Hello and looking for info on my great grandfather

[Linda Robb]

Hello. I have just joined this forum. My great grandfather was a ship's engineer and spent much of his life, until he was in his late 80s, on puffers between Glasgow and the Scottish Islands via the Crinan Canal. I have a number for him (6 digit) for the Merchant Marine Service. Are all records kept at Kew or is there a Scottish archive? He died in care in 1935 in a hospital on the puffer route.

Thanks

Linda

[Keith at Tregenna]

Hello Linda:

Could you please post all the info that you have: Eg - Full name, DOB / Death, where born / died etc. The number: (6 digit) is vital.

The more you can provide the better.

K.

[Linda Robb]

Hi Keith

My great grandfather's name was John Hill, born on Islay 21/10/1842 (or maybe that was when he was christened in Glasgow). I have him working on the SS Helen MacGregor on the Scottish west coast in the 1891 census and aboard the Sylph in Campbeltown in the 1911 census. he died in Lochgilphead in 1935 aged 92 where he had been in hospital for possibly 5 years. The Merchant Navy number I have is 320957.

Linda Robb

[Ron B Manderson]

to the site Linda
You are sure to get some info.
Ron the batcave

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Linda
Very difficult to find records on him,possibly Hugh will be able to assist!]
In the meantime i found this Document online for the Ship Helen McGregor,not sure if its the correct one,it s listed as a Trawler F/V ?

At the N/A i put in the Ships official Number and it gives a Crew Listing for that Ship,so would this help at all?
Cheers

NB There are two other Ships by that name as well so could well be another?

Official Nos: 23390, 23393, 23401, 23402, 23403, 23406, 23411, 23420, 23422, 23425,... | The National Archives

IDNo:	23522	Year:	1890
Name:	HELEN McGREGOR	Keel:
Type:	Trawler (FV)	Launch Date:
Flag:	GBR	Date of completion:

---

Tons:	156	Link:	1630
DWT:		Yard No:	32
Length overall:		Ship Design:
LPP:		Country of build:	GBR
Beam:		Builder:	Cochrane, Hamilton, Cooper & Schofield
Material of build:		Location of yard:	Beverley

[Doc Vernon]

This is the Link for the other likely Ship!
Cheers
Official Number

Official Nos: 55351, 55352, 55356, 55381, 55390, 55411, 55416, 55417, 55418, 55419,... | The National Archives

56159

1056159

1866

HELEN McGREGOR

Passenger/Cargo

[Keith at Tregenna]

Did take a quick look when I got in:

Will look further tomorrow.

K.

[Linda Robb]

Thanks folks for the replies. Doc, I think the most likely Helen MacGregor was a cargo one built in Swan's yard, Glasgow, in 1876 for James Gardner, Ballachulish. She sank off Kerrera in the Firth of Lorn while on a voyage from Glasgow to Mull but I have no idea if John Hill was on board then. I found this info on HELEN MACGREGOR CARGO SHIP 1876-1897.

Linda

[Keith at Tregenna]

Little found yet, but not been able to give all my full attention. Hopefully, others on site will help.

I will do all possible ASAP. just a little busy at the mo.

k.

[Hugh]

Welcome Linda,

Quite difficult to find information as there was no registration of seamen from 1858 until 1917. The only way to find him would be through surviving crew agreements.

Your gt grandfather's ship will be the HELEN MACGREGOR official number 73850 built in 1876. (J. Gardiner) - she foundered in 1897 with the Captain and 4 crew - no surviviors so your gt grandfather was not aboard then.
You could obtain the crew agreement (held in Canada) for 1891 which should give your gt g/f name as being aboard and also the name of his previous ship (hopefully).

The BoT Wreck Report here: Wreck Report for 'Helen MacGregor', 1898 - PortCities Southampton

Crew agreements here
Crew List Index Search Results

Regards
Hugh