The Susannah Ann and the Sealing Voyages

It seems that the move to London was related to James returning to the merchant venture business. This time he seems to have focussed on sealing rather than whaling, and purchased a very small vessel of 75 tons called the Susannah Ann. He also did not go to sea this time, not with his seven children and a wife who had made him promise never to go to sea again! At various times he was in partnership with a Brown family. This tiny boat of just 57 feet travelled halfway across the globe to the South Shetland Islands just off Antarctica in pursuit of seals.

There is a description of the Susannah Ann in 1825 from the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. Built at Bridport 1814. 1 deck, 3 masts, 57’7″ x 18’7″ inh. 79 tons. Smack, square stern, carvel, running bowsprit, no gallery or head. Master, Robert Ferguson, 1825. Owners, Ann Brown, Mile End, widow, 32/64, James Lucas, Deptford, ship owner; sold in 1835 to Thomas Brown, Gt. St Helen’s. (R.L.S., 1825/528, 8.8.1825.).

In the Lloyd’s Register for 1824 and 1825 the Susannah Ann has the master M. Brown, and the owner is Brown & Co. In 1826 Lloyd’s the master is W. Wilson and the owner is Lucas & Co. In 1826 Society of Merchants, the master changes from Wilson to Fergusson, and the owner changes from Captain to Lucas. In 1827 it isn’t listed in Jones, but this may mean that it had another voyage besides the South Seas. In 1828 Lloyd’s it has W. Wilson as Master and owned by Lucas& Co. In 1828 Society of Merchants it has Ferguson as Master and Lucas as owner. 1829 Lloyd’s same as 1828 and the same for SoM. Very strange. 1830 Lloyd’s has a change during the year from Wilson to Ferguson. 1831 in Lloyd’s Ferguson is master. 1833 is the last year that it appears. Such a tiny boat compared to all the others.

1823 – 1825 Voyage

The master was Matthew Brown. One wonders if the Ann Brown mentioned above was his widow. The ship departed Deal to the South Seas on September 13 1823. Visited New South Shetland. (BBR). On 5 October 1824 the ship was in Buenos Aires from Patagonia (Robinson). Arrived in Gravesend 28 June 1825. 2 tons train oil for J. Lucas, 74 tons sperm oil for W. Mellish. This information is from p.152 of A.G.E.J. “Ships Employed in the South Seas Trade”, no. 36 Roebuck Society Publication. All a little confusing and would need to be checked with the original sources to sort it all out if that would be possible.

1826-1827 Voyage

The master was Robert Ferguson. The notes say that he was appointed August 8 1825, but the voyage didn’t depart for a whole year until August 25 1820 [typo?] from Deal to the South Shetlands. Sealing off Patagonia. Arrived Gravesend 13 Sep 1827 with 3,320 seal skins for J. Lucas & Co.