was made from Foochow in 1858 at the end of the south-west monsoon in 99 days with 1,032,500lbs of tea on board - the second fastest run that had yet been made at this time of year.
(David R. MacGregor (1983) "The Tea Clippers: Their History and Development 1833-1875" (Conway Maritime, London), pp. 104-6)
05/11/1856:
'Launched Thursday last, the beautiful ship named 'ROBIN HOOD'. This fine vessel has been built...expressly for competing in the yearly race for the first cargo of teas from China to this country.'
Captain not named but ship 'will be commanded by an experienced captain in the trade...'
(Aberdeen Journal)
14/01/1860:
Clipper ship ROBIN HOOD has arrived from Hong Kong in 100 days. She is property of Mr. Beazley of Liverpool.
(The Examiner)
23/11/1864:
Messrs. Beazley & Co.'s ship ROBIN HOOD, London - Hong Kong, foundered in Dungeness Bay after collision with large timber ship SPIRIT OF THE OCEAN, from Quebec. ROBIN HOOD'S cargo is chiefly insured among the City Insurance Companies. SPIRIT OF THE OCEAN proceeded to Deal.
(Caledonian Mercury) (also Liverpool Mercury, 24/11/1864; Daily News, 26/11/1864)
Note: Contract cost £21,655 (builder's list held in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
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