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CIMBA
Shipbuildervessel built by
Walter Hood & Co.
(Shipbuilder, Footdee, Aberdeen 1839 - 1881)
Date1878
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumIRON
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 223 7/12' x breadth 34 7/12' x depth 22'
gross tonnage 1174 ton
gross tonnage 1174 ton
Object numberABDSHIP000386
Keywords
Official No: 77444
Fate: Lost at Pointe des Monts, St Lawrence, Quebec, Canada, 26 July 1915.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper, 2 decks, 3 masts, round stern, clench built, iron frame,
figurehead a lion rampant. Livery green hull with yellow stripe and white masts.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
Owners:
1878: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
Alexander Nicol, 48 shares; James Buyers, 4 shares; John Blaikie Nicol, 4 shares; John Finister, 8 shares
(Builder's List in the Aberdeen Maritime Museum)
1906: Akties Cimba (L. Hauglund), Frederikstad, Norway. .
Masters:
1878-1895: Master J. Fimister
1895-1906: Master J. W. Holmes
General History:
19/10/1880:
Cleared 18 October for London ship CIMBA, Capt. J. Fimister.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
06/01/1890:
Cable news of ship CIMBA's arrival in London. CIMBA is a fast ship and this time had done splendidly, having made the run home in 72 days. Sailed Sydney 22 Oct. with 6900 bales wool besides other cargo.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
28/01/1891:
Cablegram received announcing safe arrival of clipper ship CIMBA at London on 27 Jan., 86 days from Sydney.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
20/01/1892:
London, 18 Jan. - has been great deal of betting on race between ship CIMBA, which sailed from Sydney 24 Oct. and ship SALAMIS, which sailed from Geelong 30 Oct. CIMBA has reached London first, SALAMIS being in the Downs.
(South Australian Register (Adelaide))
24/06/1899:
CIMBA left London 25 Feb. with general cargo consigned to Rockhampton and arrived here Sunday, Capt. Holmes in command, Mr D. W. Macdonald Chief Officer and crew of 24 all told, most Englishmen. CIMBA is very fine vessel, owned by Alexander Nicol & Co. Her last 2 voyages home from Sydney took only 79 and 75 days respectively. This is her 2nd visit to Queensland, she having called at Brisbane 2 years ago. Capt Holmes said that on this voyage he met with nothing but head winds all the way from Cape of Good Hope to Tasmania, which accounted for long delay. CIMBA will remain here unloading for about 6 weeks, when she will load wool, tallow etc, for London, calling at Brisbane to complete cargo of wool etc.
(Rockhampton (Queensland) Capricorn)
01/08/1899:
Clipper ship CIMBA, after waiting for favourable weather, left yesterday with 1317 carks tallow and 1468 bails wool, she will load about 1000 bales wool at Brisbane, then sail for London.
(Rockhampton Bulletin)
23/02/1901:
Ship CIMBA arrived Newcastle (N.S.W.) this morning, 96 days from London. Capt Holmes reports she left Gravesend 14 Nov., anchored at the Nore till 17th because of hard southerly gale, slipped tug at the Downs noon 17th, passed meridian of the Cape 10 Jan. On 30 Jan. in 47S, 78E [Southern Ocean] experienced hurricane for 12 hours. Ship was under lower main topsail only and at 8p.m. sheet parted and sail went to pieces before it could be stowed. She behaved very well under bare poles for 30 hrs, sea being terrific.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
25/02/1903:
Ship CIMBA, Capt. Holmes, expected to leave here tomorrow, mainly in ballast, for Chile.
(Brisbane Courier)
26/11/1903:
Ship CIMBA, after leaving London for Sydney, collided with another vessel. Had to return to port and will probably have to discharge her cargo.
(Hobart Mercury)
11/06/1906:
Ship CIMBA, which arrived Melbourne from Frederickstadt June 10, bore a somewhat dilapidated appearance forward. As result of heavy seas starboard light was wrenched from its lashings and thrown clear onto port boat. Boat on the house forward was smashed to pieces, while any amount of light fittings were beat and twisted.
(Adelaide Advertiser)
14/07/1954:
Fastest voyage 1889 Sydney to London in 75 days. She had only two masters whilst she sailed under a British flag; Captain Fimister (1878-1895) and Captain Holmes (1895-1906). 'According to Master Holmes, CIMBA was heavy aloft and narrow, but she was beloved by both her masters and certainly by most of the men who sailed her.'
(Evening Express)
Note: Parts salvaged in 1950s including mast cap, anchor chain and rigging now housed at Aberdeen Maritime Museum. Other related objects held at Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Wikipedia:
CIMBA was clipper in the Australian wool trade, and sailed between London and Sydney from Callao [Peru] to Iquiqui [Chile] of 14 days in 1905. Her first captain, J. Fimister, served until 1895, at which time Captain J. W. Holmes took over until her sale to Norwegian owners 1906: under her new owners her chief cargo was lumber and she made a fast passage of 14 days from Dublin to the St. Lawrence.
(see Useful Links page).
