| ATOSSA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swansea to Coquimbo return 1869-1870 |
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On 14th May 1869 Peter Clements signed an Agreement which would see ‘Atossa’ leave Porthcawl (Swansea) for “Coquimbo and any ports in Chili, Peru, Bolivia, North and South Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, Australian and Cape Colonies, United States of America and Continent of Europe trading to and from any of the aforesaid ports and places in any period not exceeding two years calling for orders when and where required, and to a final port of discharge in the United Kingdom or Continent of Europe between the Elbe and Brest.” The owner of the ship was shown in the Agreement as Wm. Nicholson and Sons of Sunderland. |
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The crew for the voyage were: - |
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The Merchant Shipping Act of 1854 permitted seamen, such as Thomas Evans, to leave their ship without punishment for the purpose of serving in the Royal Navy. The penalty for preventing such a transfer was a fine that would not exceed £20. |
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Thomas Evans had previously served aboard ‘HMS Mutine’ which was launched on 30th July 1859, commissioned at Woolwich on 26th November 1859 and, apart from a refit at Woolwich during 1864/5, served her entire career on the Pacific Station. She was a Greyhound class vessel of 1,291 tons, 172 feet long, carrying 17 guns and crewed by 160 men. ‘HMS Mutine’ was paid off at Sheerness on 30th March 1869 and was sold on 26th February 1870 for commercial use. She was renamed ‘Chieftain’ by her new owners. |
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Nicholas P Wingfield began as an Indentured Apprentice for a three year term on 11th May 1869, bound to W. Nicholson of Sunderland. |
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He served his apprenticeship aboard ‘Atossa’ and her 347 ton sister ship ‘Ogmore’, Official Number 51178. |
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Wages for crew members were: - |
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Provisions entitlement per man shown in the Agreement were: - |
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Atossa’ sailed from Swansea on 26th May 1869. |
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On Friday 25th June 1869 the ship’s Log reads, “Lat 9° 17’ N, Long 29° 43’ W. William James AB complaining of a swelling in the left groin. Saw it and found it to be the venereal. Applied a poultice & gave him such medicines as directed in the medicine book. - Peter Clements – Thos. P. Craven, Boatswain – The above entry has been read over to the said Wm. James – Peter Clements, Master – John Kekhafen, Mate - Thos. P. Craven, Boatswain”. |
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The Log entry on Thursday 1st July 1869 reads, “Lat 5° 49’ N, Long 18° 58’ W, Thomas Whitters AB complaining of a swelling in the lower part of his abdomen, his eyes also much swollen & he having much pain in the head. I saw the swelling in his abdomen and ordered him rest and put a bandage round for support. Administered such medicine as I thought proper. Peter Clements, Master – Thos. P. Craven, Boatswain – The above entry has been read over to the said Thos. Whitters – Peter Clements, Master – John Kekhafen, Mate - Thos. P. Craven, Boatswain”. |
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On Monday 2nd August 1869 the Log read, “Lat 40° 36’ S, Long 51° 8’ W, Thomas Whitters AB Laid up at intervals since July 1st. The swelling in his abdomen being about the same. I giving him Iodide of Potassium as directed in the medicine book. – Peter Clements, Master – John Kekhafen, Mate - Thos. P. Craven, Boatswain. – The above entry has been read over to the said Thos. Whitters – Peter Clements, Master – John Kekhafen, Mate - Thos. P. Craven, Boatswain”. |
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The Log entry for Saturday 25th September 1869 showed, “Lat 31° 57’ S, Long 72° 11’ W, Thomas Whitters complaining again with a severe pain in the Head. He has been taking Iodide of Potassium at different times since August 2nd 1869. I also tried a poultice of Linseed Meal to his abdomen & other remedies & kept him off duty when ever he complained of the pain. – Peter Clements, Master – John Kekhafen, Mate - Thos. P. Craven, Boatswain. – The above entry has been read over to the said Thos. Whitters – Peter Clements, Master – John Kekhafen, Mate - Thos. P. Craven, Boatswain”. |
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‘Atossa’ arrived in Coquimbo on 29th September 1869 and the Agreement was deposited with the British Consul the following day. |
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Western Daily Press newspaper reported ‘Atossa’ as being in port at Coquimbo on 29th September 1869. |
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The Agreement was returned to Peter Clements on 22nd October 1869 and ‘Atossa’ transferred to Carrizal Bajo, arriving there on 26th October 1869. Articles were deposited with James Watson, the British Vice Consul and returned the same day. |
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The Public Ledger newspaper of 3rd December 1869 records ‘Atossa’ on 16th October 1869 under a heading “List of Charters” as “Atossa – Regulus, from Carrizal to Swansea”. |
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Lloyd’s List dated 14th December 1869 shows ‘Atossa’ as sailing from Carrizal Bajo on 22nd October 1869. |
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The crew for the return leg of the voyage remained exactly the same as for the outward leg. |
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The Newcastle Journal dated 3rd March 1870 reads, “The barque ‘Atossa’ Clements, of Sunderland (copper ore) arrived yesterday evening at Swansea, from the west coast of South America; all well. |
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On 5th March 1870 all crew members were paid the balance of their wages and discharged: - |
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All crew members were except Henry Allen were given a “V.G.” (Very Good) assessment by Peter Clements, for both “General Conduct” and “Ability in Seamanship”. Allen was rated as “G.” (Good) in both areas |
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On the same day Peter Clements deposited the Agreement with the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office at Swansea having endorsed it “I declare to the truth of the entries in this Agreement and Account of Crew, etc.” |
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Page 12 |
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