Skip to main content
ALEXANDER NICOL
ALEXANDER NICOL
ALEXANDER NICOL

ALEXANDER NICOL

Shipbuilder (Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date1876
Object NameSCHOONER
MediumIRON
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 126'5" x breadth 25'2" x depth 13'9"
registered tonnage 266 tons
Object numberABDSHIP000572
About MeYard: John Duthie, Sons & Co.
Yard Number: 159
Official Number: 70448
Subsequent Names: ATTILA

Fate: burnt at Itapoá, Santa Catarina, Brazil, 28 May 1918.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Schooner rigged, 1 deck, 3 masts, round stern, clencher built, no gallery, male bust, iron framework.

Owners:
1877-1909: Aberdeen Lime Company, registered at Aberdeen
1909-18: Baine, Johnston & Co., registered at Greenock and then St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Masters:
1877: Master J. Archibald
1878-79: Master W. Joss
1879-80: Master R. Crombie
1880-85: Master A. Donald
1885-88: Master Watt
1888-92: Master C. L. Crawford
1892-94: Master C. D. Watt
1894-1903: Master J. Johnston
1903-09: Master G. Forbes
1913-14: Master S. C. Johnson
1915-17: Master S. N. Halfyard
1917-18: Master W. Kennedy

General History:
15/06/1878:
Narrow escape of schooner at Aberdeen Harbour - 3 masted schooner ALEXANDER NICOL (Capt. Jones) left harbour in tow of tug BRITANNIA (Capt. Watson) for London with stones. At the bar she slipped the tow rope and drifted towards the beacons. As it was impossible to haul in tow rope in time, crew of tug threw another line and towed her back into harbour.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

03/06/1884:
ALEXANDER NICOL at Gibraltar 1 June from Zanzibar - all well.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

06/02/1885:
ALEXANDER NICOL, Aberdeen - London with stones, collided with schooner GREENWICH about 8 miles off Spurn Head [Humber]. ALEXANDER NICOL, which was run into amidships, had 2 plates broken, mizenmast sprung, decks started and damage to rigging, sails, etc. Crew left her after collision, but soon returned and found she had 4 ft. water in her. After throwing some cargo overboard they made for Humber and assisted by tug CONQUEROR came into Grimsby Dock. She is property of Aberdeen Lime Co. and was built on an improved model in 1876.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

16/11/1885:
ALEXANDER NICOL collided with CORTON LIGHTSHIP near Great Yarmouth, doing serious damage to LIGHTSHIP, which had to be towed to Gt. Yarmouth for repairs. ALEXANDER NICOL proceeded.
(Freeman's Journal)

16/06/1887:
Aberdeen Lime Co. received telegram from London from Capt. Watt, ALEXANDER NICOL - "Have been in collision with S.S. CHELSEA in Lower Hope, London. Cause of collision - steamer starboarded her helm". ALEXANDER NICOL was carrying cargo of stones from Mr. John Fyfe, Granite Merchant, Aberdeen to London firm.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

17/06/1887:
Superior weight of steamer smashed ALEXANDER NICOL'S figurehead to atoms and injured her bows. Will be surveyed today, but is not expected to be more than a few days in getting fit for sea.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

06/03/1891:
Shipping trade dispute, arrival of non-union men at Aberdeen: a crew for schooner ALEXANDER NICOL, which was lying at the buoys, was made up from newcomers in the sailor's home. Under escort of 12 policemen with drawn batons they were marched to quay through hissing crowd and efforts to keep them back. They were rowed to their vessel.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

Burnt as the ATTILA, 28 May 1918 at Itapoa, carrying cargo of tobacco. (https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?208680)
The Smithfield
DUTHIE
1842
Alexander HALL & Co.
February 1878
SCOTTISH MAID
Alexander HALL & Co.
1839
LEUCADIA
Walter Hood & Co.
1870
b/w photograph of clipper ship 'yalaroi'
Alexander HALL & Co.
1885
ANN LAW
15 February 1858
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
1878
ARDOE
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
1880
Alexander HALL & Co.
September 1873
Aberdeen White Star Line (George Thompson & Co)
August 1879
WATERLOO
28 July 1815
'Cimba'  - a three-masted ship
Walter Hood & Co.
1878
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
1879
ABERDONIAN
Alexander HALL & Co.
1840
TARTAR
Alexander HALL & Co.
June 1840
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
1881
UMVOTI
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
19 October 1869
LUNA
Walter Hood & Co.
1848
SEATON
Walter Hood & Co.
August 1847
PLOUGHMAN
Walter Hood & Co.
November 1867