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« on: Tuesday 22 September 09 18:25 BST (UK) »
Hello there
Just a couple of other snippets for you. If you follow the 1881 family through the censuses backwards and forwards, Christopher's father was Thomas who in 1851 was an Engineer, in 1861 was a Steam Tug captain, 1871 was a Steamboat Capt, then in 1891 was a Waterman. He must have died by 1901 as his wife Dorothy can be found as a widow, and there is a FREEBMD entry for 1892 of a death of a Thomas Johnston aged 57, and the age fits.
Thomas' father was Walter Johnston and in 1851 & 1861 was a coal trimmer.
There is a great book by Ron Wright called Beyond the Piers (published by The People's History) which talks about some of the fishing history of North Shields. In the 1860's the steam paddle tugs were often used to tow the sailing smacks and luggers in and out of harbour when they couldn't sail from lack of wind. The tugs didn't always have much to do and were constantly searching for work. In 1873 there were 145 steam tugs registered on the Tyne and there was much competition for work.
In November 1877 William Purdy, a steamboat captain, fitted out his own boat with trawl nets and set out on his maiden fishing voyage to much derision, but his trip was successful and the Messenger, his boat, became the first steam trawler on the Tyne. My gt-gt-grandfather Alexander Fyall was in the crew on that first trip. After that, many paddle tugs were converted to fishing trawlers.
Unfortunately, apart from what you have already found, I haven't much to add on Christopher. However, Ron Wright's book also tells the tale of Richard Irvin, who set up a cannery in the early 1900's and eventually had interests in the African Fishing and Trading Company, with many trawlers from North Shields ending up sailing around the South African coast. Could this be a link?
If you Google 'Richard Irvin Tyne Brand History' you'll get some results to help and a link to the book mentioned.
Best of luck
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