Merchant Navy: were there two Captains Patrick R Kerr?

[Forfarian]

The only question, really, is why the 1856 report in 'The Scotsman' says the master of 'The Wanderer' was Kerr. If that is an error, the rest all falls neatly into place.

There are multiple shipping reports mentioning "Wanderer, Kerr" between April 1856 and March 1857. I counted 20+ such reports.

Oh. That doesn't sound like an error, then. Maybe he transferred back to 'Wanderer' from 'Prince Charley'.

Where did you find these 20+ reports please?

[seaweed]

The only question, really, is why the 1856 report in 'The Scotsman' says the master of 'The Wanderer' was Kerr. If that is an error, the rest all falls neatly into place.

I have now also learned that he was in Foo Chow aboard the steamer 'Volunteer' in summer 1864.
[/quote]
Both WANDERER and VOLENTEER seem to be owned by the same company. Thomson. So it would be conceivable that Kerr was Captain of WANDERER in 1856.
Sorry, the Captain of PRINCE CHARLEY was given as R Keer. A missprint?
Lloyds Captains Register would give a clearer picture on all these types of quiries.

[Forfarian]

Thanks again.

I am hoping to get to London at some point for a bit more research, so I'll add that to the list.

[ShaunJ]

Where did you find these 20+ reports please?

The best place to look is the British Newspaper Archive on https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk or FindMyPast. There were also 6 hits in the Gale newspaper database.

[Forfarian]

Where did you find these 20+ reports please?

The best place to look is the British Newspaper Archive on https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk or FindMyPast. There were also 6 hits in the Gale newspaper database.

Thank you.

I've looked in the first two of those, and in The Scotsman. Got some reports of Wanderer going between Alloa and Quebec, but so far nothing on 'Urania' or 'Prince Charley'. Also found one reference each to Sunbeam and Bathalde, but still looking for more about those. Nothing at all so far on Volunteer either.

He was probably at sea on census day 1851 because he arrived at Quebec on 15 May 1851.

[ShaunJ]

so far nothing on 'Urania' or 'Prince Charley'

I'm seeing a few newspaper mentions of "Prince Charley, Kerr" in 1854. Just search for Charley Kerr.