Robert Walker 1815 - 1882

[alanwalker14]

My Great Great granddad Robert Walker worked as a Steam Ship engineer around the Mersey for most of his life. In fact he even died on a tug called the S(?)pindrift working out of Princes Pier on the river Mersey. Can you point me in the right direction to research his maritime history please, bearing in mind I live in Lincoln. I already know he also worked on board the Isle of Clwyd steamer in 1838 and the Dispatch in 1861 and 1870 working from Anglesey.

[MaryA]

He must have had an interesting career. Others may come up with more suggestions, but I would think your first point of call might be the Maritime Museum to see what records they might hold. http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/

[lynne99]

I did not know his date of birth, so these might not be correct
The only Robert Walker is on the dispatch , as you said. Birth about 1815 and event about 1871. There are other Walkers, but not Robert. William b 1821, John b 1823 ish and James 1825. Are they relatives??

[alanwalker14]

Hi Lynne

Don't know if Robert had any brothers as such but his father was Edward and he worked as a White (Silver) Smith. Were the other Walkers born in Liverpool? Robert had two sons in the merchant navy, Evan Parry Walker b 1840 and William Walker b 1850-53 (he tended to lie a bit about his true age because he married a younger woman!)

Al

[lynne99]

Hi again. Did the search again and it came up with lots more finds.
As well as the Dispatch, there was The Virginia in 1864, between January and July. 4 journeys.
The one in May he did not join and his name is crossed out. But age given as 36. A bit young. The January trip gives his age as 35, his last ship was the ?? ?? Cork registered Liverpool. He was discharged from it 19 June. Discharged from Virginia 8 January, at Liverpool.
The other Robert Walker have DoB ranging from 1842 to 1860

[alanwalker14]

Thanks Lynne but my Robert Walker was definitely born 1815 so I don't think its the right one. I think he probably just worked on the local steam tugs around Liverpool and Anglesey. I spoke to the Liverpool Maritime Museum and they say that the records are scarce for the tugs around that time as there were so many of them owned by private companies.

[retiringtype]

An MI from St James's cemetery:

"Sacred to the memory of Robert Walker Engineer for forty years a faithful servant to the Liverpool Steam Tug Co. who died very suddenly on board the steam tug Spindrift 13th June 1882 aged 66 years. Also Isabella widow of the above who died 17th March 1883 aged 69 years."

[alanwalker14]

Many thanks for finding this. I presume that an MI is some type of inscription. Did you find this online?

Al

[retiringtype]

I found it in James Gibson's Epitaphs but it is also online at http://blogarchive.rmg.co.uk/memorials/m714/

[retiringtype]

Robert Walker left a will (his brother-in-law Robert Atkinson was the executor). Have you got that?

[alanwalker14]

Thanks, I had already found his probate record but not his will. I have copied the Maritime Memorial now and I have also phoned the national maritime archives but they still doubt there will be any records from around this time.

[retiringtype]

You probably know that you can order the will online https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

[alanwalker14]

I didn't know that site or facility was available so thanks for the info. I have now ordered his will to try to associate him with his son William as I have been unable to do that with the census, birth or christening records so far.

[retiringtype]

I have now ordered his will to try to associate him with his son William as I have been unable to do that with the census, birth or christening records so far.

Good idea. If William is mentioned then you will know that you have the right Robert.