Looking for Info About the 19th Century MV Enterprise

[Allan Cownie]

Hello all,

Newbie here with no clue at all about how to research maritime history. Our family folklore has a belief that one of our relatives was master of a “tea clipper”. We have photo of a very fine gentleman in merchant navy uniform, and a water colour of a merchant sailing vessel called the Enterprise. She doesn’t look like she carries enough sail to be a true tea clipper but, who knows.

So my burning question is, how do I go about finding records of merchant sailing vessels of the mid to late 19th century called the Enterprise. I’ve tried many combinations of search terms on Google, but usually end up in Star Trek forums.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Allan
Not too sure on this one as yet, but could this have been the Ship in Question.
Will carry on searching later.
Cheers

HMS Enterprise (1848) - Wikipedia

[wightspirit]

If you can give us the name, place and date of birth of your ancestor we may be able to find out more. It's possible his Master's and Mate's certificates will reveal the details of the ship you're interested in.

Dave W

[Allan Cownie]

Hi Allan
Not too sure on this one as yet, but could this have been the Ship in Question.
Will carry on searching later.
Cheers

HMS Enterprise (1848) - Wikipedia

Thank you for the lead. Unfortuntely that’s not her. I’m trying to attach a picture of her but without success. It uploaded OK.

- - - Updated - - -

If you can give us the name, place and date of birth of your ancestor we may be able to find out more. It's possible his Master's and Mate's certificates will reveal the details of the ship you're interested in.

Dave W

Hi Dave, that’s the info I’m missing! I have his photo but not his name. This is what she looks like.

- - - Updated - - -

Enterprise.jpg

[Allan Cownie]

This is the chap in question. I think his surname may have been Grainger, or possibly Thompson.

000 Pre-History Bertha Thompson's Mother's Family - The Graingers 3.jpg

[Doc Vernon]

Could possibly be a Brig!
Will carry on my Search.
Cheers
What would this Rank have been ??
Cheers

[j.sabourn]

More probable a brigantine Vernon , 2 masts ,foremast square rigged , mainmast fore and aft . JS

[wightspirit]

Your Enterprise is likely among this list: https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/ves...&submit=search

There may be something there which triggers a family memory. At least you'll be able to narrow down the possibilities and then research further. Exclude the steam ships and those built later and it might then help if some on this forum could give an estimate of the vessel's tonnage - for what it's worth, I'd say that the vessel in the illustration is somewhere in the 300-400 tons gross category, but others may give a better estimate.

Dave W

[Allan Cownie]

Your Enterprise is likely among this list: https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/ves...&submit=search

There may be something there which triggers a family memory. At least you'll be able to narrow down the possibilities and then research further. Exclude the steam ships and those built later and it might then help if some on this forum could give an estimate of the vessel's tonnage - for what it's worth, I'd say that the vessel in the illustration is somewhere in the 300-400 tons gross category, but others may give a better estimate.

Dave W

Aha! This looks like a great resource. Thank you Dave.