ABERGELDIE

Shipbuildervessel built by DUTHIE (Footdee, Aberdeen)

Shipownervessel built for DUTHIE (Footdee, Aberdeen)

DateApril 1869

Object NameCLIPPER

MediumWOOD; Teak

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 218' x breadth 37' x depth 21'
gross tonnage 1152 tons

Object numberABDSHIP000562

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: John Duthie, Sons & Co.
Official Number: 60693

Fate: sunk by collision, at Laeso Trindel, Kattegat, 1 November 1889.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: 2 decks and a break, 3 masts, ship rigged, round stern, carvel built, no gallery, demi male figurehead, wood framework.

Owners:
18/05/1869: Registered at Aberdeen for owners;
John Duthie, gentleman, 8 shares; James Duthie, shipmaster 8 shares; Alexander & Robert Duthie, shipbuilders, 4 shares each; James & David Monro; shipowners, jointly 12 shares; Alexander Burnett Whyte, merchant, 4 shares; Robert Williams, merchant, 4 shares; Alexander Eddie, shipowner, 2 shares; John Simpson, accountant, 2 shares; Mary Sutherland, spinster, 4 shares; Alexander Sutherland, a minor, 4 shares [all Aberdeen]; Richard Searle, shipowner, 4 shares; Charles Pannel, gentleman, 4 shares [both Middlesex].
03/1884: Owners now James Duthie, 8 shares; Alexander Duthie, 10 shares; Robert Duthie, 8 shares; David Monro, 4 shares; Alexander Eddie, 2 shares; Richard Searle, 4 shares; Alexander Davidson, 4 shares; Matilda Duthie, 8 shares; William Cargill, 2 shares; James Sutherland, 8 shares; Joseph Thomas East, 2 shares; William Gray, 4 shares.
27/04/1870: Monro joint owners sell 4 shares to Isaac Jolly, merchant, Aberdeen.
04/01/1871: Alexander Whyte sells 4 shares to Alexander Davidson, advocate, Aberdeen.
05/02/1872: John Duthie dies, Matilda Duthie, Aberdeen, inherits 8 shares.
25/09/1872: Charles Pannell dies, executor appointed sells 4 shares to Charles Pannell, Ship broker, Great St. Helens, London.
28/05/1873: John Simpson sells 2 shares to Alexander Duthie.
25/03/1873: Robert Williams dies intestate, 4 shares to Ann Gordon, Aberdeen.
16/10/1873: Ann Gordon sells 4 shares to Alexander and Robert Duthie.
16/12/1875: Mary Sutherland sells 4 shares to James Sutherland, shipowner, Aberdeen.
14/11/1876: Charles Pannell adjudged bankrupt. Trustee appointed.
(Aberdeen Register of Ships (Aberdeen City Archives))
1889: J. Rust & Son, Aberdeen (Lloyd's)

Masters:
1870-72: Master J. Duthie
1873-77: Master W. Robertson
1878-80: Master W. Miller
1881-83: Master Crombie
1884-85: Master Johnston
1887-88: Master A. Levie
1889: Master W. Renant

Voyages (Lloyd's):
1870: Aberdeen - Australia
1871-73: London - Australia

General History:
Many of Duthie's wooden ships in 1860s were in the 950-1150 tons range, such as [...] ABERGELDIE and WINDSOR CASTLE. These were lofty ships, setting skysails on each mast above single topgallants and double topsails.
(David R. MacGregor, (1984) 'Merchant Sailing Ships 1850-1875' (Conway Maritime, London) p. 148)

28/04/1869:
Launch - On Monday, there was a launched from the building yard of Messrs Duthie, Footdee, a fine clipped ship of 1179 tons register. Her dimensions are - length 218 feet, breadth of beam 37 feet, depth of hold 21 feet. She took the water in fine style, and was named the ABERGELDIE by Mr A. Duthie. The ABERGELDIE is intended for the Australian trade, and is to be commanded by Captain James Duthie. She is classed A1 for 14 years at Lloyd's.
(Aberdeen Journal)

18/05/1869:
Clipper Race from Aberdeen to London - Two fine clippers set sail from this port for London on Thursday afternoon, almost simultaneously. They were the ABERGELDIE, built by Messrs Duthie, and the CENTURION, built by Messrs Walter Hood and Company, both of which were launched a short time ago. The ABERGELDIE under command of Captain Howling, her own master no having yet joined the ship, was towed out of the dock first, and left the harbour amid enthusiastic cheering from the shore, a hearty response coming from those on board. The CENTURION, Captain Mitchell, followed in a few minutes, and was likewise cheered as she passed the dock gates. A considerable crowd had assembled on the pier-head for the purpose of seeing the vessels spread their sails to the wind, which was very favourable, and no little interest was manifested in the race to London. We have received information that the ABERGELDIE was docked at London "all well", on Monday morning at 3:20am, at which time the CENTURION had not arrived.
(Aberdeen Free Press)

12/12/1870:
Ship ABERGELDIE, from London for Sydney, was signalled yesterday. All well.
(Sydney Empire)

10/07/1872:
Off Torbay 4 July clipper ship ABERGELDIE, Robertson, from London for Sydney, Landed Pilot.
(Aberdeen Journal)

03/09/1873:
To be sold by public roup 24 Sept. at 22 Belmont St., Aberdeen, four sixty fourths of the substantial and fast sailing vessel "ABERGELDIE" of Aberdeen.
[08/10/1873: Upset price reduced to £850].
(Aberdeen Journal)

08/11/1875:
Ship ABERGELDIE returned to port last evening disabled after leaving Sydney Heads Monday. She had moderate weather till late Tuesday, when furious gale suddenly broke from SW, throwing ship on her beam ends. Foremast main top, top gallant mast, fore and main top gallant yards and royal yards were all carried away. Crew at once set to cut away wreckage, she ran before westerly gales. EWE winds commenced Thursday and Sydney Head light was sighted 7pm Friday. She will resume her voyage to London in about 10 days.
(Sydney Evening News)

14/11/1879:
Report of the HURON from Antofagusta [Chile] at Falmouth. On 25 October a boat from the ship ABERGELDIE from Sydney for London came alongside and reported that the ship had been on fire four days and requested us to stand by them until the hatches were opened to see if the fire was out. HURON stood by till 5pm on 27th when they signalled "all danger over and fire extinguished".
(Liverpool Mercury)

11/02/1884:
A Lloyd's telegram announces that the ship "ABERGELDIE" of Aberdeen has put back to Sydney in a disabled condition. Her foremast was sprung and she had lost main topgallant yard, fore topsail yard and some sails and spars. She will probably repair afloat without discharging. Cost of repairs is estimated at £800.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

14/02/1885:
As some return for the kindness shown them during their stay in Sydney, Captain and Mrs Johnston of ship ABERGELDIE, lying at the Circular Quay, gave a dance aboard. About 60 persons were present, the gentlemen being principally representatives of the shipping interests of the port. Vessel was handsomely decorated with flags and evergreens, and the deck, over which an awning had been spread, made a capital ballroom. Dancing to an excellent string band started shortly after 8pm and was kept up until the early hours.
(Australian Town & County Journal)

28/12/1888:
ABERGELDIE arrives 97 days out. Captain Levie reports she left South Dock 21 September and passed start point 23 September. On 5 October, got NE trades in latitude 35 N. 6 October, passed Madeira. 12 October, lost NE trades in 19 N. Light variable winds to Equator, passed 31 October. 2 November, fell in with SE trades, which continued until 30 S. 23 November, passed Meridian of Cape of Good Hope, had fine moderate westerly winds all the way to Cape Leeuwin 13 December, Bass Straits 22 December, and Cape Howe 23 December.
(Sydney Morning Herald)

14/08/1889:
Ship ABERGELDIE, from Sydney, arrived London 12 August. She sailed from Sydney 23 April with general cargo and about 1000 bales wool.
(Sydney Morning Herald)

15/10/1889:
Ship ABERGELDIE of Aberdeen collided with barge ALDBOROUGH, with lime, off Barking, River Thames. Barge had rigging damaged. ABERGELDIE grounded, but floated at high water and proceeded in tow.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

04/11/1889:
Loss of an Aberdeen Sailing Vessel - Yesterday a Lloyd's telegram from Christiansand was received in Aberdeen to the effect that the sailing vessel ABERGELDIE of this port, Lawrie, master, bound from London for Sundsvall with iron, was sunk after collision with the steamer EDEN of West Hartlepool (Captain Fawitt). The S.S. EDEN managed to rescue the crew of the ABERGELDIE, 18 in number, and afterwards landed them in Mandal. The ABERGELDIE, which is a vessel of 1151 tons register, was built in Aberdeen in 1869 by Messrs J. Duthie, Sons and Co., Footdee, and was an exceptionally strong ship, one of the most costly wooden vessels ever built in Aberdeen. The wood of which she was composed was nearly all teak, she being also fitted with and iron hold and deck beam. About two years ago she was reclassed to No.A1 survey at Lloyd's for eleven years. Up to within three months ago the ABERGELDIE was the property of her builders, Messrs J. Duthie, Sons & Co., when she was purchased by Messrs J. Rust & Sons, timber merchants. Owing to the vessel being at the time of purchase in the London docks, and the "Dockers" coming out on strike, it was found impossible to get her cargo discharged until about a month ago, at which date she was formally handed over to the Messrs Rust. Only about three weeks ago the same vessel collided with the barge ALDBOROUGH off Barking, on the river Thames. Though the ABERGELDIE at that time took the ground, she was got off at high water with very little damage. After undergoing the necessary repairs, she sailed from London on 23rd October for Sundsvall and Melbourne, and it was while off the Norwegian coast that the present collision occurred. Several of the crew, it is stated, belong to Aberdeen.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

13/11/1889:
Ship ABERGELDIE changed hands on her arrival in London last voyage and was chartered to load timber in Sweden for Adelaide. She sailed from London in ballast, and all went well until nearly across the North Sea, when she collided with a vessel whose name is unknown and foundered immediately. She was formerly one of the famous Duthie line, was a regular wool trader to Sydney, and was well known for her fast passages under Captains Robertson, Crombie and Johnston. No information to hand of safety of crew.
(Newcastle [NSW] Morning Herald)