ROTTERDAM PACKET

Shipbuildervessel built by Alexander HALL & Co. (Footdee, Aberdeen)

Date17 May 1816

Object NameSMACK

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 65'8" x breadth 20'10" x depth 12'4"
Gross Tonnage: 112 ton

Object numberABDSHIP000902

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Hall & Co.
Yard Number: 17

Fate: Wrecked on Haisboro Sand, Yarmouth, 24 December 1842.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Smack rigged, 1 deck, 1 mast, running bowsprit, square stern, carvel built, no figurehead.

Owners:
1825: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners; Aberdeen Leith and Clyde Shipping Co. of Aberdeen, all 64 shares.
by trustees: Alex Brown, John Catto, Rob Catto.
14/04/1842: Ship sold to George Thomson, shipmaster.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives) no. 52, 1825)
[The register only starts in 1825, but Lloyd's consistently lists the owner as Aberdeen Shipping Co. from 1818 to 1832]

Masters:
1818-32: Master Alexander McDonald.
1834-41: Master Henderson
1841-42: Master Thompson

Voyages (from Lloyd's underwriters):
1818-23: Leith - Aberdeen
1824-25: London - Rotterdam
1826-27: Leith - Rotterdeam
1828-32: London - Rotterdam
1834-41: Aberdeen - Rotterdam
1841-42: Aberdeen - the Baltic

General History:
12/06/1816:
Rotterdam Traders - Aberdeen, Leith and Clyde Shipping Co. beg leave to inform that, in addition to Edinburgh Packet, employed on Aberdeen - Rotterdam trade for last 18 months, they have built the fine smack ROTTERDAM PACKET and intend employing both vessels in the trade. ROTTERDAM PACKET can carry gin and other spirits. She has 10 beds for passengers. She will sail regularly every month, whether filled with goods or not. Master is Capt. MacDonald and she will sail from Aberdeen 13 June. Freight of goods 45 per barrel bulk, flax 25 per mat, cabin passengers £3.35.
(Aberdeen Journal)

17/03/1817:
Smack ROTTERDAM PACKET, Rotterdam - Leith, for whose safety considerable apprehension entertained, arrived Aberdeen Bay 8 days from Ago [Sweden], whether she had been driven after 5 weeks at sea in most tempestuous weather.
(Caledonian Mercury)

18/02/1818:
Sailed from Aberdeen 11 Feb., ROTTERDAM PACKET, MacDonald, for Sunderland with goods.
(Aberdeen Journal)

25/12/1822:
Letters from Rotterdam suggest winter set in some severity and ROTTERDAM PACKET, fully loaded, frozen in. But postscript suggests milder weather, from which expected she might still get away.
(Aberdeen Journal)

18/01/1826:
ROTTERDAM PACKET, Hossack, loading [at] Amsterdam.
(Aberdeen Journal)

10/12/1827:
Aberdeen, 3 December - Tremendous easterly storms. ROTTERDAM PACKET, in standing into harbour, was struck by large sea, which laid her on her beam eands. Crew took to rigging except for 2 men lashed to helm and were nearly swept away. Trysail and jib were split into 1000 pieces, carrying away foresheet, by which, foresail being loose, vessel providentially righted. After some time, in great danger, the harbour was reached.
(The Standard (London))

03/06/1829:
29 May - ROTTERDAM PACKET, Law, sailed Aberdeen for Rotterdam.
(Aberdeen Journal)

07/03/1832:
[advertisement] ROTTERDAM PACKET, James Henderson master, presently lying Rotterdam. Those intending to import spring seeds or other goods by her requested to forward order immediately as she remains there only short time. The quaratine [against cholera?] being now taken off. She will have no delay on homeward voyage.
(Aberdeen Journal)

11/05/1836:
Arrived ROTTERDAM PACKET, Henderson, from Rottterdam.
(Aberdeen Journal)

22/11/1838:
ROTTERDAM PACKET, Henderson, sailed Grangemouth 13 November for Rotterdam with pig iron.
(Caledonian Mercury)

06/03/1839:
ROTTERDAM PACKET, Henderson, sailed 28 Feb. for Lerwick.
(Aberdeen Journal)

12/02/1840:
ROTTERDAM PACKET, Daniel, sailed Aberdeen for Rotterdam
(Aberdeen Journal)

27/04/1842:
ROTTERDAM PACKET, Thomson, sailed Aberdeen for Grangemouth.
Aberdeen Journal

02/121842:
ROTTERDAM PACKET, Thompson, of Aberdeen, was lost upon Haisbro' Sand Thursday morning last; the crew were taken board the Royal Victoria (s), and landed at Leith.
Hull Packet