Palmer List of Merchant Vessels

Oil painting, dated 1859, by the half-brothers Lorenz Petersen (1803-1870) and Peter Christian Holm (1823-1888), marine painters in Altona, for H. Meyer, who commanded the vessel from 1858 to 1868. Source: Jürgen Meyer, Hamburgs Segelschiffe 1795-1945 (Norderstedt: Egon Heinemann, 1971), plate between pp. 16 and 17. To request a larger copy of this scan, click on the picture.

The Hamburg ship DOCTOR BARTH was built at Apenrade, Schleswig (now Denmark), by T. A. Andersen, in 1855; Bielbrief [certificate of registry] Apenrade 26 October 1855. 317 Commerzlasten; 51,4 x 8,3 x 5,9 meters (170' x 30' 7" x 21' 5", Hamburg measurement, length x beam x depth of hold). The original owners were Thomas Julius Andersen, son of the builder (2/3), and the Hamburg shipowner Robert Miles Sloman (1/3); Sloman acquired full ownership of the vessel in 1857.

Masters: 1855-1857 - C. Koch 1857 - J. H. Niemann 1858-1868 - H. Meyer 1869-1874 - C. Bockwoldt Voyages: 1855-1857 - from Apenrade/intermediate ports/London 1857-1873 - almost exclusively to New York, except a voyage in 1857 New York/Hull; 1861/62 New York/Swansea; 1866/67, 1867, 1868/69 New York/Bremerhaven; 1868 New York/Geestemünde; 1870/71 New York/Havre 1873/74 - Victoria (Brazil)/Dona Francisca

In October 1874, Sloman sold the DOCTOR BARTH to Nyholm, in Copenhagen; I have no record of her later history.

Sources: Walter Kresse, ed., Seeschiffs-Verzeichnis der Hamburger Reedereien, 1824-1888, Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte, N. F., Bd. 5. (Hamburg: Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte, 1969), Bd. 2, p. 211; Ernst Hieke, Rob. M. Sloman Jr., Errichtet 1793, Veröffentlichungen der Wirtschaftsgeschichtlichen Forschungsstelle e.V., Hamburg, Bd. 30 (Hamburg: Verlag Hanseatischer Merkur, 1968), p. 374.

Voyages:

[H.] Meyer, master, arrived at New York on 13 September 1858 (passenger manifest dated 14 September 1858), from Hamburg 3 August 1858, with merchandise and 137 passengers, to L. E. Amsinck.

[21 Nov 1997; 22 Nov 1998]

DOCTOR KANE (1857)

The British bark DOCTOR KANE (Official No. 33,335), was built under Lloyd's Register of Shipping Special Survey by William Power, in Quebec, in 1857. 609 (readmeasured 607, in 1863) tons; 157 x 29.3 x 18.2 feet (length x beam x depth of hold). She was transferred from the Quebec to the Londonderry registry in 1859 (Quebec registry closed 28 June 1859). The annual volumes of Lloyd's Register of Shipping for 1859/60-1869/70 contain the following additional information on her:

Master: 1859/60 - [not given] 1860/61-1862/63 - J. M'Cay 1862/63-1869/70 - S. Milligan Owner: J. & J. Cooke Port of Registry: Londonderry Port of Survey: 1859/60 - Liverpool 1860/61-1869/70 - Clydeside Destined Voyage: 1859/60 - North America 1860/61-1862/63 - Quebec 1862/63-1869/70 - West Indies

Lloyd's Register for 1870/71 contains no reference to the DOCTOR KANE, which was last surveyed in December 1862. I do not know anything of her later history or ultimate fate. For lists of passengers that sailed on the DOCTOR KANE during her years in the Irish-Canadian service, see Brian Mitchell, comp., Irish Passenger Lists, 1847-1871; Lists of Passengers Sailing from Londonderry to America on Ships of the J. & J. Cooke Line and the McCorkell Line (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988).

[08 Dec 1997]

DONAU (1853)
DRESDEN [1866]

Source: Arnold Kludas and Herbert Bischoff, Die Schiffe der Hamburg - Amerika Linie, Bd. 1: 1847-1906 (Herford: Koehler, 1979), p. 23.

The Hamburg ship DONAU was built at Altona (now part of Hamburg, but then a port in the kingdom of Hannover), by Ernst Dreyer, for the Hamburg-Amerikanische Paketfahrt-Aktiengesellschaft (HAPAG, Hamburg-America Line), in 1853 (Bielbrief [certificate of registry], 22 June 1853). 237 Commerzlasten / 533 tons, 139.6 x 31 x 19.6 Hamburg Fuß (1 Hamburg Fuß = .28657 meter), length x breadth x depth of hold, zwischen den Steven / 40,1 x 8,8 meters (length x breadth).

Masters: 1853-1854 - F. A. Heydtmann 1854-1857 - H. H. D. N. I. Trautmann 1857-1863 - J. Meyer 1863-1864 - C. Hebich 1864-1866 - J. Meyer

The DONAU sailed almost exclusively on the Hamburg-New York route, although she also sailed to Charleston, SC, in 1858/59 and 1859/60, to London in 1861, to Hull in 1861 and 1862, and to Philadelphia in 1865. In 1866, after having been severely damaged at sea, she was sold in New York to Charles Hall, of Boston, and sailed for Port Louis, Mauritius, as the DRESDEN. I know nothing of her later history.

Sources: Walter Kresse, Seeschiffs-Verzeichnis der Hamburger Reedereien 1824-1888, Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte, N.F., 5 (Hamburg: Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte, 1969), vol. 1, p. 188; Arnold Kludas and Herbert Bischoff, Die Schiffe der Hamburg-Amerika Linie, Bd. 1: 1847-1906 (Herford: Koehler, 1979), pp. 22-23 (picture).

Voyages:

Hamburg ship DONAU, Trautmann, master, arrived at New York on 31 July 1856 (passenger manifest, dated 2 August 1856), 41 days from Hamburg, with merchandise and 172 passengers.
Hamburg ship DONAU, [H. H. D. N. I.] Trautmann, master, arrived at New York on Thursday, 13 November 1856 (passenger manifest dated 15 November 1856), 36 days from Hamburg, with merchandise and 296 passengers, to E. Beck & Kunhardt. "Had one birth and 24 deaths among the passengers. Oct 19, lat 57 19, lon 32 10, in a gale from W.N.W., lost from the jibboom Charles P. Corneilsen, of Denmark, a seaman. Experienced heavy gales on the passage, lost jibboom, foretopgallant mast, main topsail yard."

[27 Jul 1997; 17 Apr 1999]

DONEGAL (1808)

The British brig DONEGAL (Official No. 33717, International Signal Code: RGLS) was built in Belfast in 1808. The annual volmes of Lloyd's Register of Shipping for 1812, 1820, and 1834/35-1876/77 contain the following information on her:

Tonnage: 1812 - 200 1820 - 194 1834/35-1852/53 - 196 1853/54-1859/60 - 190/196 1860/61-1874/75 - 174/196 1875/76-1876/77 - 142/196 Master: 1812 - Courtney 1820 - Gowan 1834/35-1836/37 - J. Matches 1836/37-1852/53 - J. Hodgson 1853/54-1859/60 - R. Dixon 1860/61 - W. Clark 1861/62-1862/63 - Irvine 1862/63-1864/65 - Wiltshire 1864/65-1876/77 - Crossley Owner: 1812, 1820 - G. Langtry 1834/35-1835/36 - [not given] 1836/37-1876/77 - Hodgson Port of Registry: 1812, 1820 - [not given] 1834/35-1836/37 - Whitehaven 1836/37-1852/53 - Maryport 1853/54-1876/77 - Whitehaven Port of Survey: 1812 - London 1820 - Belfast 1834/35-1835/36 - [not given] 1836/37-1840/41 - Maryport 1840/41-1842/43 - Whitehaven 1842/43-1843/44 - Liverpool 1844/45-1859/60 - Whitehaven 1860/61 - Maryport 1861/62-1876/77 - Whitehaven Destined Voyage (-1873/74): 1812 - Belfast 1820 - London 1834/35-1835/36 - [not given] 1836/37-1840/41 - North America 1840/41-1842/43 - Dublin 1842/43-1843/44 - Newfoundland 1844/45-1845/46 - [not given] 1846/47-1847/48 - Dublin 1848/49-1850/51 - North America 1851/52-1852/53 - coaster 1853/54-1854/55 - Quebec 1844/45-1859/60 - [not given] 1860/61-1873/74 - coaster

The 1812 and 1820 volumes of Lloyd's Register also indicate that the DONEGAL had a single deck with beams, and that she drew 15 feet of water when fully loaded. Lloyd's Register for 1876/77 contains the notation "lost". However, the event may have occurred some time before 1876/77, as the DONEGAL appears to have been last surveyed in May 1865.

[10 Feb 1998]

DORETTE (1855)
NORDSTJERNEN [1870]

The Bremen bark DORETTE was built at Vegesack by Hermann Friedrich Ulrichs, for the Bremen firm of Carl Pokrantz & Co, and was launched on 3 November 1855. 242 Commerzlasten / 503 tons register; 40,5 x 9,0 x 5,1 meters (length x beam x depth of hold); International Signal Code: QBLS. Her captains were: Joh. Grabau, Vegesack; Joh. Hinr. Gätjen, Bremen (1860); Cord Gustavus, Vegesack (1861); B. Schumacher, Bremen (1863); Lüder Schulken, Bremen (1864). The vessel was primarily engaged in the trans-Atlantic freight and passenger service.

On 19 December 1859, off the coast of Florida, the DORETTE rescued 9 survivors (including 5 women) from the ship SILAS HOLMES, which had foundered the day before with the loss of the master and 32 passengers and crew.

In November 1862, the DORETTE, under the command of Capt. Gustavus, collided with the ship EXPRESS, Capt. Unruh, which lost its mizzenmast; the DORETTE was undamaged.
Louis Haesloop (b. 1847), from 1878 captain of the Bremen bark HENRY (formerly Bremen ship LOUIS HENRY), made several voyages as a member of the crew of the DORETTE, then under the command of Capt. Lüder Schulken, from Bremerhaven to New York and New Orleans in 1867-1868. His memoires describe the conditions on board an emigrant sailing vessel of the period:

Diesmal ging die Reise nach New Orleans und wieder mit ungefähr 300 Passagieren.... Welche einfachen, ja primitiven Einrichtungen für die Passagiere derzeit! In dem niedrigen Zwischendeck waren 300 Menschen eingepfercht. Keine Fenster, keine Ventilation! Wenn bei schlechtem Wetter die Luken geschlossen werden mussten, war es dort unten eine fürchterliche Luft. Verschiedene Abteilungen gab es derzeit noch nicht, alles wohnte und schlief durcheinander. Ein Arzt war nicht an Bord. Wasser für alle diese Menschen wurde in Fässern mitgenommen. Jeder erhielt eine kleine Ration Trinkwasser, sehr scharf bemessen. Nachts wurde scharfe Wache gehalten, damit kein Wasser und Proviant gestohlen werden konnte. Während der Reise gab es acht Sterbefälle und eine Geburt.

Haesloop describes the next voyage from Bremerhaven to North America:

Wieder ging es mit fast 300 Passagieren in See nach New York. Am 8. März segelten wir zum Leuchtturm hinunter, mußten hier aber ankern und einen schweren Nordoststurm aushalten. Wir lagen vor beiden Ankern mit 90 Faden Kette. Folgenden Tages kamen wir in See und segeltem [sic], da der Wind Südwest war, wieder Nord um England. Auf dieser Reise viel Sturm und schlechtes Wetter. Die armen Passagiere hatten viel auszuhalten, sie konnten tagelang nicht an Deck kommen, da die Luken geschlossen bleiben mußten. Auf dieser Reise fiel auch unser Kollege Christoffer Seebeck aus Rönnebeck über Bord. Bei stürmischem Wetter und hoher See stürzte derselbe von der Obermarsrah in See. Unter Lebensgefahr wurde ein Boot ausgesetzt, mußte aber nach vergeblichem Suchen wieder an Bord zurückkehren. Mit vieler Mühe und knapper Not gelang es, das Boot wieder an Bord zu kriegen. Kurz nachdem das Boot mit seiner Mannschaft an Bord in Sicherheit war, setzte ein schwerer Sturm ein. Unseren armen Freund sahen wir nicht wieder. Endlich, am 15. Mai, nach einer sehr harten und beschwerlichen Reise, kamen wir in New York an. Außer unserem Kameraden Seebeck hatten wir auch eine Anzahl Passagiere, meist Kinder, in die See betten müssen.

On the return voyage, from 23 June to 5 August, the DORETTE carried a cargo of Petroleum to Bremerhaven.

In 1870, the DORETTE was sold Norwegian, to H. Chr. Grön, of Lunden, who renamed her NORDSTJERNEN. In 1880, she was acquired by L. G. S. Larsen, of Hauan (Sandefjord).

In 1904, after a career of 48 years, the NORDSTJERNEN ex DORETTE was condemned in Lisbon, and was sold for scrapping.

Source: Peter-Michael Pawlik, Von der Weser in die Welt; Die Geschichte der Segelschiffe von Weser und Lesum und ihrer Bauwerften 1770 bis 1893, Schriften des Deutschen Schiffahrtsmuseums, Bd. 33 (Hamburg: Kabel, c1993), pp. 279-280, no. 40.

[15 Nov 1997]

DOVER CASTLE (1858)
KEM [c1880]

The British ship DOVER CASTLE (Official No. 20847; International Signal Code: NCTR) was built under Lloyd's Register of Shipping Special Survey at Sunderland in 1858. 1003/1003/881 tons (gross / net / under-deck); 185 x 34 x 22 feet (length x beam x depth of hold); poop deck 73 feet long, forecastle 30 feet long. Originally rigged as a ship, but re-rigged in late 1874/early 1875 as a bark. She was owned first by R. Green (presumably of the firm of Richard & Henry Green, shipbuilders and owners of Blackwall, London), then by Shaw, Savill & Co, then by C. Y. Boe, of Arendal, Norway, who acquired her in about 1880, and changed her name to KEM. The annual volumes of Lloyd's Register of Shipping for 1858/59-1881/82 give the following information:

Master: 1858/59-1861/62 - Adams 1861/62-1864/65 - Ayles 1864/65-1870/71 - R. Deacon 1870/71-1872/73 - W. F. Owen 1872/73-1874/75 - R. Kerr 1874/75-1880/81 - A. Culbert 1880/81-1881/82 - [not given] Owner: 1858/59-1871/72 - R. Green 1871/72-1880/81 - Shaw, Savill & Co 1880/81-1881/82 - C. Y. Boe Port of Registry: 1858/59-1880/81 - London 1880/81-1881/82 - Arendal, Norway Port of Survey: 1858/59-1881/82 - London Destined Voyage (omitted from the Register after 1873/74): 1858/59-1859/60 - [not given] 1860/61-1870/71 - Australia 1870/71-1871/72 - India 1871/72-1873/74 - [not given]

I do not know the later history of ultimate fate of the KEM ex DOVER CASTLE. For surviving accounts of voyages to Australia on board the DOVER CASTLE, check Ian Hawkins Nicholson, Log of Logs; a catalogue of logs, journals, shipboard diaries, letters, and all forms of voyage narratives, 1788 to 1988, for Australia and New Zealand and surrounding oceans, Roebuck Society Publication Nos. 41, 47, and 52 (3 vols; Yaroomba, Qld: The Author jointly with the Australian Association for Maritime History, [1990]-1999).

[16 Dec 1997]