Ship Messenger business papers


Descriptive Summary
Title: Ship Messenger business papers
Creator: Messenger (Clipper ship)
Inclusive Dates: 1868-1873
Language(s): English
Extent: 1 folder(s)
Collection Number: ms2804
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

Extreme clipper ship, built by Jacob Bell in New York; launched Apr. 22, 1852; 201: 3 x 36: 6 x 21: 8; draft 20 feet; old register, 1351 tons; new measurement, 1026 tons. The heaviest dead weight cargo she ever loaded was 1302 short tons; wheat cargo, 1224 short tons, showing her to be so sharp as not able to carry her register in dead weight. Her original owners were Slade & Co., of New York, for whom she made one round voyage, when she was sold to William Platt & Co., of Philadelphia, who had been greatly pleased with the performances of their clippers, White Squall and Trade wind, predecessors of the Messenger from the Bell yards. In 1863 she was reported sold at New York and in 1869 her hailing port was Boston, the managing owner being R. F. C. Hartley of New York. In 1875 she had the same register and probably continued the same ownership and hailing port until her sale in 1879, when, under command of Captain Gilkey, on a voyage from New York with a cargo of petroleum, she put into Mauritius, leaky, and was condemned and sold for 1010 pounds sterling. She had jettisoned 300 cases of petroleum and the balance of her cargo was forwarded by the German bark Norma. The original cost of the Messenger was reported as $105,000, and she was in every way a beautiful ship, of fine model, trim in spars and rigging and a credit to her builder. She was one of the most successful vessels engaged in the California, East India and China trade. Her captains were many: Frank Smith, for the first two voyages; Samuel Kennedy for two; Captians Corning, Manton, Woodside, Small, Bailey and Hooper, each had a try at her; Capt. Waldo HIll was in command the longest, some six years or so, being succeeded by Captain Gilkey. Captain Sturges had her when she was sold in 1879. - "Messenger." American clipper ships, 1833-1858, Volume 2. Octavius T. Howe and Frederick C. Matthews. New York: Argosy Antiquarian, 1967.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of receipts and bills dated 1868 to 1873 from businesses in Savannah, Boston, Liverpool, North Shields and Newcastle. Merchandize and cargo listed on the receipts included beef, copper, scrap iron, wood, sugar, cotton, and coffee.