LUNA

Shipbuildervessel built by Walter Hood & Co. (Shipbuilder, Footdee, Aberdeen 1839 - 1881)

Date1848

Object NameBRIG

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 97 3/6' x breadth 21 1/6' x depth 13 3/12'
registered tonnage: 187 ton

Object numberABDSHIP000323

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Walter Hood & Co.
Official Number: 6865.

Fate: wrecked on Gunfleet Sand, 3 April 1891.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Brig rigged, 1 deck, 2 masts, standing bowsprit, square stern, carvel built, female figurehead.

Owners:
Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
George Thompson Jnr, shipowner, Nathaniel Farquhar, advocate, John Smith Jnr, advocate, all Aberdeen, 64 shares.
Other shareholders: William Adam, advocate and Alexander Davidson both trustees of Aberdeen Commercial Company of Aberdeen.
10/12/1879: Registration cancelled, vessel converted to a hulk. later Re-registered as no. 4 of 1882.
(Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
1882: Owner W. Christie.

Masters:
1848-67: Master D. Petty.
1875: Master C. Bennett

Voyages (Lloyd's):
1848: Aberdeen - London
1853: Aberdeen - Archangel
1867: Aberdeen coaster.

General History:
26/10/1850:
Brig, LUNA, Archangel to London, with cargo of linseed and general merchandise, having struck upon Newcome Sands, her commander Capt. David Patey, arranged with the Harbour & Railway Co. for their steamer LOWESTOFT to tow the vessel to port for £50. However, before she reached LUNA, a large party of the Lowestoft beachmen had resolved to secure the salvage for themselves. They wrote letter to Harbour Master saying they had reached wreck first and stating salvage was their only means of livelihood. About 120 of them proceeded in their boats to the wreck, when they began furious onslaught on crew of the steamer, seriously injuring the master. Steamer returned to port to cheers of lower class of townspeople, who supported the beachmen. Then coastguard men, well armed, went off in steam tug to the wreck, which they safely conveyed into harbour without molestation from the boatmen.
(London Standard)

19/11/1856:
Smuggling at Montrose - Master and Steward of brig LUNA, of Aberdeen, were tried for smuggling brandy - Steward found guilty and fined.
(Aberdeen Journal)

23/10/1863:
20 Oct. - brig LUNA, Patey, from Archangel 31 days for London, is off Aldborogh with loss of bulwarks, stanchions started, gallery and companion store, having been struck by a sea 11th May.
(Dundee Courier)

15/07/1867:
[Report of ice in White Sea from Captain of barque Albania]. Vessels gathered there all canted in different directions and smashing commenced, with masts and yards breaking, etc. But brig LUNA, Capt. Patey, being carried in between two grounded icebergs 15 ft. higher than her decks, she appeared to lie as snug as if in a tidal harbour.
(Glasgow Herald)

06/05/1870:
Serious accident befell James Winter (14), apprentice seaman on brig LUNA, lying at Blaikie's Quay, Aberdeen. He was sitting on plank, end of which projected over bulwarks and was struck with great force by passing wagon. He fell 13ft into hold. Quite insensible with serious injuries to head, he was carried to his residence in Cotton St.
(Dundee Courier)

17/02/1882:
Brig LUNA, belonging to Aberdeen Commercial Co., which was lately struck off register as a hulk, has been re-entered on register.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

18/03/1882:
Fire, observed Sunday morning on Aberdeen brig LUNA, laden with lime, was same night successfully extinguished. Every aperture was covered with sand, which effectually smothered fire. Discovered fire had been, not in hold, as believed, but in forecastle, possibly caused by careless loss of candle.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

06/04/1891:
AN ABERDEEN SCHOONER ASHORE NEAR HARWICH. Information has reached Aberdeen the effect that the Aberdeen schooner LUNA, bound trom London to Aberdeen with cargo of cement, went ashore on Friday at Gunfleet, near Harwich
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

03/04/1891: Vessel stranded and lost in wind conditions ESE Force 5 - The Naze, Gunfleet Sand - on voyage London - Aberdeen. Owner Farquhar; Captain W. Christie; Cargo bagged cement, gunpowder.
(Richard and Bridget Larn (1997), “Shipwreck Index of the British Isles” (Lloyd’s Register, London), vol. 3, section 1)