BROMBY

Date1815

Object NameSMACK

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 59'9" x breadth 19'4" x depth 10'4"
gross tonnage 92 70/94 tons

Object numberABDSHIP002887

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: unknown

Fate: wrecked near Breckness or Warebeth near Hoy Sound, 9 November 1842.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Smack rigged, 1 deck, 1 mast, running bowsprit, square stern, carvel built, no figurehead.

Owners:
25/10/1815: registered at Aberdeen.
1825: re-registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
Willim Thomson, merchant; John Gibbon, merchant; Andrew Simpson, merchant; plus George Lyall, George Henry, John Johnston junior, merchants
All of the above were Trustees of the Aberdeen & Hull Shipping Co, 64 shares.
1836: registration cancelled.
(Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives) no. 51, 1815; no. 141, 1825)
1839-42: R. Lees, registered at Kirkwall (Lloyd's)

Masters:
1818-22: Master W. Colley
1823-29: Master Charles Middleton
1831-32: Master J. Robb
1834-39: Master T. Smith
1839-41: Master R. Lees

Voyages (Lloyd's underwriters):
1818-22: Yarmouth - Hull
1822-28: Hull coaster
1831-32: Hull - Aberdeen
1834-39: Aberdeen - Hull
1839-42: Aberdeen - Newcastle

General History:
29/11/1842:
Shipwreck of the BROMBY.—Four Lives Lost.—On the evening of Wednesday the 9th instant, the schooner BROMBY of Kirkwall, Roderick Lees, master and sole owner, was driven on shore during a very heavy gale from S.W., on the Breckness entrance of Hoy Sound, and became a total wreck. The master and three of the crew were drowned in their vain attempt to reach the shore. The mate, Alexander M'Kenzie, and boy named M’Leod, were only saved. On the following morning, the cargo, consisting of soap, cheese, &c. was strewed along the beach; and in despite of the efforts of the agent to Lloyd’s, coasts guard, and watchmen employed, a scene plunder was exhibited more like the inhabitants the South Sea Islands than that of highly-enlightened Orkney. It appears that the master had reached a rock, and fell over into the sea. He called to the mate to heave him a but as this could not be done, he sunk to rise no move. The mate coming to terra firma, hauled up his blankets and some clothes of the master’s, and proceeded in search of shelter, which, very fortunately, was not distant, the house of Breckness standing within two hundred yards of the wreck. The people opened the door to the poor man immediately, and torwarded express to town for aid. Upon warming himself, returned to the beach to take up his clothes, but to his surprise, a party (not good Samaritans) had slipped off with the whole. This vessel was from Liverpool, and bound to Aberdeen—had been near Longhope (where Captain Lees’ family, consisting of a wife and five children reside), and driven out of the Firth again on Tuesday. The vessel behaved well, but the severity of the gale was such that scarcely any canvass could be carried. Captain Lees’ fear was, that he would driven on Hoy Head, which, from its height, looks very dreadful when seen in a storm to leeward. Another melancholy proof of the want of leading light in Hoy Sound is exhibited this loss of life and property. The unfortunate BROMBY lies about three hundred yards from the spot where the DUKE OF SUSSEX suffered; and when the shore is looked at, it appears miraculous that any human being could have staggered through the surf and reached the shore. It is very rugged and full of deep holes, through which these poor fellows, who were several hours the wreck, had to force their way. They are both natives Stornoway Lewis.
(Northern Warder and General Advertiser for the Counties of Fife, Perth and Forfar)

Notes: Named BROMLEY in Lloyd's 1831-39.
1818-22: in Lloyd's as sloop rigged.