| Notes |
- Sail maker Henry Skey Purnell was apprentice to sail making with Richard V erity and served for 7 years from 17 July 1855 (aged 17). His pay ranged f rom 3 shillings per week in the first year to 10 shillings a week in t he 7 year. He went to school at Bath and College Green, Bristol.
Discharge reference Araby Maid:
This is to certify that Henry Purnell has served on board the ship Araby M aid as sail maker on a voyage from Cardiff to China and back to Hamburg. D uring this time he has conducted himself to my satisfaction so that i ha ve pleasure in recommending to any ships master who may require his servic es
Hamburg
January 9th 1872 K. Butler
Master
The Araby Maid was a three masted schooner. Sunk in a collision in 1903, s he now rests in approximately 200' of water near the Dry Tortugas. Sitti ng upright, the large composite vessel is amazingly intact. The damage cau sed by the collision is easily identified near the bow on the portside. T he lower decks are still intact, her wooden planking still sound. Her mas ts lie off on the sides, as well as other unidentified parts of wreckag e. The stern of the Araby Maid is still intact, rising high off the bott om with her rudder easily visible. Numerous portholes were recovered, lyi ng loose on the deck. Her bronze capstan cover and bell were also recovere d, helping to identify the previously unknown vessel
Ship details from Ben Line Fleet List
Entered Ben Line Service 1868
Ended Ben Line Service 1894
Year sunk 1903
Gross Tonnage 863
Net Tonnage 837
Length 195
Beam 32
Depth 19
1868 - completed by R. Steele & Co., Greenock Yard No. 66
1894 - sold to Aktieselskabet, Norway. Name unchanged
1903 - sank after collision with S.S. DENVER off Florida, while on passa ge from Mobile to Rosario with pitch pine.
The Araby Maid, official number 62272, was built in October 1868 by Robe rt Steele and Company of Greenock. An elegant bark, she was 194.6 fe et in length, 32 feet in beam, and displaced 863 tons.
Discharge Reference Falkland Bank:
I hereby certify that Henry Purnell has served with me on board the ship F alkland Bank as sail maker on a voyage to South America and Sydney and fin ally return in this past time for 18 months and I can verify he is an exce llent seaman in every aspect.
J.A. Robbins
Master
Ship Falkland Bank
Liverpool
Febuary 14th 1901
Dadicated by Capt: J.A.Robbins to the Officers and Crew of ship Falkla nd Bank
In memory of carrying the first Original Cargo of Argentina Wheat around t he world and 8,000 miles over the distance.
Great attempts have been made to reach the Artic Pole,
Ships and property have been lost, with many precious souls,
But has a ship with the same cargo sailed around the world,
If not, I'll here mention one with canvas all unfurled.
The Falkland Bank a noble ship, one of the bank line,
Has spread her sails the last ten years, and shortened many a time.
Her voyages have been around Cape Horn, at all times of the year,
And safely returned to port, in lands both far and near.
This cargo mentioned was laden in the Argentine,
Her destination being Sydney, a port of great sublime
When on the passage to this port a storm she did contend,
Which caused this cargo to reshift, throwing ship on her beam ends.
But by hard work of her brave crew all was again made safe,
Again to put her on her course, to battle wind and wave,
Arriving safely at her port , and to the dock she went,
Her moorings were all made fast, Her sails were all unbent
The stevedore had his pennants rigged to land the grain on shore,
When orders from the merchant came, you must again unmoor,
And on to Europe you must sail, again around Cape Horn,
I know you would rather rest, your crew will look forlorn.
But this cargo has been sold in London far away,
To sea again you must now go; causing no delay,
And when you get to England, it's something new to state,
A cargo carried around the world, the first one up to date.
A fair attempt here I've made to explain it all to you,
So now my officers I will thank, likewise my gallant crew.
Christmas Day
25th December, 1905
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1838 - 1929 (91 years)
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