South Africa ship departures 1900

[amazon510]

Hi,

According to his Royal Marine records, my G-Grandfather deserted from his ship on or about Sept. 6, 1900.  He was assigned to the HMS Monarch at the time, and my research suggests that ship was stationed around Simonstown, South Africa at that time, as part of the Boer War effort.  Family lore is that he joined the crew of a commerical ship heading "east", ultimately ending in Australia. 

Given that I have a fairly precise date, is there any way to look up what commercial vessels left Simonstown in early September 1900? 

thanks,

Jennifer.

[seaweed]

Simonstown was the main Royal Navy base in South Africa.
 If he did do a runner Capetown is the more likely port he sailed from.
You need to look at Lloyds List for the period.
http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/ResLloydsList.html
http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/ResLloydsLocations.html

[amazon510]

Thanks!  Great tip.  I looked up departures from Cape Town (aka Table Bay) in Lloyd's List today and found two possible ships - the Fort Salisbury and the Durbridge!

Jennifer.

[seaweed]

FORT SALISBURY Official number 104851
DURBRIDGE  O/N 99035

Assuming he sailed as crew rather than as a passenger he would have been included in the crew agreement. These are at Memorial University of Newfoundland. They are not avilable to view online
http://www.mun.ca/mha/holdings/searchcombinedcrews.php

Bear in mind he may have used a false name. If you cannot see him, look at sailors who gave no previous ship.

[amazon510]

Another good tip - I'll look for sailors with no previous ship if necessary.  If I'm really lucky, maybe he signed on with his own name and gave his last ship prior to his stint in the marines....

J.