© James Perry, 2010 ()
Registry Book (sourced from photocopy unknown where original is)
Timeline (sourced from contemporary newspapers)
No Three Port Cambeltown dated 8th April 1830
Name Madawaska Burthen two hundred & seventy one tons Master Daniel McMurchy
When and where built or condemned as Prize, referring to Builders Certificate, Judges Certificate, or last Registry…. Name and Employment of Surveying Officer….
Built at Saint George in the county of Charlotte and Province of New Brunswick in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty five old at years from her last certificate of registry dated at Greenock 30th December 1825 now cancelled on account of a change of property per Bill of sale dated 1st April 1830 William Fernel?
??? Tide Surveyer at Greenock
one Decks two Masts, Length ninty six feet ten inches Breadth, taken above the Main Wales twenty five feet eight inches Height between Decks, [not completed] Depth in Hold seventeen feet six inches Brigantine Rigged with a standing Bowsprit Square sterned carvel built, no Galleries a built figure Head. Admeasured afloat Reel for tonnage 77 feet 77 10 inches
Subscribing owners
Archibaldie MacMurchy of Cambeltown in the county of Argylshire Writer [this is Daniel McMurchy’s brother] Shares Sixteen 64ths
John MacMurchy of the same place Cooper [this is Daniel’s brother] Shares Sixteen 64ths
Donald Andrew of the aforesaid place Merchant Shares Sixteen 64ths [Archibald’s wife Janet Andrew’s brother]
Other Owners
Daniel MacMurchy of Campbeltown Shipmaster Shares Sixteen 64ths
Inspected 15 May 1830
Signed by above owners
Customhouse Campbeltown 14th November 1838. The certificate of this registry delivered up and cancelled the vessel having been lost
Two signitures diff to read poss
J A Mac???
John ElderCamph??
Madawaska Timeline
1825
Constructed Charlotte County New Brunswick
(Red book states St John, New Brunswick) (Canada registry states St George, New Brinswick)
1825 11 November
Coastwise
For Greenock The new Madawaska, 280 tons register; Will take freight on moderate terms, and is intended to sail next week. WM KAURD 10, Water-street
1825 30 December
Registered at Greenock
1826 5 May
Glasgow Tontine List
Madawaska, McSymon, in the Clyde from Savannah
(Glasgow Herald(Glasgow, Scotland), Friday, May 5, 1826; Issue 2437)
1826 8 May
Madawaska (of Greenock) W MacSymon, form Savannah, with 340 bales cotton, to John Fyfe & Co – 520 do to order – 7 do, and 31 pine plank, to Gregor McGregor & Co, owners – 2050 cane reeds, to this master.
(Glasgow Herald(Glasgow, Scotland), Monday, May 8, 1826; Issue 2438)
1826 27 May
At Greenock-for Demerara. The first class coppered Brig Madawaska. Walter McSymon, Master, now taking on board goods, and will positively sail on 3d June. For freight or passage, apply, in Glasgow, to Mr John Loudoun, 29, Hutcheson Street or here to Gregor McGregor & Co Greenock, 27th May, 1826
(Glasgow Herald(Glasgow, Scotland), Monday, May 29, 1826; Issue 2445)
1826 5 June
Sailings from the Clyde
June 5 Madawaska, McSymon - Demerara
(Glasgow Herald(Glasgow, Scotland), Friday, June 9, 1826; Issue 2448)
1826 11 September
Glasgow Tontine List
Madawaska, McSymon, at Demerar from the Clyde.
(Glasgow Herald(Glasgow, Scotland), Monday, September 11, 1826; Issue 2475)
1826 10 October
Ship News
Greenock October 10
Madawaska, McSymon had commenced loading
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Thursday, October 12, 1826; Issue 16403)
1826 1 December
Ship News
Greenock 1 December
Left loading, the Paragon, Pollock, St Vincent, Law, and Madawaska, McSymon to sail in about fourteen days time.
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Monday, December 4, 1826; Issue 16426)
1826 28 December
Madawaska, McSymon, in do [the Clyde] from Dublin & Demerara
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Thursday, December 28, 1826; Issue 16436)
1826 December 26
Clyde Commercial List
Arrivals and Imports at Greenock
Dec 26 Madawaska (of Greenock) Walter McSymon, from Demerary, (last from Dublin) with 32 hhds molasses, to Colin Campbell & Co – 150 do to Alex & James Campbell and Co – 70 do to order – 10 do to Fredrick Adamson & Co – 14 do, and 6 bris rum to R Jamieson – 50 hhds 21 tierces molasses, to Gregor McGregor & Co
(Glasgow Herald(Glasgow, Scotland), Friday, December 29, 1826; Issue 2506
1827 24 February)
Demerara, Feb 24th brig Madawaska, McSimon, from Greenock
(The Morning Chronicle(London, England), Friday, April 13, 1827; Issue 17964)
1827 11 January
11 Jan Sailings from the Clyde New Vesel. – Madawaska, McSymon
(Glasgow Herald(Glasgow, Scotland), Monday, January 16, 1826; Issue 2406)
1827 24 February
Posted at the North and South American Coffee House
Demerara 24th Feb brig Madawaska, McSimon, from Greenock
(The Morning Chronicle(London, England), Friday, April 13, 1827; Issue 17964)
1829
Captained by McSymons owned by McGregor & Co (red and green book)
1829 3 February
Greenock, Feb 3 Arrived here on Sunday, the Broke, Hardie, from Demerra, Sailed thence 8th December, in company with the brg Madawaska, McSymon, for this port.
(Ship News Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Thursday, February 5, 1829; Issue 16763
1830
Sailed Demerara (red and green book)
1830 4 February
Glasgow Tontine List
Madawaska, McSymon, at do [Demerara] from do [the Clyde]
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Thursday, February 4, 1830; Issue 16920.)
1830 10 March
The Madawaska, McSymon arrived from Demerara has arrived in the Clyde
(SHIP NEWS. The Morning Post (London, England), Saturday, March 13, 1830; Issue 18487)
1830 8 April
Sold to Daniel McMurchy, Archibald McMurchy (brother) and Donald Andrew (brother in law) (registry book)
1830 3 December
Naval Intelligence
Madawaska, Murchy, from Bay Chaleur at Campbeltown
(Liverpool Mercury etc(Liverpool, England), Friday, December 3, 1830; Issue 1022)
1831-1833
Sailed to Chaleur (green book)
1832-33
Sailed to Quebec (red book)
1832-1833
Surveyed Derry (red book)
1832 11 August
Ships List
Liverpool, Aug 11 Arrived… Madawaska [no master mentioned]
(The Morning Chronicle(London, England), Tuesday, August 14, 1832; Issue 19646)
1832 7 July
The Madawaska, McMurchy, from Derry to St John’s N.B. with passengers has arrived safe.
(Belfast Ship News, The Belfast News letter)
1832 24 November
Shipping Intelligence
Greenock Nov 20 Madawaska, Murchy, for Campbeltown, half-loaded.
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Saturday, November 24, 1832; Issue 17369)
1833 18 April
brig Madawaska sailed from Londonderry April 18th 1833 / arr. late May 1833
A List of Passengers in the brig Madawaska of Cambell Town, Daniel McMurchy Master, and 15 men. 271 tons from Londonderry for St. John, New Brunswick. Listed are 148 adults, 12 children under fourteen years and 27 children under seven years. Eight adults are indicated as "did not come on board" and are marked with an "x" on the list.
(Saint John, N.B. Customs House Passenger Lists 1815, 1832, 1833-1834 & 1837-1838 http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/passengerlists/madawaka1833.htm )
1833 16 July
Belfast Ship News
Arrived at St John’s , N.B from Derry. the Madawaska, McMurchy;
(The Belfast News-Letter(Belfast, Ireland), Tuesday, July 16, 1833; Issue 10026)
1833 July 30
The Madawaska, McMurchy, has arrived at Derry, in 16 days from St.Johns
(The Belfast News-Letter(Belfast, Ireland), Tuesday, July 30, 1833; Issue 10030)
1833 17 October
Greenock, Oct 17, The Madawaska, of Campbletown, had arrived out in 36 days (
Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Monday, October 21, 1833; Issue 17517)
1833 26 October
Greenock, Oct 22…, The Madawaska, of Campbeltown, had arrived out in 36 days. (Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Saturday, October 26, 1833; Issue 17519)
1833 12 November
Greenock, Nov 12… Sailed thence on the 19th ultimo, in company with the Madawaska, for Campbelton; same day, spoke the brig Harmony, of and from Troon.
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Saturday, November 16, 1833; Issue 17528)
1834 16 October
Shipping Intelligence
Greenock, October 16…Arrived here, same day, the Jane Haddow, Hamilton, from Chaleur the Salus, Wilson, for Greenock, and Madawaska, for Campbeltown – the Mary Ann, of Newcastle, for Clyde, of and for Troon, in 18 days. 28th September, Cape Gaspe, bearing 40 miles north, saw the Sophia, Easton, from Liverpool for Quebec; on Tuesday, passed the Madawaska, of Insterhull; and yesterday, at two p.m., off Pladda, passed the Sappho, Leitch, from hence to Demerara – wind N by W.
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Saturday, October 18, 1834; Issue 17673)
1835 27 June
Shipping Intelligence
Greenock, July 23…. Madawaska, McMurchy, for Campbeltown;… in 14 days
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Saturday, June 27, 1835; Issue 17781)
1835 23 July
Glasgow Tontine List,
Madawaska, McMurchy, from Bay Chaleur at Campbeltown spoke the Marchioness of Queensberry, lat, 55,2.N. long 12,30 W.
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Thursday, July 23, 1835; Issue 17792)
1835 19 October
Leith Shipping
Madawaska, McMurchy, at do [Bathurst] 11th ult. From Troon
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Monday, October 19, 1835; Issue 17834)
1836
Repairs (Lloyds book)
1836-38
Surveyed Clyde (Lloyds book)
Sailed to Chaleur Bay (Lloyds book)
1836 14 July
Shipping Intelligence
Greenock, July 11… Left the Ann, McKay, to sail in 10 days, and Madawaska, McMurchie, to sail in four days for Campbeltown;
(,Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Thursday, July 14, 1836; Issue 17951)
1837 6 July
Shipping Intelligence
Greenock, July 3…
Arrived at Ayr on Thursday last, the brig Eclipse Coultard, from Chaleur Bay; sailed 27th May; experienced fine weather; reports as follows, viz:-On 5th June, lat 45.33,long,48.20, spoke the barque Emma, of Newcastle, from London to Quebec, out thirty-eight days – all well – 15th June, lat 50.14,long.36.37, spoke the schooner Conelia, of and from St John’s, Newfoundaland, for Liverpool –all well – out thirteen days. The following vessels had arrived out – brigs Ethelbert, of London; Traveller, of Kirkaldy; Culedonia, of Greenock; Grace, of Newcastle; Niger, of Sunderland; Amintas, of Exeter; Madawaska, of Campbeltwon; Phoenix, of Greenock; barques Janet, of Glasgow; Harvey, of Sunderland; and Pitt, of Ayr. Saw about 150 sail in the gulf.
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Thursday, July 6, 1837; Issue 18288)
1837 20 July
Shipping Intelligence
Greenock, July 17…
On the 15th at 10 a.m off Ruthlin, spoke the Madawaska, McMurchy, from Chaleur Bay to Campbeltwon, out 28 days,
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Thursday, July 20, 1837; Issue 18294)
1837 12 Oct
Shipping Intelligence
Greenock, October 12…
Left loading…; Madawaska, McMurchie, in fourteen
(Caledonian Mercury(Edinburgh, Scotland), Saturday, October 14, 1837; Issue 18331)
1838 21 July
Shipping Intelligence
Halifax 21st July – Madawaska, from Bathurst, was on shore on Brian Island 18th ult. Crew and part of the materials saved. The Seraph, from Richebueto, was wrecked on Brian Island 29th ul; the crew and materials saved.
(Liverpool Mercury etc(Liverpool, England), Friday, August 17, 1838; Issue 1423)
1839 July 2 [mention of Madawaska loss]
Wreck of the brig Northumbrian of Pwllheli
It was known that this vessel was wrecked in the Gulf of St Lawrence in November last. The following detail of the wreck and safe landing of the crew by the captain (Malthias) appears in the Shipping Gazette:-
“On the 18th November, 1838, at 7 a.m., left Miramichi, with a cargo of timber for Pwllheli, with a fine breeze from the westward; discharged the pilot outside the bar, without any accident, at 10 p.m. we were abreast of Cape North, Prince Edward’s Island. A snow storm came on; midnight, the gale increasing and snowing heavy. The next day it continued snowing and the gale increasing to complete snow-storm and freezing hard. Put the vessel under snug canvas, the snow on deck about a foot deep and very thick weather. At midnight – blowing and snowing very hard – the second mate at the helm observed that the compass did not agree by three of four points. I told him to touch them up often, and one had to clear the snow off. He answered they had being doing so.
At half past twelve after midnight saw the land in appearance as if it was all around us. Endeavoured immediately to brace the yard up and haul on the labourd track, but the braces being frozen and so stiff as wire, they would not traverse, and the deck a mass of snow. About one o’clock after midnight, or at one o’clock in the morning. November the 20th, the brig struck with a tremendous crash, on a reef that is not laid down in the chart. - I am informed by one of the oldest inhabitants here that it bears S.W. per compass from Etang Du Nord, distance six miles. – The shock was so great when she fist struck that the main top mast, top gallant mast, yards, &c came down by the run on the quarter deck. Although all the crew were aft in group, not one got hurt. – The wheel was carried away, the rudder unshipped, and the stern port started. She struck very heavy for a considerable time until she got over the reef; she became more easy, the sea making a complete breach over her and washing every thing off the deck – Heard the waster rushing in very fast; got some bags of bread from the lazarette before the water got to it; kept it dry in upper berths; desired the men to save all the clothes they could, and bring them aft.
– By this time the crew became very melancholy and disheartened, and wanted sadly to leave the wreck; it snowing and blowing like thunder , and as dark as a dungeon. I prevailed on them to be patient until daylight. If we had attempted to leave the wreck at that dismal time, the boat, no doubt would have swamped , and no one been left to tell the tale -
- At a long-looked-for daylight we could see a sandy beach about a mile and a half on our lee; the water at this time above the cabin-deck, the wind blowing dead on the shore. Got a rope passed from forward fast to the boat’s bow, and a man with an axe at each tackle-fail, and cut both together. She fell very fair, but a tremendous sea came and filled her.
- Hauled up under the lee, got buckets into her, and baled her out dry. We got the provisions, clothes, and &c. into her – the most essential articles at this inclement season of the year, on those miserably descelate islands. As soon as we got all into our frail barque, watched a smooth sea, and shoved off. As soon as we got from under the lee of the wreck, a tremendous sea followed us, and luckily took the boat underneath, and carried us on its top as if we were going to the elements. The second, third and the forth carried us to the beach – all jumped out and hauled her dry on the beach without wetting anything – We found ourselves all safely landed, without accident or being frost bitten on the beach of Etang du Nord, west coast of the Magdalen Islands, about three miles from Habitation, and half a mile from whence the Lady Williamson , of Sunderland, was cast away about a month ago.