AURORA

Shipownervessel built for Catto & Co. (Aberdeen, Scotland)

DateApril 1816

Object NameSNOW

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 66.6' x breadth 21.6' x depth 12.4'
gross tonnage 127 tons

Object numberABDSHIP002945

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: unknown

Fate: missing in the North Sea, December 1862.

Propultion: Sail
Description: Snow rigged, 1 deck, 2 masts, square stern, carvel built, no figurehead, standing bowsprit.

Owners:
1825: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
Robert Catto, 16 shares; William Catto, 4 shares; William Donald jnr. 4 shares; all Aberdeen.
Other owners in 1825; John Catto, 8 shares; George Pirie, 4 shares; William Pirie, 4 shares; George Thomson, 4 shares; Peter Mortimer, 4 shares; all merchants. John Ewing, advocate, 4 shares; Alexander Watt, shipmaster, 4 shares; Peter Milne, shipmaster, 4 shares; James Lawson, shipmaster, 4 shares.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
(Lloyd's shows Catto as owners from 1816 to 1831, 1825 is likely a re-registration)
1832-33: Tynemouth (it is not clear if 'Tynemouth' is a Tynemouth based syndicate or someone's name. From 1834-37 Lloyd's has no owner printed just registered at Newcastle and the same master as before)
1837-43: J. Bell, registered at North Shields
1844-48: J. Reid, registered at Aberdeen
1849-51: William Simpson & Co. (Post Office Aberdeen Directory)
1852-62: Robert Johnston, merchant, Aberdeen, 64 shares.
Sailed from Aberdeen on 17 December 1862 and has not since been heard of - taken from letter from owner dated 21 November 1864. Registration cancelled.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))

Masters:
1816-23: Master J. Aitken
1823-25: Master A. Lawson
1826: Master James Park (Aberdeen Register)
1827-28: Master Watt
1829-31: Master T. Nicholl
1831-38: Master G. Park
1838-43: Master T. Asplin
1844-45: Master R. Reid
1846-48: Master J. Wattie
1848: Master Morrice (Post Office Aberdeen Directory, for masters 1848-62)
1849: Master Cameron
1850-51: Master Baxter
1852-56: Master Buthlie
1857: Master Rae
1858-61: Master Roberts
1862: Master Davidson

Voyages (from Lloyd's underwriters):
1816-23: London - Havana
1823-25: Leith - Newcastle
1826: Cork - London
1827-28: Leith - Baltic
1829-31: Plymouth coaster
1832-33: Hull - Riga
1838-40: Sheilds coaster
1841-43: London
1844-45: Aberdeen coaster
1846-48: Aberdeen collier

General History:
16/09/1816:
Brig AURORA, Milne, was spoken off banks of Newfoundland 10 Aug. - all well. Was 5 weeks from Aberdeen, winds being always from westward during passage.
(Caledonian Mercury)

11/3/1820:
Fine A1 brig AURORA, Peter Milne master, now loading for New York, having the principal part of her cargo engaged will sail in course of a few days. For freight or passage apply R. Blackbird, broker.
(Newcastle Courant)

17/10/1821:
New York regular traders from Newcastle and Aberdeen [...] brig AURORA, Capt. Stewart, will sail early 1822. Freight and passage fares from Robert Catto, Aberdeen, or Russel Blackbird, Newcastle.
(Aberdeen Journal)

04/09/1826:
Aberdeen, 2 Sept. - brig AURORA, Burgess, of this place, 39 days out of Archangel for Dundee, taken with a heavy squall off Peterhead, which carried away her foremast about 5ft above the deck. Capt. Burgess had rigged a jury mast and would have been able to prosecute his voyage had not 4 of his crew next day taken the boat and left the vessel, in consequence of which he took the assistance of a revenue cruiser for tow into Fraserburgh, where she now lies to refit.
(Caledonian Mercury)

04/04/1829:
For sale by private contract the good brig AURORA, of Aberdeen, Andrew Nichol master, 126 tons burden, built Aberdeen 1816 under particular inspection of present owners of the best English oak timber and plank and copper fastened. Is abundantly found with good and useful stores, sails fast, carries 9 keels coals at easy draught, requires little ballast and will carry sail without any and is in every respect a good and handy vessel. For inventory and further particulars apply Capt. Nichol aboard, lying at the North Quay, or to Thomson, Coutts & Co., Coal Fitters, Monkwearmouth shore. Vessel will only remain a few days on sale.
(Newcastle Courant)

06/02/1830:
Very similar sale advertisement. Master now James Collie (on board on Sandgate Shore). Particulars also from R. Blackbird & Co., brothers, Newcastle.
(Newcastle Courant)

14/01/1846:
Death at Newcastle-upon-Tyne 14 December, Capt. John Wattie of brig AURORA of this place in 56th year of his age.
(Aberdeen Journal)

01/05/1850:
For sale by private bargain, good A1 brig AURORA of this port, 127 tons register, as she presently lies at foot of Market Street. Has ample inventory and can be sent to sea without any expense except provisions. Carries 9 and a half keels coals. Has a hatchway suitable for taking in large timber. Particulars from William Simpson & Co., York Place, Aberdeen.
(Aberdeen Journal)

10/10/1851:
For sale by private contract, all the substantial brig AURORA, of Aberdeen, 127 tons, was built Aberdeen. 2 years ago had considerable amount laid out in repairs and enlarging the hatching for taking in machinery, large timber, etc. In good order, well found in all stores. May be inspected where she lies on North Shore here. Further particulars from Capt. Brunton on board or Benjamin Waters, Quayside, Newcastle.
(Newcastle Courant)

14/03/1855:
Brig AURORA, of and for Aberdeen from Sunderland with coals, Robert Buthly master, went ashore 5 miles east of Dunbar 10 March. Crew saved. Vessel was in charge of mate N. Hobbs, Mr Buthlay being obliged to remain in Sunderland in bad health. (He died almost two years later aged 48.)
(Aberdeen Journal)

15/08/1857:
Brig AURORA, of Aberdeen, bound to Demerara, spoken 2 July 48N, 11W (off Fastnet).
(Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh))

10/01/1863:
Sorry to report Aberdeen coasting vessel AURORA (127 tons), Davidson master, which sailed from Aberdeen 17 Dec. for Sunderland in ballast to take in coals for Southampton, was at sea during recent gales and has not yet been heard of.
(Dundee Courier)

Note: in Lloyd's as brig rigged from 1838