This noble ship and others, by John M Anderson
Front cover of the book
The author
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John Anderson, a retired Master Mariner grew up in Liverpool, England, then one of the world’s great ports. Deciding to follow the sea, he enjoyed a varied, interesting career (1962 – 2006) which included break-bulk cargo ships in worldwide trade, towing, offshore oil – drill ships and supply boats (Arctic), hydrographic survey and oceanographic research (North Pacific and Arctic). A life-long interest in 19th century sailing ships gave rise to this volume while enjoying retirement at Ladysmith, Vancouver Island. John Anderson's email: capta@telus.net |
Author's summary
This volume is a detailed examination of 17 sailing ships built between 1839 and 1877 in Canada. Eight of these vessels were built in New Brunswick, eight at Quebec and one at Prince Edward Island. The opening chapter provides an overview of the seaman’s world, working conditions, technology, hazards and such at mid-19th century.
In particular, Morning Light, the largest sailing ship built in New Brunswick is examined in great detail, this being the forgotten great ship of Canada’s maritime heritage. The ship, the builders, the captains and voyages are documented in entirety with commentary on the trades in which engaged. Being one of the finest ships engaged in the Australian emigrant trade there is detailed comparison with other leading ships in this trade.
Quebec produced many fine ships and the careers of the four largest are examined with the various trades in which they were involved. Additionally, four smaller ships are treated in a similar manner.
Two British fleets (those of Milvain, Newcastle and Fernie, Liverpool) are examined, as both owned or operated numerous Canadian-built ships in worldwide trades, also the Canadian timber trade and the Mediterranean trade in ores and esparto grass.
Several other ships, with distinct characteristics are also examined. Most of the ships examined, at some point in their careers were involved in the following trades – emigrants, coal, grain, guano, cotton, rice, jute and general cargo. Guano plays a prominent role and a short chapter addresses this commodity.
None of the ships examined have previously been studied in detail, if at all to the writer’s knowledge. Numerous ships are mentioned incidentally or for comparative purposes; some of these are well-known while others aren’t. Primary sources are Crew Agreements, Official Logs and Lloyd’s List. Secondary sources are sundry newspapers and books of the period plus a variety of official documents available on the Internet.
Much of the existing literature concentrates on ships of a slightly later period. A study of this period, with particular emphasis on the Morning Light and other emigrant ships, will, I hope, fill a gap in the narrative of Canada’s shipping.
N.B. Approx 105,000 words, 44 B & W illustrations, 4 colour illustrations.
Soft-bound; 8.5 x11 inches – landscape format; 219 pages; weight 900g.
In particular, Morning Light, the largest sailing ship built in New Brunswick is examined in great detail, this being the forgotten great ship of Canada’s maritime heritage. The ship, the builders, the captains and voyages are documented in entirety with commentary on the trades in which engaged. Being one of the finest ships engaged in the Australian emigrant trade there is detailed comparison with other leading ships in this trade.
Quebec produced many fine ships and the careers of the four largest are examined with the various trades in which they were involved. Additionally, four smaller ships are treated in a similar manner.
Two British fleets (those of Milvain, Newcastle and Fernie, Liverpool) are examined, as both owned or operated numerous Canadian-built ships in worldwide trades, also the Canadian timber trade and the Mediterranean trade in ores and esparto grass.
Several other ships, with distinct characteristics are also examined. Most of the ships examined, at some point in their careers were involved in the following trades – emigrants, coal, grain, guano, cotton, rice, jute and general cargo. Guano plays a prominent role and a short chapter addresses this commodity.
None of the ships examined have previously been studied in detail, if at all to the writer’s knowledge. Numerous ships are mentioned incidentally or for comparative purposes; some of these are well-known while others aren’t. Primary sources are Crew Agreements, Official Logs and Lloyd’s List. Secondary sources are sundry newspapers and books of the period plus a variety of official documents available on the Internet.
Much of the existing literature concentrates on ships of a slightly later period. A study of this period, with particular emphasis on the Morning Light and other emigrant ships, will, I hope, fill a gap in the narrative of Canada’s shipping.
N.B. Approx 105,000 words, 44 B & W illustrations, 4 colour illustrations.
Soft-bound; 8.5 x11 inches – landscape format; 219 pages; weight 900g.
Canadian-built British ships of the 19th century
Provided by the author:
“The magnificent Clipper-Ship Morning Light…..This extraordinary fast vessel….fastest of the season….beating the London mail ship 15 days.” Such were the newspaper references to the largest square-rigger built in New Brunswick, a fast and forgotten ship; one of several once famous in the Australian emigrant business. Ships from Quebec too - carrying troops, chartered for the Abyssinian war or just humble coal and guano. Coal flowed from Britain as oil flows today from the Persian Gulf and timber from Canada in equal measure across the Atlantic. A forgotten fact – at mid-19th century the majority of large British ships were Canadian-built. Cotton from Mobile, guano from Huanillos, lead from Almazarron, esparto from Sfax, timber from Miramichi – all grist for the mill. Good men and bad, in fair weather and foul, these ships visited the four corners of the world, carrying any British product from pins to locomotives to grand pianos. From around the world they returned with the raw materials of industry - guano, ores, timber, wool, grains, fibres, not to mention myrabolams, fish maws and nux vomica.
“The magnificent Clipper-Ship Morning Light…..This extraordinary fast vessel….fastest of the season….beating the London mail ship 15 days.” Such were the newspaper references to the largest square-rigger built in New Brunswick, a fast and forgotten ship; one of several once famous in the Australian emigrant business. Ships from Quebec too - carrying troops, chartered for the Abyssinian war or just humble coal and guano. Coal flowed from Britain as oil flows today from the Persian Gulf and timber from Canada in equal measure across the Atlantic. A forgotten fact – at mid-19th century the majority of large British ships were Canadian-built. Cotton from Mobile, guano from Huanillos, lead from Almazarron, esparto from Sfax, timber from Miramichi – all grist for the mill. Good men and bad, in fair weather and foul, these ships visited the four corners of the world, carrying any British product from pins to locomotives to grand pianos. From around the world they returned with the raw materials of industry - guano, ores, timber, wool, grains, fibres, not to mention myrabolams, fish maws and nux vomica.
Review by James Delgado
This Noble Ship captures more than the stories of seventeen ships. It is an insightful look into the shipping history of Canada in an important and often overlooked period. It also provides, through the window of these ships, a look at life at sea in often hazardous trades in the rapidly changing technological world of the mid-19th century.
James Delgado, former Executive Director, Vancouver Maritime Museum
James Delgado, former Executive Director, Vancouver Maritime Museum
