James Graham RN seaman 1857 - 1874, coastguard 1874 - 1893

[Joanna Tolhurst]

in the remarks column of ADM 188/13, the first remark is:
T (or F). E. 1857  Not sure of 1st letter, could be something else as there is a T and F elsewhere.
Any suggestions?

Also under rating, &c.:
P.6.2cl.
then T.M.
then boatman when he moved to the coastguard.

Also what are "G.C. badges worn"?

[Joanna Tolhurst]

Successful visit to the PRO uncovered James Graham full naval record from the age of 14 in 1857.
CS 19887B was his record from 26 April 1872 to 31 Dec 1872.  He joined on the Duke of Wellington as 2nd captain D Dec, moving to the Hercules where he ended up as Captain of the mast.
CS35078 was an earlier record from 30 Sept 1857 when he joined on the Blenheim as a 14 year old boy.  He signed his name with quite a flourish.  His character was good and very good throughout.  After the Blenheim he served on the Hannibal 1858/59, Conqueror 1859, Iris 1859 -1861, Orpheus 1861 - 1863, Miranda 1863, Curacoa 1863 -1867, Minotaur 1867 - 1870 and finally Trafalgar 1870 - 1872 before rejoining on the Duke of Wellington .  One of my grandmother's cousin's stories is right as he did serve in New Zealand as the Iris, Orpheus, Miranda, Curacoa were all at the Australian station during the years he was on them according to the Navy lists.
Where to look next for his father though I don't know?  All I have so far is his name - also James Graham, and his occupation in 1869- a silversmith.

[Joanna Tolhurst]

With some internet searching, I've just realised that James was one of the few survivors of the wreak of HMS Orpheus at Manukau Harbour New Zealand on February 7, 1863.

[Martyn382]

Hi JoT,
James Graham was my Great Grandfather. My Grandma was his second youngest daughter, Clara.
Grandma always thought that he came from Kingston Jamaica but Canada seems much more likely.
Her story was that James's father had been chased out of Scotland for sheep stealing. We don't know a year or have any corroborating evidence for this.
She also used to say that he was returning to Scotland to claim his inheritance as his father had been a Laird but he was shipwrecked and lost all his papers.
Your research is much more advanced than mine and the shipwreck story seems to have been borne out with HMS Orpheus but I don't know about the Laird bit..
I'm visiting West Mersea in September to see if I can find anything in the museum or the County Archive in Chelmsford. I'll let you know if I find anything.
Regards,
Martyn

[Joanna Tolhurst]

Hi Martyn,
Since I posted on James Graham all those years ago my research has discovered much of his story, his father's and his grandfather's, both of whom were also James Graham. If you private message me your email I can give you all the details.
Jo

[Martyn382]

Hi Jo,
The system says that I'm not allowed to send private messages.
I would be very interested in learning about James Graham.
How do I increase my privilege level to send private messages?
Regards,
Martyn.
PS You can delete this entry once read, it just clutters things up.

[Little Nell]

Martyn,

New members have to make 2 or 3 posts before they are able to access the private message system.  If you just acknowledge this message, you should then be able to use the system.

Good luck

Nell