Born on the (unreadable) at Amersham, Bucks.
Sea Service from latter end of 1848 to Jany. 1894
| Sailing Ship | 13 years |
| Steamship | 36 years 7 |
| 49 years 7 |
Nearly 50 years - a pretty good spell of salt water.
I went to Sea about the latter end of 1842 with my Father who was Captain and part owner of the Barque "Albatross" of 734 tons. I voyaged with him in the same ship to Bombay, Quebec, New Orleans, New York, Valparaiso (Chile) and Callas (Peru).
Aug 20 1848. I was transferred as apprentice to the new Barque "Ardeneraig" of L'pool 600 tons. Capt. Thompson, and finished my term of apprenticeship in the "John Garrow" of 850 tons Capt. M.J.Hamilton, (this vessel was about one of the first iron ships ever built, both her and the "Ardeneraig" were owned by the firm of Cannon & Miller of L'pool).
I left the "John Garrow" in New Orleans on 19th Novr. 1850 and joined the Barque "Express" Capt. Whitby, as Chief Mate - left her at L'pool in Jany 1851.
From 17th March 1851 to 6th Decr. 1851 I was 2nd Mate of the barque "Templar" of Newcastle 384 tons, Capt. Marshall from L'pool to Colombo (Ceylon) and back to London.
From the 19th Feb. 1851 (sic) to 20th July 1853 I was in the Barque "Runnymede" of L'pool 456 tons - Capt. Jas. Brown. I joined her as A.S. so as to get out to Australia - on the voyage out I was made 3rd Mate and at Portland Bay Australia I was made 2nd Mate. We then went on to Bombay and back to Portland Bay with passengers and from there to London with cargo of wool. The 1st Mate leaving in London I was appointed 1st Mate and came on with her to L'pool where the Ship was sold. I could have had command of her if I had held a Master's Certificate, mine was only for 1st Mate which I got in Jany. 1890. The vessel was going in the Coast of Africa trade so perhaps it was just as well I did not go in her.
20th Augt. to 20th Decr. 1853. 3rd Mate: I was with Capt. Brown again in a large new ship of 1400 tons called the "New Zealander". We left L'pool for Portland Bay, Australia, with Government emigrants. We arrived with 464 passengers all well. On the 19th or 20th Decr ........ (fortunately we had landed all the passengers) the same night the ship caught fire and was totally destroyed while at anchor in the Bay. We had only landed our passengers in the afternoon and by 3 a.m. next morning she was in flames. We had about 500 tons of coal in the lower hold and it was supposed the coal spontaneously caught fire - anyway it was only about 17 or 20 minutes from first alarm till she was ablaze fore and aft. We the crew lost pretty well everything escaping in our night clothes. So much for carrying coals in such a quantity in passenger ships. On the coals these were covered with thick wooden planks to make a platform for the fresh-water casks, consequently no ventilation and as soon as the Hatches were opened for air up she goes in flames from Bow to Stern.
I had £5 per month as 3rd Mate and a Government grant of 1/- per head for each passenger landed. I was discharged with a good pay-day about $pound;43 which was rather more than the 1st Mate because he had no grant from Govt. only his £10 per month as wages. From this time I have not met or heard of Capt. Brown (1899) - he was a smart strict generous good master to me.
2nd Mate. Dec. 1853 to Aug. 2nd 1854: After being discharged from the "New Zealander" at Portland Bay I took passage in the Paddle-Steamer "Manchester" Capt. T.B.Harrison of 400 tons about, trading between Melbourne, Portland Bay (coasting) Sydney, Brisbane etc. for Melbourne intending to go to the Gold Diggings. On the trip Capt. Harrison asked me to join his ship as 2nd Mate at £15 per month, both Mr. Forsyth the 1st Mate of the "New Zealander" accepted his offer the latter going as Chief Mate at £18 per month. The "Manchester" being put up for sale all the crew were discharged. Mr. Forsyth, myself, the Chief Engineer Mr Berry and a Mr. Boyce, Purser made up a party and proceeded to the gold diggings, Ballarat and Oreswick Creek. Having indifferent luck we all returned to Melbourne. While loafing about the town - hard up - I happened to meet my old Capt. Hamilton and I joined his ship the "Fitzjames" 1570 tons as 2nd Mate. She belonged to the White Star Line of L'pool. Mathew Jas. Hamilton was the same Capt.
(2nd Mate and Mate. Sept. 26th 1854 to June 18, 1855:) I served my apprenticeship with the "John Garrow" and "Ardenernig". In her I made a voyage from Melbourne, Australia to the 7 Chincha Islands (Peru) for a load of guano - at Callao the Mate left (Mr. Gunn) and I took his place until we arrived in London where I left the ship and on the 16th Nov. 1855 I joined the R.M.S. Sailing Ship "Mermaid" of 1233 tons. (1st Officer 16th Nov. 1855 to 13th June, 1856) White Star Line - carrying H.M.Mails and passengers from L'pool to Melbourne. Edwd. Devez, Master. In that ship I made the voyage to Melbourne and back to L'pool within the 6 months. Having my time in for passing as Master I passed my examination for such on the 26th July 1856 and got my certificate as Master (No.13268). On Augt. 1st 1856 I applied and got appointed as 2nd Officer £10 per month in the Cunard Service and joined the H.M.S. "Cambrin". Capt. Wickham as a first step. I was then sent as 2nd Officer in the old Steamer "Margaret" Capt. Mubbins. We were towed out to Alexandria by the "British Queen" and the "Margaret" remained there as a hulk and storeship for the Coy.
After leaving her there I was sent home as passenger in the S.S."Taurino". I then joined the R.M.S."America" Capt. Lang, but being disabled in a gale off the Irish Coast we put back to L'pool. In this vessel I was 4th Officer but as she was laid up for repairs I joined the R.M.S."Jura", Capt. Moody as 3rd Officer, the ship being employed carrying the mails between Southampton and Alexandria. After several voyages I was sent into the Atlantic service again as 3rd Officer in the H.M.S."Africa". Finding promotion too slow I left the Cunard service (It was then a rule that you could not get to be Chief Officer without first having a command of some vessel) so on the 10th April 1858 I accepted an appointment as Chief Officer in the Steamer "Cloda" belonging to the Pacific S.N.Coy - for three years trading on the West Coast of South America. I Served my 3 years in the "Cloda" and then asked to be sent home. The Coy. offered me a command, so I remained and was afterwards in command of the following Steamers on the Pacific side of So,America. My first 3 years salary was at £400 p.a. with a 1½% commission on freight and increased gradually to £750 and 1½% on freight but in later years the Coy. took the commission from us and reduced all the Commanders' Salaries.
During my service I was fortunate and had no accident whatever with ships under my command except one occasion when the "Bolivia" caught fire. I ran her near the shore for safety, and we got the fire put out (we were full of passengers). The causes - boilers got hot and set fire to the deck and houses doing considerable damage - the ship being old was soon afterward condemned. During the 28 years I had only been home to England once and then only for about 1½ months on my wedding trip and to take out a new ship when I left the West Coast of So.America.
I was Senior Commander of the Company's Fleet. After being at home a short time I was longing to have something to do so I rejoined the Cunard Service as 2nd Officer and remained in that service till 1894. At that time my sight was not good and I had bad attacks of rheumatism. I now feel great regret at leaving the Sea for I loved it and all belonging to it.
"Over the deep waters of the dark blue sea
"Our thoughts as boundless as our souls are free
"For as the Eye can see the billows foam
"Behold our Empire and survey our Home".
( Byron )
Nov. 1900.
(Here follows tables showing all his
Sen Service. 50 years 1 month altogether)
F.R.B.
Above copied from the original in the Old Bank of Eng. Pass-book. April 1911. F.R.B.
Capt. J.H.Mills was a grandson of Augustus Bergh being a child of latter's daughter Sarah. He married and left a son who became a singer but I fancy there was some trouble with the wife. He died in 1903 just before I got in touch with the Hutchinsons. He was my father's 1st cousin but former had no recollection of ever seeing him. There was a strong likeness between them as appeared when we saw his photo. He seems to have taken an interest in family records too. F.R.B.
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Copyright © Anthony Hickson
