ADA
Shipbuildervessel built by
Alexander HALL & Co.
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
DateNovember 1865
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumCOMPOSITE
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 182.3' x breadth 30.2' x depth 18.2'
gross tonnage 686 tons
gross tonnage 686 tons
Object numberABDSHIP001133
Keywords
Yard Number: 245
Official Number: 54577
Fate: wrecked at Chefoo (Yantai), Shandong province, China, 11 December 1878.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper, iron frame
Owner:
1865-78: John Wade & Co., registered at London.
Masters:
1866-72: Master J. Jones
1873-77: Master J. Asals
1878: Master J. G. Douglas
Voyages:
1868-70: London - Australia.
1871-73: London - Japan
General History:
Apart from the LUFRA and THE CALIPH this was Alexander Hall's last ship built for the tea trade [...] Her first master, Jones, hads come from the ZIBA. In 1878 she stranded on 11 December near Chefoo, bound for Swatow, in ballast with a crew of sixteen
(David R. MacGregor (1983), "The Tea Clippers, their history and development 1833-1875" (Conway Maritime, London), p. 151)
22/11/1865:
From Aberdeen to sail 1st December for Hong Kong and Foo-Choo-Foo, magnificent clipper ship ADA, A1 13 years, John Jones Commander. This splendid vessel, just launched at Aberdeen and built especially for the China trade, is confidently recommended to shippers. For freight or passage apply John Jamieson, 56 Marischal St.
(Aberdeen Journal)
27/02/1868:
A pilot board enquiry into the grounding of ship ADA on 20 Feb. John Jones, master of ship ADA, 686 tons, bound London-Melbourne, deponed pilot Ridley took charge about 3.30 or 4 outside the heads. We passed west channel lighthouse about 5.30 or 6 and were near Cellibrand lightship about 8, with all sails clued up, ready for anchoring. We passed lighthouse at speed of about 4 knots, pilot being on forecastle. Lead was not going when pilot gave orders to starboard and, vessel not answering; this was 1st intimation of her being on the ground. Hove lead amidships - 17ft water, ship drawing 16'9". I requested Mr. Ridley to procure a steam tug, which he did about 9 o'clock. Tug MYSTERY got to work about 10, but did not succeed up to 11. Ship was aground between beacon buoy and St. Kilda bank. At 11 got assistance of another steamer, REOLUTE - no success on port quarter, but when shifted to other quarter succeeded in about an hour to get vessel off bank, and ADA was brought into the bay. Pilot was perfectly sober and attentive all the time, but I do not think captain of MYSTERY paid proper attention to his orders. Mr Ridley called out several times to him to try to move to southward, but no attention was paid to him. Pilot board found grounding of ADA took place from want of proper vigilance on part of pilot Ridley and the non heaving of the lead, for which culpable negligence board suspended his license for 3 months.
(Melbourne Argus)
19/12/1878:
CHEFOO, 18th Dec. British barque ADA, Douglas master, in ballast, ashore here, and will probably be a total wreck.
(Lloyd's List)
11/02/1879
THE WRECK OF THE ADA. A Naval Court of Inquiry has been held at Chefoo respecting the wreck the British barque ADA, Captain Douglas, which, when coming the Southern passage, ballast, from Swatow, and when only about seven miles from the Inner Harbour, went ashore Lung Men Bay. The Inquiry resulted in the suspension of the Captain’s certificate for nine months
(Shipping and Mercantile Gazette)
10/02/1879:
CHEFOO. The barque ADA, the loss of which we recorded last week, with all her gear and belongings, had been sold by public auction, and after some spirited bidding was knocked down for $4,650. The purchaser entertained sanguine hopes of being able to get the stranded vessel afloat, and his expectations might not have been groundless had the weather continued favourable, but there had subsequently been a snow storm accompanied by a northerly wind, which will render success very difficult. Before the storm the bull was already embedded in the quicksand ten feet, and in all probability the vessel had been buried beyond the hope of resurrection, except bit by bit.
(London and China Telegraph)
Note: Contract cost £13,120 (Builder's list in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
Re-rigged as a barque 1874.
15 February 1858
