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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: suzivegemite on Monday 02 January 12 06:05 GMT (UK)
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I'm looking for any info on a ship called the "Alfred". A relative of mine who was enlisted in the 37th foot battalion, his name Thomas Woodgate Eden, departed England aboard the 'Alfred" in Sep 1859 from England and arrived in Calcutta, India on Jan 1860. He later transferred to the 1st Battalion 23rd Regiment of R W Fusiliers and spent 9 years in India.
I'm looking for background info on the ship and perhaps a hint on where to find a pic.
Taa
Sue
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Hi Sue
I cannot find a record of a HMS Alfred at this time. The next one was not launched until 1864. So it must have been a merchant ship contracted out to the navy to act as a transport.
If you can get to one of the places named here you will be able to search the Lloyds List records.
http://www.rmg.co.uk/researchers/library/research-guides/lloyds/lloyds-list-indexes
Ken
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The only reference I can find to a sailing ship called Alfred is among the migrant ships to Australia and Botany Bay arriving in Botany Bay 6.1.1860, in 1861 they arrived in Sydney. Alfred is mentioned a number of times from 1839.
Cant find anything on Plimsoll re your dates although there is a number of Alfreds but the dates don't fit.
Google Sailing ship Alfred it's 3rd item down - Migrant ships.
Mostly the migrant ships went across the Atlantic to the Brazil coast and then down to Oz, there is no reason in 1859 it couldn't have gone via India with troops.
Unfortunately no pics.
James
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There were over 30 vessels with the name ALFRED listed in the 1860 edition of the Mercantile Navy List.
My guess is the vessel ALFRED official number 26614, built in London 1845, 1291 tons, registered in London owned by R Green of London, Master W H Pope.
Lloyd's Register 1861 records a voyage to India the previous year. This was the only ship with the name ALFRED recorded as having sailed to India.
A ship with the name ALFRED was recorded at Gravesend. 8/Sept/1859 out bound London for Calcutta.
To prove this was the correct vessel you would need to look at Lloyd's List for the time in question.
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The Times, July 2 1859, reported the return of the "Alfred, Captain Pope, from Calcutta" bringing, (amongst others) "130 military invalids". It also mentions the arrival of the Octavia bringing 149 men, women and children from service regiments.
The Times, Aug 2, 1859
The following vessels have been charted by the Hon Council for India for the conveyance of the reinforcements to Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras .... viz. Octavia, Minden, Walsner Castle, Alfred ...... to embark at Gravesend between 6 and 17th of September.
The Times, Jun 6 had already been advertising the sailing on Sept 5th of the "Alfred, 1400 tons, Captain W H Pope, destination Calcutta".
regards
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:D Oh Wow!!!
Thanks a bunch guys. I'll do what research I can from here using all your info. I'll have to wait until next year to see the Lloyd's List as we are planning a trip to Uk.
Much appreciated
Regards
Sue
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Another sighting
Glasgow Herald, Monday, 30 April 1860
SAILED
Alfred, Pope, from Calcutta, at Singapore, 21st ult
regards
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Thanks muchly. I can't believe how many responses I've received.
Taa
S
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Thanks to the contribution by hanes teulu. I think there is little doubt that the vessel ALFRED o/n 26614 is the one you seek. Although there are minor discrepancies regarding dates and tonnage, the common denominator is that her Master for the voyage in question was Captain W H Pope.