Clymene

Official Number 10562

The Clymene was a wooden ship built at Workington, launched on the 15th May 1851. She was an early vessel in a series of full-rigged ships and clippers designed by Jonathon Fell, and built at Workington for the Liverpool firm of Bushby and Edwards.

From the Cumberland Pacquet and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser, Tuesday, 20th May, 1851:

" On Thursday, the 15^th inst, a splendid first-class East Indiaman called the Clymene was launched from the yard of Messrs, Peile, Scott, and Co, at Workington for Messrs Bushby, of Clifton, and others. The Clymene is the largest vessel that has yet been launched in the county, though two of larger dimensions are in course of construction at Workington and will be launched during the present year. She registers 826, and is expected to carry from 1,200 to 1,400 tons. She is a clipper-built flush ship, (a term by which it is understood the cabin and forecastle accommodations are all between decks). Her length is from head to taffrail 157 feet, breadth 31½, and depth of hold 22 feet, coppered and copper-fastened, and standing A1 at Lloyd’s for 13 years. She is to be commanded by Captain Joseph Bushby, late of the Mary Sparks, and being already chartered for Calcutta will sail from Liverpool about the middle of June. The day was beautiful, and the concourse of spectators, including a considerable proportion of elegantly-dressed ladies, was very great. Joseph Sanderson, Esq, the extensive Cockermouth ship owner, was expected to christen her, but that gentleman being late in arriving at the yard, the ceremony was performed by Mr Joseph Bushby, jun, who dashed a bottle of generous liquid against the bow, and named the Clymene amidst the acclamations of the spectators. As soon as the vessel was launched and snugly berthed, the owners, builders and a number of their friends, adjourned to the office, where a sumptuous repast was prepared. Joseph Bushby, Esq., presided, and Henry Grayson, Esq., of Elm-bank, occupied the vice-chair. We also noticed Joseph Sanderson, Esq. and daughter, Cockermouth, R Bell, Esq., MD J Paitson, Esq., Cockermouth, Joseph Thompson, Esq., W Fisher, Esq., Mr and Mrs Joseph Bushby, Mr Fell, Mr Seymour, Maryport, Mr John Bushby, Liverpool, Mr Scott, Miss Priestman, Misses Peile, Mr.and Mrs Mordaunt, F Pittman, Esq., Messrs Gregson and Fisher, W Harding Esq., Charles Blundell, Esq., Mr Lewis &C. Mr Fell proposed success to the ship which had just been launched, which is the eighth that has been built by Messrs Peile, Scott and Co., for Messrs.Bushby."

" The Clymene, Graham, from Mauritius at Cork on the 20th instant; 74 days' passage. She has made the quickest passage on record from Liverpool to Calcutta, viz., 80 days to pilot, and 82 days to Calcutta. She discharged there and loaded to Mauritius, and having discharged there she loaded for Liverpool, and has arrived at Cork - the passage out and home in the short period of 8 months and 13 days."

The Clymene was sold to Swedish owners some time about 1874, upto which time her master had been Capt. Thomas Morgan. She was renamed Anna and, according to Source 9, she was wrecked at Goat Rock, St.Paul Island, Nova Scotia, on the 8th September 1874.

A wreck identified by the name Clymene, but dated 1861 on the ship's bell, was discovered off St.Paul Island, Nova Scotia, in August 2000 (see Source 1).

Sources :

1. http://www.agc-ets.co.uk/clymene.htm - This Web Site (no longer existing) described some history of this vessel, and also some details of the discovery of the wreck.
2. Mercantile Navy List 1857 - gives port of registry as Workington, 745 tons.
3. Clayton's Register of Shipping, 1865, gives port of registry as Workington, owners Bushby & Edwards of Liverpool, and master as Capt.J.Bushby - 746 tons, ship-rigged.
4. American Lloyd's Register of American and Foreign Shipping, 1872 - names master as Morgan.
5. "The Shipwreck Index of Ireland", Richard & Bridget Larn, quoting from BoT Inquiry.
6. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1874-5: Clymene, ship, 746 tons, official number 10562, signal letters KPBD, owner J.Bushby, registered at Workingtom, master T.Morgan.
   
7. Record of American and Foreign Shipping, 1875 - Anna, built Workington 1851, ship, 746 tons, owned P.Rutenschon, registered at Gothenburg.
8. Record of American and Foreign Shipping, 1879 - Anna, ex-Clymene. NB. This shipping register was often out-of-date with details of a vessel's loss.
9. St. Paul Island Shipwreck Page