[Binnacle]

An uncle of mine sailed on one of the last Andrew Weir sailing ships, unfortunately I can't remember which one. The only clues I have are, the cook jumped over the side on passage to W. Coast USA and the old man's wife died on the voyage. My uncle jumped ship in California. He had numerous sailing ship pictures hanging in his house, among them I presume this ship. I was hoping that perhaps a book had been written about this voyage. Anybody know ?.

[gdynia]

Binnacle check this web page out theres a comprehensive list there

http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/bank.htm

[Barrie Youde]

Hi, Binnacle,

If it helps at all, it is well recorded that the Olivebank (an Andrew Weir name)was one of the last commercial square-riggers. She is mentioned(I think) by Eric Newby in "The Last Grain Race" - his account of the Australia/UK grain trade in 1938/39. My recollection is that she was then owned by Gustav Erikson at Mariehamn in the Finnish Aaland Islands and not by Andrew Weir. (From memory, Newby's book includes a phtograph of her and several others anchored in Sencer Gulf.) Whether she was originally owned by Andrew Weir I do not know, but there seems to be a high probability that she would have been.

Do you know an approximate date which would be relevant? Gdynia's information says that the last Andrew Weir sailing ship was sold in 1912.

[Binnacle]

Thanks Gdynia & Barrie.
According to that list it looks as if the Olivebank or Springbank are the most likely as they were sold off as late as 1913. Springbank seems to jog my memory but I may be mistaken. I'm hoping that someone with access to US immigration records can track his entry into California, which would identify the ship.. His name was Thomas John Irvine, DOB 27/11/1890, born Shetland Isles.

[Shipbuilder]

It was most likely the Springbank. The captain's young wife died on the voyage. There was a book written about it and it was called CRACKER HASH by J R Stenhouse (3rd mate of Springbank) You can find the book for sale at www.bookfinder.com

Here is a model I built of Springbank a few years ago. It is about 11 inches long. I photographed it from a low angle and superimposed a picture of the sea over lower part.

Stump t'gallant four-masted barque. Andrew Weir (Bank Line).

The post below this one also refers to same book!

Bob

[Binnacle]

Thanks Bob for that information, I actually ordered that book a little while ago. After searching around on the internet I found that the Springbank was in Leith prior to that trip and my uncle could have joined there. Hopefully the book will give me some info.

[gdynia]

Look at this page on SN

http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthread.php?p=576195

[Binnacle]

Originally Posted by gdynia

Look at this page on SN

http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthread.php?p=576195

That's where I obtained the info about the Leith visit (thanks to SN and Aberdonian) I suspect that is indeed the voyage he was on. My mind boggles at the thought of going north about from Hamburg, rounding Muckle Flugga then setting course for the long haul to Santa Rosalina via Cape Horn. I await the arrival of the book with interest. Tks again.

[Aberdonian]

Originally Posted by Binnacle

That's where I obtained the info about the Leith visit (thanks to SN and Aberdonian) I suspect that is indeed the voyage he was on. My mind boggles at the thought of going north about from Hamburg, rounding Muckle Flugga then setting course for the long haul to Santa Rosalina via Cape Horn. I await the arrival of the book with interest. Tks again.

Judging from the low number of views (13) in the original post, I seem to have drawn attention away from an attached pdf file by giving it a misleading title. Here again is the file which may be of passing interest to members:

Aberdonian

[Alan Rawlinson]

Originally Posted by Aberdonian

Judging from the low number of views (13) in the original post, I seem to have drawn attention away from an attached pdf file by giving it a misleading title. Here again is the file which may be of passing interest to members:

Aberdonian

Would add that " Cracker Hash " is a great read, apart from the limited Bank Line content. Commander Stenhouse has a very lucid easy reading style, which conveys the reader on board with no difficulty. Also includes a few chuckles at the numerous nautical phrases, such as " awash up to the back teeth ".

There is another book about Stenhouse's amazing career, called " Ice Captain " which I have just ordered up. Not sure yet, if there is any Bank Line references in it.