WILLIAM DUTHIE
Shipbuildervessel built by
DUTHIE
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Shipownervessel built for
DUTHIE
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date1862
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 183' x breadth 34.5' x depth 21'
gross tonnage 968 tons
gross tonnage 968 tons
Object numberABDSHIP000548
Keywords
Fate: Burned in April 1889.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: 2 decks and a poop and top gallant forecastle; 3 masts; shield figurehead.
Crew spaces - deckhouse for seamen, cabins for chief mate, 2nd mate, steward, carpenter and officers' mess.
Owners:
1862: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
John Duthie Jr., Cairnbulg, 16 shares; John Duthie, shipowner, 12 shares; Alexander Duthie Jr., shipmaster, 8 shares; Robert Duthie, shipowner, 8 shares; James Duthie, shipmaster, 8 shares; George Duthie, shipbuilder, 8 shares; Alexander Burnett Whyte, shipowner, 4 shares (all Aberdeen); Eleanor Thomson, Newburgh, widow, 4 shares.
23/12/1865: John Duthie 4 shares - Robert Johnston, shipmaster, Aberdeen.
13/10/1868: On death of George Duthie (27 May 1867) his 4 shares to Robert Johnston.
08/10/1874: David Thompson 2 shares each to Alexander and Robert Duthie (now John Duthie, 8 shares; Alexander Duthie Jr, 10 shares; Robert Duthie, 10 shares; James Duthie, 4 shares; Alexander Burnett Whyte, 2 shares; Eleanor Thomson, 4 shares; Robert Johnston, 8 shares; Alexander Davidson, 2 shares; Matilda Duthie, 16 shares).
11/12/1883: All shares sold to Henry French, Shipowner, Liverpool.
(Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
1884-89: H.W. French
1865-66: Master J. Duthie.
1868-72: Master R. Johnston
1875-76: Master Thompson
1880-84: Master McCallum
1884-89: Master M. Gillen
Voyages (Lloyd's):
1868-72: London - Australia
General History:
One of 5 well known wool clippers launched by Messrs Duthie in 1860s. All called after members of the family. 107 days to Australia 1872.
(Basil Lubbock (1948 edn), "The Colonial Clippers" (James Brown & Son, Glasgow))
21/09/1863:
WILLIAM DUTHIE loading Sydney.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
21/07/1864:
26 June - WILLIAM DUTHIE, Thompson Master, arrived Sydney, 81 days from the Downs.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
20/08/1864:
WILLIAM DUTHIE, Phillips, loading at Sydney for London.
(Sydney Morning Herald).
06/05/1865:
WILLIAM DUTHIE arrived Melbourne, 4 May from London.
(Bendigo Advertiser)
12/08/1865:
Supreme Court, 11 August 1865 - Laing and others v. Robert Johnston, Master of the ship WILLIAM DUTHIE. In May of last year the WILLIAM DUTHIE brought to this colony from London one bale of white blankets and one bale of serge and green baize. Plaintiffs claim that because of improper stowage the bales were chaffed by the iron hoops of barrels and damaged by acid seepage. Defence was that goods were properly stowed and only damage they suffered was through salt water, for which defendent was not liable under his contract. Ship had experienced very bad weather and a good deal of water was shipped. Case continued.
(Melbourne Argus)
23/05/1866:
Sydney, Tuesday - cleared for London, ship WILLIAM DUTHIE, with 2,388 bales wool, 50 bales cotton and 3,596 ounces gold.
(Melbourne Argus)
03/10/1866:
Spoken, 31 July - WILLIAM DUTHIE, Sydney - London, 69 days out, Lat. 11.34 N, Long. 25.47 W (N. Atlantic between West Africa and Brazil).
(Sydney Morning Herald)
16/02/1867:
On her last voyage home from this port WILLIAM DUTHIE had to force her way through icebergs (which have proved fatal to so many gallant vessels). For nearly a week the most incessant watchfulness was displayed by the Captain and officers, who hardly ever left the deck. It was feared ice would cut through her bow and to counteract this an ingenious shield was formed of ropes, spars and canvas, which proved most effectual, one monster serg came into contact with the ship's quarter and crushed one of her timbers, but but she stood it nobly and at length when all hands were almost exhausted with working and watching, clear water was announced.
(Illustrated Sydney News)
01/03/1867:
WILLIAM DUTHIE, Johnson, loading Sydney for London.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
27/02/1868:
Ship's mails for London - by WILLIAM DUTHIE this day at noon, if not under way.
(Sydney Empire)
31/12/1869:
WILLIAM DUTHIE, Johnson, at Sydney loading for London.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
14/01/1871:
WILLIAM DUTHIE, Capt. Johnson, cleared Sydney 13 Jan. for London (sailed 17 Jan.)
(Sydney Morning Herald)
28/02/1873:
WILLIAM DUTHIE sailed 27 February, Sydney, for London.
(Sydney Empire)
24/01/1874:
WILLIAM DUTHIE, Thompson, arrived Sydney 24 Dec. from London, she took her final departure from England 23 Sept., had light winds to equator, which was crossed on 31st day out in Longitude 30 West (off N.W. coast of Brazil). From thence 36 days to meridian of Cape of Good Hope, light S.E. trade winds prevailing. When off the Cape had 6 days of easterly winds during which time ship made comparatively no progress. Ran down the easting in 45 degrees south, with westerly winds prevailing. Passed S.W. Cape of Tasmania on 22 [?] ship brings a full cargo of general merchandise, also 27 valuable dogs. 15 of those originally shipped died and there has been a litter of 8 during passage.
(Sydney Empire)
18/03/1874:
WILLIAM DUTHIE, Capt. Thomson, cleared Sydney for London, 17 March.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
30/11/1875:
WILLIAM DUTHIE, London-Sydney, passed Cape Otway, 82 days out. All well.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
02/07/1879:
Exchequer Division of High Court of Justice, City of London, Plaintiffs (Duthie & Co., owners of sailing ship WILLIAM DUTHIE) argued that defendents, Watt, Milburn & Co. (owners of steamship HANKOW) had got hold of 14 bales of wool which did not belong to them and had sold them. Both vessels were laden with wool at Sydney at same time by same Stevadore, Flood & Co., who received the wool from the run, pressed it and stowed it aboard the vessels. Out of a lot of 16 bales only 2 were placed on WILLIAM DUTHIE and 14 on HANKOW. Judgement given defendents should pay £317.16.7 to plaintiffs.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
17/11/1879:
The fine barque NAUTILUS which arrived Sydney 9th inst., had an opportunity of showing her sailing qualities on her passage. The NAUTILUS was in company with the large clipper ship WILLIAM DUTHIE. But getting a steady working wind she sailed clean away from the ship, leaving her out of sight dead to leeward and arrived at Sydney some hours before her.
(Hobart Mercury)
17/08/1883:
WILLIAM DUTHIE arrived London 15 Aug., from Sydney 20 April.
(S. Australian Register)
Note: Barque rigged 1884
