CITY OF ABERDEEN

Shipbuildervessel built by DUTHIE (Footdee, Aberdeen)

Shipownervessel built for James Tulloch

DateJanuary 1862

Object NameCLIPPER

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 154' x breadth 29' x depth 18'
tonnage 551 tons

Object numberABDSHIP000546

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: William Duthie jr., Inches, Aberdeen.
Official Number: 43558
Subsequent Names: LOUIS (1889)

Fate: Abandoned in the North Atlantic c. 200 miles south of St. Johns, Newfoundland, 20 March 1893.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper, 1 deck and a poop deck, 3 masts, round stern, carvel built, no galleries, shield figurehead.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))

Owners:
1864-78: James Tulloch jr., registered at Aberdeen
1878-84: McIlwriath MacEacharn & Co. [The Scottish Line], registered at London.
1885: T. Rhys, registered at London
1887-88: C. W. Polkinghorne, registered at London
1889-90: Actieskelskabet "Louis" (H. Corniliussen), registered at Laurvig, Norway.
1892-93: P. Semb., registered at Laurvig, Norway

Masters:
1864-65: Master A. Taylor
1866-69: Master W. Gerrie
1869-72: Master A. Clarke
1873-79: Master G. Scales
1880-81: Master J. Fraser
1882-84: Master T. Routledge
1885: Master Haynes
1887: Master Morris
1887-88: Master Hayes
1888-90: Master Corniliussen
1892-93: Master J. Hansen

Voyages (Lloyd's):
1864-65: London - China
1866-68: London - Australia
1869: London - China
1869-70: Cork - Australia
1871-72: Shields - London
1873: London - India

General History:
08/01/1862:
'She is fitted up with the latest patents, including Cunningham's reefing topsail, patent distilling apparatus.' 'To be commanded by Captain Taylor, formerly of the Margaret Edward.'
(Aberdeen Journal)

19/02/1862:
Marriage - at Bon Accord, Cove, Nigg, Alexander H. Taylor, commander of ship CITY OF ABERDEEN, to Jean Fettes, 2nd daughter of John Hector, esq., Cove.
(Aberdeen Journal)

05/11/1863:
Hong Kong & Whampoa - to sail punctually 1 Dec., magnificent Aberdeen built clipper ship CITY OF ABERDEEN, A1 14 years, 551 tons register, A. H. Taylor commander, loading in East India docks. This splendid vessel, built last year by Messrs. John Duthie sons & Co., especially for the China trade, is unequalled by any vessel now loading for her high class & model. Has magnificent accommodation.
(Daily News (London))

02/11/1870:
Ship CITY OF ABERDEEN, Clarke, on voyage from Sydney N.S.W. for Shanghai, touched on a coral reef in the pacific. She has been in dry-dock and one length of her keel was found to be off & a few sheets of metal ripped. Same has been renewed & the vessel placed afloat again.
(Dundee Courier)

Voyages 1877-81
23/02/1877-04/03/1878: London - Shanghai - Nagasaki - Shanghai - London. Captain George Scale [26415]. First mate James Fraser [92418] Aberdeen. Second mate James Thom [02682] Aberdeen.
01/05/1878-03/09/1878: London to Cleveland Bay, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Captain George Scale. First mate James Fraser.
16/10/1878-02/08/1879: Townsville - Newcastle NSW - Colombo - Galle - Colombo - London. Captain George Scale, First Mate James Fraser.
09/09/1879-14/06/1880: London - Rockhampton - London. Carried twelve passengers. Captain James Fraser, First mate John Dowll, Shetland.
15/08/1880-01/12/1880: London to Brisbane. Captain James Fraser.
08/02/1881-01/06/1881: Brisbane to London. Captain James Fraser.
(Details courtesy of Mr G. Fraser Morrison great grandson of the above Captain James Fraser)

28/04/1883:
London - ship CITY OF ABERDEEN, bound Calcutta - London, collided at midnight on Tuesday with ship BRITISH COMMERCE, 1470 tons, bound London - Melbourne. Weather was thick at the time of collision. BRITISH COMMERCE sank immediately, 25 persons on board being drowned. The captain & Boatswain were saved by clamboring aboard CITY OF ABERDEEN, which was severely injured & towed into Portsmouth. [Thus collision was in the English Channel]
(Maitland Mercury (NSW))

27/03/1893:
LOUIS. Glasgow, March 23. Messrs. Donaldson Brothers' agents at Portland (Me.) cable that their steamer ALCIDES, which has arrived there, picked up and landed at that port the whole crew of the barque LOUIS, of Laurvig, which was abandoned at sea.
(Lloyd's List)

04/04/1893:
LOUIS.— Portland, Me., March 23.—Steamer ALCIDES, at this port, from Glasgow, landed crew of Norwegian barque LOUIS, from Halifax for Barry, which was abandoned waterlogged on March 20, 43 N, 53 W.
(Lloyd's List)

Notes:
05/01/1877: altered to barque rig. (Aberdeen Register)