DON
Shipbuildervessel built by
Alexander HALL & Co.
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date1873
Object NameSCREW STEAMER
MediumIRON
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 145' x breadth 21' depth 11'
Gross Tonnage: 304 ton
Gross Tonnage: 304 ton
Object numberABDSHIP001169
Keywords
Yard Number: 281
Official Number: 65099
Subsequent Names: PARIS (5 June 1880)
Fate: wrecked at Hauxley, near Amble, Northumbria, 29 March 1901.
Propulsion: Steam
Description: Screw steamer, 1 deck, 2 masts, schooner rigged, round stern, clencher built, no galleries or figurehead, iron frame.
Owners:
10/11/1873: Registered at Aberdeen for owners;
Thomas Adam, John Birnie Adam, Thomas Adam Jnr., Alexander Chivas Adam, 64 shares jointly.
Subsequent sale of shares to Patrick Henderson Chalmers, advocate, Aberdeen.
23/06/1874: John Fleming, mercantile clerk, Aberdeen
10/08/1874: George Fyfe, merchant, Aberdeen
29/04/1879: mortgaged by Adams & Co. with Loire & Thames Transit Co.
(Source: Aberdeen Shipping Register (Aberdeen City Archives))
1879-83: Loire & Thames Transit Co. Ltd, registered at Aberdeen
1884-1901: G. R. Haller, registered at Hull
Masters:
1874-75: Master A. Cook
1875-78: Master W. Wallace
1879-82: Master H. T. Spurring
1882-83: Master G. Harrison
1884-99: Master Lewis
1899-1901: Master E. Hutton
General History:
04/09/1878:
Schooner TELEGRAM was run down by steamer off Dover, one man missing. Steamer proceeded on her voyage. Deal boatmen report steamers name is the DON, of Aberdeen, bound for London. Messers Adam and Co., owners of DON, of Aberdeen, received telegram that steamer was run into by the schooner. DON arrived safely in London, making no water. Any damage covered by insurance.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
15/02/1879:
In Legal action re collision last September between Aberdeen steamer DON and schooner TELEGRAM. Sir Robert Phillimore gave judgement that the DON was alone to blame.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
08/04/1901:
The Hull steamer PARIS, bound from Rochester to Leith with cargo cement was totally wrecked on the Northumberland coast. The crew tried to land in the fearful storm in their own boat, but nine of them were drowned through the boat capsizing. Only one man. William Smith, a native of London, escaped. The PARIS was a screw steamer, built at Aberdeen in 1873, and registered at Hull by Haller and Co. in 1887. She carried ten hands, and was under the command of Captain Hutton
(Liverpool Daily Post)
06/04/1901:
CORONER’S INQUEST. An inquest was held at Hauxley Tuesday afternoon on the bodies of the men, part of the crew of the steamer Paris, picked up Saturday and Sunday. Mr. Coroner Percy held the inquiry. The evidence of the sole survivor. Walter Smith, of London, was to the effect that the s.s. PARIS was on voyage Leith from Rochester, with cargo of cement. She was tons register. It came away very stormy weather Friday night, when they were off the Northumberland Coast. Witness was at the wheel about a quarter past eight, when the steamer struck heavily on the rocks. They immediately took to the boat, and after standing near the vessel for hour or so they decided to shift their position, so they severed the rope that was holding their boat to the ship. They were at once capsized, and thought all the rest of the crew except himself were drowned. After evidence as to the picking up of the bodies the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the men were drowned near Hauxley on Friday night through the wreck of the screw-steamer PARIS.
(Morpeth Herald)
Notes: 2 engines compound inverted, direct acting surface condensing made by Smith Bros. & co. Kenning Park, Glasgow. Diameter of cylinders 20" and 30", length of stroke 20". 45hp.
Contract cost £14,000 (Builder's List held in the Lloyd's Library in the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
1832
