Charles Teft Laurence (1845-1913)

[Paullaurence]

Hi, I am researching my ancestor Charles Teft Laurence (1845-1913) and the ships he sailed upon from 1862 to 1898. I am especially interested in any pictures of his last known ship the s.s. Vlissingen. I have found a considerable amount in the newspaper articles in Trove, enquirerd of the Australian Maritime Museum and Rockhampton museum to no avail. As one corresponded told me the ship appears to have slipped under the radar. Charles was her river Captain from 1888.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Unique ID: 17611
Description: BOT Wreck Report for 'Leichardt' and 'Vlissengen', 1898
Creator: Board of Trade
Date: 1898
Copyright: Out of copyright
Partner: SCC Libraries
Partner ID: Unknown
Transcription

(No. 5788.)

"LEICHARDT" (S.S.) AND "VLISSENGEN" (S.S.).

Marine Board of Queensland.

THE annexed report has been received from the Court appointed by the Marine Board to hold an inquiry at Rockhampton into the circumstances attending a collision which occurred in the Fitzroy River on the 13th June, 1898, between the s.s. "LEICHARDT" and "VLISSENGEN."

The Board confirm the Court's finding, and caution the masters of both vessels to be more careful in future.

By direction of the Board at Brisbane, this 26th July, 1898.

SAML. A. PETHEBRIDGE, Secretary.

Finding.

We find:—

1. That at 5.15 a.m. on the 13th June, the s.s. "Vlissengen," Charles Teft Lawrence, master, was entering the eastern end of the cutting at Archer's Crossing in the Fitzroy River. The s.s. "Vlissengen" had a punt in tow, had on board twenty-eight passengers, and was steaming up the river at the rate of seven to eight knots. It was flood tide, within about an hour of high water neaps.

2. That at the same time the s.s. "Leichardt," Alexander Brand, master, was steaming down the cutting at Archer's Crossing from its western end, upon a course somewhat across the leads, at rate of speed stated to be 5.5 knots, and considerably to her port side of the leads, only her green light showing to the approaching vessel.

3. That upon entering the mouth of the cutting the master of the "Vlissengen" being able to see only the green light of the "Leichardt," and receiving from that vessel no signal of an intention to alter her course, judged that if the "Leichardt" held on her then course, the "Vlissengen" could not proceed up her own starboard side of the crossing without risk of either a collision with the "Leichardt" or of being driven on to the training-wall on the northern bank of the river or into waters outside the ordinary channel, as to the depths of which he was unacquainted.

4. That the master of the "Vlissengen" thereupon, but without sounding his whistle, put his helm to starboard with the intention of passing the "Leichardt" on her starboard side.

5. That at the ,same moment the master of the "Leichardt," without sounding his whistle ported his helm, thereby causing the "Leichardt" to swing in a direction at right angles with the course being then taken by the "Vlissengen."

6. That a collision immediately took place, the "Leichardt" striking the "Vlissengen" obliquely abaft the funnel into the engine-room door, and causing her to sink in a few minutes. The "Leichardt" sustained considerable injuries to her bows.

7. That, subsequent to the collision, the masters of both vessels acted with considerable coolness and promptitude, owing probably to which fact no loss of life ensued.

8. That the master of the "Leichardt" was primarily responsible for the collision, in that when passing through Archer's Crossing he steered a course in contravention of the provisions of section 85 of 41 Vic. 3, "The Naxigation Act of 1876."

9. That the master of the "Leichardt" was further to blame in neglecting the precaution to sound his whistle when about to port his helm under conditions which he must have known to be critical, contrary to the provisions of Article 28 of the Regulations relating to the prevention of collisions, dated the 9th June,. 1897.

10. That the master of the "Vlissengen" was in fault in omitting to sound his whistle when about to change his course.

11. That the master of the "Vlissengen" displayed want of judgment in changing his course instead of stopping, and, if necessary, going astern.

12. That the costs of this inquiry amount to £22 13s. 8d. And we do order that a proportion of said costs, amounting to £15 2s. 5d., be paid by Alexander Brand, master of the s.s. "Leichardt," to Albert Edward Sykes, of Rockhampton, Harbour Master and Shipping Inspector, within one calendar month from this 30th day of June, 1898, and that in default of such payment the same be levied by distress and sale of the s.s. "Leichardt," her tackle, furniture, and apparel.

And we do order that a proportion of such costs, amounting to £7 11s. 3d., be paid by Charles Teft Lawrence, master of the s.s. "Vlissengen," to Albert Edward Sykes, of Rockhampton, Harbour Master and Shipping Inspector, within one calendar month from this 30th day of June, 1898, and that in default of payment the same be levied by distress and sale of s.s. "Vlissengen," her tackle, furniture, and apparel.

LINK: Wreck Report for 'Leichardt' and 'Vlissengen', 1898 - PortCities Southampton

K.

[Tony Morcom]

Welcome to our community Paul and thanks for stopping by to introduce yourself. I wish you luck with your research into your ancestor's career.

[DeepSea]

There are no surviving individual Merchant Seaman's records from 1857-1918

[Ron B Manderson]

welcome to the site Paul
I'm sure help will soon be on the way.
Ron the batcave
.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Hi Paul,

Could you update ASAP: Currently trailing in your footsteps on the web, if you post your general findings as you appear to be finding much - possibly we could help with the gaps ?

EG:

As part of my research into my ancestor Charles Teft Laurence (1845-?) I have acquired the crew agreements for the ship Knight of the Garter (1877-1896) covering the years 1880-1882 from the Newfoundland Maritime Archives. I can only find one document, the Inward list of crew and passengers for the 1879 voyage from London to Sidney, NSW. This is available online. Please can anyone help me find more information on this voyage, or even the location of the 1879 crew agreement?

LINK: Ships Nostalgia

K.

[Paullaurence]

Hi All,
Thankyou for your quick and expansive responses. The wreck reports combined with the newspaper accounts of the Vlissingens encounters with the Leichardt and the Elginshire are fascinating and enhance my story of Charles rise from apprentice to Captain. I have all the crewlists and logbooks for his 22 voyages on 14 ships. He appears to have retired after the Vlissingen debacle.

[Paullaurence]

Hi all,
Just received Ian Farquhars marvellous book 'The Tyser Legacy'. It states that the Vlissungen was originally called 'Rouen' when bought by the Tyser company on 27.7.1886. Please can anyone tell me whether there are any links to pictures of this vessel? It was originally built as a non-propelled lighter in 1872 by J & K Smit, Kinderdyk, rebuilt with twin screws by K.M.Schelde, Holland in 1886.