Brig Nellie in St George's Dock LIVERPOOL

[jsearch]

 PLEASE, can anyone help me, I would be interested  to find out more about the brig that my Grt, grt grandfather served on as 2nd Mate and to also find out more about his life as a mariner and the places he visited.
His name was Samuel Adams, he was found dead on board the Brig Nellie 18 Mar 1876 St Georges Dock, Liverpool. He died of natural causes and was taken to "The Dead House " Liverpool !!
I dont know where to start to find out about his seafaring life.Can someone put me on the correct path.

[celia]

Hello jsearch
If Samuel was a merchant seaman there is isn't a lot you can find out about his time at sea.Unlike the Royal Navy who keep records of every Sailor.The Merchant didn't,Merchant seamen mostly worked for private boat/Ship owners.Some were in the R.N.R.So counted a Royal Navy.There might have been a report in  a newspaper of the time in liverpool.My Grandfather died the same way in 1947 he was retired but his ship was in dock. So he went to visit and had a heart attack on the deck,and i know nothing about his time in at sea.Apart from a bit of information i found in a ships log in the Maritime museum.Someone on the armed forces page might be able to help with finding the ships owner or shipping line.So you can find out where the ships & crew records are kept.If it was a liverpool ship records might be at the Albert dock.Cant think of anything or i would be able to find mine as well

Celia

[jsearch]

Many thanks Celia for your help.You have given me some good ideas for research,I will follow it all up. I have previously phoned the Maritime Museum Liverpool ,who said they couldn't help,but as you say you found some info there, I may visit there personally one day and search their records.Good Luck with your reseach!
                          (Joy)        Jsearch

[celia]

Hi Joy
the only reason i found that scrap of information in the ships logbook.Was because i had only just started my first tree (a few years ago) Like you i wanted to find out about his sea records I walked straight into a brick wall,(been there ever since 6?7 years.) I was trying to squeeze some information out of my elderly mother one day,who was at that age when she could remember things about her dad when she was at school. then young woman, but she couldn't remember if she had her dinner or not The only thing she could remember at the time was a blue flag with a white cross.It was easy to trace the flag,Brocklbank if i remember rightly.Phoned the Maritime library asked about brocklbank,they had a log book !, so i had it order it because it was in a box. With years of dust on top No one was more suprised then me when i saw granddads name in the book Hope you find something in your travels.

Celia

[redkop]

Hi Joy,

I have just found this site:-  http://palmm.fcla.edu/juv/juvAuthorList.html

The book is called, Uncle John's First Shipwreck or The Loss of The Brig Nellie. By Author, Charles Bruce, published 1880.

You can down load it from this site. I didn't, so I don't know if it's of any use. It's certainly worth a try.

Let me know how you get on.

Red   

[celia]

As Matter of interest i have just had a look at the site,it takes a long time to download each page.So patients is required

Celia

[Aulus]

Wasn't so bad for me.

Unfortunately it appears not to be the full book, just the first page of each chapter, plus the covers etc.

[redkop]

I wonder if it's possible to order it?

Red   

[jsearch]

Hi Redkop,
Many,many, thanks for finding this for me. I went on the site and downloaded the story. It was really interesting to read ,the complete story can be viewed, an insight to how it was on board at the time,and  I could picture how life would of been for my ancestor,when he was  on board ship.
It is a historical children's story, I have contacted the publishers to find out if it is a true story or fictional and based on facts,hope to receive a reply and that it is a true story,would be great to know this is grt grt grandfathers ship,and to find out more about it.It is possible to order it online.
                    Joy ,(Jsearch)