UNIVERSE

Shipbuildervessel built by DUTHIE (Footdee, Aberdeen)

Date3 April 1826

Object NameBARQUE

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 93'3" x breadth 26' 3 1/2" x depth 17'8"
gross tonnage 281 46/94 tons

Object numberABDSHIP000427

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: William Duthie & Co.

Fate: Wrecked at Cacona Island, Gulf of St. Lawrence in December 1845

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Barque rigged, 1 deck, 3 masts, standing bowsprit, woman figurehead.

Owners:
03/04/1826: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
Alex Craigie*, shipmaster, 16 shares; Robert Ramsay, advocate, 8 shares; William Allen, 8 shares.
Other shareholders in 1826:
Robert Catto, merchant, 8 shares; George Thomson, merchant, 8 shares; Robert Alexander, manufacturer, 4 shares; James Nicol, advocate, 4 shares; William Duncan, merchant, 4 shares; all Aberdeen. George Barclay, farmer, Clyne of Straloch, Banffshire, 4 shares.
26/02/1829: A. Craigie mortgaged 16 shares to James Nicol, Advocate for £400. Ship was transferred back in 1830.
1837: Owned by William Allan, merchant, and Catto and Thomson.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives) 1826, No. 37)
1843-46: Owner Hargrave, registered in Bristol, then Cork

Masters:
1828-30: Master Alexander Craigie*
1831: Master J. Alexander
1832-33: Master A. Duthie
1837: Master George Leslie (Aberdeen Register)
1839-41: Master G. Brock
1843-44: Master Meredith
1845-46: Master Dunn

Voyages (from Lloyd's underwriters):
1828-29: Hull - Shields
1830-31: Belfast - Quebec
1833: Greenock - Manila
1835-36: Aberdeen - New York
1836-38: Aberdeen - Quebec
1843-44: Bristol - Montreal
1845-46: Liverpool - Icheboe [Ichaboe is. Nambia]

General History:
In May 1828 the UNIVERSE took 464 passengers from Stornoway to Sydney, Cape Breton Island, such was the overcrowding that when she sailed from Stornoway six families were "obliged to live in the longboat during the whole voyage".
In September 1841 the UNIVERSE took 124 passengers from Thurso to Pictou and Quebec. Most were former tenants of the DUKE OF SUTHERLAND. 105 passengers left the vessel at Pictou; the remainder disembarked at Quebec to join relatives in the vicinity of Kingston and Toronto. The agent was William Allen, Shipowner, Aberdeen.
(Source: "An Unstoppable Force" and "Fast Sailing and Copper Bottomed" by Lucille Campey).

25/02/1829:
For sale by private bargain, fine barque UNIVERSE, of Aberdeen, 281 tons, presently lying at Belfast, built Aberdeen 1826 of bast English and Baltic oak timber and plan, copper fastened and carries large cargo for her tonnage. Admirably adapted for North American or Southern trades For particulars apply Capt. Alex Craigie, Canal Terrace, or Wm. Allan.
(Aberdeen Journal)

Sailing between Belfast and Quebec, carrying timber from Quebec
10/11/1829 (Capt. Craigie) arrived Belfast
13/04/1830 sailed Belfast
13/07/1830 arrived Quebec
(Belfast Newsletter)

13/02/1833:
At Port Glasgow for Batavia, Singapore and Manilla, fine A1 barque UNIVERSE, 281 tons, John Kelman Commander, now on Berth loading and will positively sail 20th February. For freight or passage, with excellent accommodation apply William Allan, Aberdeen, or local Port Glasgow agent.
(Aberdeen Journal)

05/02/1841:
For sale by private contract fine fast sailing and coppered barque UNIVERSE, 281 tons. Had extensive repairs last year at Aberdeen. Is substantially built and handy vessel, well adapted for general purposes. Now discherging cargo off salt from Liverpool at South Shields.
(Newcastle Courant)

01/01/1846:
8 December 1845 - Barque UNIVERSE, J. Dunn, sunk off Cacona Island in recent gales, only part of topmast visible. Cargo was grain and flour.
(Caledonian Mercury) (05/02/1846 - crew saved).