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Watts Watts & Co.

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History

The Northumbrian Watts family are believed to have first become ship owners in 1715. In the mid 1850s. W.H. Watts owned a number of small sailing ships carrying coal from Blyth along the coast in winter and as far as Spain and the Baltic in summer.
Edmund Hannay Watts started as a ship and insurance broker at Blyth in about 1851.From broking he graduated to owning,making an excellent profit out of the snow BRILLIANT in 1854.Two years later he added another vessel, the SULTAN and went into steam with the small steamer GOSFORTH and took into partnership Messrs. Milburn and Holt; the new business being called Watts, Milburn & Co. of Newcastle, coal exporters and shipowners in 1857 with Watts as the senior partner. From 1869 the partners ran steamers and as business grew they opened a London office to which Edmund Watts moved.
In 1861 SURBITON was built, starting the company’s policy of naming its ships after London suburbs.
In 1867 Watts, Milburn & Co. ordered four clipper-stemmed, barque rigged steamships for deployment on the China tea run. Being faster than sail steamships were able to bring home the first crops and attract prime market prices and this together with the opening of the Suez canal in 1869 when the Suez Canal brought about the final demise of the tea clipper. The ships, delivered on a semi-annual basis, were the CANTON, the HONG KONG, the NANKIN and the SINGAPORE and with their arrival London gradually became the main port with cargoes being handled by loading agents but supervised by one of the partners right up to the point of sailing. As the tea trade was seasonal the need for out of season cargoes saw the ships extending their operations as far as Australia and New Zealand.

In 1868 William Milburn formed the Hamburg-Brasilianische D.G in partnership with August Bolten of Hamburg. Destined to become one of the world's foremost shipping organisations the first three steamships were supplied by Watts, Milburn & Co. with the CRITERION making the company's first sailing on 15th June 1869.

During the 70's the export of coal progressed steadily and an association was formed with the American coal exporters Funch Edye and Company of New York. A more dramatic venture was the establishment of bunkering stations on the Australian run with the coal supplied by Watts ships.
Edmund H. Watts resorted to the somewhat radical action of taking control of a number of North-East collieries to solve the difficulty of obtaining full cargoes for his ships and in 1872 Edmund Watts formed a new concern, Watts, Ward & Co. for this purpose of becoming colliery owners and eventually built up an independent fleet of 22 steamships.
Three large steamships were built in 1874 which despite there names, WHAMPOA, ST. OSYTH and HANKOW, signified a determined entry into the Australian market with regular sailings from London to Australia via Cape Town which were completed in 42 days. The first sailing by the ST. OSYTH on the 31st October to Melbourne was on charter to Anderson, Anderson & Co. with a cargo for the Orient Line of Packets. After that the three ships were chartered to John Flint's Colonial Line for triangular voyages, the first sailing being made by the WHAMPOA on 24th December 1874. The ships would carry a general cargo on the outward leg to Australia then proceed to China in ballast where they would load tea for the homeward run. This arrangement lasted for almost six years and, in effect, the Watts, Milburn & Co. vessels were established on the Australian run some years before Milburn introduced vessels in his own right.

In 1877 Watts, Milburn & Co. Ltd began to sell off their ships and in 1879 the partnership split into two and the remaining ships were transferred to the newly formed companies.
Although the company’s steamers still normally operated in the Home and intermediate trades longer voyages began to be undertaken. By the early 1880s its coastal trade was controlled fom Newcastle and deep-sea trading from London. In 1884 the Britain Steamship Co. Ltd. (BSSC) was formed to own most of Watts’ ships and the name of the management company was changed to Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. in 1896.
Edmund Watts had died in 1902 and his son F. Shadforth Watts succeeded him and concentrated on the American trade; he started a service between Europe and Gulf and West Indian ports with two ships under the title of the Pensacola Trading Co. Ltd. and in 1908 another regular service between Seattle and Prince Rupert, B.C.
At the outbreak of World War 1 Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. owned 22 steamers, of which 13 were lost to enemy action, one sank after a collision, two were posted missing and one wrecked. The Shipping Controller placed two ships under Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. management and three reparations steamers were allocated to the company. Second hand vessels were bought after the war and the fleet was up to 19 ships by 1920.
Shadforth Watts died in 1926 and after an interval of two years the chair was taken over by his son Edmund Hannay Watts.

The second Edmund Watts faced the depression of the 20's and 30's by ruthless scrapping of the older vessels of a large fleet 39 strong. Hence forward ships were built in classes, starting with the 9,000 tons deadweight 'W' class of 1928 the WANSTEAD, WATFORD and WENDOVER and followed by the 'D's of 1930 and 1931 the DARTFORD, DEPTFORD and DULWICH of 6,470 tons deadweight.
Edmund Watts formed the Alexandria Navigation Co. Ltd. in 1931 to carry cotton from Egypt to Liverpool and Manchester and it was a natural extension to the long standing Watts interest in coal for the Egyptian State Railways. the NORBITON and CHATHAM were transferred to the new company and renamed STAR OF ALEXANDRIA and STAR OF CAIRO respectively, the management stayed with Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd.
In spite of the depression the company embarked on all sorts of ventures. In 1931 they entered insurance.
More ships were built during the 30's with much improved accommodation and better navigational aids. Between 1936 and 1938 came the 'B' class the BLACKHEATH, BECKENHAM and BEACONSFIELD followed by the 'T' class the TOTTENHAM, TEDDINGTON and TWICKENHAM.
The fleet was down to 9 steamers with 3 ships on order at the start of World War 2, of which 5 were lost, although the Ministry of War Transport MOWT allocated at least 10 ships to Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. management.
In 1943 the company's first motorship was launched the GREENWICH, and in 1949 and 1950 came three more motorships capable of 15 knots the second 'W' class again named WANSTEAD and WENDOVER with a new 'W' the WOODFORD, all of 8,500 tons deadweight, with much improved accommodation for the crew. By this time the company decided to standardize all their ship names to begin with 'W', so in 1952/3 came the WINDSOR, WOOLWICH and WOKINGHAM of 10,000tons deadweight, slightly slower but a good deal more economical in fuel than the previous trio.

The last steamers were sold in 1958. A construction programme of high quality motorships was undertaken, to operate a service from London to the east coast of Canada and with the aim of obtaining charters from liner companies. These were very striking in appearance were the third trio of 'W's which appeared between 1958 and 1960.These were the Barclay ,Curle built WEYBRIDGE, WIMBLEDON and WILLESDEN, again motorships of 9,500 tons deadweight. Their hulls had pronounced knuckles at bow and stern and the engine room was placed about three-quarters aft instead of amidships. Edmund Watts had much to do with the design of these vessels. After his death in 1962 no members of the family have been in the business which became much diversified in the 60's. Five coasters were acquired from the Queenship Navigation Ltd. and operated under the management of Comben, Longstaff and Co.Ltd., all being vessels of about 1,700 tons deadweight.
More revolutionary still was the appointment of Britain Steamship company to manage 7 tankers of 30,000 40,000 tons deadweight owned by the Gulf Oil Corporation, but under the British flag. These were later reduced to four.
finally in 1965 came the membership of the Seabridge consortium and the order of a 78,000 tons deadweight motor bulk carrier, delivered in 1968 (the WESTMINSTER BRIDGE).

In 1959 Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. owned 9 motorships, through Britain Steamship Co. Ltd. (BSSC). During the 1960s it became clear that the market for break bulk ships was coming to an end.

A number of smaller British shipowners decided to band together in 1966 to form Seabridge Shipping Ltd. The initial members were Bibby Line, BSSC, Clarkson, Silver Line, Bowring and Furness Withy. Each member agreed to build bulk carriers that would be chartered to Seabridge, who would operate and market them. BSSC built a 42,000 grt Panamax ship, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, but by the time it was delivered in 1968, Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. decided that the potential rewards from shipowning were insufficient to justify the capital investment risk. All of BSSC’s other ships had been sold or where on the point of being sold, so Watts were able to make an immediate clean sale of BSSC, its Seabridge interests and the new bulkcarrier to Bibby Bros.

Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. continued in business for a while, managing its old ships whilst they remained in service, their last ship was sold in 1967.
Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. was sold to an insurance company in 1968.

FLEETLIST PART 1

Watts, Milburn & Co.

PERO (1857-1864)
Snow O.N. 12901 212 tons 88.6 x 22.2. x 14.5 feet
6.1850 launched by T. Lightfood, Sunderland Yard No. ? for T. Pearce & W. Thackrey, Sunderland. 1851 purchased by W. Milburn, Blyth. 1857 transferred to Watts, Milburn & Co. 1864 sold to J. Bedlington, Whitby. 12.2.1866 driven ashore North beach, Yarmouth and wreck sold by auction.

HALICORE (1) (1857-1864)
Snow O.N. 16147 259 tons 97.0 x 23.2 x 15.4 feet
10.1853 launched by Margaret Jane Stoveld, Blyth Yard No. ? for W. Milburn, Blyth. 1857 transferred to Watts, Milburn & Co. 6.12.1864 struck rock near New Hellesund and abandoned.

WHALTON (1857-1859)
Snow O.N. 18422 226 tons 88.6 x 22.2 x 14.8 feet
8.1854 launched by Jopling & Willoughby, Sunderland Yard No. ? for Headley & Co., Blyth. 1855 purchased by W. Milburn, Blyth. 1857 transferred to Watts, Milburn & Co. 15.1.1859 driven ashore off Beyrout and condemned.

EQUINOX (1857-1869)
Barque O.N. 4974 406 tons 124.85 x 27.3 x 17.55 feet
10.1855 launched by ? Yard No. ? for W. Milburn, Blyth. 1857 transferred to Watts, Milburn & Co. 1869 sold J.P. Denton & W. Gray shipbuilders, West Hartlepool. 1880 sold to Sweden. 29.3.1880 left Hartlepool for Malmo and disappeared.


BRILLIANT (1857-1863)
Snow O.N. 23426 204 tons 81.3 x 20.9 x 14.9
1839 launched at Montrose for Sherret & Co., Montrose Yard No. ?. 1844 sold to Walker & Co., Montrose. 1854 purchased by E.H. Watts, Blyth. 1857 transferred to Watts, Milburn & Co. 1863 sold to Bedlington & Taylor, Sunderland. 1881 sold to G. Hardy, West Hartlepool. 1886 sold to W.J. Hardy, West Hartlepool. 1889 B/U.

ST. CLAIR (1857-1867)
Barque O.N. 23849 268 tons 119.6 x 22.3 x 14.9 feet
1855 launched by John Watt, Dysart, Fife Yard No. ? for E.H. Watts, Blyth. 1857 transferred to Watts, Milburn & Co. 1867 sold to Marshall Twedell, Sunderland. 1867 sold to William Hill, Withby. 22.3.1881 driven ashore at Zoutelande and lost.

GUADIANA (1857-1866)
Barque O.N. 4993 258 tons 102.9 x 25.2 x 15 feet
10.1855 launched at Sunderland Yard No. ? for E.H. Watts, Blyth. 1857 transferred to Watts, Milburn & Co. 1862 rerigged as brig. 30.11.1866 lost on the Winterton Ridge near Yarmouth. Only 1 crew member being saved.

CACTUS (1857-1867)
Snow O.N. 22587 203 tons 87.9 x 25.4 x 14.5
1846 launched by J.T. Alcock, Sunderland Yard No. ? for his own account. 1851 sold to William Tose, South Shields. 1856 purchased by E.H. Watts, Blyth. 1857 transferred to Watts, Milburn & Co. 1867 sold to John Manners, Blyth. 7.2.1883 wrecked in mouth River Tyne.

SULTAN (1857-1879)
Snow O.N. 11573 223 tons 97 x 24.7 x 14.3 feet
1850 launched by Sykes & Co., Sunderland Yard No. ? for W. Burdis, Sunderland. 1856 purchased by E.H. Watts, Blyth. 1857 transferred to Watts, Milburn & Co. 1876 Registry changed to London.
1879 transferred to Watts, Ward & Co. 25.11.1880 lost near Brouwersdam.

VIBILIA (1859)
Brig O.N. 11583 327 tons 93.0 x 26.3 x 19.1 feet
12.1818 launched by Patrick Holland & Co., South Blyth Yard No. ? for their own account. 1819 sold to E.H. Watts & Others, Blyth. 1825 sold to Hodgson & Co., London. 1856 sold to J. Hodgson, Blyth. 1858 sold to William Robson Crawford, Blyth. 1859 Watts, Milburn & Co. 29.12.1859 wrecked near St. Gildas in Bay of Biscay.

LOTHIAN (1860-1872)
Snow O.N. 28578 235 tons 97.9 x 26.2 x 15.0 feet
8.1860 launched by Bowman, Blyth Yard No. ? for Watts, Milburn & Co. 13.1.1872 stranded in dense fog and abandoned off Vedero Island and declared total loss.

ZETUS (1860-1868)
Barque O.N. 28587 300 tons 110.1 x 26.15 x 16.5 feet
8.1860 launched by Pace & Blumer, Sunderland Yard No. 4 for Watts, Milburn & Co. 1868 sold to J.P. Denton Shipbuilder, Hartlepool. 1868 sold to J. Turnbull, Amble. 11.11.1868 wrecked on Monchair Reef, Malta.

CARRON (1) (1861-1867)
Snow O.N. 29714 100.5 x 25.9 x 15.4 feet
8.1861 launched by the Floating Dock Co., Blyth Yard No. ? for Watts, Milburn & Co. 21.3. 1867 wrecked near Campbeltown off Patterson’s Rock.

ALN (1862-1867)
Barque O.N. 2029 335 tons 108.3 x 26.0 x 16.4 feet
4.1855 launched by G. Bowman & T. Drummond, Blyth Yard No. ? for their own account. 1862 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co. 1864 re rigged as brig. Tonnage 269 tons. 6.11.1867 wrecked near Oostmahorn, Holland.

ULRICA (1862-1874)
Snow O.N. 8586 291 tons 100.6 x 26.5 x 16.8 feet
3.1851 built by Austin & Mills, Sunderland Yard No. ? for their own account. 1859 sold to H. Stone, Poole. 1862 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co. 1874 sold to John Manners, Blyth. 1886 sold to G. Marshall, North Shields. 1891 sold to J. Watson, Newcastle. 1906 sold to K. McKenzie, Newcastle. 9.7.1912 destroyed by fire in Stornoway harbor.

HINDOOSTAN (1863-1879)
Barque O.N. 45169 479 tons 138.9 x 29.4 x 18.0 feet
6.1863 completed by J. Gill, Sunderland Yard No. 476 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1871 Registry changed to London. 1879 sold to J. Gibson, Blyth. 1887 sold to J. Horney, Blyth. 1892 sold to John & Jonathan Holt, Liverpool. 1892 sold to Government and hulked in Benni River, Algio Coast Protectorate. 1898 Registry closed.

SAVANNAH LA MAR (1863-1869)
Brig O.N. 20129 242 tons 107.85 x 23.4 feet x 14.95 feet
1857 launched at Alloa Yard No. ? for A. King, Glasgow. 1861 sold to Friend & Co., Liverpool. 1863 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co. 19.9.1869 stranded on the Shaw Reef and became total loss.

BUSTON VALE (1863-1879)
Barque O.N. 47765 421 tons 133.3 x 28.0 x 17.6 feet
1863 launched by Hutchinson, Newcastle Yard No. ? for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1879 sold to G. Paterson & T.J. Webster, Liverpool. 1880 sold to F.G. Fry & Co., London. 1884 sold to Government of India. 1894 hulked.

MAITLAND (1863-1867)
Brig O.N. 23354 105.2 x 26.4 x 17.0 feet
9.1851 launched b10. 1851 completed by W. Pile, Sunderland Yard No. ? for J.R. Kelso, North Shields. 1863 sold to J. Hodgson, Blyth. 1863 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co. 14.3.1867 abandoned near Cape Clear.

HARTLEPOOL (1864-1868)
Snow O.N. 16287 208 tons 95.1 x 24.8 x 14.5 feet
7 1856 lasunched by James Hardie, Sunderland Yard No. ? for A. Scotson & G. Porteus, Sunderland. 1861 sold to Henry Longstaff, Sunderland. 1864 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1868 sold to Wm. Pickersgill Shipbuilder, Sunderland. 1868 sold to G. Stokeld, Seaham. 1873 sold to T. Storm, Robin Hoods Bay. 11.1880 stranded in gale near Staithes and lost.

EASTERN QUEEN (1864-1879)
Barque O.N. 49620 481 tons 140.2 x 29.2 x 18.2 feet
6. 1864 launched 6.1864 completed by R. Thompson Jnr., Southwick Yard No. 22 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle.1879 sold to R. Thomas, Criccieth. 6.3.1888 foundered in North Atlantic.

SHEARWATER (1864-1865)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 49623 682g 198.1 x 28.0 x 16.45 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 90 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn, Newcastle.
7.1864 launched by T. & W. Smith, North Shields Yard No. 23 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1.11.1865 sprang leak in engine room and abandoned.

HALICORE (2) (1865-1868)
Brig O.N. 51381 256 tons 104.6 x 25.75 x 15.7 feet
11.1865 launched by D.A. Douglas, Southwick, Sunderland Yard No. ? for W. Milburn (Watts, Milburn & Co. mgrs), Newcastle. 5.3.1868 lost at Morant Bay, Jamaica.
CHIPCHASE (1865-1871)
Barque O.N. 49649 369 tons 120.2 x 27.65 x 16.8 feet
1.1865 launched by Tully, Sunderland Yard No. ? for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 16.11.1871 sank after collision off Liverpool whole crew perished.

HANNAH PARK (1865)
Snow O.N. 7395 259 tons 98.1 x 25.3 x 16.1 feet
7.1856 launched by W. Crown, Sunderland Yard No. ? for Duncan Mc Brayne Park. 1865 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 14.9.1865 sank after collision in Gulf of Finland.

LUCERNE (1865-1867)
Brig O.N. 40784 280 tons 105.6 x 26.3 x 16.3 feet
9.1865 launched by the Floating Dock Co., Blyth Yard No. ? for Watts, Milburn & Co. 6.1.1867 wrecked in mouth River Tyne.

LEVANT (1865)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 51378 723g 2009.0 x 28.7 x 16.3 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 90 nhp by Fossick, Blair Y Co., Stockton. 1873 new 2 cyl. steam engine and boiler by Ouseburn Engine Works, Newcastle 90nhp
10.1865 launched 11.1865 completed by Denton, Gray, Hartlepool Yard No. 61 for Watts, Milburn & Co. 1865 sold to J.P. Denton, W. Gray, Hartlepool. 1870 sold to H. Taylor, Liverpool. 1873 sold to Taylor, Cameron & Co., Liverpool. 1887 sold to W. Runciman, South Shields. 24.3.1888 sailed from Cardiff bound to Oporto and disappeared.

ARCHIMEDES (1866-1869)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 27912 1,053g 235.8 x 32,7 x 17.2 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 90 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn, Newcastle
8.1859 launched by Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co. Ltd., Jarrow on Tyne Yard No. 88 as JAMES DIXON for W. Cory Jnr., London. 7.11 1863 wrecked after collision. Wreck salvaged and repaired renamed ARCHIMEDES. 1966 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1.9.1869 wrecked on the coast of Gotland.

ST. BEDE (1866-1870)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 51385 748g 201.4 x 28.1 x 17.43 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 90 nhp by the Shipbuilders
12.1865 launched 2.1866 completed by Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co. Ltd., Jarrow on Tyne Yard No. 193 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 7.1.1870 foundered after collision off Flamborough Head. 18 crew members lost.

GOSFORTH (1866-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 51395 833g 214.5 x 29.2 x 17.55 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 100 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn, Newcastle. 1873 new 2 cyl. steam engine by R. & W. Hawthorn, Newcastle 110nhp
4.1866 launched by T. & W. Smith, North Shields Yard No. 31 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1872 Registry changed to London. 1873 lengthened and machinery compounded. 1879 transferred to Watts, Ward & Co. 4.4.1881 wrecked.

JOHN MIDDLETON (1) (1866-1870)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 56042 772g 212 x 28.15 x 17.4 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 90 nhp by the Shipbuilders
8.1866 launched by Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co. Ltd., Jarrow on Tyne Yard No. 209 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1.9.1870 foundered.

CARRON (2) (1867-1879)
Barque O.N. 56495 344 tons 120.1 x 27.2 x 17.0 feet
4.1867 launched by J. Crown, Southwick for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle Yard No. ? for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 3.3.1879 sank after collision off North Sand Light.
MARION (1867-1870)
Barque O.N. 45156 460 tons 131.55 x 29.45 x 17.85 feet
1.1863 launched by Davison & Stokoe, Sunderland Yard No. ? for Collingwood Tully, Newcastle. 1867 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 25.9.1870 struck rock beached and wrecked at Galle.

LORD COLLINGWOOD (1867-1879)
Barque O.N. 43596 343 tons 123.0 x 28.8 x 17.8 feet
7.1861 launched by Davison & Stokoe, Sunderland Yard No. ? for Collingwood Tully, Newcastle. 1867 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1879 sold to John Robertson & J.J. Marks, Liverpool. 1885 sold to R. Barazarte, Valparaiso, Chile renamed JUAN JOSE LATORRE. 1896 sold to D.Z. de Barazarte. 1904 sold to A. Ibarra, Ancud, Chile. 1909 deleted from Lloyd’s Register.

FLODDEN (1867-1875)
Barque O.N. 56520 343 tons 120.0 x 27.2 x 16.9 feet
12.1867 launched by Wm. Pickersgill, Sunderland Yard No. ? for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1875 sold to Robert Rae, Melbourne, Victoria. 27.8.1883 wrecked in River Yangste.

CLAREMONT 1868-1873)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 56098 799g, 533n 214.6 x 29.2 x 17.6 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 100 nhp by Thompson, Boyd & Co., Newcastle
5.1868 launched by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 164 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1872 Registry transferred to London. 1873 sold to F.G. Schmidt, Hamburg renamed GAMMA. 1884 sold to A. Kirston, Hamburg. 1900 re engine. 1914 sold to Sardegna Trasporti Marrittimi (S. Rocca Anci), Cagliori, Italy renamed SARDEGNA. 1917 sold to F. Lagorio fu g., Italy. 1918 sold to Ravano & Corrado, Italy renamed SANTI AGOSTINO. 1924 sold to Unione Linea Gran Cabotaggio Soc. Anon di Nav., Italy. 1925 sold to P. Consigliere, Italy. 1926 B/U.

TAUNTON (1868-1879)
Composite ship O.N. 60830 705g, 688n 181.5 x 32.0 x 17.7 feet
6.1868 by Denton, Gray, Hartlepool Yard No. 73 for Watts, Milburn & Co. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1881 sold to G.B. Meager, Swansea and re rigged as a barque. 1892 sold to J.A. Ferreira & Co., Lisbon renamed EMILIA. 17.7.1898 struck Thunderbolt Rock and sank while in tow.

FENHAM (1868-1875)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 56099 880g 224.5 x 29.2 x 17.6 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 100 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn, Newcastle.
6.1868 launched by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 166 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1872 Registry transferred to London. 1875 sold to J. Fawcett & Greenwell, Newcastle. 1875 re engined. 29.12.1882 wrecked Rotterdam.

CRITERION (1868-1871)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 56100 965g, 674n 224.5 x 29.3 x 17.5 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 100 nhp by Thompson, Boyd & Co., Newcastle
7.1868 launched 8.1868 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 169 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1872 Registry transferred to London. 1873 lengthened and machinery compounded. 21.7.1877 foundered off Jutland Coast.

LUTTERWORTH (1868-1875)
Iron ship O.N. 60895 883 tons 209.2 x 33.1 x 19.9 feet
12.1868 completed by Denton, Gray, Hartlepool Yard No. 61 for Watts, Milburn & Co. 1875 sold to J. Grey, London. 1878 re rigged as barque. 1879 sold ton Shaw, Savill & Albion Co. Ltd. 1906 sold to Colonial Sailing Ship Co. (A. Turnbull & Co.), Lyttelton. 1907 sold to Union Steamship Co., Timaru and hulked. 1950 sunk in Cook Strait by Royal New Zealand Airforce as a training exercise.

SANTOS (1869-1871)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 62366 1,016g, 641n 224.7 x 29.2 x 17.25 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 120 nhp by T. Richardson & Sons, Hartlepool
4.1869 launched by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 184 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1869 chartered to Hamburg Brasilianische Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft (HBDG). 1871 sold to Hamburg Sudamerikanische Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft. 1873 sold to W. Zoder, Hamburg, renamed ST. PAULI. 30.10.1877 stranded off Lys.

CHARLES TENNANT ( 1869-1875)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 62322 874g, 578n 224.8 x 29.1 x 17.35 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 100 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle.
4.1869 launched 7.1869 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 187 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1872 Registry transferred to London. 1875 sold to H. Clapham & Co., Newcastle renamed MAUD. 1884 owners restyled as Clapham Steamship Co., Newcastle. 1887 sold to A. Mango & D. Foscolo, Piraeus, Greece renamed THIRESIA. 1898 sold to Mitovidoff & others, Odessa. 1901 sold to E. Mouschenksky & Co., Odessa. 1908 renamed TERESIA. 1909 sold to J.J. Kodjash, Odessa. 1912 sold to F.E. Gladtchenock, Odessa. 1914 sold to H. Enriiqez, Constantinople renamed BEATRICE. 1916 sold to H. Nomicos, Greece renamed THYRA. 11.1.1916 sunk in bombardment of San Giovanni di Medua, Albania.

BRAZILIAN (1869-1870)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 62328 1,359g, 880n 240.0 x 32.4 x 24.2 feet
Simple 2 cyl. steam engine 120 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle.
6.1869 launched 8.1869 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 187 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1869 chartered to Hamburg Brasilianische Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft (HBDG). 1870 sold to Hamburg Brasilianische Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft (HBDG) renamed BRASILIEN. 1872 sold to Hamburg Sudamerikanische Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft. 1874 sold to H. Clapham & Co. not renamed. 1884 transferred to Clapham S.S. Co. 1889 sold to H.E. Moss & Co., Liverpool. 1891 sold to Hilmi Effendi, Turkey and resold to Caramanian Shahinoglou & Co. renamed MURVET. 1896 sold to Idarei Massousieh, Turkey. 1912 deleted from the Register.

SURBITON (1869-1873)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 63518 965g 224.5 x 29.1 x 17.5 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 110 nhp by Thompson, Boyd & Co., Newcastle
9.1869 launched by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 195 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 3.12.1873 lost with all hands.

CHU KIANG (1869-1872)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 63541 1,008g 206.0 x 30.2 x 22.0 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 120 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
11.1869 launched 12.1869 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 204 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 5.2.1872 wrecked on Lamyit Island.

OTTERBURN (1870-1872)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 63551 1,342g, 855n 238.2 x 32.1 x 23.8 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 130 nhp by Blair & Co., Stockton
12.1869 launched 1.1870 completed by by Denton, Gray, Hartlepool Yard No. 86 for Watts, Milburn & Co. 15.12.1872 cargo shifted and abandoned in Bay of Biscay.

HARE BELL (1870-1879)
Brig O.N. 49630 249g, 238n 102.2 x 26.0 x 14.6 feet
9.1864 launched by G. Hutchinson, Newcastle Yard No. ? for his own account. 1870 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1879 sold to T. Leighorn, Newcastle. 1886 sold to H. Andrews, Newcastle. 1886 sold to Bessey & Palmer, Yarmouth. 1896 owners restyled as Bessey & Palmer Ltd., 1920 sold to John. W. Robertson, Lerwick. 1925 B/U.

COQUET (1870-1873)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 63608 1,228g, 774n 231.0 x 32.1 x 17.5 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 120 nhp by T. Clark & Co., Newcastle
4.1870 launched 6.1870 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 210 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1873 sold to Spain renamed JUAN. 1877 sold to T. Baker Cardiff renamed COQUET. 1865 sold to John Fry, Cardiff. 1885 sold to W.J. Tillett, Cardiff. 24.12.1885 wrecked in Castro Urdiales Bay, Spain.

BLYTHWOODE (1870-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 63620 1,214g, 770n 230.0 x 32.0 x 17.2 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 120 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle.
5.1870 launched 8.1870 completed by Denton, Gray, Hartlepool Yard No. 95 for Watts, Milburn & Co. 1879 transferred to Watts, Ward & Co., London. 1892 sold to H. Briggs, South Shields. 1899 sold to Aktiebolaget Gustafsbergs Fabriks Intressenter Odelberg Gustafsberg, Sweden renamed GUSTAFSBERG. 1911 sold to Angfartygs Aktiebolaget Sune (G.T. Schele), Halmstad, Sweden renamed GUSTAF. 5.4.1915 wrecked on Morups Tange.

CHEVIOT (1870-1873)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 63648 1,226 gross tons, 764 net. Lbd: 230'2" x 32'2" x 17'5".
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 120 nhp by T. Clark & Co., Newcastle
7.1870 launched 9.1870 completed by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 228 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1873 sold to J. Laughlan & J. Gunn, Cardiff. 1876 purchased by Howard Smith & Sons from Foley & Co., London, possibly acting as agents, by W H Smith & Partners (Melbourne Steamship Co). Fitted at Sydney August 1877 to carry passengers as well as cargo for the Melbourne-Sydney-Newcastle service. Possibly had her engine compounded at this juncture. October 1883 owned outright by W H Smith & Sons Ltd. Had a history of breakdowns and on the night of 19th October 1887, in stormy weather her tailshaft broke or was stripped and just outside of the heads at Port Phillip she set sails before the wind to no avail. Wrecked near Point Nepean after being blown ashore and breaking in two, with a loss of 36 souls.

JOHN MIDDLETON (2) (1870-1878)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 63671 1,200g, 764n 229.1 x 31.7 x 17.3 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 120 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
9.1870 launched by Denton, Gray, Hartlepool Yard No. 100 for Watts, Milburn & Co. 6.3.1878 foundered at Sali Bazaar in the Bosporus.

RIO (1870-1871)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 62368 1,494g, 978n 260.8 x 33.2 x 25.5 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 160nhp by T. Clark & Co., Newcastle
9.1870 launched 11.1870 completed by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 228 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1870 chartered to Hamburg Brasilianische Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft (HBDG). 1871 sold to Hamburg Sudamerikanische Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft. 1880 lengthened. 1891 sold to M. Jebsen, 1898 sold to Rheinisch Westfálisches kohlen Kontor, 1899 beached at Kiau Chau, China after the cargo of coal caught fire and subsequently converted to a coaling hulk, 1901 scrapped.

SINGAPORE (1871-1873)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 63690 2,223g, 1,445n 300.0 x 36.8 x 27.9 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
9.1870 launched 1.1871 completed by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 239 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 9.7.1873 wrecked of Cape Guardafudi, Somalia. 16 crew members lost their lives.

CANTON (1871-1874)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 65558 1,880g, 1,215n 290.6 x 35.3 x 25.4 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
12.1870 launched 1.1871 completed by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 241 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 22.9.1874 wrecked on the Min Reef, Min River, China.


HONG KONG (1871-1875)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 65570 1,880g, 1,221n 290.4 x 35.3 x 25.4 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
2.1871 launched 5.1871 completed by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 242 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 22.2.1875 sank after striking a submerged rock near Socotra. 6 crew members and 6 passengers lost their lives.

RICHMOND (1871-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 65561 1,234g, 769n 229.8 x 32.2 x 19.9 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 130 nhp by T. Clark & Co., Newcastle
1.1871 launched 3.1871 completed by Schlesinger, Davies & Co., Wallsend Yard No. 31 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1879 transferred to Watts, Ward & Co., London. 1894 sold to T.S. Leinster, North Shields. 6.12.1894 wrecked at Burniston Cliff near Scarborough, Yorkshire.

CHISWICK (1871-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 65587 1,261g, 796n 239.5 x 32.1 x 17.6 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 130 nhp by T. Clark & Co., Newcastle
4.1871 launched 6.1871 completed by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 237 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1879 transferred to Watts, Ward & Co., London. 5.2.1891 struck Seven stones rock and sank. 11 crew members lost their lives.

CATHERINE APCAR (1871)
Iron screw barque O.N. 52963 230 x 32.5 x 17.2 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 100 nhp by Thompson, Boyd & Co., Newcastle
4.1865 launched by J. Wigham Richardson & Co., Newcastle Yard No. 34 for Gibb, Apcar & Durham, London. 1869 Registry changed to Calcutta. 1869 to S.A. Apcar. 1871 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 9.8.1871 sank after collision in fog near Flamborough Head.

YANGTSZE (1872-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 65650 1,218g, 783n 244 x 31.1 x 22.5 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 160 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
11.1871 launched 1.1872 completed by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 260 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1888 sold to Chinesische Kustenfahrt Gesellschaft, Hamburg. 13.6.1890 stranded on Hieshoui Island and abandoned.

COLOMBO (1872-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 65664 1,948g, 760n 280.3 x 35.0 x 25.6 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by T. Clark & Co., Newcastle
12.1871 launched 3.1872 completed by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 252 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to Watts, Ward & Co., London. 9.7.1885 wrecked on Scatterie Island, Cape Breton.

MAHARAJAH (1872-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 65671 1,571g, 994n 259.3 x 34.0 x 18.8 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 170 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle.
12.1871 launched 4.1872 completed by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 253 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1890 sold to Ervig, Walther & Hirsch, Xiansund renamed ROMSDAL. 1891 transferred to Actieselskabet Romssdal (G.C. Volckmar), Xiansund, Norway. 1893 re engined with triple expansion engine. 1901 sold to Acties Romsdal (T.H. Skogland), Haugesund, Norway. 1910 sold to Acties Skoglands Linge (T.H. Skogland), Haugesund, Norway. 27.8.1914 wrecked on Long Island.

CONSETT (1872-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 65689 1,573g, 996n 259.5 x 34.0 x 18.8 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 170 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle
3.1872 launched 5.1872 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 254 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 7.5.1880 wrecked on the Maldive Islands.

WEST STANLEY (1872-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 65704 1,568g, 993n 260.0 x 34.0 x 18.8 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 170 nhp by T. Clark & Co., Newcastle
3.1872 launched 6.1872 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 258 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 1881 sold to Helsingorske Damp. Selskab (H.C. Nyholm), Elsinore renamed SVEA. 1887 sold to Bartram, Haswell shipbuilders, Sunderland renamed WEST STANLEY. 1887 sold to J.F. Marshall, Sunderland. 1896 sold to Acties. Unity (H. Roed), Tonsberg renamed UNITY. 1905 owners restyled as Acties United (S. Roed), Tonsberg. 1909 B/U Dunkirk.

CHIN KIANG (1872-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 68357 1,249g 799n 243.5 x 31.2 x 22.3 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 160 nhp by T. Clark & Co., Newcastle
9.1872 launched 11.1872 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 267 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 29.1.1884 wrecked at Hore Tow Head, Huitan Bay. 12 crew members and 44 passengers lost their lives.

NANKIN (1873-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 68375 2,423g, 1,830n 330.6 x 36.8 x 25.5 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 300 nhp by Maudslay Sons & Field, London
7.1872 launched 1.1873 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 263 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to Watts, Ward & Co., London. 1880 sold to G.R. Glover, Liverpool. 28.4.1882 sank after collision in New York harbour.

DUNRAVEN (1873-1876)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 68402 1,613g, 1,044n 261.2 x 32.1 x 24.2 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 140 nhp by Thompson, Boyd & Co., Newcastle
12.1872 launched 3.1873 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 266 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 25.4.1876 struck Shaab Mahmond Reef and became total loss.

NINGPO (1873-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 68464 1,173g 762n 245.6 x 31.1 x 22.2 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 160 nhp by T. Clark & Co., Newcastle
7.1873 launched 9.1873 completed by J. Wigham Richardson & Co., Newcastle Yard No. 83 for Watts, Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 1888 sold to Chinesische Kustenfahrt Gesellschaft, Hamburg. 1895 sold to Okazaki Tokichi, Kobe renamed TAIYO MARU. 1899 sold to Takezaki Kusuma, Kobe 2.4.1902 wrecked Rock Is, near Cape Idzu.

AMOY (1873-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 68490 1,250g, 814n 249.0 x 31.6 x 22.0 feet
10.1873 launched 11.1873 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 295 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 1888 sold to Chinesische Kustenfahrt Gesellschaft, Hamburg. 1892 sold to Sugano Denyemon Fushiki Ko., Japan renamed KORIO MARU. 1892 wrecked off Japan.

PENSACOLA (1873-1876)
Ship O.N. 47485 1,421g, 104.6 x 39.4 x 25.0 feet
1863 launched by James Nevins, St. John, New Brunswick. 1864 sold to Crow & Co., Liverpool. 1864 sold to Curwen & Co., Liverpool. 1873 purchased by Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 7.12.1876 foundered east off Bermuda.

HANKOW (1874-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 68510 3,594g, 2,332n 389.0 x 42.1 x 28.8 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 493 nhp 1,320 ihp by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle
10.1873 launched 2.1874 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 290 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 1897 sold to Aberdeen Atlantic Shpping Co. Ltd.(John Rust & Son), Aberdeen. 1898 sold to Wilhelm Wilhelmsen, Tonsberg, Norway renamed DUNNET. 1899 went missing, presumed sank in Bay of Biscay.

WHAMPOA (1874-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 68517 3,835g, 2,487n 399.5 x 42.2 x 28.4 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 500 nhp by the Shipbuilders
10.1873 launched 2.1874 completed by Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co. Ltd., Jarrow on Tyne Yard No. 300 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 sold to Raffaele Rubattino, Genoa renamed MANILLA. 1881 transferred to Navigazione Generale Italiana (NGI) not renamed, 1905 sold but condemned and 1907 scrapped.

ROSEDEN (1874)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 70585 1,639g, 1,063n 265.0 x 34.0 x 24.6 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
1874 completed by Cole Bros, Willington Quay on Tyne Yard No. 23 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 20.7.1874 sank in Skagerrak after collision.

MARCIA (1874-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 70611 1,641g, 1,060n 265.0 x 34.0 x 24.5 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
7.1874 launched 9.1874 completed by Cole Bros, Willington Quay on Tyne Yard No. 24 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 10.7.1899 wrecked at Pern Point.

ST. OSYTH (1874-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 70617 3,541g, 2,967n 389.5 x 42.1 x 28.9 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 450 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle
3.1874 launched 10.1874 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 293 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 sold to Raffaele Rubattino, Genoa renamed SINGAPORE. 1881 transferred to Navigazione Generale Italiana (NGI) not renamed, 1910 scrapped at Palermo.

ACTON (1874-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 70634 1,646g, 1,066n 279.9 x 33.3 x 24.6 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
8.1874 launched by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 301 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to Watts, Ward & Co., London. 12.8.1886 wrecked near Cape Pine, Newfoundland.

GILSLAND (1874-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 70641 1,639g, 1,058n 265.0 x 34.0 x 24.5 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
8.1874 launched 10.1874 completed by Cole Bros, Willington Quay on Tyne Yard No. 25 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 1896 sold to Fujimoto Yasubei, Hiojo, Japan renamed SHIKISHIMA MARU. 1897 B/U.

DEVONHURST (1874-1878)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 70650 1,808g, 1,065n 280.0 x 33.3 x 34.6 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Sunderland
8.1874 launched by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 302 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1878 sold to H. Katz, Frankfurt, registered in Singapore. 1882 new boilers installed. 1883 sold to Atjeh Steamship Co., London. 1884 sold to Neder¬landsch Indische Stoomvaart Maatschap¬pij, Batavia. 1891 sold to T.C. Boogaardt who operated her for Blue Funnel Line. 1892 sold to Ocean Steamship Co. (A. Holt), Liverpool. 1893 transferred to the Nederlandse Stoomvaart Maatschappij Oceaan, Amsterdam. 1896 sold to Yamada Akitoro, Osaka renamed KUBO MARU. 1897 foundered on Kyushu. ? (D. Haws) (or 1899 sold to Hori Rikitoro, Osaka. 1902 sold to Tanaka Matsumosuke, Osaka. 1910 sold again. 1922 deleted from Lloyd’s Register.

SURBITON (2) 1877-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 76950 1,373g, 883n 240.0 x 32.0 x 22.8 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 130 nhp by Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Company
3.1877 launched by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 343 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 18.2.1879 sailed New York to Rotterdam and disappeared.

FERNWOOD (1877-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 76962 1,852g, 1,203n 280.0 x 34.2 x 24.7 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle
4.1877 launched 4.1877 completed by C.S. Swan & Co., Wallsend Yard No. 26 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 20.1.1885 departed from New York and disappeared.

PLAINMELLER (1877-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 76999 1,831g, 1,195n 280.2 x 34.2 x 24.4 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by J. Shaw & Co., Newcastle
7.1877 launched 8.1877 completed by J. Wigham Richardson & Co., Newcastle Yard No. 99 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 11.11. 1886 last seen off Hakodato, went missing.

COMPTON (1878-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 77080 1,804g, 1,186 280.0 x 34.7 x 24.4 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by J. Shaw & Co., Newcastle
1.1878 launched 3.1878 completed by J. Wigham Richardson & Co., Newcastle Yard No. 105 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 11.6.1886 wrecked in Balabac Straits, Borneo.

CLANDON (1878-1879)
Iron screw steamship O.N. 77105 1,971g, 1,286n 285.0 x 35.0 x 24.4 feet
Compound 2 cyl. steam engine 200 nhp by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co., Newcastle
4.1878 launched 5.1878 completed by C. Mitchell & Co., Low Walker, Newcastle Yard No. 358 for Watts, Milburn & Co., London. 1879 transferred to W. Milburn & Co., Newcastle and London. 24.1.1885 departed from New York and disappeared.

Sources:
The Tyser Legacy, A history of the Port Line and its associated companies, I. Farquhar, New Zealand Ship & Marine Society, 2006
Port Line, H.C. Spong, J. Dobson, WSS, 2004.
Travel of the Tramps, twenty Tramp fleets several volumes, N.L. Middlemiss, Shield Publication.
Internet sources
Miramar
 
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#3 ·
Names of Captains for Watts?

Hello Maritiem,

Your three posts on this company are very interesting reading. Do you also have information on the masters of Watts' ships?

I am particularly interested in mariners named MANNERS from Blyth.

A James Manners of Blyth was master of the brig SULTAN, ON 11573 on 12 November, 1873, and a Manners (not yet sure of forename, but also of Blyth) was master of LUCERNE on 5 January, 1867.

From Lloyd's Register and the newspapers, I also have Manner-es associated with BRILLIANT, CACTUS (which you note as sold to John Manners in 1867 and from which Robert Joseph Manners fell into the floating dock at Cowpen in 1877), and ULRICA, though I have not yet sorted their forenames.

Regards,
Adi
 
#5 · (Edited)
Hello Henk,

Thank you for this reply. There was definitely a long-term relationship between the two families.

From Christie's Shipping Register 1858 online at Google Books:

http://books.google.com/books?id=XdwNAAAAQAAJ&q=watts#v=snippet&q=watts&f=false

- brig BRILLIANT, ON 23,426 was jointly owned by Edmund H. Watts Junior, James Manners and M. Corbitt - all of Blyth

- brig CACTUS, ON 22,587 was jointly owned by Edmund H. Watts, John Manners, Robert Manners and R. Lough - all of Blyth

John Manners, James Manners and Robert Joseph Manners were all master mariners. I'm not yet sure about their brother-in-law Richard Lough, though he was definitely a ship owner.

In Sir Walter Runciman's book "Collier Brigs and Their Sailors", James Manners is described as a friend of Edmund Hannay Watts (but it doesn't specify EHW senior or junior).

Regards,
Adi
 
#6 ·
In the narrative above; it is stated that during WW1 two government and three reparation vessels were placed into company management.

I can account for WAR STAG and WAR GAZELLE both 1918-19 Government owned but only AUGSBURG 1919-20 as a reparation vessel.

Can anybody provide me with the names and dates of the other two reparation vessels?
 
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