Amy Gallery

An illustration of the Amy, source unknown.

Original pages from a Logbook of the Amy. 

Extract from the Logbook kept on board of the s.s “Amy” of Hartlepool, Capt. Charles Bowden commander, on the voyage from Danzic to Rotterdam with a cargo of wheat, rapseed & barley.

After having taken in at Danzic, a full and convenient cargo of wheat, the ship being in perfectly good order, properly manned, victualled and equipped we made the ship ready for sea.

1868 Sept. 5th: At 1.30 pm the pilot came on board, we unmoored the ship and proceeded to sea under variable winds and weather until,

1868 Sept. 7th: the wind light from S.S.E with hazy weather, at 0:45 p.m Svinebottom light vessel bore E by N distance 1 mile, came in a thick fog and reduced the speed to dead slow and half speed alternatively, course N.N.W. At 3 p.m. took sounding in 18 fathoms of water and put over the patent log. The weather being more clear we were running at full speed. At 2:30 p.m. we changed the course to N½W. At 4 p.m. came in thick again working the engines slow and half speed alternatively taking soundings in 20 fathoms of water, bottom of sand. At 6 p.m. we sounded in 23 fathoms of water, bottom of mud still very thick weather. At 8 p.m. took soundings in 18 fathoms. At 10 p.m. sounded in 15 fathoms.
At midnight sounded in 23 fathoms of water, bottom of sand and stone, thick weather. At 2 a.m. sounded in 27 fathoms of water, bottom of mud. At about 3:30 a.m. made broken water ahead, put the helm hard starboard and reversed the engines at full speed astern when the ship struck the ground almost immediately, the forehold filling directly afterwards with water. We then saw a light which proved to be the Winga high light. We kept the donkey engines pumping to keep the engineroom free from water, unbent both the cables, hauled them on shore and made them fast to prevent the ship from sliding down into deep water. Having sounded and found 8 fathoms of water under the ships stern, the crew was employed in making the ship ready to discharge the cargo. The captain then went off to Gotheburg in order to get assistance.

At about 11 a.m several boats came alongside and commenced to discharge the cargo by custom house authority.

1868 Sept. 8th: Commenced with light winds and moderate weather. At 4:30 p.m. the master and Lloyd’s agent came out from Gothenburg with 2 steamboats to lighten the ship and endeavour to get her off the rocks. Up til noon the ship still lay in the same position. At 10 a.m. got the tow line from the shore and two boats run out the hawser and bower anchor astern.

1868 Sept. 9th: The wind freshened which made a strong swell which caused the vessel to swing round with her stern upon the rocks when she stove in her bottom and filled her after compartments with water in consequence of which we were obliged to suspend operations until the weather moderated.

In consequence of what has happened on this voyage, and which has been impossible for me and my crew to prevent, I refer to the protest, noted by me the 7^th of this month and reserving to the owner or owners of the said ship and cargo, their rights of claiming indemnification for all losses, charges and expenses accruing from such damages, from insurers or underwriters or whomsoever else on whom the loss may justly fall, and exempt myself from all responsibility, and I request to get the truth of this statement confirmed by oath of the undersigned part of my ships crew, and to get a certificate of this declaration and protest in due form of law.

Gothenburg September 10th, 1868.
Charles Bowden - Master
Robert Hainsworth - Mate
William Robinson - 2^nd Mate
Anthony Hedley - Shipwright
Peter Willers - Seaman
John Alercer - Engineer

Ref: Gbg’s Landsarkiv, Gbg’s Rådhusrätt Bg:25 (1868)

Shields Daily Gazette, October 9th, 1868:
CLOSE OF THE INQUIRY ON THE LOSS OF THE STEAMSHIP AMY. The inquiry into the loss of the steamship Amy, of Hartlepool, was resumed yesterday, at the Borough Buildings Court Boom, before S. Robinson and J. R. H. Johnstone, Esqs. divisional county magistrates, assessors on behalf the Board of Trade. Captains Baker and Height, being again in attendance; as also was Mr. O'Dowd, who watched the proceedings for the Board, and J. T. Belk, of Middlesbrough, on behalf of Capt. Bowden, the commander of the Amy. Her owners, Messrs Appleby and Ropner, were, as on the first day, unrepresented by any legal adviser. The court met privately at eleven o’clock to consider the written statement put by the captain, which was not read in open court.

At 12.30 their worships and the assessors entered the court, when Mr. Belk, the Town Clerk, read their decision. They were of opinion that the course steered was safe and judicious, and that the master was justified in relying on the correctness of the compasses, seeing that so recently the vessel was swung for their adjustment, and inasmuch as that thev had not proved to be incorrect during the navigation of those seas; the deviation cards being simple and legibly made out, thus rendering any mistake in giving the course of the vessel by compass improbable. They were also of the opinion that every precaution was taken.
Taking all the circumstances in consideration, the court, with the entire concurrence of the nautical assessors, decided to return to Captain Bowden his certificate, trusting that this disaster would convince all commanders navigating these dangerous seas how neccessary it is in all fogs to make use of every precaution available in their power, — Mr O‘Dowd thanked the court for the patience, care, and evident desire to do justice which had characterised their proceedings throughout this important inquiry.—The court shortly afterwards adjourned. 

In 1866, Thomas Appleby and Robert Ropner founded the shipping company of Appleby, Ropner & Co. This partnership was dissolved in 1874, with each partner establishing their own companies: T. Appleby & Co., and R. Ropner & Co.

The vessels listed below under ship are those that were built at West Hartlepool and those that were built elsewhere are listed under a general history.

Family History:

Thomas Appleby was born at Garmondsway, Durham in 1839 to parents John (farmer) and Elizabeth Davison (nee Richardson) Appleby. He married Harriet Wearmouth at Pittington on 9^th December 1868. In 1871 the family were living at Seaton Carew. By 1881 the couple were living at Ashfield House, Greatham with their five children. Harriet died in December 1904.

Thomas was chairman of the Hartlepool Gas Company, president of the South East Durham Conservative Association and a J.P.

Thomas died at Greatham aged 69 on 24^th November 1909 leaving effects of £116,954.

As well as being a shipbuilder John Punshon Denton kept ownership of some of the ships he built and also owned and had shares in ships that were registered but not built in Hartlepool. Records that survive show vessels he at least partly owned from 1839. Some would have been for repair which he would then have sold on.

Other shareholders included: George Denton (John’s brother) Robert Elstob Hutton (master mariner & shipowner); John Elstob Hutton (insurance agent); George Wilkinson; Robert Wilson; Edward Lowden; James Winks; William Gray; Robert Gray; Thomas Rowell (bank agent); Thomas Sanderson (grocer); William Garrick (shipowner); Henry and James Proctor (master mariners); John Meldrum; (sailmaker); Jane Eden; Thomas Appleby; Robert Ropner; George Moon (shipowner, Sunderland); Thomas Belk; Robert Lawson Watson; William Huntingdon & Thomas Bell (Sunderland); Robert & William Ord (Sunderland); Elizabeth Hutton Wilkinson &  John Wilkinson (Craythorne); William Marsingdale Wilkinson (Manchester)

Brief Family Histories of some of the above mentioned shipowners:

George Denton was born on 6th September 1804 at Bishopwearmouth to parents Barbara (nee Punshon) and Richard Copeland Denton. He married Susanna Robinson (daughter of John Robinson) at Great Driffield, Yorkshire on 16^th October 1849 and they had five children:  George Robinson born 16^th August 1852; Arthur Copeland born c1853; Alfred born c1855; Ida Preston born c1857; Ernest born c1859. By 1861 the family were living at St Hilda Street, Hartlepool and by 1871 Victoria Place, Hartlepool.

George died aged 73 at Hartlepool on 30^th December 1877 leaving effects of under £300. His widow, Susanna, died in 1908.

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James Winks was born on 19^th April 1800 at North Shields to parents Margaret (nee Fenwick) and John Winks.  He married Alice Allen at Tynemouth in 1824 and they had one daughter. James was a shipwright and the family lived at Middleton.

James died aged 66 at Hartlepool on 28^th July 1866 leaving effects of under £300. His widow, Alice, died in 1888.

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Edward Lowden (also spelt Lowdon) was born in 1810 at Gosforth, Northumberland to parents Elizabeth (nee Nicholson) and Edward Lowden. He became a butcher and was also a lay-preacher.  By 1851 he was recorded as being a widower and in that year and 1861 he was boarding with James Winks and his wife at Middleton. In 1881 he was retired and living at Hanover Street, Stranton. Alice, James Winks widow, was living with him as a servant.

Edward died aged 78 on 28^th August 1888 at Farndale Terrace, Hartlepool.

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George Moon was born 21^st January 1812 at Sunderland to parents Elizabeth (nee Yule) and Henry Moon. He married Mary Ann Ord at Sunderland in 1842 and they had three daughters. In 1849 the family were living at Marine Terrace, Hartlepool. By 1861 they had moved to Hampstead.

George died age 81 at Windsor on 4^th November 1893 leaving effects of £19,676.

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Thomas Rowell was born c1808 at Weetslade, Northumberland to parents William and Catherine Rowell. He married Elizabeth Rowley and they had one daughter, Catherine, born in 1837. Thomas was a bank agent and was mayor of Hartlepool from 1842 to 1843. In 1851 the couple and their daughter were living at Southgate, Hartlepool with Thomas listed as a landed proprietor.

Thomas died aged 48 on 27^th March 1859 at Sedgewick House, Hartlepool leaving effects of under £100.

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John Meldrum was born on 10^th April 1794 at Sunderland to parents Mary (nee Pearson) and John Meldrum. He became a master sailmaker. John married Margaret White in 1842 at Sunderland and by 1851 the couple were living at Hartlepool.

John died aged 65 on 22^nd November 1859 at Hartlepool leaving effects of under £2,000.

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William Garrick was born on 17^th November 1798 at Orkney, Scotland to parents Margaret (nee Matteson) and John Garrick. He married Elizabeth Porteous on 14^th October 1828 at Sunderland. William became a shipping agent and shipowner.

William died on 1^st December 1847 at Hartlepool.

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Henry Proctor was born on 22^nd July 1822 at Lynn, Norfolk to parents Mary (nee Rudland) and James Proctor. He married Bell Watson on 31^st March 1846 at Bishopwearmouth. Henry first went to sea in 1836 and worked his way up to become a master mariner. He was mate of the Margaret of Hartlepool from 1843 to 1845 and was then master of several Sunderland registered ships.

Henry died aged 49 at Sunderland in 1871.

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Thomas Sanderson was born 21 January 1812 at Sunderland to parents Ann (nee Sandal) and Joseph Sanderson. He went to sea in 1823 as an apprentice and worked his way up to become a master mariner.  Thomas married Margaret Mary Sanderson in 1840 at Sunderland. Margaret died in 1847 and he married for the second time to Mary Wayman in 1854 at South Shields. When Thomas retired he became a grocer and provision Dealer.

Thomas died aged 66 on 24^th December 1878 at Sunderland.

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Joseph Nixon Eden was born 30^th April 1806 at South Shields to parents Jane Nixon and John Eden. He went to sea in 1819 as an apprentice and worked his way up to become a master mariner. Joseph married Jane Rennoldson on 1^st September 1831 at Devon.

Joseph died in 1855 at Stockton leaving his shares in the Voyager of Hartlepool to his widow, Jane Eden.

William Gray established a woollen & linen drapery business in Hartlepool in 1843. Also having an interest in shipping he acquired shares in sailing vessels from 1844.

Some of the other shareholders included: Robert (draper) & John Gray (Blyth); Matthew Gray (North Blyth); James Robson (Newcastle-on-Tyne); Henry Taylor (Liverpool); James Monks (Durham); Alexander Robertson (solicitor, Peterhead.

Henry Taylor Purvis; John Callender (draper); Phillip Howard (master mariner); James McBeath (master mariner); James Smith (master mariner); Jane Hall; John Fothergill; Jens Christian Nielsen; William Coward; William Horner; Frederick & Joseph Edward Murrell; all of Hartlepool.

William also had shares in sailing vessels along with John Punshon Denton. Eventually the two formed a partnership in shipbuilding with their first ship, Dalhousie, laid down on 4 July 1863. In December 1871 John Denton died. A dispute arose over the company’s profits which was eventually resolved in 1874 with the firm becoming William Gray & Company. In August 1874 the company’s first ship, Sexta, was launched.

William Gray was born on 18 January 1823 at Blyth, Northumberland to parents Anne Jane (nee Bryham) & Matthew Gray. He married Dorothy Wilson Hall on 15 May 1849 at St. Mary, Lewisham, Kent. In the 1851 census the couple were living at 2 Marine Terrace, Hartlepool. By 1861 the census recorded William as being a linen & woollen draper & shipowner & by 1871 as a shipbuilder. The couple had five daughters and two sons. Their eldest son, Matthew, died suddenly of pneumonia in June 1896 aged just 41.

William died aged 76 on 12 September 1898 leaving effects of £1500422. His widow, Dorothy died aged 81 on 7 September 1906.

William Cresswell Gray was born in 1867 at Tunstall Manor to parents Dorothy (nee Hall) & William Gray. He married Kate Casebourne in 1891 and they had four daughters and one son.

William took over as chairman of the company after the death of his father. He was created a baronet in 1917 and was given the freedom of Hartlepool and West Hartlepool in 1920.

William died aged 57 on 1 November 1924 at Bedale, Yorkshire leaving effects of £417347.

William Gray (3^rd generation) was born on 18 August 1895 at Hartlepool to parents Kate (nee Casebourne) & William Cresswell Gray. He was educated at Loretto School in Scotland, and passed direct from the school in 1914 to the Green Howards, where he rose to the rank of captain. He was several times mentioned in despatches, but was subsequently wounded and taken prisoner in 1915. He returned safely in 1918 following the Armistice. He married Mary Leigh at London in 1929.

Following the death of his father William took over the company in 1925. The recession and interest on money borrowed for development had left the company in financial difficulties but this was overcome and shipbuilding continued. The company made a substantial contribution to the war effort during WW2. After the war the company held its own with shipbuilding and repair work. In 1956 William Talbot Gray, the third William Gray’s son, became a joint managing director. He was killed in a car accident in 1971 aged 40. The company went into voluntary liquidation in 1962 and closed completely in 1963. William retired to Orchard Cottage, The Drive, Egglestone, Barnard Castle.

William died aged 82 on 28 January 1978 at Barnard Castle leaving effects of £116121.

Ships owned by William Gray & Co. that were not built in Hartlepool are recorded below under 'a general history'.