Tracing a ship's voyages

[spendlove]

Hi,

The Royal Charter, normally sailed from Liverpool on the 15th of the month.  However May 1859
The sailing was not until 21st. May.

Using FindMyPast

Norwich Mercury 18th May 1859, states

AUSTRALIAN MAIL

Owing to the none arrival of the overland mail, the sailing of the magnificent Steam Clipper “Royal Charter”, has been postponed till Saturday 21st May.

If you have access to British Newspaper Archive, similar notices appear in
Buckinghamshire Advertiser and free press
Sligo Chronicle
Irish Times
And many others.

Think this confirms date of sailing from Liverpool.

Spendlove

[stewpot72]

Many thanks to everyone for your help :-)

[Zaphod99]

I've extensively tried plotting routes and times and found it very difficult as it is hard to tell how current any information is.  Adverts for ships 'about to sail' can be weeks in advance.  Reports of shipping contact at sea can be be weeks out of date, so be warned.

Zaph

[seaweed]

You imply that your communications with TNA are proving to be somewhat problematic.
"I am trying to verify whether or not my GGGrandfather was on the ship Royal Charter when it sank in 1859. I have contacted National Archives about crew lists (long story)"
There were three British ships around in 1859 with the name ROYAL CHARTER.
Crew Agreement/Lists are catalogued by TNA by the vessels unique Official Number.
The Official number of the Liverpool registered ship you are concerned with is 1355.
If it has survived her last Crew Agreement for 1859 should be in this piece.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_cr=BT98%2F5574

Be advised that the person/s you are dealing with at TNA, are in all probability general research assistants with little or no knowledge of maritime matters. You would be best served attending Kew yourself to view the document. If this is not possible be sure to ask for the last Crew Agreement /list. of ROYAL CHARTER official number 1355.
Please let us know if this approach is successfull.

[stewpot72]

Many thanks. I sent the info to TNA from your earlier post and asked if the crew list would just be a list of names or would there be other details that would help identify individuals. I haven’t had a reply despite asking 3 times so the manager is ringing me tomorrow. I will keep you posted.
Thank you again for helping me with this.

[stewpot72]

PS. I live on the Wirral so a trip to TNA would be too expensive, much as I would love to go.

[stewpot72]

At long last I got the information I needed from the National Archives (dreadful service).
Patrick Doyle sailed on the Royal Charter from Liverpool to Melbourne, leaving port in early May 1859. He was undoubtedly my great great grandfather as his age and place of birth match the other records I have. 
The documents TNA sent me show that this was his first, and only, voyage, as he was drowned during the return voyage in the notorious storm off Anglesey in October when he was nearly home, having left Melbourne on August 18th.
He was employed as a Fireman, which I believe means he was what we now refer to as a Stoker, on a wage of £4.10.0d per month. As he was away for more than 5 months I am puzzled about his final wage - £12.9.6d
Many thanks to everyone for their help with this search.

[spendlove]

Hi Stewpot72,

So pleased you have written evidence that it was your GG Grandfather.

Spendlove

[heywood]

Hi stewpot72,
I saw this today whilst having a holiday walk in Moelfre, Anglesey and thought of your post.
You may have visited already as you live quite close but here we are.
Heywood