Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

My great grandfather was William Grosart. I have a deal of info. on him. He was Master of the Iron Ship St. Mirren, owned and operated by Rankin, Gilmour & Co., Shipowners of Liverpool. I also have the book by Chris Mills on this company. In addition I have a copy of the ships crew list on one of its voyages.

My query relates to the ships final journey. In 1883 the ship, St. Mirren, departed Calcutta on passage to Liverpool. It disappeared without trace in a violent storm in the Indian Ocean. I have details of the insurance paid and am satisfied that there was no Board of Trade Inquiry.

Has anyone at all got any information regarding this last journey? There may be descendants from other members of the crew etc. Anything at all could be of interest.

Thank you once again for reading this message.

This seems to be the year before, so may not be applicable, perhaps the ship was found after this.

SHIPPING DISASTERS .
Liverpool Mercury etc (Liverpool, England), Thursday, January 19, 1882
Two missing East Indiamen. Two ships belonging to this port are missing, with all hands and it is supposed that they have foundered, the crew being drowned. One is the St Mirren, 1426 tons, from Calcutta on 8th July, with a valuable cargo. Her crew numbered 40 men and there were several apprentices on board. The other is the Eblana 1851 tons, From Calcutta, which passed St Helens on the 23rd October last, and has never been heard of since. Her crew numbered about 35 men, besides several apprentices.

MERCANTILE SHIP NEWS .
The Standard (London, England), Thursday, February 02, 1882; pg. 7
OVERDUE
The following is a list of overdue vessels with the dates when they were last heard of viz .......
St Mirren which sailed from Calcutta for Liverpool on July 8 last .....

I don't see any entries for 1883

Liverpool Mercury - Obituaries Lost at Sea
Monday Feb 27th 1882

Captain William Grosart aged 47 lost at sea with the ship Saint Mirren supposed to have foundered on the homeward passage from Calcutta to Liverpool, formerly of Grangemouth for 20years in the service of Messers Rankin, Gilmore & Co.

Cheers
Erika

Similar entry in The Dundee Courier & Argus and Northern Warder (Dundee, Scotland), Friday, January 20, 1882 but with the addition of
"The loss to the insurance offices will be over £30,000, and falls chiefly on Liverpool companies."

and under the MISSING VESSELS
SHIPPING NEWS .
The York Herald (York, England), Thursday, February 09, 1882; pg. 7 mentions that the St Mirren was "of Glasgow".

I have found no crew lists in the newspapers.

erika wrote:Liverpool Mercury - Obituaries Lost at Sea
Monday Feb 27th 1882

Thanks Erika, we must have the year right then, not 1883.

Thank you all for the rapid responses. I have most of that info. gleened from the same publications. My date of 1883 comes from Rankin etc book and I think it suggests that is when the co. finally accepted the fate of the ship and crew. Nonetheless, I never cease to be amazed at the quick and enthusiastic responses from you good people. Doesn't anything beat you folks?

Thank you all again.