abbreviation

[Royston Smith]

Can someone please explain what the abbreviation 'shkp' in the following extract for Gilcruix from Lloyd's List 22 Nov 1892. I understand spkn as spoken but for the life of me cannot define shkp. Also what does the number 12/71 mean?

England [3O/61 Swansea spkn Aug 1, 2 N, 28 W Gilcruix, Dixon 12/71 Barry shkp Aug 27, 8. 47

Thanks

[John Gill]

Shipwrecked?

[Royston Smith]

Hi John;
Not shipwrecked.

Found the following from 1921 March 2: In collision with the American steamer Naamhok 8 nautical miles South St Catherine's Point. Was condemned after having been towed to Le Havre, later towed to Caen where she was broken up?

Roy

[Chris Allman]

Roy I think Shkp is an abbreviation for Shipkeeper - meaning the ship was being looked after by a shipkeeper with no Captain or crew on board.

With regard to the 12 / 71 could it be a reference to some local records regarding the ship - perhaps a Harbour Master's log or something similar from which Lloyds List got their information.

[Red Lead Ted]

I have an idea this abbreviation could well be in someway related to the ships husband,
Ships Husband [Maritime Law] Law and Legal Definition

A ship’s husband means a person who is responsible for providing maintenance and supplies for a ship in port. They act as the general agent of all the co-owners of a ship. Accordingly, they contracts on behalf of the co-owners for all necessary services, equipment, and supplies.
Some of the general powers of a ship’s husband includes:
to direct all proper repairs, equipments and outfits of the ship;
to hire the officers and crew;
to prepare and dispatch the ship for the intended voyage;
to have a proper master, mate, and crew, for the ship;
to meet the necessities of the voyage by furnishing provisions and stores;
to see to the regularity of the clearance's from the custom-house and registry;
to satisfy the contracts, and provide for the payment of the furnishings ;
to enter into proper charter parties, or engage the vessel for general freight, under the existing conditions;
to settle for freight and adjust averages with the merchant; and
to preserve the proper certificates, surveys, and documents; and to keep regular books of the ship in case of future disputes with insurers and freighters.

[John Gill]

#3. Like I said Royston, Shipwrecked.

[Royston Smith]

Hi Chris; please see #1 Dixon is the captain, but as the vessel is at Barry, maybe undergoing repairs???

- - - Updated - - -

Hi Terry; Wow!! I didn't expect that but thanks for the explanation

Regards, Roy

[Chris Allman]

Hi Roy - it was common in those days to employ a shipkeeper once the crew had been paid off and the Captain and Mates were placed on leave or paid off too. Its also possible that Captain Dixon was retained as the shipkeeper whilst not on articles as the pay was an awful lot lower than the Captains pay but it was money none the less. From what I can ascertain the Captains and Mates in those days were not paid whilst not on articles, so if the ship was in port for repairs, laid up awaiting a cargo or other reason, a shipkeepers position did at least pay a little.

Also thinking that perhaps the 12 / 71 could be the date that Captain Dixon gained his Masters Certification eg December 1871.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Terry #5 The term ships Husband is now replaced by Ship Managers, as in a Management Company, who are appointed the registered owners, or if on Bareboat Charter they act on behalf of the Disponent owners.

[Doc Vernon]

Because of very old Records there were many errors made by entering all details by hand. The shkp could easily been an error and just plainly was meant to be written as Ship. Likewise the Spkn to be Spoken.
Human error was common Years ago on Merchant Navy and other Forces Records!
Cheers