DUKE OF WELLINGTON

Date5 March 1829

Object NamePADDLE STEAMER

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 154' 5" x breadth 27' 5" x depth 18' 9"
Registered Tonnage: 335 ton

Object numberABDSHIP001762

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: John Duffus & Co.

Fate: Broken up, 29 January 1851.

Propulsion: Steam
Description: Wooden paddle steamer, schooner rigged, 1 main deck, 1 poop deck, 2 masts, standing bowsprit, square stern, carvel built, quarter galleries, man bust figurehead.

Owners:
1829: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
John Lumsden, merchant, William Reid, ironfounder and George Elsmie, ironfounder, all Aberdeen. James Forbes, Echt, George Forbes, Springhill, Alexander Bannerman, Alexander Gibbon, all merchants, John Duffus, ironfounder, all Aberdeen, trading as John Duffus & Co., Manufacturers of anchors & chain cables in Aberdeen.
1836: Owned by George Elsmie Junior and William Reid and George Thompson Junior, merchants (as the Aberdeen & Leith Steam Company.)
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))

Masters:
1829-38: Master John Walker
1839-44: Master Guthrie

Voyages (from Lloyd's):
1830-44: London - Aberdeen.

General History:
11/03/1829:
On Thursday last, was launched from the Building yard of her owners John Duffus & Co. a most magnificent steam ship, intended for the trade between this port and London, and named the DUKE OF WELLINGTON. The model and workmanship of this beautiful vessel are exceedingly admired. Her length on deck is equal to that of a 40 gun frigate: She is to be propelled by two engines of 190 horses power [...] The day was uncommonly fine, and at least 10,000 persons assembled to see the spectacle, Many, however, were disappointed, as the launfch took place about half an hour before the time fixed. Everything, however, being prepared, and the tide favourable, this splendid vessel glided into her future element, about half-past 12, amid the deafening chears of the surrounding multitude; and was safely towed to her moorings, the Band of the Aberdeenshire Militia, on deck, playing "See the Conquering Hero Comes"; and the populace giving 'one cheer more' for the Duke of Wellingtion. [...] It reflects no little credit on this increasing and improving city, that the ship, with every part of her powerful machinery, has been constructed at the extensive works of her public-spirited owners
(Aberdeen Journal)

20/08/1829:
'EXTRAORDINARY DESPATCH. The Aberdeen and London Steam Navigation Company's steam ship, the DUKE OF WELLINGTON sailed from Aberdeen about 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, the 1st inst., and arrived at London at 1 o'clock on Monday forenoon the 17th inst., performing the distance of about 540 miles in 46 hours, beating the mail about 17 hours. Salmon caught and grouse killed on Saturday forenoon were delivered at their respective destinations on Monday afternoon.'
(The Times)

23/01/1841:
DUKE OF WELLINGTON, steamship, from Aberdeen, arrived yesterday at St. Katherine's after a long passage with 90 bullocks & a quantity of pigs, intended for the London market, and a valuable cargo. She was expected on Wednesday night, but met with an accident near Yarmouth roads, which caused some derangement of her machinery. With some difficulty she worked her way to Gravesend, where she was taken in tow by the steam tug SAMSON & towed up river. Cattle & pigs were landed immediately on arrival.
(Morning Post)

02/02/1846:
Leith 28 January - steamer DUKE OF WELLINGTON, Aberdeen - London, with 140 cattle, has been driven up to Leith roads [by weather] - has since sailed for her destination.
(Aberdeen Journal)