BOLIVAR

Shipbuildervessel built by DUTHIE (Footdee, Aberdeen)

Shipownervessel built for James Aiken Jr.

Date1858

Object NameBRIG

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 102.45' x breadth 23.25' x depth 12.95'
gross tonnage 197 tons

Object numberABDSHIP000527

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Duthie & Co.

Fate: wrecked Colon, Panama, 22 November 1862

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Brig rigged, 1 deck and a break, 2 masts, round stern, carvel built, no galleries, shield figurehead.

Owners:
1858: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
James Aiken Jnr., shipowner, 36 shares; John Catto, shipowner, 16 shares; James Watson, shipowner, 12 shares, all Aberdeen.
07/05/1858: James Aiken sells 2 shares to John Simpson, Aberdeen, clerk to Messers
Alexander Duthie & Co; 8 shares to Robert Innes, Aberdeen, shipowner; 4 shares to James Williamson, Aberdeen, shipowner; 4 shares to George Murray, Aberdeen, shipowner
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))

Masters:
1859-63: Master J. Watson

Voyages (Lloyd's register):
1859-62: Liverpool
1863: London - Colon

General History:
02/04/1862:
BOLIVAR, Watson, Left Liverpool, 22 March, for Aspinwall.
(Aberdeen Journal)

09/07/1862:
BOLIVAR, Watson, at Aspinwall, 8th May, from Liverpool, and left 20th, for Savinalla.
(Aberdeen Journal)

27/08/1862:
BOLIVAR, Watson, at London, 20th do., from Colon and Savinalla.
(Aberdeen Journal)

27/12/1862:
The Late Gale at Colon
Panama, Nov. 27. Probably the severest gale ever experienced at Aspinwall was felt Friday and Saturday the 21st and inst. The gale commenced about midnight, and by daybreak the British brig BOLIVAR was reported a total wreck, having gone on reef, and was soon followed the Royal Mail Companv’s steamer AVON, also reported a wreck, the crew having escaped to the shore by ropes, after using all possible exertions to save the ship
(Bell's Weekly Messenger)

There is some conflict over this loss, as another BOLIVAR, port of registry Dundee with 303 tons was reported lost by the Dundee Courier in November of 1862 after not being heard from since December 1861.
30/12/1862
Some doubt is entertained in Dundee as to whether the BOLIVAR was really lost at Colon, reported by the last West Indian mail. The barque BOLIVAR of Dundee left Demerara in November 1801, and has not been heard of since the end of December that year. The friends of the crew in Dundee gave up all hopes of their relatives, and assumed mourning for them. As the telegraph announced the loss of the brig BOLIVAR and the [Dundee] vessell known to be lost was a barque, it is thought there is some error as to the name or the port
(Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands)

03/01/1863:
The wreck of the British brig BOLIVAR was to be sold at Colon on the 4th
(Bell's Weekly Messenger)