RUBENS
Shipbuildervessel built by
DUTHIE
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date1853
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 134.8' x breadth 23.2' x depth 16.2'
gross tonnage 360 tons
gross tonnage 360 tons
Object numberABDSHIP000517
Keywords
Fate: wrecked at Table Bay, Cape Town, 10 May 1865
Propulsion: Sail
Description: ship rigged clipper, 1 deck and a round house, 3 masts, standing bowsprit, round stern, carvel built, no galleries, man bust figurehead.
Owners:
07/06/1853: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
Andrew Anderson, shipowner, 10 shares; Thomas Ruxton, advocate, 8 shares; David Ritchie, shipmaster, 2 shares (all Aberdeen).
Other owners; Alexander Anderson, advocate, 8 shares; James Munro, shoemaker, 4 shares; David Munro, shoemaker, 4 shares; William Walker, shipowner,4 shares; John Cargill, shipmaster, 4 shares; Muir, Morton & Co., shipbrokers, Liverpool, 8 shares.
09/03/1855: Muir, Morton & Co. 8 shares to James Spiers, merchant, Glasgow.
12/03/1855: Spiers' 8 shares to Thomas Ruxton, advocate, Aberdeen.
(Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
1861-65: Catto & Co, Aberdeen (Lloyd's)
Masters:
07/06/1853: Master David Ritchie (Aberdeen register)
08/12/1854-1859: Master George Elrick
1861-62: Master J. Young (Lloyd's)
1863-64: Master A. Levie
1865: Master Roberts
Voyages (Lloyd's Register):
1854: Aberdeen - Mauritius
1856-62: London
1863-64: Aberdeen - Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth)
1865: London - Cape of Good Hope
General History:
01/06/1853:
Yesterday week a very beautiful clipper ship was launched from the builder's yard of Messrs Alexander Duthie & Co. She was named the RUBENS - is 360 new and 423 tons old measurement and, under the command of Captain David Ritchie, late of the Fortuna, is intended for the South African and Mauritius trade. She is the property of our townsman, Mr Andrew Anderson and is accounted one of the finest vessels ever built by the above eminent firm.
(Aberdeen Journal)
22/12/1858:
Will be exposed for sale by public roup within the office of James and George Collie, Advocates, 38 Castle Street on 29 December 4 sixty-fourth shares of the Aberdeen clipper-built ship "RUBENS" [...] this fine A1 vessel has been in the Mauritius trade since being built and has made several very fast voyages.
(Aberdeen Journal)
06/04/1859:
RUBENS, ship, from Cardiff for Shanghai spoken 6 March 8N + 22W (off W. Africa).
(Aberdeen Journal)
23/06/1865:
We hear from the Cape of the loss of the RUBENS, a ship which left Liverpool on 11 March for Table and Algoa Bays under the command of Captain A. Roberts. She reached the entrance to Table Bay on 10 May and stood in for the anchorage of Cape Town. In working up the Bay during the night with a fresh south-east wind, she missed stays [failed to tack], having stood over too far, and took the ground near Rietylui and became a total wreck. She was sold as she lay, a few days after, for about £1000.
(Glasgow Herald)
[Aberdeen Journal in its report 28/06/1865 stated that a large part of the cargo saved will be sold].
Note: 09/05/1856: Alteration of tonnage as per letter from register of shipping in London - now 403 tons. (Aberdeen Register)
1841
