NATAL

Shipbuildervessel built by Alexander HALL & Co. (Footdee, Aberdeen)

DateDecember 1876

Object NameBARQUE

MediumIRON

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 155 11/12' x breadth 27 1/12' x depth 13 3/6'
gross tonnage: 445 ton

Object numberABDSHIP001178

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Hall & Co.
Yard Number: 290
Official Number: 70458

Fate: reported missing in the Indian Ocean having left Calcutta for Port Natal on 16 November 1888.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Barque rigged, 1 deck, 3 masts, round stern, clench built, three quarter female figurehead, iron frame.

Owner:
12/12/1876: Registered at Aberdeen for owner:
J. T. Rennie, 64 shares.
(Source: Aberdeen Shipping Register (Aberdeen City Archives))

Masters:
1876-80: Master F. Airth
1881-87: Master A. Tytler
1887-88: Master Scorgie

General History:
17/04/1883:
NATAL, barque, of Aberdeen, London for Hobart Town, approached shore too close, touched in the stays in East Bay, Dungeness and proceeded on her voyage.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

13/08/1884:
NATAL, British barque, Bimlipatam [N. of Madras] to Havre, 18 July, 29N 40W [Mid Atlantic West of Canary Islands].
(Glasgow Herald)

20/03/1886:
Telegram from Cochin [South India] 19 March reports NATAL, barque, from Galle [Ceylon] to Cochin, struck on Crocodile Rock and will be obliged to dock at Bombay.
(Glasgow Herald)

03/06/1886:
Judgement of enquiry into stranding of NATAL on Crocodile Rock, held at Bombay. Court considers Captain Tytler made a mistake through carelessness in laying down his position on his chart. But taking into consideration that Crocodile Rock was incorrectly marked by one mile on his chart and his great discretion and promptitude at time of accident and bringing his ship safely to Bombay, the court scarcely censures him.
(Glasgow Herald)

07/06/1887:
NATAL, barque, London - Natal, 5 May, 1N, 28W [Mid Atlantic between Brazil and W. Africa].
(Glasgow Herald)

26/06/1888:
NATAL, barque, Capt. Scorgie, arrival NATAL from Calcutta 23 June.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

27/09/1888:
NATAL, barque, arrived Madras from Natal 26 September.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

27/03/1889:
Supposed loss of NATAL - very grave fears are entertained for safety of barque NATAL, owned by Messrs J. T. Rennie & Co., Aberdeen. NATAL left Calcutta for Natal 16 November and though voyage should have been accomplished in little over 40 days, she has never been heard of since she sailed and it is feared she must have foundered in a typhoon. Captain Scorgie, a careful navigator, has been Captain of vessel 2 years and was previously Mate of Messrs Rennie's QUATHLAMBA [O.N. 77453]. He was accompanied by his wife, a native of Aberdeen to whom he had just been married. Carpenter also Aberdonian. About 30 coolies aboard, besides number of passengers - altogether about 60 souls aboard with a light general cargo.
(Glasgow Herald)

Notes: Contract cost £7,530 (Builder's List in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)