CATHERINE ADAMSON
Shipbuildervessel built by
DUTHIE
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date1855
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 179 8/10' x breadth 32 2/10' x depth 19 7/10'
gross tonnage 768 tons
gross tonnage 768 tons
Object numberABDSHIP000522
Keywords
Fate: wrecked at North Heads, Sydney, 24 October 1857.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: ship rigged clipper, 1 deck, 3 masts, round stern, carvel built, no galleries, full length woman figurehead.
Owners:
17/09/1855: Registered at Aberdeen for owners; Henry Adamson, shipowner, Aberdeen, 40 shares; George Milne of Kinaldie, gentleman, 8 shares; William Adamson, sharebroker, Aberdeen, 4 shares; James Saunders, Aberdeen, master in R.N., 4 shares; David MacAllan, shipowner, Aberdeen, 4 shares; George Stuart, Aberdeen, shipmaster, 4 shares.
(Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
Masters:
1855: Master G Allanach
1856-57: Master G. Stewart (aka Allanach)
Voyages (Lloyd's Register):
1855: Aberdeen - Australia
1856-57: London
General History:
26/09/1855:
The fine new ship CATHERINE ADAMSON, launched here recently, sailed from the bay on Saturday evening at 7 o'clock and a telegraphic dispatch has been received notifying her arrival in the West India Docks, London, yesterday forenoon (Tuesday) at 11 o'clock, a splendid run.
(Aberdeen Journal)
13/07/1856:
The ship CATHERINE ADAMSON, Captain Stewart, sailed from Sydney 16 April and arrived in the Downs on 9th inst., thus making the passage in the short space of 83 days.
(The Era (Sydney))
The clipper ship CATHERINE ADAMSON was bound from Aberdeen to Sydney, N.S.W., with a general cargo. On October 24, 1857 in rough weather she took shelter off the Inner North Head, Sydney, but dragged her anchors and drifted ashore and sank. 21 persons were drowned. The ship was in the care of a pilot at the time.
(Charles Hocking (1990), "Dictionary of Disasters at Sea during the Age of Steam, Including sailing ships and ships of war lost in action" (London Stamp Exchange, London, first published by Lloyd's Register 1969), p. 127)
On Friday 30 October 1857 The Sydney Newspaper The Empire published a very extensive account of the inquest into the wreck of CATHERINE ADAMSON at North Heads, Sydney, 24 October 1857 over nearly two full pages what follows is just a very abridged precis. (The whole is freely availiable at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60265605/5720467 )
30/10/1857:
Chief Officer James Duthie stated pilot Hawkes stood across several times to get to an anchorage, but owing to violence of gale and heavy sea was compelled to bring up in a dangerous position. He claimed that pilot turned down offer of tow by Capt. Creagh of steamer 'WILLIAMS' on grounds she had not enough power and requested Creagh to go into Sydney and send out tug. However, Creagh stood by. A squall threw 'CATHERINE ADAMSON' onto rocks, she being anchored too close to shore, and she became total wreck in one hour. Boats were lowered and took passengers and crew to 'WILLIAMS' , which kept as close alongside as possible. Nevertheless, 3 cabin passengers, pilot, 2nd mate and about 15 others drowned.
Capt. Stuart of 'CATHERINE ADAMSON' issued statement which gave quite different account. He claimed anchorage would have been safe if weather had remained moderate and that the 'WILLIAMS' had tried unsuccessfully to take 'CATHERINE ADAMSON' in tow. The ships gig and lifeboat got successfully to the 'WILLIAMS' (Capt. Stuart being in the latter to ask the steamer to come closer to the wreck and with the intention of returning. However, gig and lifeboat were swamped alongside the steamer).
At the Inquest (29/10/1857): One of the seamen stated that the blocks were defective before leaving England and that the ship worked badly in consequence. The Chief Officer repeated his view that the ship had been "ridiculously handled" by the pilot, but a seaman of 21 years' experience thought the pilot worked the ship in a proper manner. A passenger thought that all could have been saved if a united effort had been made. The evidence of the seafaring witnesses mainly exculpated the Captain from blame, but a pilot thought the Captain should have been the last to leave the ship. The Jury decided by a majority of 8 to 5 that the conduct of Capt. Stuart was blameless.
(The Empire (Sydney NSW))
September 1826
