Spirit of the Deep

[AnneM]

Hi

My great great grandfather Thomas Munholland, also known as Mulholland, born about 1816 Belfast, died in or near Calcutta in 1856. I have this information from the confirmation to his estate taken out by his widow Maria Ferguson. His death certificate is nowhere to be found. I have him on the 1851 census as a ship's carpenter which is how I know his birthplace.

He is stated to have been a seaman on board the Liverpool registered ship "Spirit of the Deep". I've found his records in the National Archives but I've never been able to find any reference anywhere to this ship despite looking at various websites. There is one reference the TNA catalogue to the raising of the wreck of a ship by this name from I think it is Cardigan Bay but I don't know if it is the same ship. I wondered if anyone knew what kind of ship she was or how I could find out.

If I've asked this before, apologies.

Anne

[Hugh Stevely]

Hi Anne

I came up with the same info Board of Trade Harbour Department--Correspondence Papers MT 10/134/--Holyhead Harbour Removal of the Wreck Spirit of the Deep from Carnarvon Bay Date 1872 i will let you know if i find any thing else.

I am sure some one else may help Good Luck.
Hugh.

[AnneM]

Hi all

I e-mailed the chap who keeps the Ships List and he very kindly sent me this information:

SPIRIT OF THE DEEP - 1856
Master: Captain Hewith
Rigging: Ship; sheathed in felt and yellow metal
in 1856; fastened with copper bolts
Tonnage: 785 tons using old measurements and 733 tons using new measurements
Construction: 1854 in Sunderland
Owners: McDonald
Port of registry: Liverpool
Port of survey: Liverpool
Voyage: sailed for India

I'm so pleased to have it as I was beginning to think that Great Great Grandmother had the name of the ship wrong.

I don't know whether this means she was a big ship or a wee ship or whatever nut at least there's a bit more info about her. Perhaps it will eventually lead me to a crew list for her or whatever.

Anne

[StewL]

Anne

Based on a wooden model ship I am trying to finish building (one day) it was probably a fairly biggish ship for its time. possible about 160ft in length and about 24ft beam or perhaps a bit more.

I got the details from the real ship I am trying to build embarrased because one day I will restart and fix the glaring mistake I made when in too much of a rush to get it started.

[AnneM]

Thanks Stew

I guess she probably carried tea or cotton. The famly legend was that one of the great grandfathers sailed on the Cutty Sark, which was the usual not quite right.

I think my father's grandfather who was a rigger and sail maker also went to sea but I've never confirmed that. He is at home in all the censuses.

Anne