James Thorburn of South Blyth

[Marinero]

Hi All.

I Am new to the forum and would like some help in researching a Shipping Co. from Blyth. The Shipping Co. was called James Thorburn of South Blyth. I have in my possession an Indemnity Certificate issued by the Admiralty in 1809( to be exempt from being press-ganged into the Royal Navy) to a James Walker who was a Bound Apprentice to said Company.
Any help would be appreciated.

Regards

[magoonigal]

Some information about James Thorburn.

Can find no ships owned by him in Lists for 1770, 1789 or 1807.

[northeast]

It refers to commercial interests and at that time of course sailing vessels were owned on a 64-share system whereby it was not unusual for ownership to be spread among local merchants etc, so the Inemnity may have been in his name even though he would not be listed as a 'shipowner' in the current sense. Vessels were often registered in the name of the person appointed to manage them as a representative of the joint owners.

[Marinero]

Hi Paul & George.

Many thanks for the quick response. That was interesting about J.Thorburn, I will copy that.

Regards

Leo

[magoonigal]

I thought perhaps a dip into Sir Walter Runciman's Book "Collier Brigs and Their Sailors" may provide some answer's but unfortunatly James Thorburn had been dead a few years before the period covered which starts in 1865.

In 1789 there were 23 Vessels listed as belonging to the Port of Blyth, and as George says the majority would have been owned via the 64th Share system with investors owning a minimum of 1 Share in a vessel.

They would be early Collier Brigs and not owned by a "Company" as we know it today.

[magoonigal]

SWIFT. (1815-1835)

Schooner of 86 Tons. 62 x 18.1 feet.

1815: Built at South Blyth by John Davidson.

OWNERS.
5th January 1815. James Thoburn and Frank Marshall, South Blyth Rope Makers; Henry Wilkinson, High Buston; Robert Weddell and Aaron Smith, Alnwick merchants.

18th July 1825.
Henry Wilkinson. 32/64 Corn Merchant, Alnmouth.
John Wilkinson. 8/64 Corn Merchant, High Buston.
Aaron Smith and Robert Weddell 8/64ths each. both Alnwick.
JAMES THOBURN 8/64 Rope Maker, South Blyth.

Masters.
18th July 1825. John Mattison.
30th July 1831. James Modrel.
7th June 1832. Huntress.

On the 7th July 1832 the SWIFT was sold to John Huntress (32/64ths) South Shields and John Robson (32/64ths) North Shields and was wrecked near Boulogne on 7th October 1835.

More to follow.................

[Marinero]

Thanks for that Paul, have added that information to my collection but how on earth do you come up with all that info.

Regards

Leo