WINDSOR CASTLE
Shipbuildervessel built by
DUTHIE
(Footdee, Aberdeen)
DateDecember 1869
Object NameCLIPPER
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 198' x breadth 35.3' x depth 20.6'
gross tonnage 979 tons
gross tonnage 979 tons
Object numberABDSHIP000563
Keywords
Official Number: 60698
Subsequent Names: LUMBERMAN'S LASSIE (1888)
Fate: Broken up at Sydney, NSW, 1895.
Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged clipper, 3 masts, 2 decks, raised quarter deck 78', forecastle 38'.
Owners:
1869-88: D. Rose & Co., registered at Aberdeen
1888-95: John Rust & Son, York Street, registered at Aberdeen.
Masters:
1870-75: Master Cargill
1876-82: Master A. D. Fernie
1884: Master J. Milne
1885: Master A. Meston
1886-87: Master McDonald
1887-90: Master Masson
1891-94: Master J. Stewart
Voyages (Lloyd's):
1870-71: Aberdeen - Australia
1872: Dartmouth - Australia
1873: London - Australia
General History:
The next Duthie ship was the ABERGELDIE, of 1,152 tons. She was their first ship with iron in her composition, having iron beams. [...] Duthie's WINDSOR CASTLE made many fine passages both out and hoe, her best known commander being Captain Fernie.
After being sold her name was changed to LUNBERMAN'S LASSIE, and under this name, she was for many years a well known colonial trader, and finally a coal hulk.
(Basil Lubbock (1948) "The Colonial Clippers" (Brown, Son & Ferguson, Glasgow), p. 120)
27/12/1871:
Intelligence received at Portsmouth of very serious casualty about 20 miles off St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight, between 11 and 12 o'clock Friday night, which resulted in foundering of a French ship and loss of 17 lives after collision with a ship, name unknown. It appears it was Aberdeen ship WINDSOR CASTLE in collision with French ship COSTA RICA and left her in disabled state without rendering any assistance. We print reports from Master, Mate and passengers of WINDSOR CASTLE in which allegation of carelessness on her part is very emphatically denied.
(Aberdeen Journal)
23/12/1871:
Extract from letter to owners of WINDSOR CASTLE from its Master, Capt. Cargill, from Dartmouth, where he had put in for repairs:- "I was on deck at the time and saw a vessel on the port tack [...] finding he was coming right for us hailed him repeatedly, but he paid no attention and immediately struck us abreast main hatch, carrying away 30ft. of main rail, tearing sails and carrying away portion of rigging [...] after getting wreck and braces clear [...] I tacked and tried to find the vessel but could see nothing of her".
(Glasgow Herald)
23/12/1871:
Letter from J. Alexander Bell and George Leslie, passengers on WINDSOR CASTLE. "The story by some of survivors of COSTA RICA and by Capt. Rook is almost in every detail utterly untrue. We were on deck throughout. So far as we understand the rule of the road, Capt. Cargill neglected no precaution to avert the collision. The French vessel bore steadily down upon us and although hailed in time made no sign of any kind but ran into us amid ships. There was no one seen on the deck of the COSTA RICA. It took some little time to get the WINDSOR CASTLE under command again. But then the Captain stood round to look for the other and stayed about the place for some considerable time. It was not possible to get out our boats as they were on the skids and our men were so fully occupied with the work wrought by the COSTA RICA on their own ship.
(Hampshire Telegraph)
13/01/1872:
Burning down of ship COSTA RICA - Board of Trade enquiry into collision in English Channel 15 December: Court have not slightest hesitation in acquitting Master of WINDSOR CASTLE of all blame in collision with the COSTA RICA. WINDSOR CASTLE being on starboard tack and COSTA RICA on port tack, it became well-known duty of COSTA RICA to keep clear of her. Admitted by her crew she saw red light of WINDSOR CASTLE in sufficient time. Court quite satisfied there was no wilful lack of rendering assistance to COSTA RICA and that any failure to do so may, under special circumstances of difficulty, be reasonably excused. Court makes no observation as to mode in which boats were kept on WINDSOR CASTLE as they consider this subject not within province of present enquiry.
(Manchester Times)
25/02/1885
WINDSOR CASTLE, ship of Aberdeen, spoken 6 February. 29N, 19W (Wear Madeira)
(Dundee Courier)
05/10/1887
WINDSOR CASTLE, of Aberdeen, McDonald master. Arrived at Sundawall [Sweden] 1 October.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
11/11/1887
Ship WINDSOR CASTLE arrived Aberdeen last night from Sandswall with cargo of timber. While being towed into Victoria dock, she struck the point of the drawbridge at south side of entrance. Rebounding, she came into violent contact with the railing, which was broken in 3 places, because of delay tide had gone out and she had insufficient water to berth at Provost Blaikie's Quay and grounded about a dozen yards from quay. She has encountered a succession of gales after leaving Sandswall 22 October. At south end of Gotland she had to heave to on account of water she was making on 2 November. She had to be towed into Malmo Roads, heavy E N E gales across North Sea and on several occasions she was hove to. On Outward voyage she was twice in collision, but escaped almost without injury. She carries a crew of 17.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
13/12/1887:
New Aberdeen Graving Dock had been closed for last few months because of frequent leakages caused by problems with concrete. Harbour board agreed dock could be used by WINDSOR CASTLE if proper precautions taken by covering leaks with plaster.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal) (also 22/12/1887)
11/12/1888:
During first week of January, Graving Dock was temporarily reopened for re-caulking and re-coppering John Rust & Sons large sailing ship WINDSOR CASTLE (now renamed LUMBERMAN'S LASSIE). Work done by Messrs J. Duthie, Sons & Co.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
Vessel sold at Port of Sydney, New South Wales to be broken up, 3 August 1895 - Registration certificate cancelled in Aberdeen.
(Source: Aberdeen Shipping Register (Aberdeen City Archives))
March 1869
