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The Merchant Adventures of John Christopher Farndale the Younger (FAR00308) Master Mariner of Whitby (1830 to 1868)
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John Christopher Farndale the Elder was probably the grandson of John Farndale (FAR00136) who sailed colliers with James Cook out of Whitby. It is likely John Christopher Farndale was the son of Robert Farndale, also a master mariner, and buried in the churchyard of Dracula fame at Whitby.
John Christopher Farndale the Elder was a painter when he married Ann Ling in 1825 and until the birth of his third son in 1830. But by 1836, he was a master mariner of Whitby, captaining a coal brig called the William and Nancy with cargos of coal largely between Whitby and the north east and Wisbech in Cambridgeshire and the southeast.
Of his family of five, John’s eldest son, William Farndale (FAR00289) also became a master mariner and continued to captain the William and Nancy. The third son, John Christopher Farndale the Younger (FAR00308) captained other ships. They all lived lives of adventure, perils at sea, and travel. His second son, Thomas Farndale was a ship’s broker’s clerk who died aged only 31. His daughter, Mary Farndale, was a straw bonnet maker and married a master mariner in Whitby. His fifth child, James Farndale, died an infant. This was a family of mariners at the heart of the maritime coal industry in the mid Victorian era. The second generation ventured widely around the North Sea (often called the German sea at the time) and the Baltic and further south. But John died young, at the age of only 35.
A brig is a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig: two masts which are both square-rigged. Brigs originated in the second half of the 18th century and were a common type of smaller merchant vessel or warship from then until the latter part of the 19th century. In commercial use, they were gradually replaced by fore-and-aft rigged vessels such as schooners, as owners sought to reduce crew costs by having rigs that could be handled by fewer men. In Royal Navy use, brigs were retained for training use when the battle fleets consisted almost entirely of iron-hulled steamships. Brigs were prominent in the coasting coal trade of British waters. 4,395 voyages to London with coal were recorded in 1795. With an average of eight or nine trips per year for one vessel, that is a fleet of over 500 colliers trading to London alone. Other ports and coastal communities were also be served by colliers trading to Britain's coal ports. In the first half of the 19th century, the vast majority were rigged as brigs, and that rig was retained for longer in the northeast of England.
The Mary, a
Brig of South Shields painted in 1855
The Traditional
Song, the Collier Brig: Oh, the worst old ship that ever
set sail, Sailed out of Harwich on a windy day. Chorus: Stormy weather,
boys, stormy weather, boys, When the wind blows the barge will go. She was
built in Roman style, Held together with bits of twine. Skipper’s half Dutch
and he hasn’t got a clue, The crew were fourteen hands too few. Cook spilt the
dinner on the galley floor, Skipper caught his hand in the wheelhouse door. Off
Orford Ness we sprang a leak, Hear our poor old timbers creak. We steered our
way round Lowestoft next, The wind backed round to the
sou-sou-west. Through the Cockle to Cromer Cliff, Steering like a wagon with a
wheel adrift. Up The Humber and up to town, Pump, you devils,
pump or drown. Then on a sandbank we got stuck, Skipper’s drunk in the Dog and
Duck. Up come a mermaid covered in slime, We took her
down the hold and we had a good time. We kept on course all through the night, Nearly went aground at the Apex light. Coal was shot by a
Keadby crew, Bottom was rotten and it went right
through. So when we saw the brig was sunk, We went to
the Barge and we all got drunk.
A master mariner is a licensed mariner who holds the highest grade of seafarer qualification. He
is thus given an unlimited master's license, with no limits on the tonnage,
power, or geographic location of the vessel that the holder of the license is
allowed to serve upon. A master mariner would therefore be allowed to serve as
the master of a merchant ship of any size, of any type, operating anywhere in the
world, and it reflected the highest level of professional qualification
amongst mariners and deck officers.
The term master
mariner has been in use at least since the thirteenth century, reflecting
the fact that in guild or livery company terms, such a person was a master craftsman in this specific profession, such as were also a master
carpenter, master blacksmith etc.
In the British Merchant Navy a master mariner who
had sailed in command of an ocean going merchant ship was titled “Captain”, although a professional
seafarer who held a restricted or limited master's certificate who had sailed
in command of a ship could also be titled captain.
Where the movements of
ships were recorded in the shipping news and other media, the name of the ship
was followed by the name of the Captain.
18 October 1830
John Christopher Farndale Junior, son of John Christopher and Ann
Farndale, was born in Whitby.
The younger John Christopher Farndale appeared to have got into
some trouble, as an apprentice mariner. The Hull Packet, 28 February 1845: CAUTION TO
APPRENTICES. JUSTICE ROOM, WHIOTBY. FEB 19. Before Thos Fishburn, and John
Chapman, Esqrs. On Saturday four sea apprentices,
named Matthew Walker, John Christopher Farndale, Isaac Wilson, and Thomas Hill,
where charged with absenting themselves from the ship Great Britain, belonging
to Mr Joseph Tindale, of Whitby. The charge was clearly proved by the master,
and the lads failing to show any justifiable cause for their misconduct, were
committed to Northallerton for one month’s hard labour. We hope this punishment
will bring the young delinquents to a sense of their duty, and act as a warning
to others. It is notorious that the owners of vessels in Whitby harbour,
particularly the owner of the Great Britain, have suffered considerably by the
incorrigible conduct of their apprentices; and Mr Tynedale is, in our opinion,
worthy of praise for thus stepping forward to put a check on such proceedings.
1853
By January 1853, John
Christopher Farndale was the captain of the collier brig, the John Stewart.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 13 January 1853: LOWESTOFT. Jan 12,
SW by W, fresh, cloudy … In Yarmouth Roads, 12 – the brig John Stewart,
Farndale, from Hartlepool for London, sailed Dec 25 …
From
his new captaincy of the John Stuart (probably spelt the John Stewart)(see
above), John Farndale was found to owe William Griffin, a seaman on that
vessel, the sum of Ł2 9s. The Shipping and
Mercantile Gazette, 21 March 1854: HARTLEPOOL POLICE. SHIP JOHN STUART. John Farndale, master of
the John Stuart, of Whitby, was charged before J P Denton and RC Dixon Esquires, by William Griffin,
seamen on board the same vessel, with owing him 2l 9s. Complainant had not
signed articles when he was engaged, and the dispute was as to the amount now
due to him. The bench ordered 14s to be paid to Griffin.
1854
In February 1854 John Christopher Farndale was captain of the
John Stewart again, arriving in Hamburg. The Shipping and
Mercantile Gazette, 25 March 1854: HAMBURG. Arrived (March 21) … John Stewart, Farndale, from
Hartlepool …
1856
John Chrtsiopher Farndale captained the Caspian of
Whitby to Nyhamn (a harbour in Norway between Kristiansand and Oslo on its
sourthern shore). Lloyd’s List, 1 December 1856: LONDON. Entered
inwards, November 29 … NYHAM, Caspian, Farndale, B178 City Cl, Chapman … The North and South Shields
Gazette and Northumberland and Daily Advertiser, 4 December 1856: The brig Caspian,
Farndale, of Whitby, from Nyhamn, 22 days, was off Aldbro’ on the 27th ult … The Hull Daily News, 6 December 1856: LONDON. Nov 29. …
Caspian, Farndale, of Whitby, from Nyham …
1857
There was trouble for John Christopher Farndale
Junior, as captain of the Marmion. The Newcastle Journal, 22
August 1857: MARINE INTELLIGENCE. SHIELDS, August 19. … The Marmion,
Farndale, from Newcastle for Abo, put into Gothenburg on Friday with damage,
having been struck by lightning …
And more trouble for
John Farndale and the Marmion, two months later when he lost his ship
and cargo off Osel. Osel (now called Sarrremaa) is an island at the mouth of the Bay of Riga,
off modern day Estonia. (For interest, in 1719 Russia
won a naval victory against Sweden in the Great Northern War at the island.) The Newcastle Courant, 16 October 1857: Riga, October 5. The Marmion, Farndale, from Newcastle
for Abo, with coals, was stranded on the coast of Osel,
in the evening of September 27, ship and cargo lost, but stores saved.
The Newcastle Daily
Chronicle, 22 March 1860: ENTERED OUTWARDS. … Ada (180), Farndale, Hamburg …
The Cambridge Independent
Press, 21 July 1860: WISBECH SHIP NEWS – JULY 18.
ARRIVED. Ada, Farndale, from Narva … Narva is in modern day Estonia,
so John Farndale seems to have been sailing regularly to the Baltic states and
Russia delivering coal at this time.
John Christopher married
Christiana Ainslie of Wisbech on 3 July 1857. He had presumably met her on his
voyages through the port of Wisbech.
John trasnported
coals for Lotinga & Co. There was a Lotinga family in Newcastle at the
time, who were part of the Jewish community. Lotinga & Co appear to have
been shipping brokers based in Newcastle. The Newcastle Courant, 17
August 1860: Tuesday, August 14 … Ada, Farndale, Cronstadt,
109 chs coals, Lotinga & Co. The Newcastle Journal, 18
August 1860: Ada, Farndale, Cronstadt, 109 chs coals, Lotinga & Co …
In August 1860, John sailed up the Baltic, via Elsinore to St Petersburg
in Russia. The Newcastle Courant, 31 August 1860: SOUND LIST, August
24, Ada, Farndale, from Newcastle to Petersburg. The Shields Daily Gazette,
30 August 1860: ELSINORE. Aug … 25 – Arrived … Ada, Farndale, from
Shields, for St Petersburg …
The Shields Daily Gazette,
13 September 1860: CRONSTADT. Sept 1. Arrived … Ada, Farndale, from Shields …
Lloyd’s List, 27
September 1860: WYBURG (Sept 21) Arrived … Sept 18, Ada, Farndale, Cronstadt …
1861
The Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 17 January 1861 shows that John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and
arrived in Hartlepool from Dunkirk on 13 Jauary 1861.
The Newcastle Journal, 5
April 1861 shows that John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada and arrived in South Shields from Hamburg.
The Cambridge Independent Press, 6 July 1861 shows that John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and
arrived with ‘deals’ (this may be a typo for coal) in Wisbech from Narva.
The Newcastle Guardian and
Tyne Mercury, 10 August 1861 shows that John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada and travelled from South Shields to
Petersburg.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 1 February 1862 shows that on 31 January 1862 John Christopher
Farndale and the Ada were listed amongst the Colliers that arrived on 31
January at Gravesend.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 6 March 1862 shows that on 4 March 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and left
West Hartlepool for Hamburg.
Lloyd’s List, 4 April 1862 shows that on 1 April 1862 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada of Whitby arrived in Hamburg.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 23 April 1862 shows that on 19 April 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and arrived
at Newcastle from Cronstadt.
The Newcastle Courant, 23 May
1862 shows that on 14 May 1862 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada from Newcastle to Cronstadt.
The Newcastle Guardian and Tyne
Mercury, 14 June 1862 shows that on 1 June 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and
arrived at Cronsdtadt.
Lloyd’s List, 24 July 1862 shows that on 20 July 1862 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada and arrived at Elsinore having travelled from
Riga bound for Dover.
The Kentish Gazette of 19 August
1862 reported the proceedings of
the Dover Police Court on Friday 9 August 1862 before Mayor E F Astley
Esq and L Stride Esq:
ASSAULT ON THE HIGH SEAS
Benjaim Burvill, a mariner, was charged on a summons with
having, on the 9th inst, assaulted Edward Sneller, another
seafaring man, on board a British Ship called the Ada, on the high seas
near the South Foreland. Mr Fox appeared as attorney for the defendant, and at
his request the witnesses in the case were ordered out of Court.
Edward Sneller stated that he lived at East cliff and was a
boatman. On Saturday evening last, about half past six or seven o’clock, he
boarded the brig Ada off South Foreland. He asked the captain if he were
bound for Dover with a cargo for Mr Fennis. The captain answered ‘No’
and asked if witness were a ‘branch pilot’. Witness said he was not,
whereupon Burvill stepped forward and assured the captain that he was a
branch pilot. On hearing this, he said to the captain, “He is no more a
branch pilot than I am,” when Burvill instantly raised his fist and gave
witness a blow, which he received at the back of the left ear, and which sent
him reeling. He told Burvill he should summon him to court for striking him
on board a ship on the high seas, and that he should subpoena the captain as a
witness.
Cross examined, Did not have a few words with Burvill – I
never spoke to him. I got to the vessel first, but the captain gave charge of
the vessel to noone until Burvill declared that he was a branch pilot, and
ordered the jack to be hauled down. Burvill took charge of the ship after I
left it. Mr Fox: What made you leave the ship? Witness: Is that a fair question
to ask, gentlemen? – Mr Fox: Yes, you must answer it please – Witness: I left
the ship because I was not a branch pilot – Mr Fox: Then I ask you, if you
left the ship knowing you were not a branch pilot, what made you go on board
the vessel? – Witness: Why, there is a large class of men like myself
who do go aboard ships, and if a captain wants a man to assist him into the
harbour he is at liberty to have his services. Mr Fox: Then it was not
necessary for you to be a branch pilot to take the vessel into harbour?
Witness: No – Mr Fox: When you found defendant in charge of the ship you
thought it your business to tell the captain that he was not a branch pilot? –
Witness: Defendant was not in charge of the ship; he assumed the authority.
When this blow was struck he was leaning against the rail doing nothing. There
was a jack flying when I saw the vessel. It was taken down after Burvill
ordered the captain to haul it down. To the Court: The jack was flying at
the fore-top-gallant-mast head. Mr Fox: I suppose you wanted to be employed
instead of Burvill; that was the fact of the matter. – Witness: The fact of it
is, that I wanted to earn an honest livelihood like any other man. – Mr Fox:
Will you swear that he struck you? Is it not the truth that he gave you a
little bit of a push? – Witness: He struck me sir. I felt it for three days
afterwards, and was unable to eat any food on that side.
J C Farndale, the master of the ship Ada, said that on Thursday moring the complainant and defendant
boarded his ship. He believed the former was first on deck. He asked him if he
was for Dover. Witness made no reply, but walked to the lee side of the deck.
Defendant then came alongside, and as he had more the look of a pilot,
and came in a better class of boat (complainant’s havng much the
appearance of a leisure boat) witness responded to his inquiry whether he was
bound for Dover, by returning an affrmative answer. After that he asked Burvill
if he were a branch pilot, and he told him ‘yes’, and as they were crossing to
the starboard side of the deck he followed up the question with another,
namely, if he could order the jack to be hauled down, which he also answered
satisfactorily. Upon hearing that complainant said, “This man is no more a
branch pilot than I am,” and then followed the assault. As a reason for his
peculiarity in putting the questions he did, the witness explained that he
had been warned that there was a parcel of hovellers, who palmed
themselves off as branch pilots with a view to getting handsomely paid for
taking vessels into port. Mr Fox (to the witness): When this conversation took
place about the jack, and Burvill ordered it to be hauled down, you considered
that he was engaged? Witness: I considered that he was a branch pilot, and that
the other man was not. - Mr Fox: You
considered he was in charge of the vessel? Yes after the jack was hauled down.
Mr Fox said he was perfectly satisfied from the evidence
of Sneller and the captain that an assualt had been committted. It appeared
from the latter’s statement however, that he regularly engaged the defendant to
pilot his vessel into port, who no doubt was very much annoyed at the attempt
made by the complainant to take bread out of his mouth. They all knew that
there was not too much for boatmen to do in this neighbourhood, and perhaps
they were not quite so amiable one towards aother as they might be. He hoped,
therefore, under all the circumstaces, that the magistrates would feel the
justice of the case met by passing a lenient sentence.
The Bench adjudged defendant to pay a fine of 10s and costs.
A shorter version also printed in the Dover Express under the
headline ‘Unlicensed Pilots’. This article included a slightly more
understandable summary of the position taken for the defence at the end: “Mr
Fox did not deny the assult, but submitted that Sneller had offered Burvill
provocation,and that under the circumstances the smallest penalty might be
considered sufficient. The Magistrates however, thought the defendant quite
unjustified in what he had done, and fined him 10s and 12s costs. The money was
paid.”
Lloyd’s List, 26 November 1862 shows that on 22 November 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and
arrived at Elsinore from Wyburg bound for London.
A Report in the London Evening
Standard, 5 December 1862: Whitby, Dec 3 – The two
vessels reported yesterday at anchor in Whitby Roads are still riding; they
have not had any communication with the shore, the sea being too heavy on the
bar to venture out. The one reported yesterday as being the Ada Farndall (sic) is now said to be the Wandererer, from Wyburg to
Wisbech.
The Public Ledger and Daily
Advertiser, 13 December 1862 shows that on 12 December 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and
‘entered inwards’, with reference to the customs house, via Wyburg and the
Surrey Canal. Their brokers were Northcote
1863
The Shields Daily Gazette, 5 February 1863 showed
that on 28 January 1863 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada and arrived at Dieppe from Shields.
Lloyd’s List, 9 May 1863 showed that on 5 May 1863 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada and arrived at Elsinore from Stettin bound
for London.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 15 September 1863 showed that on 11 September 1863 John Christopher Farndale captained the Highland Chief
arriving at Elsinore from Newcastle bound for St Petersburg, Russia.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 15
October 1863 showed that on 4 October 1863 John Christopher Farndale captained the Highland Chief
and left Sheilds headed for Wyburg.
Lloyd’s List, 15 December 1863 showed that on 14 December 1863 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Highland Chief and arrived at Sutton Bridge from
Wyburg.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 3 May 1864 showed that on 26 April 1864 John Christopher Farndale captained the Highland Chief
arriving at Elsinore from Dantzic bound for Wisbeach (sic).
The Stamford Mercury, 13 May 1864
showed that on 11 May 1864 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Highland Chief arriving Wisbech from Danzig. The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal of 14 May 1864 suggests
Highland Chief, Farndale arrived at Wisbech with wood from Grimsby. Perhaps she
delivered coal to Danzig and called in at Grimsby on the return voyage to pick
up wood to deliver to Wisbech.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 11
June 1864 showed that on 2 June 1864 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Highland Chief arrived in Elsinore, travelling
from Shields to St Petersburg.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 2 July
1864 showed that on 23 June 1864 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Highland Chief arrived in Cronstadt from Shields.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 14
October 1864 showed that on 7 October 1864 John Christopher Farndale captained the Highland Chief
arrived in Cronstadt from Shields.
The Cambridge Chronicle and
Journal, 10 December 1864 showed that on 7 December 1864 John Christopher Farndale captained the Highland Chief
arrived in Wisbech carrying wood from Wyburg.
1865
The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal, 21
January 1865 showed that on 18 January 1865 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Highland Chief arrived in Wisbech carrying coals
from Sunderland.
Perhaps he knew his first child was due to be born, so
arraged his voyages into Wisbech during these months.
The Cambridge Independent Press,
18 February 1865 showed that on 15 February 1865 John Christopher Farndale captained the Highland Chief
arrived in Wisbech carrying coals from Sunderland.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 10 June
1865 showed that on 9 June 1865 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Great Northern arriving at Middlesbrough from
London.
The Dunfermline Saturday Press, 9
September 1865 showed that on 28 August 1865 John Christopher Farndale captained the Great Northern
arriving at Tonning from Alloa.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 24 October 1865 showed that on 23 October 1865 John Christopher Farndale captained the Great Northern
arriving at Middlesbrough from London.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 18 December 1865 showed that on 11 December 1865 John Chistopher Farndale captained the Medusa from
Hartlepool ‘cleared inwards’ for Tonning and cleared out 15th for
England? This couldn’t have been his brother, William Farndale as he was
captaining the Ythan on 17 December, though John Christoper was
captaining the Great Northern on 19 December?
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 20 December 1865 showed that on 19 December 1865 John Christopher Farndale captained the Great Northern
arriving at Middlesbrough from London.
1866
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 16 March
1866 showed that on 23 January 1866 John Chistopher
Farndale who captained the Medusa from Portsmouth heading for Bordeaux.
Lloyd’s List, 14 February 1866 showed that on 12 February 1866 John Chistopher
Farndale who captained the Medusa from Bordeaux arrived in Brindlington
Bay.
The Cardiff Times, 9 March 1866 showed that on 3 March 1866 John Chistopher Farndale who captained the Medusa from
Bordeaux to Penarth and on March sailed to London.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 16 March 1866 showed that on 15 March 1866 John Chistopher Farndale who captained the Medusa from
London to Sunderland in fine weather in a light SW wind.
The Public Ledger and Daily
Advertiser, 26 June 1866 showed that on 25 June 1866 John Chistopher Farndale who captained the Medusa
entered inwards with reference to the Customs House from Dantsic, on the East
Lane Tier, broker: Young.
The Cambrdge Independent Press,
21 July 1866: The Isle of Ely Gazette. Wisbech – Quick Passages. The screw
steamer Cambridgeshire, Captain Huet, has just made the passage from Shields to
Cronstandt, laden with coals, in five days and eighteen hours. The screw
steamer, Medusa, Captain Farndale, also lade with coals left Shields at the
same time, and arrived at Cronsdadt ten minutes after the Cambridgeshire. Both
of the above named steamers are the property of Richard Young esq MP.
The Public Ledger and Daily
Advertiser, 28 July 1866 showed that on 27 July 1866 John Chistopher Farndale who captained the Medusa
entered inwards with reference to the Customs House from Constadt, broker:
Young.
The Stamford Mecury, 14 September
1866: The Norfolk. Mr Young has recently added a large screw steamer of the above name
to his fleet of Baltic traders, and it commenced its voyage, under Captain
Farndale, a few days ago. A screw
steamer is an old term for a steamship, powered by a steam engine, using one or
more propellors (also referred to as’screws’ for propulsion, also referred to
an an iron ship. These new vessels started to be used after Thomas Clyde
applied Jon Ericsson’s screw propellor to steam vessels in the USA.
The Hull and Eastern Counties
Herald, 4 October 1866 showed that on 2 October 1866 John Christopher Farndale captained the Norfolk arriving
from Dantzig.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 9 November 1866 showed that on 5 November 1866 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk
arrived in Dantzig from Dublin.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 14 November 1866 showed that on 9 November 1866 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk
arrived in Elsinore from Dantzig.
The Cambridge Independent Press,
10 November 1866: The Isle of Ely Gazette. The Knife. On the evening
of the 26th ult, Mr Young’s screw steamer, Norfolk, sailed from
Amsterdam to Dantzic, and had proceeded but a short distance on the passage
when one of the sailors, named Allison Brown, of Sunderland,
refused to go on deck, and on the steward, a very respectable man named
Bridgman, going below and telling him he would be made to turn out, Brown
stabbed him in a savage manner in the back, and Captain Farndale had to
put back to Amsterdam, where Bridgman received every possible attention
from the doctors, while Brown was attended by H M British Consul, who
considerately sent him to the durace vile until the return of the
steamer to Amsterdam, when the case will be gone into, and Brown receive the
punishment he so richly deserves. ‘durance
vile’ is an old term usually for a long prison sentence.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 17 December 1866 showed that on 17 December 1866 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk
entered inwards from Dantzig on the East Leg Tier, broker: Young.
The Hull and Eastern Counties
Herald, 17 January 1867 showed that on 9 January 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk arrived
in Elsinore from the North Sea headed for the Baltic.
Lloyd’s List, 14 February 1867 showed that on 12 February 1867 John Christopher
Farndale who captained the Norfolk arrived in Cardiff from Cadiz.
Lloyd’s List, 12 March 1867 showed that on 11 March 1867 John Christopher
Farndale who captained the Norfolk arrived in Gravesend from Danzig.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 11 April 1867 showed that on 6 April 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk
arrived in Dantzig from Cardiff.
The Public Ledger and Daily
Advertiser, 21 May 1867 showed that on 21 May 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk
entered inwards with referebce to the customs house, Pillau, Church-hole,
broker: Young.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 4 June 1867 showed that on 4 June 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk
arrived in Elsinore from England headed for the Baltic.
The South Shields News, 9
November 1867 showed that on 3 November 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk from
South Shields arrived Constadt and is loading for London.
1868
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 1 January
1868 showed that on 1 January 1868 The Norfolk captained by John Farndale, was discharging its 725 ton
cargo at Victoria Dock (Tdl Basin, SS).
The Shields Daily News, 21 Jauary
1868 showed that on 17 January 1868 The Norfolk, Farndale from Shields to Barcelona, put into Portland Roads
on Friday.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 22
January 1868 showed that on 20 January 1868 The Norfolk (s), Farndale, from
Shields for Barcelona, left Portland on the 20th
On 22 January 1868 John Christopher Farndale was lost at sea.
The Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette, 8 February 1868: NANTES – Feb 7: Advices from Roscoff, dated
Feb 5, state that the master of the Aigion, arrived at that port, reported having
seen a large steamer founder Jan 22, during a heavy gale, in the neighbourhood
of Ushant. Some papers, which are supposed to have belonged to the
Norfolk (s), Farndale, from Newcasle for Barcelona, have been picked up
near Plouescat, and a lifebouy, marked “Norfolk”, has been picked up at
sea by some Roscoff boats.
Lloyd’s List, 8 February 1868: NANTES – 7th Feb: Advices from Roscoff, dated
5th Feb, state that the master of the Aigion, arrived at that port,
reported having seen a large steamer founder 22nd Jan, during a
heavy gale, in the neighbourhood of Ushant. The authorities had received on the
4th, some ship’s papers found in a dressing table, hermetically
closed, picked up on the coast at Plouescat the previous week. They were
much inured by damp and illegible in many places, but they were supposed
to have belonged to the Norfolk (ss), Farndale, from Newcastle to
Barcelona. A lifebouy, marked “Norfolk”, has been found at sea by some Roscoff
boatmen.
The Yorkshire Post and Leeds
Intelligencer, 12 February 1868. The Late Gales. Loss of Life and
Shipping. There can now be no doubt of the total loss of the steamer
Norfolk, of Wisbech, Capt Farndale, from Newcastle for Barcelona, some papers
and a life buoy having been picked up on the French coast, and nothing
having been heard of the vessel or her crew. The crew of the
Poltarstjernan, of Hangesund, from Abo to Hull, are missing. … The brig Jane
and Margaret from Sunderland to London, laden with coal, struck on Sizewell
bank on Saturday, and came off, but immediately sank in deep water, her topsail
being just visible. The crew got off in the vessel’s boat and landed at Thorp,
having saved nothing but the clothese they had on. …
The Whitby Gazette, 15 February
1868: SUPPOSED LOSS OF A STEAMER – Grave doubts are entertained for
the safety of the screw steamer Norfolk, from Newcastle for Barcelona. The
Norfolk was commanded by Mr John Farndale, of this town. Mr John Chambers
and Mr Watson Leck, all belonging Whitby, were also on board. She left
Newcastle with a cargo of coals, and was last heard of in Portland Roads. Some
papers, which are supposed to have belonged to her, have been picked up near
Plouescat, and a life bouy marked “Norfolk” has been picked up at sea by some
Roscoff boats, and she is now long overdue.
The Norwich Mercury 19 February
1868:
Loss of the Norfolk
Intelligence has been received at Wisbech of the loss of
the fine steamship Norfolk, and all her crew, consisting of eighteen persons.
The Norfolk (which was launched about two years since, was o her voyage from
Newcastle to Barcelona, laden with coals, and the telegram was received from
Nantes Feb 7th, was as follows: “Advices frm Roscoff, dated Feb 5th,
stated that the master of Aigion arrived at that port, reported havng seen a
large steamer founder January 22nd, during a heavy gale, from the
neighbourhood of Ushuat. Some papers which were supposed to have belonged to
the Nofolk (s), Ferndale [sic], from Newcastle to Barcaelona, have been picked
up near Lpousecat, and a life buoy, marked orfolk, has been picked up at sea by
some Roscoff boats.”
The names of the crew so far as can be ascertained, were as follows.
Capt John C Farndale, 37, of Wisbech, had been seventeen years master and was
much respected, has left a widow and three children.
Wm H B Telford, 22, second officer. He had passed his
examination on the 8th of Jauary, with great credit, and obtained
the certificate at Sunderland only three days before he went on board. He was
educated as Wisbech Grammar School and son of Mr JH Telford, of Wisbech.
John Chambers, 38, third officer, married Capt Farndale’s sister,
and has left a widow and one child at Sunderland. This was his first voyage
in the Norfolk and only a few months ago he was wrecked, and was four days
on board the wreck, off Yarmouth.
Watson Lake, 25, was also a relative of Captain Farndale. His mother is living at Whitby, and she has lost her
husband and five sons at sea.
William Donaby, about 25, boatswain, has left a sister in
Wisbech.
George Wenn, seaman.
George Cox, 18, son of Capt John Cox, of Robert Lowe (s) and
Qheen Street, Wisbech, apprentice.
Samuel Grdigman, 21, seaman, his parents reside in the
Leverngton Road, Wisbech.
John Stevenson, chief engneer; and
Eight others whose names are at preset unknown.
The Norfolk was the property of Richard Young, Esq, MP, and
was insured.
The Norfolk News, 22 February
1868: THE STEAM SHIP NORFOLK. The captain of this ill fated
vessel, which foundered off the Spanish coast on the 22nd January,
was Mr J C Farndale,, of this town. He had been seventeen years master, and
was much respected. He leaves a widow and three children to mourn his loss. His
brother in law W H B Tetford, 22, of Wisbech, was second officer … [similar
report to above]. … The Laborough from Sunderland, for Genoa, has been wrecked
off the Island of Sark, one of the Channel Islands, and Captain Billett and
crew drowned. Captain Billet was formelry in command of the Great Northern
until that ship was lost. It is a singular fact that Captain Billett was a
great fried of the late Captain Farndale, and was doned during the same storm,
and only a few miles distant from his friend.
The Essex Standard: LOSS
OF THE NORFOLK SCREW STEAMER. The following is a list of the crew of
the screw steamer Norfolk, of Wisbech, lost upon the French coast in the storms
of a few days ago. She was laden with coals from the Tyne for Barcelona, and
her crew signed articles at the South Shields shipping office: Master John C
Farndale, 50 years of age, belonging to Whitby, but residing at 14 New Parade,
Wisbech …
The Times, Thursday 20 February
1868, page 12 AND The Newcastle Daily
Journal, Friday 21 February 1868:
THE NORFOLK SCREW STEAMER.
The following is a list of the crew of the screw steamer
Norfolk, of Wisbech, lost upon the French coast in the storms of a week ago.
She was laden with coals from the Tyne for Barcelona, and her crew signed
articles at the South Shields shipping office:
Master: John C Farndale, 56
years of age, belonging to Whitby, but residing at 14, New Parade, Wisbech;
Mate: William J Cousins,
Portsmouth;
Second Mate: William H Telford, Wisbech;
Carpenter: Henry Nisbet, Sunderland;
Steward: Watson Leek, Whitby;
Boatswain: George Fern, Bridgewater;
Lamp trimmer: John Chambers,
Whitby;
Seamen: Samuel Gridgeman,
Wisbech; Samuel Matthews, Bristol;
William Parry, Manchester; William Donnelly, Wisbech;
Engineer: George Moody, South
Shields;
Assistant Engineer: David Harkness, South Shields;
Leading Fireman: George
Laund, London;
Firemen: Thomas Previlage,
Trieste; Charles Gordon, Manchester; William Rewscastle, South Shields, and
Robert Graves, London.
The Ipswich Journal, Saturday 22 February 1868:
LOSS OF THE STEAMSHIP NORFOLK.
Intelligence has been received at Wisbech of the loss of the
fine steamship Norfolk, and all her crew, consisting of 18 persons. The
Norfolk, which was launched about two years since, was on her voyage from
Newcastle to Barcelona, laden with coals, and the telegram which was received
from Nantes, February 7th, was as follows:
“Advice is from Roscoff, dated February 5th, stated that the
master of the Aiglon arrived at that port, reported having seen a large steamer
founder January 22nd, during a heavy gale, from the neighbourhood of Ushant.
Some papers which are supposed to have belonged to the Norfolk (s), Ferndale
(sic), from Newcastle for Barcelona, have been picked up near Plouescat, and a
life buoy, marked Norfolk, has been picked up at sea by some Roscoff boats.”
The names of the crews so far as can be ascertained, were as
follows: Captain John C Farndale, 37 of Wisbech, had been 17 years master and
was much respected, has left a widow and three children. William John Cousins,
chief officer, from Hartlepool. William H B Telford, 22, second officer.
He passed his examination on the 8th of January, with great credit, and
obtained the certificate at Sunderland only three days before he went on board.
He was educated at Wisbech grammar school. He was brother of Mrs Farndale
and son of J H Telford, of Wisbech. John Chambers, 38, third officer, married
Captain Farndale's sister, and has left a widow and one child at Sunderland.
This was his first voyage in the Norfolk, and only a few months ago he was
wrecked, and was four days on board the wreck, off Yarmouth. Watson Lake,
25, who was also a relative of Captain Farndale. His mother is living at
Whitby, and she has lost her husband and five sons at sea. William Donaby,
about 25, boatswain, has left a sister at Wisbech; George Wenn, seaman; George
Cox, 18, son of Captain John Cox, of the Robert Lowe (s), and Queen Street,
Wisbech, apprentice, Samuel Gridgman, 21, seaman, his parents reside in the Leverington
Road, Wisbech, John Stevenson, chief engineer, and eight others whose names are
at present unknown. The Norfolk was the property of Richard young Esquire, MP,
and was insured.
The
Traditional Song, the Collier Brig:
Oh,
the worst old ship that ever set sail,
Sailed
out of Harwich on a windy day.
Chorus:
Stormy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys,
When
the wind blows the barge will go.
She
was built in Roman style,
Held
together with bits of twine.
Skipper’s
half Dutch and he hasn’t got a clue,
The
crew were fourteen hands too few.
Cook
spilt the dinner on the galley floor,
Skipper
caught his hand in the wheelhouse door.
Off
Orford Ness we sprang a leak,
Hear
our poor old timbers creak.
We
steered our way round Lowestoft next,
The
wind backed round to the sou-sou-west.
Through
the Cockle to Cromer Cliff,
Steering
like a wagon with a wheel adrift.
Up
The Humber and up to town,
Pump,
you devils, pump or drown.
Then
on a sandbank we got stuck,
Skipper’s
drunk in the Dog and Duck.
Up
come a mermaid covered in slime,
We
took her down the hold and we had a good time.
We
kept on course all through the night,
Nearly
went aground at the Apex light.
Coal
was shot by a Keadby crew,
Bottom
was rotten and it went right through.
So when we saw the brig was sunk,
We
went to the Barge and we all got drunk.