CATTOFIELD

Shipbuildervessel built by DUTHIE (Footdee, Aberdeen)

Shipownervessel built for James Aiken Jr.

DateMay 1866

Object NameBARQUE

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 155.9 x breadth 27' x depth 17'
gross tonnage 450 tons

Object numberABDSHIP000555

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: John Duthie, Sons & Co.

Fate: burnt and exploded off Tristan de Cunha, 25 August 1868.

Propultion: Sail
Description: barque rigged, 1 deck, 3 masts, shield figurehead.

Owners:
12/06/1866: Registered at Aberdeen for owners;
James Aitken jr., shipowner, 28 shares; Robert Catto jr., shipowner, 28 shares; William Elliott, shipmaster, 4 shares; (All Aberdeen)
21/08/1867: James Aitken and Robert Catto 2 shares each to John Catto, shipowner, Aberdeen.
14/04/1868: James Aitken jr. 26 shares to Bank of Scotland, Mortgage to secure £2,500.
29/05/1868: Mortgage £2,500 Bank of Scotland to Commercial Bank of Scotland.
07/12/1868: Vessel lost by fire off Tristan de Cunha, 25 August 1868.
(Aberdeen Register of Ships (Aberdeen City Archives))

Master:
1867-68: Master W. Elliott.

General History:
15/02/1868:
Strong gale at Mauritius 3 January. In the harbour 2 vessels were driven ashore. 4 vessels anchored at entrance to harbour were obliged to put to sea. CATTOFIELD has returned without damage.
(Adelaide Observer)

26/10/1868:
CATTOFIELD sailed from Leith 22 June for Penang with cargo of coals. 23 August a few miles to north of Tristan da Cunha the ship was discovered to be on fire. Flames had so much hold of the vessel that it was impossible to address their progress. On 24 August Captain decided on abandoning ship & succeeded in saving ships papers & chronometers and clothing of the crew (numbering 16). Within half an hour of abandonment a tremendous explosion took place & flames were seen rising from all her hatchways. Happily about 2 hours later the boats fell in with the ship GLENLYON, of Quebec. The men were taken aboard, hospitably received and kindly treated by Capt. Makenzie. After rounding Cape of Good Hope he intended running for Mauritius, but on 11 Sept. off Cape St. Francis sighted a barque ALETHEIA (for Dundee) and crew were by Capt. Daniel's consent transferred to his vessel & brought to Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth, S. Africa).
(Dundee Courier & Argus)