ST. NICHOLAS

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

Date1834

Object NameBRIGANTINE

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 73' x breadth 21'1 1/2" x depth 13'2"
gross tonnage 140 40/94 tons

Object numberABDSHIP000949

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Hall & Co
Yard Number: 63

Fate: wrecked in Aberdeen Bay, 8 February 1859.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Brigantine rigged, 1 deck, 2 masts, standing bowsprit, square sterned, carvel built, 1 gallery, figurehead of woman bust.

Owners:
16/01/834: Certificate issued for owners Donaldson Rose and James Horn, merchants and John Morgan, shipmaster and master of vessel.
Registration of the ST. NICHOLAS cancelled having been wrecked in Aberdeen Bay, 8th February 1859.
Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives).
1849-55: Owner, Maitland (Lloyd's)

Masters:
1834-48: Master John Morgan
1849-51: Master G. Walker,
1852-55: Master J. Lyon

Voyages (from Lloyds register)
1834-35: Aberdeen - Quebec.
1836-38: Aberdeen - New Brunswick.
1838-39: Aberdeen - Memel
1841-42: Aberdeen - 'Rstgch' (possibly Restigouche, New Brunswick)
1843-44: Aberdeen
1849-51: Aberdeen - Newcastle
1852-53: Aberdeen - the Baltic.

General History:
25/10/1848:
After steamer VELOCITY was wrecked entering Aberdeen Harbour and her wreck was floating in the channel, leading lights were turned off to prevent other vessels trying to enter at tide time. One vessel did come in, the brig ST. NICHOLAS, of Aberdeen, from Newcastle. It appears she made the bay in the evening and, despite seeing the lights out, the captain decided to run for the harbour. There being no lights and the night very dark, the ship got close to the breakwater before her real position and danger were discovered. Finding it impossible to lay up to the channel, and being on a lee shore, the vessel was sheared off and took the ground at high water without damage. A cry was got up for the lifeboat, but in the judgement of experienced men, the crew were not considered to be in danger and, as the vessel had come ashore at the top of the tide, it was concluded that they might land in their own boat or walk ashore as the water fell. This was effected and crew got ashore safely at 3a.m. The ST. NICHOLAS is coal laden and is expected to be got off when her cargo is removed.
(Aberdeen Journal)

The brig ST NICHOLAS was wrecked in Aberdeen Bay 8/2/1859, cargo coal, Captain Smith.
(Source: Ian G. Whittaker (1998), "Off Scotland: A Comprehensive Record of Maritime and Aviation Losses in Scottish Waters" (C-ANNE publishing, Edinburgh), p. 162)