Queen of the Isles

Dixon Taylor Sharper, and his son of the same name, owned a number of small sailing ships, all of which were pre-owned. Very few of these vessels were re-registered at Hartlepool and many came to grief under their ownership. Dixon senior had shares in ships from about 1869 and owned his first ship in about 1879.

The list of the vessels below are those currently known to have been owned at some time by Dixon Taylor Sharper senior and junior.

Family History:

Dixon Taylor Sharper (Senior), was born at South Shields in 1825 to parents John and Mary Ann. He became a sail maker. He married Barbara Ridley Allen on 23 August 1847 at St Hilda’s Church.
The Durham County Advertiser of November 30th, 1849, records the death (on the 24th), in Shadwell Street, South Shields, of Andrew Allen (aged 4 months), infant son of Mr. Dixon Taylor Sharper, mariner.
By 1861 Dixon and Barbara had moved to Hartlepool and were living at Harbour Terrace with their son and three daughters. By 1871 they were living at Tower Street, West Hartlepool with their son and two daughters. Barbara died in 1880 aged 55. Dixon was remarried in 1881 to Susannah Fox and by the time of the 1881 census they were living at 17 Thornton Street. On the 1891 census they were visitors at Doncaster.
Dixon died aged 69 at Doncaster on 18 March 1895 leaving effects of £1,409.

Dixon and Susannah’s son, John Henry Sharper, joined the Royal Garrison Artillery and was killed in France on 22 March 1917 aged 31.

Dixon Taylor Sharper (Junior), was born on 19th April, 1855, at West Hartlepool to parents Dixon and Barbara. Following the trade of his father he became a sail maker.  He married Mary Alice Burgess at Hartlepool in 1874. In 1881 they were living at Brunswick Street, Stranton with their daughter. By 1901 the family were living at ‘Ardrossan’ No. 40. Clifton Avenue.
Dixon died at Hartlepool aged 58 on 16 April 1913 leaving effects of £7349.

Official No. 2604: Code Letters HPTM.

Owners: 1837 W Reed, Lynn; 1838 Everard & Co, Lynn; 1862 Thomas Holmes (merchant, Queen Street) Lynn; 1872 John Thomas Cook, Lynn; 1882 Dixon Taylor Sharper (West Hartlepool) Lynn; 1889 George Hardy (Lynn Street) West Hartlepool.

Masters: 1838-50 J Turner; 1851-53 Ormiston; 1863-74 Edward Abby Baines (b. 1822 Lynn); 1880-90 J Peeps; 1891-92 G Welyan; 1893 Sleeman.

Voyages: 1838-40 Lynn for the Baltic.

Bound from Hull for Salcombe with a cargo of coal Queen of the Isles drove onto Castle Rocks at Salcombe Harbour on 3 January 1893. The vessel could not be moved & it was obvious that the damage was extensive so due to the waves breaking over her the crew abandoned her. The wreck was purchased by salvors & her masts & other stores were brought ashore. The operation became impeded by rough weather & her bow swung off into deep water. The following morning she disappeared & was found submerged in the track of navigation. The Harbour Commisioners ordered the obstruction cleared & various attemtps were made to do so but all failed. Then nature took a hand & the current washed the wreck onto the rocks at Moult where she was left high & dry by the receding tide in a position where the salvors could break her up.