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A master mariner of Whitby who moved to Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. He died at sea in the Bay of Biscay |
John Christopher Farndale The Younger
FAR00308
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Context
and local history are in purple.
Overview
John
Christopher Farndale the Elder’s third son, John Christopher Farndale the
Younger (FAR00308) captained various ships. His father,
brother and himself all lived lives of adventure, perils at sea, and travel.
This was a family of mariners at the heart of the maritime coal industry in the
mid Victorian era. The second generation ventured widely around the North Sea
(often called the German sea at the time) and the Baltic and further south.
John Christopher Farndale the Younger was the most adventurous of the brothers,
with many voyages through the Baltic to various ports.
A brig is a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig. It had
two masts which were both square-rigged. Brigs originated in the second half of
the eighteenth century and were a common type of smaller merchant vessel or
warship from then until the latter part of the nineteenth century. In
commercial use, they were gradually replaced by fore-and-aft rigged vessels
such as schooners, as owners sought to reduce crew costs by having rigs that
could be handled by fewer men. In Royal Navy use, brigs were retained for
training use when the battle fleets consisted almost entirely of iron-hulled
steamships. Brigs were prominent in the coasting coal trade of British waters.
4,395 voyages to London with coal were recorded in 1795. With an average of
eight or nine trips per year for one vessel, that is a fleet of over 500
colliers trading to London alone. Other ports and coastal communities were also
be served by colliers trading to Britain's coal ports. In the first half of the
nineteenth century, the vast majority were rigged as brigs, and that rig was
retained for longer in the northeast of England.
The Mary, a Brig of South Shields
painted in 1855
The Traditional Song, the Collier Brig: Oh,
the worst old ship that ever set sail, Sailed out of Harwich on a windy day.
Chorus: Stormy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys, When the wind blows the
barge will go. She was built in Roman style, Held together with bits of twine.
Skipper’s half Dutch and he hasn’t got a clue, The crew were fourteen hands too
few. Cook spilt the dinner on the galley floor, Skipper caught his hand in the
wheelhouse door. Off Orford Ness we sprang a leak, Hear our poor old timbers creak.
We steered our way round Lowestoft next, The wind backed round to the
sou-sou-west. Through the Cockle to Cromer Cliff, Steering like a wagon with a
wheel adrift. Up The Humber and up to town, Pump, you devils, pump or drown.
Then on a sandbank we got stuck, Skipper’s drunk in the Dog and Duck. Up come a
mermaid covered in slime, We took her down the hold and we had a good time. We
kept on course all through the night, Nearly went aground at the Apex light.
Coal was shot by a Keadby crew, Bottom was rotten and it went right through. So
when we saw the brig was sunk, We went to the Barge and we all got drunk.
A master mariner is a licensed mariner who holds the
highest grade of seafarer qualification. He is thus given an unlimited master's
license, with no limits on the tonnage, power, or geographic location of the
vessel that the holder of the license is allowed to serve upon. A master mariner
would therefore be allowed to serve as the master of a merchant ship of any size, of any
type, operating anywhere in the world, and it reflected the highest level
of professional qualification amongst mariners and deck officers.
The term master
mariner has been in use at least since the thirteenth century, reflecting
the fact that in guild or livery company terms, such a person was a master craftsman in this specific
profession, such as were also a master carpenter, master blacksmith etc.
In the British Merchant Navy a master mariner who
had sailed in command of an ocean going merchant ship was titled “Captain”, although a professional
seafarer who held a restricted or limited master's certificate who had sailed
in command of a ship could also be titled captain.
Where the movements of
ships were recorded in the shipping news and other media, the name of the ship
was followed by the name of the Captain.
For the extensive maritime
expeditions of John Christopher Farndale the Younger Farndale, see also the Maritime Adventures of John
Christopher Farndale the Younger.
The
Traditional Song, the Collier Brig: Oh, the worst old ship that ever set
sail, Sailed out of Harwich on a windy day. Chorus: Stormy weather, boys,
stormy weather, boys, When the wind blows the barge will go. She was built in
Roman style, Held together with bits of twine. Skipper’s half Dutch and he
hasn’t got a clue, The crew were fourteen hands too few. Cook spilt the dinner
on the galley floor, Skipper caught his hand in the wheelhouse door. Off Orford
Ness we sprang a leak, Hear our poor old timbers creak. We steered our way
round Lowestoft next, The wind backed round to the sou-sou-west. Through the
Cockle to Cromer Cliff, Steering like a wagon with a wheel adrift. Up The
Humber and up to town, Pump, you devils, pump or drown. Then on a sandbank we
got stuck, Skipper’s drunk in the Dog and Duck. Up come a mermaid covered in
slime, We took her down the hold and we had a good time. We kept on course all
through the night, Nearly went aground at the Apex light. Coal was shot by a
Keadby crew, Bottom was rotten and it went right through. So when we saw the
brig was sunk, We went to the Barge and we all got drunk.
1830
John Christopher was born on 18 October 1830, the son of John Christopher & Ann
Farndale (FAR00244) of Whitby, painter. He was baptised on 10 November
1830 at Whitby (Whitby PR
& IGI).
1841
After
John the Elder had died, the Census of 1841 for
Whitby Cray listed his widow, Ann Farndale,
age 45; born in Yorks (ie 1796); Thomas Farndale, age 13 (FAR00300); John Farndale, aged 10 (FAR00308); Mary Farndale, aged 8 (FAR00320).
1845
The younger John
Christopher Farndale appeared to have got into some trouble, as an apprentice
mariner. The Hull Packet, 28
February 1845: CAUTION TO APPRENTICES. JUSTICE ROOM, WHITBY.
FEB 19. Before Thos Fishburn, and John Chapman, Esqrs. On Saturday four sea
apprentices, named Matthew Walker, John Christopher Farndale, Isaac Wilson, and
Thomas Hill, where charged with absenting themselves from the ship Great
Britain, belonging to Mr Joseph Tindale, of Whitby. The charge was clearly
proved by the master, and the lads failing to show any justifiable cause for
their misconduct, were committed to Northallerton for one month’s hard labour.
We hope this punishment will bring the young delinquents to a sense of their
duty, and act as a warning to others. It is notorious that the owners of
vessels in Whitby harbour, particularly the owner of the Great Britain, have
suffered considerably by the incorrigible conduct of their apprentices; and Mr
Tynedale is, in our opinion, worthy of praise for thus stepping forward to put
a check on such proceedings.
1853
By January 1853, John Christopher Farndale was the captain of the
collier brig, the John Stewart. The Shipping
and Mercantile Gazette, 13 January 1853: LOWESTOFT. Jan 12,
SW by W, fresh, cloudy … In Yarmouth Roads, 12 – the brig John Stewart,
Farndale, from Hartlepool for London, sailed Dec 25 …
From his new captaincy of the John Stuart
(probably spelt the John Stewart) (see above), John Farndale was found
to owe William Griffin, a seaman on that vessel, the sum of £2 9s. The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 21 March 1854: HARTLEPOOL POLICE. SHIP JOHN STUART. John Farndale, master of
the John Stuart, of Whitby, was charged before J P Denton and RC Dixon Esquires, by William Griffin, seamen
on board the same vessel, with owing him 2l 9s. Complainant had not signed
articles when he was engaged, and the dispute was as to the amount now due to
him. The bench ordered 14s to be paid to Griffin.
1854
In February 1854 John
Christopher Farndale was captain of the John Stewart again, arriving in
Hamburg. The Shipping and
Mercantile Gazette, 25 March 1854: HAMBURG. Arrived
(March 21) … John Stewart, Farndale, from Hartlepool …
1856
John Chrtsiopher
Farndale captained the Caspian of Whitby to Nyhamn (a harbour in Norway
between Kristiansand and Oslo on its sourthern shore). Lloyd’s
List, 1 December 1856: LONDON.
Entered inwards, November 29 … NYHAM, Caspian, Farndale, B178 City Cl, Chapman
… The North and South Shields Gazette and Northumberland and
Daily Advertiser, 4 December 1856: The brig Caspian, Farndale, of Whitby, from Nyhamn, 22 days,
was off Aldbro’ on the 27th ult … The Hull Daily News, 6
December 1856: LONDON. Nov 29. … Caspian, Farndale, of
Whitby, from Nyham …
1857
John Christopher
Farndale aged 24 (sic, recte 30) bachelor, Master Mariner of Whitby son of John Farndale, Master Mariner, married
Christiana Ainslie aged 23, spinster of Wisbech, daughter of
William Ainslie, brewer at the Parish Church of Wisbech St Peter, Cambridge, on
3 July 1857. Both John and Christiana signed. The witnesses were Samuel
Leader and Martha Leader. A Watson was the curate (MC).
Wisbech is a Fenland
market town, and an inland port at the end of a long canal to the sea. It is in
the far north east of the Cambridgeshire, bordering Norfolk and only 5 miles
south of Lincolnshire.
John Farndale was listed in merchant seamen 1835 to 1857: John Christopher,
Whitby Register Ticket: 58.949. The merchant navy
seamen were listed by central government during this period to monitor a
potential reserve of sailors for the Royal Navy. These are volumes from
the National Archives Record series BT112 to BT120.
So he was a merchant seaman
and was regularly trading in Wisbech.
There was trouble for John Christopher Farndale Junior, as captain
of the Marmion. The Newcastle Journal, 22
August 1857: MARINE INTELLIGENCE. SHIELDS, August 19. …
The Marmion, Farndale, from Newcastle for Abo, put into Gothenburg on Friday
with damage, having been struck by lightning …
And more trouble for John Farndale and the Marmion, two
months later when he lost his ship and cargo off Osel. Osel (now called Sarrremaa) is an island at the mouth of the Bay
of Riga, off modern day Estonia. (For interest, in 1719 Russia won a naval
victory against Sweden in the Great Northern War at the island.) The Newcastle Courant, 16
October 1857: Riga, October 5. The Marmion,
Farndale, from Newcastle for Abo, with coals, was stranded on the coast of
Osel, in the evening of September 27, ship and cargo lost, but stores saved.
1859
Christiana Farndale,
wife of John Christopher Farndale Junior, died in Whitby on 10 May 1859. The Whitby Gazette, 14 May
1859: On Tuesday, the 10th inst, aged
26, Christiana, wife of Mr John Farndale, mariner.
So although Christiana was from Wisbech,
they lived into Whitby until she died in 1859.
He later married Jane Telford, also of Wisbech, in Cambridgeshire
in 1861.
1860
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 22 March 1860: ENTERED OUTWARDS. … Ada (180), Farndale, Hamburg …
The Cambridge Independent Press, 21 July 1860: WISBECH SHIP NEWS – JULY 18.
ARRIVED. Ada, Farndale, from Narva … Narva is in modern day Estonia,
so John Farndale seems to have been sailing regularly to the Baltic states and
Russia delivering coal at this time.
John Christopher married Christiana Ainslie of Wisbech on 3 July
1857. He had presumably met her on his voyages through the port of Wisbech.
John trasnported coals for Lotinga & Co. There was a Lotinga
family in Newcastle at the time, who were part of the Jewish community. Lotinga
& Co appear to have been shipping brokers based in Newcastle. The Newcastle Courant, 17 August 1860: Tuesday,
August 14 … Ada, Farndale, Cronstadt, 109 chs coals, Lotinga & Co. The Newcastle Journal, 18 August 1860: Ada,
Farndale, Cronstadt, 109 chs coals, Lotinga & Co …
In August 1860, John
sailed up the Baltic, via Elsinore to St Petersburg in Russia. The Newcastle Courant, 31
August 1860: SOUND LIST, August 24, Ada, Farndale, from
Newcastle to Petersburg. The Shields Daily Gazette,
30 August 1860: ELSINORE. Aug … 25 – Arrived … Ada, Farndale, from Shields, for
St Petersburg …
The Shields Daily Gazette, 13 September 1860: CRONSTADT. Sept 1. Arrived … Ada, Farndale, from Shields
…
Lloyd’s List, 27 September 1860: WYBURG
(Sept 21) Arrived … Sept 18, Ada, Farndale, Cronstadt …
1861
The Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 17 January
1861 shows that John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and
arrived in Hartlepool from Dunkirk on 13 Jauary 1861.
The Newcastle Journal, 5 April 1861 shows that John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and
arrived in South Shields from Hamburg.
The 1861
Census listed the crew on the Vessel called the Ada on the night of
7 April 1861: John Christopher Farndale, widower, 30, Master of the ship;
Richard Gibson, 26, mate; John Allison, 16, apprentice; and Frederick Cook, 17,
apprentice.
The Cambridge Independent Press, 6 July 1861 shows that John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and
arrived with ‘deals’ (this may be a typo for coal) in Wisbech from Narva.
The Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury, 10 August
1861 shows that John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and travelled
from South Shields to Petersburg.
John Christopher Farndale, married Jane Barnett Telford (born 1844), son of John Henry Telford, at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire on 21 December 1861 (MR). The Stamford Mercury, 27 December 1861: At the parish church, Wisbech, on the 21st inst, Mr J C Farndale, master mariner, of Whitby, to Miss Jane Barnett Telford, of Wisbech …
They seem to have lived in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire after 1861.
1862
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 1 February 1862 shows that on 31 January 1862 John Christopher
Farndale and the Ada were listed amongst the Colliers that arrived on 31
January at Gravesend.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 6 March 1862 shows
that on 4 March 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Ada and left West Hartlepool for Hamburg.
Lloyd’s
List, 4 April 1862 shows that on 1 April 1862 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada of Whitby arrived in Hamburg.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 23 April 1862 shows
that on 19 April 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Ada and arrived at Newcastle from Cronstadt.
The Newcastle Courant, 23 May 1862 shows that on 14 May 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada from
Newcastle to Cronstadt.
The Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury, 14 June 1862 shows
that on 1 June 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the Ada and
arrived at Cronsdtadt.
Lloyd’s
List, 24 July 1862 shows that on 20 July 1862 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada and arrived at Elsinore having travelled from
Riga bound for Dover.
The Kentish Gazette of 19 August 1862 reported the proceedings of the Dover
Police Court on Friday 9 August 1862 before Mayor E F Astley
Esq and L Stride Esq:
ASSAULT ON THE HIGH
SEAS
Benjaim Burvill, a
mariner, was charged on a summons with having, on the 9th inst, assaulted
Edward Sneller, another seafaring man, on board a British Ship called
the Ada, on the high seas near the South Foreland. Mr Fox appeared as
attorney for the defendant, and at his request the witnesses in the case were
ordered out of Court.
Edward Sneller stated that
he lived at East cliff and was a boatman. On Saturday evening last, about half
past six or seven o’clock, he boarded the brig Ada off South Foreland.
He asked the captain if he were bound for Dover with a cargo for Mr Fennis.
The captain answered ‘No’ and asked if witness were a ‘branch pilot’.
Witness said he was not, whereupon Burvill stepped forward and
assured the captain that he was a branch pilot. On hearing this, he said to
the captain, “He is no more a branch pilot than I am,” when Burvill
instantly raised his fist and gave witness a blow, which he received at
the back of the left ear, and which sent him reeling. He told Burvill he
should summon him to court for striking him on board a ship on the high seas,
and that he should subpoena the captain as a witness.
Cross examined, Did not
have a few words with Burvill – I never spoke to him. I got to the vessel
first, but the captain gave charge of the vessel to noone until Burvill
declared that he was a branch pilot, and ordered the jack to be hauled down.
Burvill took charge of the ship after I left it. Mr Fox: What made you leave
the ship? Witness: Is that a fair question to ask, gentlemen? – Mr Fox: Yes,
you must answer it please – Witness: I left the ship because I was not a branch
pilot – Mr Fox: Then I ask you, if you left the ship knowing you were not a
branch pilot, what made you go on board the vessel? – Witness: Why, there
is a large class of men like myself who do go aboard ships, and if a
captain wants a man to assist him into the harbour he is at liberty to have his
services. Mr Fox: Then it was not necessary for you to be a branch pilot
to take the vessel into harbour? Witness: No – Mr Fox: When you found defendant
in charge of the ship you thought it your business to tell the captain that he
was not a branch pilot? – Witness: Defendant was not in charge of the ship; he
assumed the authority. When this blow was struck he was leaning against the
rail doing nothing. There was a jack flying when I saw the vessel. It
was taken down after Burvill ordered the captain to haul it down. To the Court:
The jack was flying at the fore-top-gallant-mast head. Mr Fox: I suppose
you wanted to be employed instead of Burvill; that was the fact of the matter.
– Witness: The fact of it is, that I wanted to earn an honest livelihood like
any other man. – Mr Fox: Will you swear that he struck you? Is it not the
truth that he gave you a little bit of a push? – Witness: He struck me sir.
I felt it for three days afterwards, and was unable to eat any food on that
side.
J C Farndale, the
master of the ship Ada, said that on Thursday moring the complainant and defendant
boarded his ship. He believed the former was first on deck. He asked him if he
was for Dover. Witness made no reply, but walked to the lee side of the deck.
Defendant then came alongside, and as he had more the look of a pilot,
and came in a better class of boat (complainant’s havng much the
appearance of a leisure boat) witness responded to his inquiry whether he was
bound for Dover, by returning an affrmative answer. After that he asked Burvill
if he were a branch pilot, and he told him ‘yes’, and as they were crossing to
the starboard side of the deck he followed up the question with another,
namely, if he could order the jack to be hauled down, which he also answered
satisfactorily. Upon hearing that complainant said, “This man is no more a
branch pilot than I am,” and then followed the assault. As a reason for his
peculiarity in putting the questions he did, the witness explained that he
had been warned that there was a parcel of hovellers, who palmed
themselves off as branch pilots with a view to getting handsomely paid for
taking vessels into port. Mr Fox (to the witness): When this conversation took
place about the jack, and Burvill ordered it to be hauled down, you considered
that he was engaged? Witness: I considered that he was a branch pilot, and that
the other man was not. - Mr Fox: You
considered he was in charge of the vessel? Yes after the jack was hauled down.
Mr Fox said he was
perfectly satisfied from the evidence of Sneller and the captain that an
assualt had been committted. It appeared from the latter’s statement
however, that he regularly engaged the defendant to pilot his vessel into port,
who no doubt was very much annoyed at the attempt made by the complainant to
take bread out of his mouth. They all knew that there was not too much for
boatmen to do in this neighbourhood, and perhaps they were not quite so amiable
one towards aother as they might be. He hoped, therefore, under all the
circumstaces, that the magistrates would feel the justice of the case met by
passing a lenient sentence.
The Bench adjudged
defendant to pay a fine of 10s and costs.
A shorter version also
printed in the Dover Express under the headline ‘Unlicensed Pilots’. This
article included a slightly more understandable summary of the position taken
for the defence at the end: “Mr Fox did not deny the assult, but submitted
that Sneller had offered Burvill provocation,and that under the circumstances
the smallest penalty might be considered sufficient. The Magistrates however,
thought the defendant quite unjustified in what he had done, and fined him 10s
and 12s costs. The money was paid.”
Lloyd’s List, 26
November 1862 shows that on 22 November 1862 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada and arrived at Elsinore from Wyburg bound for
London.
A Report in the London Evening Standard, 5 December 1862: Whitby, Dec 3 – The two
vessels reported yesterday at anchor in Whitby Roads are still riding; they
have not had any communication with the shore, the sea being too heavy on the
bar to venture out. The one reported yesterday as being the Ada Farndall (sic) is now said to
be the Wandererer, from Wyburg to Wisbech.
The Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 13 December 1862 shows
that on 12 December 1862 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Ada and ‘entered inwards’, with reference to the customs house, via Wyburg
and the Surrey Canal. Their brokers were Northcote
1863
Fanny Amelia Rose Farndale was born at Wisbech in
1863 (FAR00457).
The Shields Daily Gazette, 5 February 1863 showed that
on 28 January 1863 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Ada and arrived at Dieppe from Shields.
Lloyd’s
List, 9 May 1863 showed that on 5 May 1863 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Ada and arrived at Elsinore from Stettin bound
for London.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 15 September 1863 showed
that on 11 September 1863 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Highland Chief arriving at Elsinore from Newcastle bound for St Petersburg,
Russia.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 15 October 1863 showed that
on 4 October 1863 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Highland Chief and left Sheilds headed for Wyburg.
Lloyd’s
List, 15 December 1863 showed that on 14 December 1863 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Highland Chief and arrived at Sutton Bridge from
Wyburg.
1864
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 3 May 1864 showed
that on 26 April 1864 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Highland Chief arriving at Elsinore from Dantzic bound for Wisbeach (sic).
The Stamford Mercury, 13 May 1864 showed that on 11 May 1864 John Christopher Farndale captained the Highland Chief
arriving Wisbech from Danzig. The Cambridge
Chronicle and Journal of 14 May 1864 suggests Highland Chief, Farndale
arrived at Wisbech with wood from Grimsby. Perhaps she delivered coal to Danzig
and called in at Grimsby on the return voyage to pick up wood to deliver to
Wisbech.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 11 June 1864 showed that on
2 June 1864 John Christopher Farndale captained the Highland Chief
arrived in Elsinore, travelling from Shields to St Petersburg.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 2 July 1864 showed that on 23 June 1864 John Christopher Farndale captained the Highland Chief
arrived in Cronstadt from Shields.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 14 October 1864 showed that
on 7 October 1864 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Highland Chief arrived in Cronstadt from Shields.
The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal, 10 December 1864 showed
that on 7 December 1864 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Highland Chief arrived in Wisbech carrying wood from Wyburg.
1865
The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal, 21 January 1865 showed
that on 18 January 1865 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Highland Chief arrived in Wisbech carrying coals from Sunderland.
Perhaps he knew his
first child was due to be born, so arraged his voyages into Wisbech during
these months.
The Cambridge Independent Press, 18 February 1865 showed
that on 15 February 1865 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Highland Chief arrived in Wisbech carrying coals from Sunderland.
Tom Christopher Farndale was born at
Wisbech on 20 March 1865 (FAR00467). Whitby Gazette, 1 April
1865: BIRTHS. On Monday, the 20th ult, at Wisbech, the
wife of Mr John C Farndale, of a son.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 10 June 1865 showed that on 9 June 1865 John Christopher
Farndale captained the Great Northern arriving at Middlesbrough from
London.
The Dunfermline Saturday Press, 9 September 1865 showed
that on 28 August 1865 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Great Northern arriving at Tonning from Alloa.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 24 October 1865 showed
that on 23 October 1865 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Great Northern arriving at Middlesbrough from London.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 18 December 1865 showed
that on 11 December 1865 John Chistopher Farndale captained the
Medusa from Hartlepool ‘cleared inwards’ for Tonning and cleared out 15th
for England? This couldn’t have been his brother, William Farndale as he was
captaining the Ythan on 17 December, though John Christoper was
captaining the Great Northern on 19 December?
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 20 December 1865 showed
that on 19 December 1865 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Great Northern arriving at Middlesbrough from London.
1866
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 16 March 1866 showed
that on 23 January 1866 John Chistopher Farndale who captained the
Medusa from Portsmouth heading for Bordeaux.
Lloyd’s
List, 14 February 1866 showed that on 12 February 1866 John Chistopher
Farndale who captained the Medusa from Bordeaux arrived in Brindlington
Bay.
The Cardiff Times, 9 March 1866 showed
that on 3 March 1866 John Chistopher
Farndale who captained the Medusa from Bordeaux to Penarth and on March
sailed to London.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 16 March 1866 showed
that on 15 March 1866 John Chistopher Farndale who captained the
Medusa from London to Sunderland in fine weather in a light SW wind.
The Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 26 June 1866 showed
that on 25 June 1866 John Chistopher Farndale who captained the
Medusa entered inwards with reference to the Customs House from Dantsic, on
the East Lane Tier, broker: Young.
The Cambrdge Independent Press, 21 July 1866: The
Isle of Ely Gazette. Wisbech – Quick Passages. The screw steamer
Cambridgeshire, Captain Huet, has just made the passage from Shields to
Cronstandt, laden with coals, in five days and eighteen hours. The screw
steamer, Medusa, Captain Farndale, also lade with coals left Shields at the
same time, and arrived at Cronsdadt ten minutes after the Cambridgeshire. Both
of the above named steamers are the property of Richard Young esq MP.
The Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 28 July 1866 showed
that on 27 July 1866 John Chistopher Farndale who captained the
Medusa entered inwards with reference to the Customs House from Constadt,
broker: Young.
The Stamford Mecury, 14 September 1866: The
Norfolk. Mr Young has recently added a large screw steamer of the above name
to his fleet of Baltic traders, and it commenced its voyage, under Captain
Farndale, a few days ago. A screw
steamer is an old term for a steamship, powered by a steam engine, using one or
more propellors (also referred to as’screws’ for propulsion, also referred to
an an iron ship. These new vessels started to be used after Thomas Clyde
applied Jon Ericsson’s screw propellor to steam vessels in the USA.
The Hull and Eastern Counties Herald, 4 October 1866 showed
that on 2 October 1866 John Christopher Farndale captained the
Norfolk arriving from Dantzig.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 9 November 1866 showed
that on 5 November 1866 John Christopher Farndale who captained the
Norfolk arrived in Dantzig from Dublin.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 14 November 1866 showed
that on 9 November 1866 John Christopher Farndale who captained the
Norfolk arrived in Elsinore from Dantzig.
The Cambridge Independent Press, 10 November 1866: The
Isle of Ely Gazette. The Knife. On the evening of the 26th ult, Mr
Young’s screw steamer, Norfolk, sailed from Amsterdam to Dantzic, and had
proceeded but a short distance on the passage when one of the sailors,
named Allison Brown, of Sunderland, refused to go on deck, and on the
steward, a very respectable man named Bridgman, going below and telling him
he would be made to turn out, Brown stabbed him in a savage manner in
the back, and Captain Farndale had to put back to Amsterdam, where
Bridgman received every possible attention from the doctors, while Brown was
attended by H M British Consul, who considerately sent him to the durace
vile until the return of the steamer to Amsterdam, when the case will be
gone into, and Brown receive the punishment he so richly deserves. ‘durance vile’ is an old term usually for a long prison sentence.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 17 December 1866 showed
that on 17 December 1866 John Christopher Farndale who captained the
Norfolk entered inwards from Dantzig on the East Leg Tier, broker: Young.
Eva Jennie Farndale was born at Wisbech
on 29 December 1866 (FAR00480). The Whitby Gazette, 5
January 1867: BIRTHS. Dec 29th, at Wisbech, the wife of Mr
J C Farndale, of a daughter.
1867
The Hull and Eastern Counties Herald, 17 January 1867 showed
that on 9 January 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the
Norfolk arrived in Elsinore from the North Sea headed for the Baltic.
Lloyd’s
List, 14 February 1867 showed that on 12 February 1867 John Christopher
Farndale who captained the Norfolk arrived in Cardiff from Cadiz.
Lloyd’s
List, 12 March 1867 showed that on 11 March 1867 John Christopher
Farndale who captained the Norfolk arrived in Gravesend from Danzig.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 11 April 1867 showed
that on 6 April 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the
Norfolk arrived in Dantzig from Cardiff.
The Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 21 May 1867 showed
that on 21 May 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk
entered inwards with referebce to the customs house, Pillau, Church-hole,
broker: Young.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 4 June 1867 showed
that on 4 June 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the Norfolk
arrived in Elsinore from England headed for the Baltic.
The South Shields News, 9 November 1867 showed that on
3 November 1867 John Christopher Farndale who captained the
Norfolk from South Shields arrived Constadt and is loading for London.
1868
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 1 January 1868 showed that on 1 January 1868 The Norfolk captained by John
Farndale, was discharging its 725 ton cargo at Victoria Dock (Tdl Basin, SS).
The Shields Daily News, 21 Jauary 1868 showed that on 17 January 1868 The Norfolk, Farndale from Shields to Barcelona, put into Portland Roads
on Friday.
The Shields Daily Gazette, 22 January 1868 showed that
on 20 January 1868 The Norfolk (s), Farndale, from
Shields for Barcelona, left Portland on the 20th
On 22 January 1868 John Christopher Farndale was lost at sea.
The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 8 February 1868: NANTES
– Feb 7: Advices from Roscoff, dated Feb 5, state that the master of the
Aigion, arrived at that port, reported having seen a large steamer founder
Jan 22, during a heavy gale, in the neighbourhood of Ushant. Some
papers, which are supposed to have belonged to the Norfolk (s), Farndale,
from Newcasle for Barcelona, have been picked up near Plouescat, and a lifebouy,
marked “Norfolk”, has been picked up at sea by some Roscoff boats.
Lloyd’s
List, 8 February 1868: NANTES – 7th Feb: Advices from Roscoff, dated
5th Feb, state that the master of the Aigion, arrived at that port,
reported having seen a large steamer founder 22nd Jan, during a
heavy gale, in the neighbourhood of Ushant. The authorities had received on the
4th, some ship’s papers found in a dressing table, hermetically
closed, picked up on the coast at Plouescat the previous week. They were
much inured by damp and illegible in many places, but they were supposed
to have belonged to the Norfolk (ss), Farndale, from Newcastle to
Barcelona. A lifebouy, marked “Norfolk”, has been found at sea by some Roscoff
boatmen.
The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 12 February 1868.
The Late Gales. Loss of Life and Shipping. There can now be no doubt of
the total loss of the steamer Norfolk, of Wisbech, Capt Farndale, from
Newcastle for Barcelona, some papers and a life buoy having been picked
up on the French coast, and nothing having been heard of the vessel or
her crew. The crew of the Poltarstjernan, of Hangesund, from Abo to Hull,
are missing. … The brig Jane and Margaret from Sunderland to London, laden with
coal, struck on Sizewell bank on Saturday, and came off, but immediately sank
in deep water, her topsail being just visible. The crew got off in the vessel’s
boat and landed at Thorp, having saved nothing but the clothese they had on.
…
The Whitby Gazette, 15 February 1868: SUPPOSED LOSS
OF A STEAMER – Grave doubts are entertained for the safety of the screw steamer
Norfolk, from Newcastle for Barcelona. The Norfolk was commanded by Mr John
Farndale, of this town. Mr John Chambers and Mr Watson Leck, all belonging
Whitby, were also on board. She left Newcastle with a cargo of coals, and was
last heard of in Portland Roads. Some papers, which are supposed to have
belonged to her, have been picked up near Plouescat, and a life bouy marked “Norfolk”
has been picked up at sea by some Roscoff boats, and she is now long overdue.
The Norwich Mercury 19 February 1868:
Loss of the Norfolk
Intelligence has been
received at Wisbech of the loss of the fine steamship Norfolk, and all her
crew, consisting of eighteen persons. The Norfolk (which was launched about
two years since, was o her voyage from Newcastle to Barcelona, laden with
coals, and the telegram was received from Nantes Feb 7th, was as
follows: “Advices frm Roscoff, dated Feb 5th, stated that the master
of Aigion arrived at that port, reported havng seen a large steamer founder
January 22nd, during a heavy gale, from the neighbourhood of Ushuat.
Some papers which were supposed to have belonged to the Nofolk (s), Ferndale
[sic], from Newcastle to Barcaelona, have been picked up near Lpousecat, and a
life buoy, marked orfolk, has been picked up at sea by some Roscoff boats.”
The names of the crew so far as can be
ascertained, were as follows.
Capt John C Farndale, 37, of Wisbech, had
been seventeen years master and was much respected, has left a widow and
three children.
Wm H B Telford, 22,
second officer. He had passed his examination on the 8th of Jauary,
with great credit, and obtained the certificate at Sunderland only three days
before he went on board. He was educated as Wisbech Grammar School and son of
Mr JH Telford, of Wisbech.
John Chambers, 38,
third officer, married Capt Farndale’s sister, and has left a widow and one
child at Sunderland. This was his first voyage in the Norfolk and only a
few months ago he was wrecked, and was four days on board the wreck, off
Yarmouth.
Watson Lake, 25, was
also a relative of Captain Farndale. His mother is living at Whitby, and
she has lost her husband and five sons at sea.
William Donaby, about
25, boatswain, has left a sister in Wisbech.
George Wenn, seaman.
George Cox, 18, son of
Capt John Cox, of Robert Lowe (s) and Qheen Street, Wisbech, apprentice.
Samuel Grdigman, 21,
seaman, his parents reside in the Leverngton Road, Wisbech.
John Stevenson, chief
engneer; and
Eight others whose
names are at preset unknown.
The Norfolk was the
property of Richard Young, Esq, MP, and was insured.
The Norfolk News, 22 February 1868: THE STEAM SHIP
NORFOLK. The captain of this ill fated vessel, which foundered off the
Spanish coast on the 22nd January, was Mr J C Farndale,, of this
town. He had been seventeen years master, and was much respected. He leaves a
widow and three children to mourn his loss. His brother in law W H B Tetford,
22, of Wisbech, was second officer … [similar report to above]. … The Laborough
from Sunderland, for Genoa, has been wrecked off the Island of Sark, one of the
Channel Islands, and Captain Billett and crew drowned. Captain Billet was
formelry in command of the Great Northern until that ship was lost. It is a
singular fact that Captain Billett was a great fried of the late Captain
Farndale, and was doned during the same storm, and only a few miles distant
from his friend.
The Essex Standard: LOSS OF THE NORFOLK SCREW
STEAMER. The following is a list of the crew of the screw steamer
Norfolk, of Wisbech, lost upon the French coast in the storms of a few days
ago. She was laden with coals from the Tyne for Barcelona, and her crew signed
articles at the South Shields shipping office: Master John C Farndale, 50
years of age, belonging to Whitby, but residing at 14 New Parade, Wisbech …
The Times, Thursday 20 February 1868, page 12 AND The Newcastle Daily Journal, Friday 21 February 1868:
THE NORFOLK SCREW
STEAMER.
The following is a list
of the crew of the screw steamer Norfolk, of Wisbech, lost upon the French
coast in the storms of a week ago. She was laden with coals from the Tyne for
Barcelona, and her crew signed articles at the South Shields shipping office:
Master: John C Farndale, 56
years of age, belonging to Whitby, but residing at 14, New Parade, Wisbech;
Mate: William J Cousins,
Portsmouth;
Second Mate: William H Telford,
Wisbech;
Carpenter: Henry Nisbet,
Sunderland;
Steward: Watson Leek, Whitby;
Boatswain: George Fern,
Bridgewater;
Lamp trimmer: John
Chambers, Whitby;
Seamen: Samuel Gridgeman,
Wisbech; Samuel Matthews, Bristol;
William Parry, Manchester; William Donnelly, Wisbech;
Engineer: George Moody, South
Shields;
Assistant Engineer: David
Harkness, South Shields;
Leading Fireman: George
Laund, London;
Firemen: Thomas Previlage, Trieste;
Charles Gordon, Manchester; William Rewscastle, South Shields, and Robert
Graves, London.
The Ipswich Journal, Saturday 22 February 1868:
LOSS OF THE STEAMSHIP
NORFOLK.
Intelligence has been
received at Wisbech of the loss of the fine steamship Norfolk, and all her
crew, consisting of 18 persons. The Norfolk, which was launched about two years
since, was on her voyage from Newcastle to Barcelona, laden with coals, and the
telegram which was received from Nantes, February 7th, was as follows:
“Advice is from
Roscoff, dated February 5th, stated that the master of the Aiglon arrived at
that port, reported having seen a large steamer founder January 22nd, during a
heavy gale, from the neighbourhood of Ushant. Some papers which are supposed to
have belonged to the Norfolk (s), Ferndale (sic), from Newcastle for Barcelona,
have been picked up near Plouescat, and a life buoy, marked Norfolk, has been
picked up at sea by some Roscoff boats.”
The names of the crews
so far as can be ascertained, were as follows: Captain John C Farndale, 37 of
Wisbech, had been 17 years master and was much respected, has left a widow and
three children. William John Cousins, chief officer, from Hartlepool. William
H B Telford, 22, second officer. He passed his examination on the 8th of
January, with great credit, and obtained the certificate at Sunderland only
three days before he went on board. He was educated at Wisbech grammar school.
He was brother of Mrs Farndale and son of J H Telford, of Wisbech. John
Chambers, 38, third officer, married Captain Farndale's sister, and
has left a widow and one child at Sunderland. This was his first voyage in the
Norfolk, and only a few months ago he was wrecked, and was four days on
board the wreck, off Yarmouth. Watson Lake, 25, who was also a relative of
Captain Farndale. His mother is living at Whitby, and she has lost her
husband and five sons at sea. William Donaby, about 25, boatswain, has left
a sister at Wisbech; George Wenn, seaman; George Cox, 18, son of Captain John
Cox, of the Robert Lowe (s), and Queen Street, Wisbech, apprentice, Samuel
Gridgman, 21, seaman, his parents reside in the Leverington Road, Wisbech, John
Stevenson, chief engineer, and eight others whose names are at present unknown.
The Norfolk was the property of Richard young Esquire, MP, and was insured.
Will 1868: FARNDALE, John Christopher.
Effects under £800. 15 April 1868. The Will of John Christopher Farndale, late
of Wisbech St Peters in the County of Cambridge, Master Mariner deceased who
died on or about 23 February 1868 in the Bay of Biscay off Ushant in France was
proved at Principal Registry by the oath of Jane Burnett Farndale of Wisbech
aforesaid Widow the Relict the sole Executrix. John C Farndale, Wisbech St
Peters. Jane B Farndale, Executrix.
1877
John’s widow, Jane, later remarried a barrister in New York. The Bury
and Norwich Post, 18 December 1877: CAMBRIDGE. MARRIED. On the 23rd
ult, at the Church of the Incarnation, New York, United States, S B Ives, of
Salem, Mass, barrister at law, to J C B Farndale, relict of Capt J C Farndale,
of Whitby, and daughter of the late J H Telford Esq, Wisbech.