Sunday, 29 December 2013

Voyages of the Brig Fanny - Across the Oceans

The Brig Fanny was to arrive in Australasian Waters in early 1849. Shipwrecked in July 1850, the voyages of the Brig Fanny were to span several oceans and several owners and captains.

 The following is these, pieced together from a number of sources - no Skype then - newspapers were sought after sources of news in the 1840's - 1850's. 

Arrival From Calcutta, India

ADELAIDE,SOUTH AUSTRALIA  24 January 1849
Same Day— The brig Fanny, 175 tons, Harold Lewis, master, from Calcutta 16th Nov. Three ladies, four gentlemen, and eight children in the cabin, and one male passenger, three servants, two natives, and one Portuguese, in the steerage. Cargo— Indian produce.
South Australian Register Wednesday 24 January 1849 page 3
Adelaide, 1886 in Australia 200 years, 1988

Departure For Port Phillip

For PORT PHILLIP, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA 9 February 1949
Same day - The brig Fanny, 171 tons, Lewis for Port Phillip. Passengers - Mr Honelar, wife, two children, and servant, Mr Folk, Joseph Taylor wife and two children, Samuel Darby and wife.
Cargo of the Fanny - 1380 bags copper ore, weighing 70 tons, South Australian Mining Association. Original cargo from Calcutta - 20 bales, 61 cases, 1 box, 2 packages, 102 packages twine, 29 ditto spunyarn, 28 cases, 272 bags rice, 1 box books, 5 bales, 2 boxes cigars, 2 boxes sugar, 10hhds. rum, Mr. Folk.
South Australian Friday 9 February 1849 page 2

Arrival from Calcutta via Adelaide & Port Phillip


SYDNEY,NEW SOUTH WALES,AUSTRALIA 12 March 1949
March 12 – Fanny, brig, 170 tons, Captain Lewis, from Calcutta via Adelaide and Port Phillip, having left the latter port on the 1st instant.
Passengers – Mr. Folk jnr., Mr. and Mrs Hinder and two children, Mr. Rolston, Mr. Ximenes, Mrs Henderson, and two children, Mrs Dismore and one child, Mr. and Mrs Taylor and two children, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Lane.
Shipping Gazette & Sydney General Trade List, Volume 6, Number 261 (17 March, 1849) Ps 67 - 69
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 15 March 1849, page 4 Courtesy Trove, National Library of Australia

John Macfarlane of Henderson & Macfarlane new owner of Brig Fanny

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA 24 March 1849
The Brig Fanny which was put up to auction by Mr. Mort, on Saturday last, was purchased by Mr. J Macfarlane, for the sum of £1485. She is now loading for Auckland and California, and will be commanded by Captain Leathard.
Shipping Gazette & Sydney General Trade List, Volume 6, Number 263 (24 March, 1849) P 77

Departure For Auckland, New Zealand 

For AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND 14 April 1849
DEPARTURES April 14 Fanny Brig, 170 tons, Captain Leathart , for Auckland and California; Passengers for Auckland – Lieutenant  Curtis, Captain Tucker, Mrs Harvey and son, R.M. Henney, Mr. And Mrs Cronan, Mr. W Harding, Mr. Yates, Mr. And Mrs J Ryan, Mr. Cudlip, Mr. and Mrs Grant, Mr. H Preston, Mr. Steadman, four soldiers and two deserters. For California - Mr. McFarlane, Captain and Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Cameron, Mr. J Mulholland, Mr. S Jones, Mr. Thorton and son, Messrs J Johnson, J Pinder, S Turner, T Reynolds, W. F. Dunn and H Keidel.

EXPORTS April 11 Fanny Brig, 170 tons, Captain Leathart , for Auckland and California; 1 cask and 3 hogsheads colonial rum, 12 hogsheads colonial gin, 10 hogsheads Bengal rum, 20,000 bricks, 15 bags flour, 10 tierces beef, 4 casks loaf sugar, 4 bundles iron bedsteads, 20 tons coals, 1 quarter. cask port wine, 1 case stationery, 12 boxes glass, Sheppard and Alger: 25 cases brandy, D.N. Joubert; 150 bags flour, 3 cases curry powder, 2 cases sago, 1 case chetney, J Buchanan; 3 cases drapery, Ray and Glaister; 1 case stationery, N Giffard: 3 tierces salmon, George Thorne and Co.: 9 cases oilman’s stores; 2 bags oatmeal, 1 bag seed. 1 bag pepper. 1 case paper. 1 bag spice, 1 cask hardware, 10 bags rice, 64 cheeses. G Codlin: 6 cases Geneva. 14 coils rope, 18 coils whaleline, 12 ash oars,1 bag coffee, 5 tierces beef, 6 bags flour, 10 bags biscuit, 1 bale canvas, 1 half-chest tea, 1 packet rivets, 1 package leather, 1 cask blocks, F Mitchell and Co.: 4 casks Port wine, 9 cases cigars, E.H. Pollard: 3 cases drapery, C Newton and Brother, 15 boxes candles , F Donaghy; 1 case drapery, W Henderson; 1case drapery, G Chisholm; 4 casks colours, 6 boxes tin plates, 12 cases, 41 casks and 45 packages hardware, 1 bale twine, 18 bundles spades, 36 grindstones, 12 plough beams, 12 plough moulds, 12 plough frames, 3 bundles barrow wheels, J.S. Willis; 1 gig, 14 casks beef, 8 horses, 80 sheep, W Preston.
Shipping Gazette & Sydney General Trade List, Volume 6, Number 265 (14 April, 1849) p92
Auckland Waterfront 1852 Photo in The Cyclopaedia of New Zealand, Vol 2, Auckland Province. Christchurch: Cyclopaedia Company Limited, 1902. 

Freight or Passage for San Francisco, America  at Auckland

 

Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 New Zealander,  21 April 1849, Page 2 Courtesy Papers Past, National Library New Zealand

Arrival Auckland 

AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND 2 May 1849

ARRIVAL.- Foreign May 2. Fanny, brig, 171 tons, Leathart, master, from Sydney, with sundries. Passengers —Mr. McFarlane, Capt. and Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Cameron, Lieut. Curtis, Capt. Tucker, Mr. Mclntosh, Mrs. Harvey, and son, Mr. McHenery, Mr. Cronan and wife, Mr. Hardey, and 24 in steerage. W. Combes, Agent.
SHIPPING LIST. Daily Southern Cross, 5 May 1849, Page 2

 
Auckland Harbour- in The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited. Bold Century. Auckland: The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited, 1959.

 Departure for San Francisco, America

From AUCKLAND FOR SAN FRANCISCO, AMERICA 5 June 1849
DEPARTURES. June 5. Fanny, brig, 171 tons, Leathart, master, for San Francisco, with sundries. Passengers—Mr. J. Macfarlane, Mr- and Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Cameron, Mr. Carnegie, Mr. McLiver, Mr. F Ring, Mr. C Ring, Mr. R. Ring, Mr. Kiser, Mr. McCabe, Mr. Joplin, Mr. Noone .Mr. Sexey, Mr. and Mrs. Hall and family, Mr. and Mrs, Walton, Mr. and Mrs. Murray, and child, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Stokes and child, Mr. and Mrs Williams and family, Mr. and Mrs. Rae, Mr. Cain, W. Keane, J, Christie, D. Sinclair, J. Campbell, J. Platt, J. Bernett, J. Rankin, P. Rankin, P. Horsley, P. Campbell, D. Henderson, W. Overton, J. Gamble, J. Nichol, J. McDonald, T, Jones, J, Johnson, J. Penders. Thorne, T. Reynolds, W. Dunn, H. Keidall, M, Thorston. W. Combes, agent. June 5.
 Shipping Intelligence. New Zealander, 9 June 1849, P 3

Arrival San Francisco, America

SAN FRANCISCO, AMERICA 30 August 1849
August 30 English brig Fanny, Leathart, 85 days from Auckland, New Zealand - See more at:
http://www.maritimeheritage.org/inport.htm#sthash.xzYIFZby.dpuf

Gold Prospector
Departed San Francisco, America
 From SAN FRANCISCO, AMERICA  FOR HONOLULU, SANDWICH ISLANDS ( HAWAII )11 September 1849
11 September 1849 Cleared San Francisco for Auckland. 7 October at Sandwich Islands

Departed Honolulu, Sandwich Islands ( Hawaii ) 

From HONOLULU, SANDWICH ISLANDS ( HAWAII ) 7th October 1849
The Fanny, (Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane's brig), which sailed from this port on the 5th June last, who at the Sandwich Islands on her return to Auckland, on the 7th October, discharging part of her cargo which she had was unable to dispose of at San Francisco. She may therefore be expected very shortly.
Shipping Intelligence. New Zealander, 14 November 1849, Page 2 

Arrived Auckland, New Zealand

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND 29 November 1849
Arrivals Foreign. Nov. 29. "Fanny," 171 tons, Francis Leathart, from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, October 16. Passengers, Messrs. John Macfarlane, Christian, G. Nichol, G. Elliot. W. C. Daldy, agent.
IMPORTS
In the "Fanny," from Honolulu, original cargo from Sydney, 1 cask colonial rum, 10 hhds. colonial gin, 2 do do rum, 9 do Bengal rum, 9 cases cigars, 7000  bricks, 4. bags flour, 10 tierces beef, 3 casks loaf sugar, 4 tons coals, 4 bundles iron bed steads, 1 case stationery, 12 boxes glass, 2 casks port wine.— Original Cargo from Auckland, 7 hhds. rum, 3 dozen brandy, 1 bale carpeting, 1 do blankets, 1 case shoes, 2 bags nails, 4 boxes glass, 2 bales leather.— Shipped at Honolulu, 1,500 baskets salt, 1 box walrus' teeth, 1 bale matting, Order.
Daily Southern Cross, 30 November 1849, P2
Auckland Harbour From Symonds Street  Garran, Andrew, Ed. Australasia Illustrated, Picturesque Atlas Publishing Company Limited, 1892 

Auction of Entire Cargo & the Brig Fanny

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND November 1849
AUCTION SALES. ENTIRE 'CARGO OF THE BRIG "FANNY." HART & SON Have received instructions to offer by Auction at their Rooms, on Monday next, at 11 o'clock precisely, without the least reserve. THE entire CARGO of the Brig Fanny, A consisting of — ' 13 hogsheads Rum, 12 hogsheads Gin, 9 cases Cigars, 4 cases Hunt's Port Wine, 8000 bricks, 9 bags Flour, 10 tierces Beef, 3 casks Loaf Sugar, 14 tons Coals, 4 bundles Iron Bedsteads, 1 case Stationery, 16 boxes Glass, 2 quarter casks Hunt's Port Wine, 7 hogsheads Rum, 3 ditto Brandy, 1 bale Carpeting, 1 ditto Blankets, 1 case Shoes, 2 bags Nails, 2 bales Leather, 1500 Salt Baskets, 2 bales Matting, A quantity of Walrus tusks, 6 casks Pork, 5 ton Bread, 1 case Tobacco, 1 bale Slops, 5 pwt. Sugar, 14 casks Beef, Rice, Twine, — and A Variety of Merchandize.

THE FIRST-CLASS BRIG, "FANNY." HART & SON have received instructions to offer for Sale by Private Contract, the splendid first class Brig, "Fanny," burthen 171 tons, now lying at anchor in this Port. The vessel is well found — is ready for sea — has proved herself a first-rate sea boat — stows a large cargo — has superior accommodations for passengers, and is admirably adapted for the trade between this Port and California. For further particulars apply to the Auctioneers.
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 Daily Southern Cross,30 November 1849, P 1

Joel Samuel Polack New Owner of Brig Fanny

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, December 1849
The brig Fanny has, we learn, changed hands since our last, having been purchased by Mr. J S. Polack for £1600. She is to be repaired forthwith and laid on for California. Captain Lilewall, of the Sir John Franklin, has been appointed to her. - Auckland Southern Cross, December 4.
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 31 December 1849 Page 2
Polack, Joel Samuel,[1840] PUBL-0064-2-TP Wood engraving, 72 x 92 mm Courtesy Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand 1807-1882 Parramatta, Kororarika Bay, the residence and property of Mr Polack, Bay of Islands.http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=26983

 Wanted  For Repairs

BRIG "FANNY." WANTED immediately, Caulkers and Riggers. Apply to Captain Lilewall, on board ; or to Hart and Son, Queen-street.
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 Daily Southern Cross, 4 December 1849, P1

Freight or Passage for San Francisco December 1849 


FOR SAN FRANCISCO.THE Teak Built "Brig FANNY,"- Captain Lilewall, will sail for the above Port on or about the 21st December, inst., for cabin passage only. Apply to Hart and Son, Dec. 3rd, 1849.

                      Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 Daily Southern Cross, 14 December 1849, P 1

Auckland for San Francisco, America  21 January 1850

Fanny, brig 171 tons, Captain Twohey, for San Francisco. Passengers-Mr. and Mrs. Partridge, Mr, and Mrs. Trounce, Dr. Smyth, Messrs. Polack, Cox, Oakle , and Carson Cargo -1213 packages of timber (comprising 43 houses in frame), 6 packages nails, 5 cases lime, 1 forge, 5 anvils, 4 cases eggs, 1 bale blankets, 16,000 bricks, 8000 shingles.


The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 18 February 1850 P 2


Return to Coromandel , New Zealand for Repairs January 1850

The mate and three hands and one of the passengers of the Fanny, brig, which sailed for San Francisco on Monday week, arrived in town on Thursday night, and report that the vessel has been obliged to put back to Coromandel harbour for repairs. She was becalmed for two days off the Great Barrier, before the gales of last week sprung up, when she encountered very rough weather with a heavy sea. During the storm she had driven a considerable distance, but when off the East Cape, it was found she was leaking at her quarter galleries, and taking in a great deal of water whenever she dipped astern. It was prudently resolved to put her about, and it and for Coromandel harbour, where she arrived on Wednesday evening last; four or five hands were immediately set on her to make such repairs as were necessary for her safety, and which should have been attended to before she left this harbour.



Shipping Intelligence. New Zealander, 2 February 1850, P 2


   Coromandel Harbour photo in 1970s by J M Stewart

Court Case in Auckland 7 March 1849 

J. S. POLACK V EZEKIEL LOVERING. This was as an action for £1,155, being the alleged amount of damage sustained by the plaintiff by the breach of an agreement by the defendant, dated the 16th of November, 1849. The agreement was, to carry 160,000 feet of sawn timber in the brig Enterprise, of which the defendant was master, to San Francisco. Notice of the readiness of the vessel to take in the plaintiff freight having been given by the defendant's agents, Messrs. Brown & Campbell, the plaintiff, on the 27th and 28th of the same month, tendered his timber alongside the vessel, but it was refused — first by the mate, who said he would not take it on board without a note from the captain, and afterwards by the captain himself, saying that he would not take it in if he got £16 a ton for it ; he would not allow an inch of it to come on board. ln consequence of this breach of agreement, the plaintiff, to get his timber into the Californian market, was compelled to purchase the brig Fanny for £1,600. The plaintiff claimed the sum of £ 1,155, as the amount of damage sustained by him by the loss of the market at San Francisco. Timber being higher there at the time that his would, in all probability, have arrived if the defendant had fulfilled his part of the agreement, than at the time it would arrive by the Fanny. The Jury having been addressed by Counsel on both sides, his Honor summed up ; and, after a short deliberation, the Jury declared a verdict for the plaintiff -damages, £250, and costs. P Counter for the plaintiff— Mr. Whitaker; agent, Mr. Conroy. For the defendant— Mr. Hartley agent, Mr. Merriman. This was the only cause on the list for trial

The Shipping Gazette & Sydney General Trade List, Volume 7, Number 317 (13 April, 1850) p10

Brig Fanny at Honolulu May 1850 - Cargo for Sale, Change of Owner 

ARRIVALS. May 7— British brig Fanny, Twohey, 171 tons, 81' days from Auckland, via Tahiti.

 List of Vessels in Port, May 10, 1850.— Passengers arrived— per Fanny, from Auckland, Mr. and Mrs. C. Partridge, and Mr. R.H.  Smith

HONOLULU SHIPPING, Polynesian, May 11th New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 439, 29 June 1850, Page 2

A Lot of very superior houses of the following dimensions, 
will be sold at auction by order of the undersigned, ex British brig "Fanny", from Auckland, as soon as landed, if not previously disposed of by private contract; 6 houses 20 X 12, 8 feet high: 2 houses 20 X 12, 7 feet 6 inches high: 6 houses 14 X 12, 7 feet 6 inches high: 1 do 18 X 10, 7 feet 6 inches high: 1 do 10 X 10 6 feet 6 inches high, pannelled; 3 do 12 X 10, 12 feet high, two stories. The above houses are partitioned, and several will be put up in order to show intending purchasers their superiority over any houses that has as yet been offered for sale here. ALSO 15000 bricks, 8000 shingles, and a few tons of coal.

Polynesian, 18 May 1850 ,Page 3


          Honolulu capital of Sandwich Islands ( Hawaii ) In  Illustrated Sydney News ,Saturday 15 September 1866, page 12
                                                                                               Courtesy Newspapers, Trove, National Library Australia

                                                                                     

The Brig Fanny, which sailed from this port on the 21st January last, for California, was at Honolulu when the Shamrock left. Her cargo was advertised for sale She may shortly be expected here, as Mr. J. S. Polack, her late owner, has transferred his interest in her to Mr. S. Brown.

Shipping Intelligence. New Zealander, 29 June 1850, P 2

Departure from Honolulu for Auckland 11 June 1850

The brig " Fanny," William Twohey, master, sailed from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, on the 11th of June for Auckland.

Drawing of a ship in a Storm In The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited. Bold Century
The  New Zealand Insurance Company Limited 1959

Shipwreck of the Brig Fanny, Fortuna 7 July 1850

And on the 7th of July last, the brig 'Fanny,' of and for Auckland, from the Sandwich Islands, was wrecked at Fortuna, a reef about forty five miles distant from Somo-Somo, one of the Fejee Islands. The ship's company were compelled to remain in their boats for twelve days for fear of being murdered — fortunately the cutter ' Sylph rescued them from the jaws of death;


More on the shipwreck can be found in an interesting full  account which appeared in the Daily Southern Cross on Tuesday 8 October 1850, page 2

Reference Source: 




 


 


 
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Saturday, 28 December 2013

A Brig Fanny and Gold Prospector Charles Ring


A Brig
" Beyond all outer charting
We sailed where none have sailed,
And saw the land-lights burning
On islands none have hailed;
 Our hair stood up for wonder,
But, when the night was done,
There danced the deep to windward
Blue-empty 'neath the sun!"
                                      
                                               From The Merchantmen by Rudyard Kipling


 A Gold Prospector
                                                                              
Part of the past of New Zealand History, the brig Fanny arrived in Australasian waters in 1849. The 171 ton brig was also known to have  two passengers aboard the San Francisco run – Sydney to San Francisco via Auckland who gained the reputation of first European Settler discoverers of gold in New Zealand – Charles Ring and his brother Frederick. 
They also, in later years, gained the reputation of being of the "forty niners"- those who present at the discovery of the new  "Californian Eldorado" on the goldfields in 1849.
Charles Ring In Cyclopaedia New Zealand, Auckland Province, 1902 

Shipping Gazettes and Australian newspapers in January – March 1849 recorded the arrival at Sydney, via Adelaide and Port Phillip, having sailed from Calcutta, Captain Harold Lewis, owner and  master and the brig Fanny up for sale.


The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 30 March 1849 Page 4 
Courtesy Trove Newspapers, National Library Australia

John Macfarlane (AKA McFarlane) was recorded as the buyer of Fanny. Macfarlane was co - owner of the shipping line of Henderson & Macfarlane – Thomas Henderson Senior, being the other owner. According to records, purchase price was £1485. 
The master who sailed Fanny for Henderson & Macfarlane was Captain Francis Owen Leathart (in some records Leathhard).


Thomas Henderson 
In The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited. Bold Century. Auckland: The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited, 1959.
Fanny for her first voyage as part of Henderson & Macfarlane shipping, was placed on the San Francisco run. Sheppard & Alger were the Agents in Australia.   W Coombes advertised as Agent in New Zealand.

 The Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 19 March 1849, page 1

Courtesy Trove Newspapers, National Library Australia


Amongst the passenger list, recording her departure to the San Francisco Gold fields via Auckland from Sydney (April 1849), were Charles Ring and his brother Fred Ring. It is said that "the brothers purchased a whale boat from Mr. Scott of Epsom with which they intended to prospect the Californian Rivers".( Cyclopaedia NZ, 1902).
Along with a mixed cargo of supplies Fanny sailed for San Francisco, arriving in August 1849. On arrival at San Francisco crew deserted the brig Fanny to seek their fortunes on the gold fields - as was done for the many ships anchored in the harbour. The Ring Brothers evidently lost their whale boat to the deserters also.

San Francisco rebuilt after earthquake of 1906 In
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 Daily Southern Cross, 14 December 1849, P 1 Courtesy Papers Past, National Library New Zealand
The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited. Bold Century. Auckland: The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited, 1959.

Coromandel Harbour 1970's Photo by J.M. Stewart
The brig Fanny sailed from San Francisco in September 1849 , still with her unsold cargo of mainly foodstuffs, sundries and bricks. Via a short stopover at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands , Fanny arrived back in Auckland, with the cargo and ship advertised for auction in November 1849.

According to the Daily Southern Cross (04/12/1849), the brig Fanny was purchased by Mr. Joel Samuel Polack for the sum of £1600. At first it was advertised that a Captain Lilewall would sail the brig Fanny. An advertisement also appeared for calkers and riggers wanted immediately.

Following repairs and refit, Fanny, with Captain William Twohey, not Captain Lilewall at the helm, set sail for San Francisco on another voyage. This brig now loaded up with timber, bricks and sundries. The timber consisted of house lots - early pioneer prefab buildings. 
This voyage was to prove eventful. On leaving the Port of Auckland, encountering a heavy storm and springing a leak, Fanny entered Coromandel Harbour for urgent repairs.


Resuming the voyage the brig Fanny on reaching Honolulu, according to The New Zealander, was to change ownership to a Mr. Samuel Brown. Departing from Honolulu in June 1850 this brig was not to reach Auckland, the destination for which she then sailed.

The brig Fanny was shipwrecked on 7 July 1850 at Fortuna -  A reef about forty-five miles distant from Somo-Somo, one of the Fejee Islands( today known as Fiji).Captain Twohey and crew spent a harrowing time in the jollyboat and longboat moving from island to island until rescued by the yacht Sylph.
 From accounts of the shipwreck it could also be said their rescue was very timely and a welcome alternative to probable death.

Boats and Fiji Islands 1940's photo by Helen Stewart
Charles Ring on return from San Francisco aboard the Dutch brigantine Ceres, also experienced shipwreck in July 1852 at the “Feegees.” As in the instance of the crew of the shipwreck Fanny, Ring too spent time in a long boat which set out with the intention of heading to Moreton Bay for assistance. 
Fortunately from accounts read, they were rescued when sighted by the whaling brig Daniel Watson.
Reference Sources:


 


 





































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