Follow
The ship Richard and Mary The Richard and Mary was built in Dartmouth, Devon in 1801. According to Lloyd’s Register it was owned by Codner & Co for the first few years, but in 1803 it was sold to Spencer & Co.
In 1804 there is a double entry in Lloyd’s for the Richard and Mary. Codner & Co sells the ship to Spencer & Co. The ship is then reinforced with a copper bottom, and in addition is armed with two 9 pounders and eight 6 pounders, and the new captain is J. Lucas (James Lucas). The destination is London to the South Seas.
To the South Seas, 1804-1807 In February of 1804 Captain James Lucas departed on a voyage to the South Seas that was to last three years. They left Deal on the 7th February 1804, (Lloyd’s List 1804 Feb 7) which is just a few days after Joseph Lucas retired from his partnership with Christopher Spencer. [How does all this fit in with things? Presumably it would indicate that Joseph Lucas, Senior, had no financial interest or responsibility in the voyage.] Accompanying the Richard and Mary were the Elizabeth and Mary, and the Perseverance, Irish. [Go back and find out who the owners were of the Elizabeth and Mary and the Perseverance.]
Almost a year later we next find the Richard and Mary in Australia. Presumably they travelled around the Cape of Good Hope, because they arrive at the east coast of Australia from the Moluccas. It must have been a difficult time for them, judging from the newspaper account in the Sydney Gazette.
Sunday 6 January 1805. Yesterday arrived the Richard and Mary south whaler, Captain Lucas, 11 months from England, but last from the Moluccas. We are sorry to state that her Commander and part of the crew are in a bad state of health. The Greenwich and Venus whalers left Timor in October last, with 40 barrels of oil each, supposed to be be bound off New Zealand. The Richard and Mary left six English whalers cruising about the Island of Timor; none had more than 250 barrels, and some not near that quantity.
They then spent almost a year between Australia, Timor, and New Zealand before returning home. Shipping movements in the newly founded colony were faithfully recorded in the newspaper. They would have made several small whaling cruises returning to Sydney for refreshment.
Sunday 10 February 1805. Yesterday evening returned the Richard and Mary south whaler from a cruise.
Sunday 17 February 1805. The Richard and Mary is expected to sail to-morrow for the fishery.
Sunday 17 March 1805. The Richard and Mary, Capt. Lucas, sailed on Friday evening for the fishery.
Sunday 28 April 1805. On Tuesday returned from the fishery, the Richard and Mary, Capt. Lucas having procured about 70 barrels of sperm oil during his cruise; the day after leaving this port, Capt. Lucas had the good fortune to fall in with and kill six small fish; but since then has been but little successful.
There must have been continuing problems aboard as we next find this notice in the Sydney Gazette on May 5 1805:
A CAUTION
All Masters and Owners of Vessels, and the Public in general, are hereby particularly cautioned against harbouring, secreting or employing John Chandler, A boy about 15 years of age, eloped from his servitude to Captain Lucas, to whom he his indebted as an Apprentice ; and the said Apprentice is directed to deliver himself up to I. Nicholls, near the Hospital Wharf, who is authorised by the aforesaid Captain Lucas to apprehend him by virtue of his indentures, left for the purpose: in which case he will be provided for until his master may return to this port: or otherwise he will be apprehended and treated as the law shall direct.
And again, another notice advertising for additional seamen, and for the truant apprentice. It must have been difficult to fill these positions! He is basically willing to take anyone as long as they are not a convict!
Sunday, May 26 1805
NOTICE
Wanted Immediately.
Five or six Seamen, or able Landmen to proceed in the Richard and Mary on the fishery. Freemen without incumbrance are to apply to Captain Lucas.
Whereas John Chandler, an Apprentice to Capt. Lucas, commander of the Richard and Mary, absented himself from his said master during the period of his late stay in this post, and has not since been apprehended. This is therefore to require, that no owner or master of a vessel, or any other description of persons whatsoever, do either harbour or employ the above-named Apprentice; but any person giving information concerning him shall be liberally rewarded.
I’m not quite sure of the exact meaning of this notice:
NOTICE
Captain Lucas of the Ship Richard And Mary, requests that all claims and demands against the following persons may be either presented to themselves immediately, or otherwise lodged in the Secretary’s Office, in order to the recovery of any debts due from either of the said persons before the departure of the above vessel.
Thomas Field
James Mackey
John Pool
G..shing Leey
And then there is this one, also on 26 May 1805. The Derwent is the harbour at present day Hobart, Tasmania. Obviously I’m going to need to sort this all out.
On Friday sailed the Richard and Mary south whaler, Captain Lucas, to procure black oil a… the Derwent
They must have had several months of small cruises in the vicinity.
Sunday October 13 1805 page 2
On Friday evening returned from her cruise at the Derwent, the Richard and Mary, Capt. Lucas.
Next, Captain James Lucas is called on with others to make a survey of a damaged ship, the Commerce Captain Wilkinson. There should be more information on the events which led to the damage of the ship in previous editions of the paper.
Captain Wilkinson of the Commerce having requested a Survey being taken of his vessel, Mr. Moore, Master Builder, Captains Lucas, Sharpe, and Hingston were ordered on Survey, which occupied nearly the whole week; when they determined that the ship Commerce was past repair, and no longer sea-worthy.
Finally, in November of 1805, the Richard and Mary departs for New Zealand.
Sunday 17 November 1805.
Sailed on Sunday last the Richard and Mary south whaler for the Coast of New Zealand ; on Tuesday the schooner Governor King for Bass’s Straits ; on Friday the Elizabeth and Mary south whaler, also for New Zealand
In April of 1806 in the Sydney Gazette we find this interesting report:
From Captain Bader we receive the following account of vessels at present employed on the fishery, some of which he left at Norfolk Island, viz.
The Aurora, Captain Merritt, last from Peru, with about 25 tons of sperm oil, procured off the coast of New Zealand, called at Norfolk Island to refresh, and remained there, but expected shortly to sail for the fishery.
The Carleton of Liverpool, Captain Alcrow [Halcrow], sailed at Norfolk Island, before the Argo.
The Richard and Mary, Capt. Lucas, spoke several times by Captain Bader off the coast of New Zealand, had procured 210 barrels of sperm oil since he last sailed from hence.
The American ship Brothers, Captain Worth, sailed from Norfolk Island a short time before the Argo.
The American ship Eliza, bound to China, left at Norfolk Island, was to sail shortly.
The Walter, captain Folger, from London, with 30 to 40 tons of sperm oil, left at Norfolk Island, where she arrived with prize goods. She had captured a valuable Spanish vessel on the coast of Peru, which she dispatched for England, and had taken several small craft.
Captain Bader spoke the Betsey of London, Capt. Richards, in November last off New Zealand commanded by her second officer. She had unfortunately put into Conception after the declaration of war against Spain had taken place, not being apprised of that event; and being, permitted to come to anchor, Capt Richardson was invited on shore; where be was instantly made prisoner with his whole boat’s crew. The chief officer hastily summoned the ship’s company to their quarters, and was unanimously supported in the determination of selling their liberty as dearly as possible. Their preparations for standing out to sea being discerned, a fire upon the vessel commenced from the shore,which was returned with such spirit and efficacy, that they accomplished their gallant undertaking but with what loss, if any, exclusive of the master and boat’s crew, Capt. Bader is unacquainted. She went then to the Gallipagoes, where the chief officer dying, the command devolved to the second, whose wish was to visit this place ; but many the crew opposing this, and being in other respects unruly, she is supposed to have gone for England.
By July of 1806 the Richard and Mary was back in Australia from New Zealand.
On Wednesday arrived from a cruise off New Zealand and Sandy Cape, the Richard and Mary south whaler, Captain Lucas, out from hence nearly nine months, and having on board about 100 tons of sperm oil. She left on the fishery the Vulture, Folger; Elizabeth and Mary, Hingston; and American ship Brothers, Captain Worth ; all which may be soon expected here.
In August of 1806 they were making preparations to return to England. At this time, because the penal colony nature of Australia, it was necessary to get an official permission to leave Australia, hence the official notice of those men intending to leave Australia.
Secretary’s Office, August 10, 1806 The following Persons have obtained His Excellency’s permission to depart the Colony, viz.
In the Fortune – John Shepherd, Jas. Smith, James Barnet, and Thomas Roberts.
In the Richard and Mary – John Green.
Finally, in Lloyd’s List, we see the Richard and Mary finally having made her way back to Gravesend, near London on 17th April 1807 after a lengthy voyage of three years and two months.