Antique Maps of Hampshire

Image size: 29 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches

Here is the giant jute clipper Liverpool, the largest sailing ship under the red ensign at the beginning of the 1890's and specially built for the Calcutta jute trade, picking up a pilot off the mouth of the Mersey. This four masted iron ship built by Russel & Company of Glasgow in 1889 was owned by R. W. Leyland & Company of Liverpool. Her gross tonnage was 3396. Her length 333.2 feet, In breadth she measured 47.9 feet and in depth 26.5 feet. She could stow 26,000 bales of jute, a dead weight of nearly 6,000 tons. Her first master was Thomas Calder. When outward bound from Antwerp to San Francisco in 1902 under Captain Lewis, the Liverpoool went ashore in fog on the rocky coast of Aldnerey on the 25th February. She was under all plain sail at the time and the crash on the rocks broke her back. Her crew of 35 were saved.

The pilot schooner in the paining is the number 7 boat Lancashire Witch built by Michael Ratsey of West Cowes in 1863. Withdrawn from service in 1896. Sold in 1897 to Leith owners. Gross tonnage 56. 80.7 feet length, 18 feet breadth, 19.6 feet depth.

This picture is illustrated in Edward G. Walker's book Sea Liverpool which can be purchased clicking on the Amazon link on the left. The original painting is in the collection of Richard Nicholson