'HAMPSHIRE'
26th May 1870. Arrived at Plymouth.
28th May 1870. Sailed from Plymouth for Melbourne with 35 first-class and 80 second and third class passengers, and a full general cargo.
18th August 1870. Arrived at Melbourne.
2nd October 1870. Sailed from Melbourne for London.
19th December 1870. Arrived in London.
21st January 1871. Due to sail from London for Melbourne. Captain Robert Ridgers.
27th January 1871. Arrived at Plymouth from London to embark passengers for Melbourne, and sailed.
6th March 1871. Spoken to in lat. 13•10 S; long. 27 W.
24th April 1871. Arrived at Melbourne.
20th November 1871. Due to sail from London for Melbourne. Captain Robert Ridgers. Her internal arrangement of the saloon has been altered, the dining portion of it being placed athwart ship, thereby giving very much increased accommodation in the cabins. She has also had 150 tons of concrete placed in the bottom.
27th November 1871. Arrived at Plymouth from London.
28th November 1871. Sailed from Plymouth for Melbourne.
3rd December 1871. Passed Madeira.
20th December 1871. Crossed the Equator.
27th December 1871. Passed Trinidad.
13th January 1872. Crossed the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope.
8th February 1872. Arrived in Melbourne. On the voyage one of the third cabin passengers gave birth to a male infant. A number of Leicester and merino rams were brought out in her in very good condition.
24th September 1872. Sailed from London for Melbourne. Captain Robert Ridgers.
2nd October 1872. Arrived in Plymouth, from London.
3rd October 1872. Sailed from Plymouth for Melbourne.
21st December 1872. Arrived at Melbourne from London.
30th January 1873. Sailed from Melbourne for London.
21st June 1873. Sailed from the East India Dock for Melbourne. Captain Robert Ridgers.
23rd June 1873. Sailed from Gravesend.
27th June 1873. Anchored in Plymouth Sound.
29th June 1873. Sailed from Plymouth for Melbourne.
1st July 1873. The captain called out that there was a dead man in the sea along the port side. The passengers ran to see the horrible sight, but the captain knew it was only a thick plank 8ft long, 3ft diameter, covered with barnacles floating in the sea.
5th July 1873. Passed Cape Finisterre.
16th July 1873. Crossed the line in Lat 41.
7th August 1873. Sighted Trinidad.
20th August 1873. Crossed the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope.
16th September 1873. Arrived at Melbourne.
12th November 1873. Hauled off from the railway pier, Sandridge, and brought up in the stream.
13th November 1873. Towed to the Heads and sailed from Melbourne for London.
4th April 1874. Sailed from London for Melbourne. Captain Robert Ridgers.
11th April 1874. Sailed from Plymouth.
4th May 1874. Crossed the Equator.
31st May 1874. The meridian of the Cape of Good Hope was crossed.
19th June 1874. A high sea was running and tumbled inboard and stove in one of the boats on the skids and deluged the decks.
26th June 1874. Passed the Cape Northumberland.
26th June 1874. Mrs. Carter gave birth to a girl.
1st July 1874. Arrived at Melbourne.
14th September 1874. Cleared out to sail for London.
27th February 1875. Sailed from Plymouth for Melbourne. Captain Robert Ridgers with 12 cabin, 35 second and third-class passengers.
14th May 1875. Arrived at Melbourne.
7th July 1875. Sailed from Melbourne.
3rd January 1876 Sailed from Plymouth with 25 saloon and 30 second and third-class passengers, a number of whom embarked at Plymouth, for Melbourne. Captain Robert Ridgers.
22nd September 1876. Crossed the equator.
26th March 1876. Arrived at Melbourne. During the passage, the Rev. Dr. Russell died, after a short illness of 11 hours.
12th October 1876. Sailed from London for Melbourne. Captain Robert Ridgers.
18th October 1876. Sailed from Plymouth.
7th January 1877. Arrived at Melbourne.
17th February 1877. Sailed from Melbourne for London.
10th September 1877. Sailed from London.
16th September 1877. Sailed from Plymouth for Melbourne. Captain Robert Ridgers.
4th December 1877. Arrived in Melbourne.
21st January 1878. Sailed from Melbourne for London.
29th April 1878. Passed Plymouth bound for London from Melbourne.
13th June 1878. Sailed From Plymouth for Melbourne. Captain R. Ridgers.
14th June 1878. Passed the Lizard.
27th June 1878. Passed Madeira.
14th July 1878. Crossed the equator.
22nd July 1878. Passed Trinidad.
5th August 1878. A tremendous whirlwind swept by the vessel, passing very close and taking immense bodies of water with it well up in the air.
31st August 1878. Arrived in Melbourne. During the voyage the chief officer, Mr. Fenton, had his left arm broken near the elbow.
7th April 1879. Sailed from London, Captain R. Ridgers, for Melbourne.
10th April 1879. Passed the Lizard.
8th May 1879. Crossed the equator.
8th June 1879. Crossed the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope.
10th June 1879. A burst of heavy weather, which was accompanied with a high sea, gave a tremendous lurch, and a house on deck in which a number of cattle were placed carried away, and got smashed up. Two of the crew were injured at the same time.
10th July 1879. Arrived in Melbourne. She brings out a large and valuable consignment of horned stock for Mr. W. M’Cullock’s herd at Glenroy. Seventeen were shipped, but one died during the voyage.
17th July 1879. David Brown, seaman, pleaded guilty to a charge of being absent without leave. He was discharged upon promising not to repeat the offence.
J. Richards and James Waggot, seamen, were summoned by Constable Johnston for insulting behavior, whereny a breach of the peace occurred. The defendants were fighting in Station Place on the morning of the15th. They received a good character from Captain Ridgers. The Bench imposed a fine of £1, with 10s 6d costs, upon each of the defendants.
10th August 1879. The ‘Somersetshire’ arrived at Melbourne with Mr. Park, who is the chief officer, will leave and take command of the ‘Hampshire’ in place of Captain Ridgers, who was appointed to the ‘Kent’.
18th August 1879. In the early part of the morning, the vessel ‘Wotonga’ caught fire and Mr. Fenton, chief officer of the ‘Hampshire’ and a number of his crew contributed valuable assistance in getting the flames under control.
2nd October 1879. Towed from the bay, by the ‘Albatross’, and anchored in the channel.
3rd October 1879. Sailed from the Heads for London. Captain Parke.
8th March 1880. Sailed from London. Captain R. H. Parke.
12th March 1880. Passed the Lizard.
3rd April 1880. Crossed the equator.
2nd May 1880. Crossed the Meridian of the Cape of Good Hope.
26th May 1880. Passed Adelaide.
2nd June 1880. Arrived at Melbourne.
17th July 1880. Sailed from Melbourne for London. A reported withdrawal of Messrs. Money Wigram and Sons’ vessels from the Australian trade led to a surmise that the ‘Hampshire’ would be the last of them to fly the well-known house flag at Melbourne. This possibility has been viewed with regret, for the ships have been identified with the trade there for very many years. Captain R. Ridgers, who commanded her before he joined the ‘Kent’, has been appointed to the ‘Atalanta’, a large steamer trading between Bristol and America.
11th December 1880. Sailed from London for Melbourne. Captain Richard Henry Parke.
16th December 1880. Parted with the pilot at Start Point.
27th January 1881. Crossed the equator.
19th February 1881. Crossed the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope.
28th April 1881. Hauled off from Sandridge railway pier to the bay and anchored.
20th March 1881. Arrived at Melbourne.
29th April 1881. Sailed from Melbourne for London.
1st July 1881. Sold to Money Wigram & Son’ Ltd.
17th September 1881. Sailed from London for Melbourne. Captain Parke. Chief Officer Mr. Johnson. Second Officer Mr. Morphew.
20th September 1881. Passed the Lizard.
12th October 1881. From London for Melbourne at lat 14N. Long 26W.
23rd October 1881. Crossed the equator.
15th November 1881. Crossed the meridian for the Cape of Good Hope.
15th February 1882. Sailed from Melbourne for London via Cape of Good Hope.
9th July 1882. Sailed from London for Melbourne. Captain John Mathias.
13th July 1882. Passed Start Point.
16th July 1882. Passed the Lizard.
7th August 1882. From London for Melbourne at lat 11deg N. and Long 25 W. a dismasted ship was to leeward. The ‘Hampshire’s’ course was altered, and as she ran down to the ship, Captain Mathias signaled, “Do you require any assistance?” On nearing the ship, it was found that the mizentopmast and upper maintopsail-yard were gone, and nearly all her canvas. All the sails were stripped from the main and the foreroyal, and all stay-sails and spanker gaff had disappeared. As night was coming on, the ‘Hampshire’ ran still nearer, so that her signals might be observed, but no notice was taken of them. The hands were busy bending a lower maintopsail when the ‘Hampshire’ came up, and previous to this the Australian ensign – a red flag with the white stars of the Southern Cross in the fly – had been hoisted. There was evidently no desire by those on the crippled ship to communicate with them so Captain Mathias hauled up on his course, and continued his voyage.
14th August 1882. Crossed the equator.
10th September 1882. Crossed the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope.
15th September 1882. Was in the neighbourhood of a cyclonic gale.
3rd October 1882. Passed St. Paul’s.
20th October 1882. Arrived at Melbourne from London.
8th December 1882. Entered out for London.
June 1883. Sold to Captain Joseph Hossack of Liverpool (Messrs. C. Bethell & Co., are part owners).
28th July 1883. Made her first voyage under her new owner with 461 emigrants and a crew of 43 hands, chartered by the Queensland Government, bound to Rockhampton. Captain John Mathias. Several important alterations and improvements were effected in the saloon and steerage accommodation to fit her specially for passenger work, and it was intention of the owner to confine her exclusively to this business.
4th August 1883. Sailed from Plymouth for Rockhampton.
30th August 1883. Crossed the Equator.
23rd September 1883. Rounded the Cape of Good Hope.
14th October 1883. Passed Cape Loeunin.
23rd October 1883. Rounded Tasmania.
6th November 1883. Arrived at Rockhampton with 405 English, 6 Scotch, 50 Irish emigrants. Occupations: 58 female domestic servants, 87 farm labourers, 33 general labourers, 6 gardeners, 5 masons, 9 miners, 1 cooper, 3 blacksmiths, 4 bricklayers, 1 engineer, 2 sawyers, 25 carpenters and joiners, 2 plumbers, and 22 others.
3rd January 1884. At Rockhampton, Central Island, ballasting.
12th January 1884. Sailed from Keppel Bay and proceeded to Newcastle, N.S. Wales, took in a cargo of coals to Antofagasta via Valparaiso, where she loaded an entire cargo of nitrate of soda for Hamburg, after the discharge of which she proceeded to London.
18th January 1884. Arrived at Newcastle, Aus.
27th November 1884. Sailed from London. Captain J. F. Mathias. Parted with his pilot off St. Albans Head.
2nd January 1885. From London for Melbourne at lat 5N. Long 25W.
7th March 1885. Arrived at Melbourne. The passengers filled in their time with musical and histrionic performances, athletic sports, etc., and a shorthand class was instituted by the Rev. Canon Fergie.
10th April 1885. Discharging and receiving cargo alongside the Victorian railway pier.
21st May 1885. Was cleared out to sail from Melbourne for London but was detained on account of being loaded over the Plimsoll’ mark. A lighter was sent alongside to take off 50 tons of cargo to lighten her.
28th October 1885. Sailed from London, Captain John Mathias, for Melbourne. On her last visit to Melbourne some exception was taken by the insurance companies through their marine surveyors to the load line of the vessel. There was an alleged injustice in this proceeding, and when Captain Mathias was in London he had the question submitted to the authorities with the result that the vessel was allowed two more inches draught of water when loaded than was accorded her. The mark was cut in on the side of the vessel.
4th November 1885. Passed the Lizard.
13th November 1885. While off the coast of Portugal she shipped a heavy sea which carried in the saloon doors and windows. Also the lower maintopsail was blown away.
14th November 1885. A third-class passenger’s child, which had died of convulsions, was committed to the sea.
16th November 1885. The islands of Palma and Teneriffe were sighted.
3rd December 1885. Crossed the equator.
15th December 1885. Mr. F. W. Leversha, saloon passenger, died from consumption.
2nd January 1886. Crossed the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope.
5th January 1886. Two female infants were born.
1st February 1886. Arrived at Melbourne.
25th February 1886. Due to sail for London via the Cape of Good Hope.
22nd October 1886. Having been loaded, fitted, and provisioned in London left the Thames in tow for Fremantle via Plymouth. Captain Mathias.
24th October 1886. Arrived at Plymouth.
27th October 1886. At Plymouth to embark 250 emigrants for the West Australian Government, and probably some 30 to 40 for the W. A. Land Co.
6th November 1886. Passed Madeira.
12th November 1886. The island of Bona Visto was sighted.
25th November 1886. Crossed the Equator.
2nd December 1886. Passed the island of Trinidad.
20th December 1886. Rounded the Cape of Good Hope.
5th January 1887. Passed the island of St. Paul.
20th January 1887. Arrived at Fremantle having on board 313 (adults) emigrants and third-class passengers. The saloon passengers were Dr. Kenny and Miss M. A. Fraser. During the voyage there were five births and four deaths, one of which was that of an infant.
24th January 1887. The following cases were heard at the Fremantle Police Court:- Albert Edwards, seaman, was charged by Capt. Mathias with stealing preserved meat of the value of 30s.. The offence being admitted the accused were sent to prison for 12 weeks with hard labour and to forfit 30s out of his wages.
James Easton and Henry Garton were charged with stealing twenty-five packages of cocoa and thirty boxes of sardines. The cocoa was valued at 12s. 6d., and the sardines at 30s. Each of the prisoners pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour and to forfet the value of the stolen goods out of their wages.
Frederick Moreton, a sailor was charged with refusing duty. Captain Mathias having proved the offence said he did not wish to press the charge due to he had already been kept in confinement on board ship and was sorry for his offence, whereupon the accused was dismissed with a caution. He had been engaged in London for the voyage out and was to have been discharged on his arrival at Fremantle.
4th February 1887. An enquiry, held at the Police Court, of a nature not very clearly understood concerning certain alleged irregularities on during the voyage between Miss Fenn, the late matron, and the Captain Mathias, the first officer and the surgeon Dr. Kenny. The court was held in camera.
6th February 1887. The supposed irregularities alleged to have taken place on board the vessel laid by the ex-matron, Miss Fenn, against the captain, officers and surgeon broke down. It was on account of the surgeon having disrated the matron for using personal violence towards him, and for repeated acts of insubordination. The captain, officers, surgeon, and all concerned left the court without the slightest stain upon their character.
22nd February 1887. John Stevenson was charged by Captain Mathias, at the Fremantle Police Court, with desertion, which being proved, he was sent to prison for 12 weeks.
15th March 1887. Sailed for Madras, in ballast.
1st April 1887. Crossed the Equator.
May 1887. Arrived at Calcutta, from Madras, were a charter had been secured to load with gunny-bags, tea, and castor-oil, for Lyttelton, New Zealand, at 35s 6d per ton.
23rd June 1887. Expected to sail from Calcutta.
6th September 1887. Arrived at Wellington, N.Z., from Calcutta with a cargo of woolsacks.
28th October 1887. Sailed from Port Chalmers, N.Z., for Iquique, West Coast of South America, in ballast.
17th November 1888. Sailed from Dunedin with part of cargo from New York.
31st December 1888. Was the flagship of the Lyttelton Regatta. At precisely eight o’clock she fired her “Woolwich infant,” and at the same time sent up a string of bunting, which extended from bowsprit end to boom end. Captain Mathias had the ship tastefully dressed with flowers, evergreens, etc., and as she lay at the pier presented a very festive appearance. Awnings were spread over her poop and decks, and there a large number of subscribers to the Regatta spent the day, receiving all attention at the hands of Captain Mathias and his kind and obliging officers, who spared neither time nor trouble in making them at home.
30th January 1889. Completed her loading of wool for London’.
2nd February 1889. Sailed for London. Passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Offerson.
May 1889. Sold on her arrival at London from New Zealand. All the old officers and crew left her, a compete new crew onboard.
10th March 1890. Captain Mathias writes to a friend who took passage home from New Zealand in the vessel in 1889 writes – “The poor old ‘Hampshire’ has gone with all hands, not a soul left to tell the tale. She was in ballast and must have been caught in a squall and capsized.”
