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Scottish sea captains in San Francisco

Scottish sea captains in San Francisco

Posted: 3 Jul 2008 4:10PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 10 Jan 2012 5:51PM GMT
Surnames: Foreman, Howell, Summers, Congelon, Swan, Storm, Baugs, Cook
I've bought a photograph album of 19th centurey cartes de visite and cabinet portraits, mostly taken in Glasgow, London and San Fransisco. Some of them have been signed by sea captains, as follows:-
James Foreman "Airlie" of Dundee, Frisco 11/11/80
Miss Maud Howell, Cape Verde of Greenock (the captain's daughter!)
Mr Summers carpenter San Fransisco
Captain Congelon (?)
Captain Swan, ship City of Madrid
Captain Storm Barque Duncraig of Glasgow
Captain Baugs Wharfinger San Fransicsco
Captain Haswell, ship Cape Verde of Greenock
Captain Cook, ship Aurgus (?) of Greenock
The ships' names correspond to the ships lists held in Glasgow but there is no obvious way of tying in the captains' names with the ships. Can anyone provide any information about these seafarers?

Re: Scottish sea captains in San Fransisco

Posted: 5 Jun 2010 4:41PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Haswell
Haswell of the Cape Verde is John Davidson Haswell, b. 1843, Stranraer. I don't have anything specifically naming him as captain of the Cape Verde, but he ran several ships off the west coast of Scotland, and had a child born at sea, otherwise in California in August 1879, while the Cape Verde sailed from San Francisco in that month (this was widely reported, as the crew mutinied). He took his family with him, and had a child born in San Francisco. His daughter Rosina Maud Haswell, b. ca. 1877, would be the "Maud Howell" (sic) daughter of the captain (how old is the child?).

Re: Scottish sea captains in San Fransisco

Posted: 6 Jun 2010 12:37PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Haswell
Thank you for your reply. The little girl, Maud, looks about 3-4 years old and has been posed in the studio with an oar, against a rowing boat. The photographer Bradley & Rulofson worked 1863-1883, which doesn't really help with her age, but I think that her father was captain of the Cape Verde for only about a year, 1880. After that, he may have joined the Amyone [?]. Do you know why his crew mutinied (he looks quite a nice man in his portrait!)

Re: Scottish sea captains in San Fransisco

Posted: 6 Jun 2010 7:04PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Haswell
Here is all I have for John D. and the Cape Verde during this period.

The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 March 1879
SHIP CAPE VERDE, from London, - Consignees by this vessel are requested to pass ENTRIES for Parbury's Wharf. The ship will not be responsible for damage to or loss of cargo after being landed. Bills of lading must be produced, freight paid, and orders for delivery obtained from the undersigned before any cargo can leave the wharf. All goods impeding the discharge will be landed and warehoused at consignee's risk and expense. YOUNG and LARK, Agents, Moore-street, off Pitt-street.
Captain HASWELL will not be responsible for any debts contracted by his crew.


The Sydney Morning Herald, 11 April 1879
CLEARANCES - April 10
Cape Verde, ship, 1711 tons, Captain Haswell, for San Francisco, via Newcastle.


Daily Alta California, 5 July 1879
Br. Ship Cape Verde, Capt. Haswell, from Newcastle, N.S.W. - Neither the Captain nor the undersigned, Consignees of the above named vessel, will be responsible for any debts that may be contracted by the crew. J. C. Merrill & Co.


New York Times, 10 Jan. 1880
QUEENSTOWN, Jan. 9 - The crew of the British ship Cape Verde, Capt. Haswell, from San Francisco for this port, have mutinied. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of the ringleaders.


Sacramento Daily Union, 12 Jan. 1880
The crew of the British ship Cape Verde, Captain Haswell, from San Francisco for New York, have mutinied. Warrants have been issued at the latter city for the arrest of the ringleaders.


Daily Alta California, 21 Jan. 1880
Queenstown - Arrived Jan. 10, Br ship Cape Verde, Haswell, hence Aug. 17th.


Daily Alta California, 8 Feb. 1880
Havre - Arrived Jan. 23rd, Br ship Cape Haswell, hence Queenstown.



British overseas births and baptisms:

John Eugene Haswell, b. 5 Aug. 1879, at sea, merchant marine, son of John Donaldson Haswell and Marian Eugenie Shaw

(child) Haswell, b. 11 Feb. 1887, at sea, merchant marine, son of John Donaldson Haswell and Marian Eugenie Shaw Haswell


1881 Census, Stranraer
Marion E. Haswell, 24, England, Master Mariners wife
Rosina M. Haswell, 3, England
John E. Haswell, 1, USA, California
Henry L. H. Haswell, 6 mo, Stranraer

1901 Census, West Derby
Marion E. Haswall, 44, Liverpool
Rosina M. Haswall, 23, Liverpool
Norman D. Haswall, 18, Liverpool
Marion A. Haswall, 14, At Sea, near Western Islands


From FreeBMD
Rosina Maud Haswell, b. Sep. term 1877, Liverpool.

Re: Scottish sea captains in San Fransisco

Posted: 6 Jun 2010 7:36PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Haswell
just a quick addition - the 18 March 1879 Sydney Morning Herald gives the account of the Cape Verde from London to Australia. The captain had a stroke 15 Jan. and was put ashore at Bahia. Presumably Haswell then stepped up to command the vessel.

Re: Scottish sea captains in San Fransisco

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 3:18PM GMT
Classification: Query
see www.1812privateers.org/lloydslisst/lloyds.xls Haswell name is mentioned 3 times as master link will take you to page.

Re: Scottish sea captains in San Fransisco

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 4:56PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Haswell
Thank you again for all your help. Sadly this link is now unavailable but I have contacted the editor for help.

Re: Scottish sea captains in San Fransisco

Posted: 26 Jun 2010 9:07PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Haswell
It can be found at:
http://www.1812privateers.org/LLOYDSLIST/lloydsINDEX.htm

or simply by going to the root page (www.1812privateers.org) and using the search window there. It looks like it relates to two men, One Haswell is Master of the Apollo arriving at Gravesend, from Quebec, and then in Quebec out of Shields, the other Master of the Vestal putting into Gravesend from Westport. The Haswell from Shields to Quebec I have seen before, although I don't know who he is, even his given name. Unfortunately, without more information, I can't identify them further, other than to say a connection to the Scottish Haswell we have been discussing is unlikely.

Re: Scottish sea captains in San Francisco

Posted: 27 Jan 2014 1:23AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Haswell
Hello,
With reference to your posting, Capt Captain John Donaldson Haswell, is my Great Grandfather, his children Rosina Maud, and John Eugene, were both on Board the ship Cape Verde with their father, my grandfather John Eugene was born on board the Cape Verde as it passed through the golden gate in San Fransisco 5th August 1879. John Eugene was apprenticed to the sea at the age of 14 on board the ship Sardomene, he spent his whole life at sea, died on board a ship as a relieving Captain in 1952. I have only one photo of John Donaldson, and would be very interested in having a look at the photos you mention.

Thank you


thank you

Re: Scottish sea captains in San Francisco

Posted: 7 Apr 2014 5:53PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Spencer
My Grandfather sailed on the Airlie of Dundee about 1895 as an Apprentice. Is there any further information on this ship? According to family lore, he went around Cape Horn.

His name was Harry Spencer.

Will Willis
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