Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

Mac,

I have been reading the correspondence you have had with individuals who had ancestors on the Royal Charter that was shipwrecked off Wales in 1859.  I think you said once you had the time you would print off the full list you found in the National Archives of Melbourne.

One of my wife’s relatives, a JOSEPH GIBSON, we believe was on the ship but did not survive. I wondered if indeed you had copied the full list and if that was available to view.

Joseph left England sometime in the early 1850’s and the story goes in the family that he sent letters saying he was coming home with enough gold to make them all rich for life.  Unfortunately he did not make it and the family have always wondered if he was actually on board the Royal Charter.

Any information you might have would be much appreciated.

Tom

Tom,

When I found the passenger list for the Royal Charter on her last voyage at the National Archives in Melbourne, they are all on microfishe, I only copied the two pages that included Manus Boyle, the name I was searching for, he was a relative of the professor in the US.

I guess at the time I should have copied the total list, but I was so pleased to find my quarry that I just copied the revelant pages.

I know I said at the time, I would try and get the lot, but in fact as time rushes on, I have not been back to the National Archives to carry out that task.

Unfortunately I am not in a position to help you with he information I have on hand, and time gets even more precious as I am now 85, and the daily pace and demands of my web site AHOY preclude me from going off to ferret out all of the Royal Charter's passenger list to search for Joseph Gibson.

Sorry I am not able to help.

Best regards,
Mac.

Tom,

Good news, a friend of mine in UK has unearthed from the Times Archives, a full list of passengers from the last voyage of the Royal Charter, and Joseph Gibson is to be found on the Third Class List.

That is great news.

You will find Joseph on bith the first and second link listed in Martin's message.

I am so pleased that  this list has come to hand and thank Martin for his diligence and assistance.

Kind Regards,
Mac.

Hi Mac.

Regarding Tom's message on Ahoy re the Royal Charter, the full list of passengers (both lost and saved) is to be found on this page of Old Mersey Times:
http://www.old-merseytimes.co.uk/ROYALCHARTER.html

If he would like the same list in the old newsprint of The Times, he can temporarily view/save it from here:
http://tinyurl.com/2ba9th

Here's an advert that appeared in The Times before the Royal Charter made its last voyage to Australia:
http://tinyurl.com/3apbbz 

I'd be happy to provide further info, is Tom is interested. There are descriptions of the sinking, etc.

Best regards,
Martin

Martin,

Thank you so much, its a list in the public arena that has escaped me for years, and now you have found it.

Have sent it off to Terry, and I am sure he will add the references to the Royal Charter site on AHOY.

The local TV news has just reported that President Bush is off to the National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour to visit the USS Canberra Bell displayed in the American Gallery there. It would have been nice to have been invited to be there at that time.

Again my grateful thanks for your viligence and wonderful support of AHOY.

Best,
Mac.

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