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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: gloucester girl on Tuesday 29 December 20 21:34 GMT (UK)

Title: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: gloucester girl on Tuesday 29 December 20 21:34 GMT (UK)

My gt Grandma, aged 7 was aboard the Minstrel (under watchful eye of Captain Potter) and was the only passenger.  The Minstrel left Singapore mid Feb 1852, probably called in to Penang, before heading over to Boston (USA) arriving at the end of May. 1852
What sort of vessel is an american "ship"....... its over 10,000 nautical miles. and I really dont think the Minstrel could have been a clipper or a barque or  a brig and done it in 3 and half months....
Help please
Gilly

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: Erato on Tuesday 29 December 20 23:24 GMT (UK)

Here are some clipper ship sailing records:

http://www.iro.umontreal.ca/~vaucher/History/Ships_19thC/index.html

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 30 December 20 09:23 GMT (UK)

450 tons. Presumably a full rigged ship. Definitely not a bark or a brig or a schooner.

https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes18520210-1.2.20

https://www.sailboston.com/2016/12/tall-ships-explained/

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: guest141721 on Wednesday 30 December 20 11:59 GMT (UK)

I know the year is off but could this be the ship? Or perhaps you've already got this far?

https://pem.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/archival_objects/49284

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: gloucester girl on Wednesday 30 December 20 16:09 GMT (UK)

Any information about the type of ship the Minstrel was, would be very much appreciated.  Tying to imagine a 7 year girl aboard, under the eye of the Captain.  she was the only passenger, would Bousteads have found a cargo....

Thankyou for suggestions so far

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: Erato on Wednesday 30 December 20 17:39 GMT (UK)

There are numerous references to this ship at the Fulton History site.  Search for "ship Minstrel."

https://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html

I didn't look at them all but the ones I did look at did not give any description of the vessel.  It looks like the Minstrel was regularly engaged in trade between Boston and the East Indies.

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: gloucester girl on Wednesday 30 December 20 19:28 GMT (UK)

 Thank you.  However when I click on your link I dont see how to find the shop....

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: Erato on Wednesday 30 December 20 19:37 GMT (UK)

screen shot:

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: gloucester girl on Wednesday 30 December 20 19:42 GMT (UK)

ok thanks. Ill try again

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: gloucester girl on Wednesday 30 December 20 19:45 GMT (UK)

sorry nothing  I have the same screen as shown on your screen shot.   and no further information.  very frustrating!!

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: Erato on Wednesday 30 December 20 19:48 GMT (UK)

Next to the search box there's a slider bar.  Move down the page; the newspaper articles are listed below the box.  There are 233 but not all of them refer to your ship.

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: gloucester girl on Wednesday 30 December 20 21:27 GMT (UK)

Thank you.  I have seen all the mentions.  some of it relevant. I had hoped to be able to identify the type of "ship" the minstrel might have been. Its possible that she was a Clipper... but I dont know.
Do you know how I night find out more about her.. what she was, who built her,  who owned her, photos?  logbook?   

Thanks for help so far.

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: Erato on Wednesday 30 December 20 21:41 GMT (UK)

Possible contacts:

https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/index.htm
https://boshw.us/1801?lang=en

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: Erato on Wednesday 30 December 20 22:54 GMT (UK)

Another one:

https://www.maritimeheritage.org/vips/Donald-McKay.html

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: gloucester girl on Thursday 31 December 20 11:33 GMT (UK)

Thank you again.  still not found what Im looking for. Is there a Boston Maritime Museum who could answer the questions..?

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: guest141721 on Thursday 31 December 20 11:45 GMT (UK)

You could try one or more of the museums on this list

http://www.maritimemuseums.net/MA.html

Good luck and Happy New Year

Title: Re: Details about the american ship Minstrel 1852
Post by: Erato on Thursday 31 December 20 12:23 GMT (UK)

"still not found what Im looking for"

Those links have addresses that you can contact for more information.