ETHIOPIAN
Shipbuildervessel built by
Walter Hood & Co.
(Shipbuilder, Footdee, Aberdeen 1839 - 1881)
DateAugust 1864
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 196 1/6' x breadth 34 3/6' x depth 20 3/12'
Gross Tonnage: 838 tons
Gross Tonnage: 838 tons
Object numberABDSHIP000360
Keywords
Fate: In October 1894, when bound from St Thomas to Cork, was abandoned near the Western Isles. It was afterwards picked up 15 miles from Fayal and towed into St Michael's, where it was condemned.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: 3 decks in total, a main, a half poop and a top gallant forecastle, 3 masts, barque rigged, round stern, carvel built, demi female figurehead.
Owners:
1864: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
George Thompson Jnr., William Henderson, both Aberdeen, Stephen Thompson, George Thompson, both of London, all shipowners, all joint owners 44 shares.
Other Shareholders: Alexander Nicol, 4 shares; James Buyers, 4 shares, both shipowners, William Edward, master mariner, 8 shares, All Aberdeen. Isaac Merchant, shipowner, London, 4 shares.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
Later sold to Norwegian owners.
General History:
The ETHIOPIAN had an interesting arrangement for her accommodation, which was placed in a large deckhouse extending from side to side. The rail was approximately 4ft 6ins above the deck and the sides of the house were rounded down on to the rail; just as in a poop extending right to the stern. But there was a gap between the after end of the house and taff rail in which was a low deck occupied by binnacle, wheel and wheel box. To get forward from the wheel meant going up over the house by means of the ladders provided, or else down steps through the house and out on to the main deck. This arrangement was only found in a few sailing ships in the early 1860s. Although it can be seen in some steamers.
24/08/1864
Launch.—On Thursday, there was launched from the building- yard of Messrs Walter Hood & Co., Footdee, a fine clipper-built ship, named the “Ethiopian.” The vessel beautiful model, and of the followine dimensions r—length, 195 feet 8 inches ; breadth of beam, feet ; depth of hold, -0 feet. Her tonnage is 838 tons new measurement, or 1056 builders’ measurement. The glidedly finely into the water, and was gracefully christened” in the usual form Miss Hopcraft, Sydenham. The Ethiopian” belongs to Messrs George Thompson, Jun., & Co , is to he commanded by Capt. Edward, lately of the Moravian, and will be employed in the Australian and China trades. She is, we may add, fitted up with all the latest improvements, including distilling apparatus, and steam worked cranes, windlasses, &c.
(Aberdeen Press & Journal)
14/11/1864:
Messrs. Walter Hood & Co. of Aberdeen launched on 18 August clipper ship ETHIOPIAN. She belongs to Messrs George Thompson & Co., will be commanded by Captain Edward and placed in the Australian trade.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
16/01/1865:
Clipper ship ETHIOPIAN, Capt. Edward, arrived after splendid passage of 68 days from Plymouth.
(Sydney Empire)
24/2/1866:
Aberdeen clipper ship ETHIOPIAN, arrived yesterday from London, 71 days out.
(Sydney Empire)
15/04/1867:
The anxiety which has been caused to many persons in this city in consequence of a dismasted vessel being seen off the port has been happily dispelled by arrival of ETHIOPIAN in tow of the French steamer MARCEAU, which fell in with her about 35 miles from the Heads. From the appearance of the vessel's deck she must have suffered considerably.
From Captain Falconer's log; Thursday 7th March 1867 - Noon, heavy beam sea, ship rolling heavily and shipping much water on board. Latitude 16.50S, Longitude 170.10E, off New Hebrides.
1pm increasing sea, ship not rolling so much, brought ship to close reefed main topsail, secured everything about deck and made snug for a fresh gale. At 4 squalls increasing and a tremendous sea. At 4.30 blowing a severe gale, with rain and very heavy squalls, ship laying over with lee rails in the water. Main topsail blew out. Tried to get ship before the wind but she would not go off, being too far over. At 5 blowing a furious hurricane, with incessant rain and heavy lightning, the sea a complete sheet of foam flying over the ship.
At 5:30 we were struck by an awful gust, which hove the ship right over on her beam ends, the sea half way over her deck, washing away everything off her deck. Ship appeared to be settling over slowly. All hands standing outside weather rails expecting they had only a few minutes left to live I ordered the mizzen & main mast to be cut away, which only required a few lanyards cut, when they went over the side. Still blowing furiously with tremendous sea. No sign of ship righting. Cut away the foremast, which appeared to ease her a little. Called the chief officer, Mr Anderson, but he could not be found. He was last seen going to cut away the main rigging, when he must have been washed over board. Other 3 were washed overboard, but succeeded in getting on board again.
Carpenter reported that she had shifted her cargo and water was up to stringer on lee side. Sent all hands below to trim the coals. Gale decreasing but ship still laying over, with water getting into hold. Secured forecastle ports with sails. Hurricane overnight with wind, sea and rain which cut like a knife. Pitch dark except when lightning flashed. No-one on board expected to see morning. If ship had not been strong she would not have stood what she did.
Cut away masts at 6:15. Daylight - got one of pumps to work & people trimming coals, but found ship helpless wreck. Only the bowsprit standing. Noon - ship righting and water decreasing. Hove overboard about 20 tons coals.
Sunday 10th; very nearly upright, ship quite tight, under way with jury masts.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
30/12/1872:
ETHIOPIAN, Capt. Falconer, arrived 8 Dec., 100 days from start point (sailed from London 25 July).
(Sydney Morning Herald)
07/06/1873:
ETHIOPIAN arrived London 21 May from Adelaide.
(Melbourne Leader)
15/12/1873:
ETHIOPIAN sailed 13 Dec. for London.
(Sydney Empire)
07/08/1874:
Ship ETHIOPIAN has arrived from London with large cargo valued at £60,000.
(Sydney Empire)
The ETHIOPIAN left Sydney on 24 October 1874 arriving London 23 January 1875 carrying a cargo of wool. Another wool run left Geelong 7 November 1883 arriving London 12 February 1884.
On 22 July 1881 she sailed from London to Melbourne returning on 21 March 1882 under Capt. N. Allan. Ships Carpenter was David Alexander from Aberdeen.
18/10/1876:
ETHIOPIAN passed Cape of Otway, 76 days out, bound for Sydney.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
09/03/1881:
ETHIOPIAN, sailed Melbourne 26 November arrived London 7 March.
(South Australian Advertiser)
08/12/1881:
Ship ETHIOPIAN cleared customs house at Geelong 7 Dec., for London with 4122 bales wool.
(Melbourne Age)
22/03/1882:
ETHIOPIAN, sailed Geelong 9 December, arrived London 20 March.
(South Australian Register)
'The ETHIOPIAN made her first voyage to Melbourne in sixty-eight days under Capt. William Edward, sailing her last voyage under the British Flag in 1886, being by that time reduced to a barque rig.
On her passage home from Sydney she had a remarkable race with the iron ship ORONTES. The two vessels cast off their tugs together outside Sydney Heads, proceeded to sea and next sighted each other off the Horn, afterwards being becalmed together in the Doldrums, then both spore the same ship (exchanged signals) off the Azores or Western Isles. As they reached the Channel, ORONTES came up under the counter of ETHIOPIAN, which was hove-to taking soundings in fog. Finally ETHIOPIAN made the East India Docks one tide ahead of ORONTES, thus winning the race and a considerable sum in wagers'.
(Basil Lubbock (1948 edn), "The Colonial Clippers" (James Brown & Son, Glasgow))
'Capt. Dalrymple of the DUKE OF ABERCORN was evidently full of confidence that his ship could beat any other ship in Shanghai on the race home, and he proceeded to challenge every clipper which was going to load new teas. This sporting spirit led to a great deal of betting amongst the shipping fraternity, and finally the crews of the CUTTY SARK, DUKE OF ABERCORN, SERICA, FORWARD HO, ARGONAUT, ETHIOPIAN and the JOHN R. WORCESTER waged a month's pay, to go to the ship which made the quickest passage from Shanghai to the Channel. The race was won by the Cutty Sark'.
(Source: Lubbock 'The Log of the Cutty Sark')
The ETHIOPIAN carried tea from Shanghai, leaving 1st July 1870 and arriving London 12th November under Capt. Faulkner. 134 days out.
(Source: Lubbock 'The China Clippers)
Note: later re-rigged as a barque
