Thomas Emanuel RamsdenBirth– Abt. 1810, Plymouth, England
Heis known as the master of the schooner “Lioness”, which picked upsurvivors from the stricken ship HMS "Birkenhead", offDanger Point, South Africa on 25th Feb 1852. In this disaster, of theestimated 643 people on board 193 survived, with 116 being rescued bythe “Lioness”
Backingfor his birth date and origin lies in his “Masters Certificate ofService”, issued 10th Mar 1851. This states “born in Plymouth,County of Devon in the year 1810”. The Masters Certificate, statesthat he had been “employed in the capacity of Apprentice Mate andMaster 33 years in the British Merchant Service in the ForeignTrades”. Given an 1810 birthdate, this implies that he had firstgone to sea, aged 8 years, in 1818. Is this consistent with him beingemployed perhaps as a cabin boy and possibly under his Master MarinerFather – also named Thomas Ramsden’s tutelage? Possiblereference to his father on the Country Ship Perseverance is:-
Mar1815-Aug 1816
“Complaintpreferred by the Portuguese Governor of Mozambique against CaptainThomas Ramsden, Master of the Country ship Perseverance, for tradingin Delagoa bay without permission”
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...5-999087a748ba
1828 First reference in Sth Africa is his marriagecertificate – marriage in 1842 in Cape Town to Louisa Carolina Cookstates he had lived there [Cape Town] for 14 years = 1828
17 Jan1844 Daughter Christiana Ramsden born “aboard ship at CapeTown” – ship not known
1848 Commencesa relationship with Mary Ann Ridair [at Cape Town?]
24 Jul 1849 Wife commences divorce action due to Thomas having“carnal relations” with Mary Ann Harris
1849 Schooner “Lioness” 132 tons built by RobertLongworth, at his Fullerton's Marsh Shipyard, on the HillsboroughRiver. “Lioness” first registered at Prince Edward Island on 22ndAug 1849. Registration then transferred to London
1849 “Lioness” 158 tons [ new measure] sails to London?Master not known. Thomas E Ramsden becomes Master and sails “Lioness”from ?? England to Sth Africa
1849 –1855 “Lioness” in Lloyds Register – Master T E Ramsden –each year to 1855
27 Mar1850 Thomas Emanuel is adjudicated Bankrupt
20June 1850 “Sailedout of Table Bay, Lioness, T Ramsden to Mossel Bay”
The Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette, Cape Town, 27th June1850
10 Mar 1851 Thomas Emanuel Ramsden granted Masters Certificateno 52.957, issued at Liverpool. States had been apprentice mate for33 years
1852 “Lioness” - Master T E Ramsdenpicked up survivors from the HMS "Birkenhead" Danger Point,Sth Africa
12 Dec1852 “Lioness” - Master T E Ramsden sails from Mauritius toMelbourne
20 Jan 1853 “Lioness” - Master T E Ramsden arrives inMelbourne
1853 – 1854 “Lioness”- Master T E Ramsden commencestrading between Adelaide/Melbourne/Tasmania – numerous sailingalready documented
21 Mar 1854 “Lioness” - Master T E Ramsden wrecked onClarke Island, Bass Strait, Australia. Newspaper report states that“Lioness”…. port of registry being Cape Town… owned by hercommander Captain Ramsden, to whom a large portion of her cargobelonged. The Lioness was, we understand, insured in a MelbourneCompany for £1,000"
21 Nov 1854 Brig “Anne” 350 tons, A 1 at Lloyds commandedby Thomas E Ramsden prepares to sale to Port Natal, Algoa Bay, CapeTown
Nov 1854 – Mar 1855 Brig “Anne” calls at Mauritius toundergo repairs £400 to £500.; Funds provided by Mary Ann Ridair
10 Mar 1855 “The "Annie", brig, Captain Ramsden[formerly of the "Lioness"] put into port on Saturday,bound for London”
May 1855 Brig “Anne” arrives London, England. Some furtherrepairs became necessary and Mary Ann Ridair advanced a further sum,which made the total amount she advanced upon the ship £700. Shesecured the advance to Thomas Ramsden with a Bottomry Bond.
1856 “The Anne” was finally sold in the early part of 1856for £1,170
QUESTIONS
- Who is Thomas Ramsden Snr, Master Mariner?
- Presumed born or at least living in Plymouth, England
- Did he trade in South Africa?
- Was he on the “Perseverance” if so what were her voyages?
- what other ships did he sail on?
- Married to?
- Death?
- Son, Thomas Emanuel Ramsden Jnr, also a Master Mariner
- Presumed born or at least living in Plymouth, England
- Did he go to South Africa at an early age with his father?
- What ships was he on prior to the “Lioness”?
- How did he get back to London to pick up the “Lioness”?
Date of arrival of “Lioness” in South Africa
- Can we track “Lioness” shipping movements in Sth Africa?
- Was he also on the “Perseverance” if so, what were her voyages?
- Can we track where the birth of daughter Christiana Ramsden was registered
- Details of the 350 ton brig “Anne/Annie” – owners etc