STRATHDON
Shipbuildervessel built by
Walter Hood & Co.
(Shipbuilder, Footdee, Aberdeen 1839 - 1881)
Date1860
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 210 3/6' x breadth 33 9/12' x depth 21 7/12'
gross tonnage: 1011 ton
gross tonnage: 1011 ton
Object numberABDSHIP000351
Keywords
Subsequent Names: ZWERVER (c.1880)
Fate: Broken up in 1888.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper; 2 decks, poop and topgallant forecastle, 3 masts. Male full length figurehead.
Owners:
10/02/1860: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
George Thompson Jr., William Henderson, Stephen Thompson, George Thompson youngest (jointly 48 shares); Alexander Nicol, 4 shares; James Buyers, 4 shares, Walter Hood, 4 shares; Isaac Merchant, 4 shares.
03/06/1863: On death of Walter Hood 27/12/1862 his 4 shares to Anne Hood.
28/06/1866: The Thompson group (which varied slightly in personnel from time to time) 8 shares - George Henry Pile, Dublin, shipmaster.
27/03/1867: Anne Hood 4 shares - George Thompson, Jr., Pitmedden; William Edward, Aberdeen (both shipowners), John Sharp Henderson, advocate, Aberdeen; Alexander Don, merchant, Pettercairn (joint owners).
16/06/1873: The Thompson group 4 shares - Robert Jamieson, shipmaster, Aberdeen.
(Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
1879-88: Owners N. Brantjes, registered at Purmerend.
Masters:
1861: Master Henry
1862: Master Ross
1869-70: Master H. Pile
1873-79: Master Jamieson.
Voyages (Lloyd's):
1861-70: London-Australia.
General History:
10/12/1863:
"HIGHFLYER", London to Sydney, lost 2 anchors and chains off North Foreland and since been in collision with "STRATHDON", ship, and sustained considerable damage.
(Caledonian Mercury)
16/12/1863:
At London 12 Dec. of bronchitis, death of John Dennison, Jr., Chief Officer of ship "STRATHDON".
(Aberdeen Journal)
30/05/1864:
Sydney, May 23 - the ship STRATHDON cleared out today for London with a full cargo, 2320 bales of wool.
(Melbourne Argus)
09/09/1866:
"STRATHDON", ship, from London for Sydney, 6 days out, 19 August, Lat. 42.36N, Long. 11.54W [off Cape Finisterre].
(Glasgow Herald)
30/07/1867:
Sydney, Monday - southerly gale blowing with heavy showers. Ship STRATHDON was off the heads this morning from London. A pilot attempted to board her but was capsized. A second pilot tried to rescue him but also got capsized [...] the Government despatched the VESTA to the assistance of the STRATHDON, which anchored close to the rocks at George's Head. VESTA brought back survivors - pilots Fullerton and Shanks and 10 others. Pilots Robertson and Reader, Robert Green (shipping clerk) and 5 of pilot's crew were drowned. Fullerton's boat was dashed to pieces against the cliff. A fearful sea is running. The STRATHDON was afterwards towed off a lee shore and anchored off Pinchgut.
(Melbourne Argus)
24/08/1867:
(Editorial on inquest on pilot Reader). Pilot Robertson put to sea with crew of 4 men (smallest number allowed by Act). Notwithstanding tempestuous weather [...] no spare oar was put aboard or any inspection of her tackle. The sail tore in two and men had to take to oars. A sea struck the boat and carried away 2 oars out of 4. Another wave struck and capsized her. Robert Green, with his little butcher's boat, rescued the men, but had hardly done so when his own was rolled over and over about 20 times. It is the genuine old British stuff such men are made of. Not the slightest effort was made to render assistance by the ship STRATHDON (although the 2nd Officer said the ship was short-handed and herself in great peril). An experienced sailor eye witness said it would have been quite possible for a boat to have been put off by the STRATHDON.
(Brisbane Courier, )
14/06/1871:
Birth - at Baddoch, Braemar, 8th June, the wife of Robert Jamieson, Master of ship "STRATHDON" of a son.
(Aberdeen Journal)
28/06/1871:
Death. At her father's residence, Baddoch, Braemar, on 24th June, Margaret Gordon, aged 25 years, beloved wife of Mr. Robert Jamieson, Master of ship "STRATHDON" of Aberdeen. Deeply regretted by all who knew her.
(Aberdeen Journal)
08/08/1874:
"STRATHDON", ship, of Aberdeen, outward bound 17 July, Lat. 21.10N, Long. 23.34W [off W. Africa].
(Glasgow Herald)
03/03/1877:
The ship STRATHDON, 19 degrees South, passed a great quantity of corks and boards banded together and other wreckage supposed to have drifted from a wreck about Tristan D'Acunha. It is supposed to indicate the loss of an emigrant ship.
(Hobart Mercury, )
14/07/1878:
At Thames Police Court Captain Batch of ship "STRATHDON", belonging to White Star Line plying between London and Australia, was accompanied by a young lady of about 18 or 19, who possessed considerable personal attractions. This young lady joined his vessel at Sydney, dressed in masculine attire, as an apprentice and represented herself to be a runaway apprentice from another vessel. The new hand did his duty as well as could be desired and became rather a favourite with the ship's company. 40 days out a communication to the Captain prompted him to tax the supposed apprentice with being of a different sex. The would-be tar confessed that she was a lady, and now in female clothing, was placed in apartments more suitable than the forecastle. Captain Batch asked to make a statutory declaration to put himself right with his owners, but Court had no doubt if he went to them and explained the affair it would be all right. Messrs George Thompson & Co., the owners, have kindly undertaken to send their interesting "middy" home to her parents near Dublin. She had emigrated to Queensland about 14 months ago and had worked there as a barmaid and (in male clothes) as second steward of a steamer running short trips from Sydney.
(Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper)
Passage to Sydney 1872 - 109 days; 1873 start point - Melbourne 78 days. As ZWERVER did many years service under Peruvian flag. Broken up 1888.
(Basil Lubbock (1948 edn), "The Colonial Clippers" (James Brown & Son, Glasgow))
Ship altered to barque 20/03/1875.
