A report of the launch of the Alice A Leigh, extracted from the Cumberland Pacquet, Thursday the 4th of July 1889.
Transcribed by Geoff Royle, 1 November 2012 (webmaster, and a relation of Lady Alice A Leigh).
All rights of the above and their successors acknowledged.
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THE NEW
SHIP : " ALICE A LEIGH "
"A
fine four masted sailing ship, Alice A Leigh - - - - the name of
the
Mayoress of Stockport, was announced in our last issue to be
launched
from the
Whitehaven
Shipyard,
and details of the new vessel, which is the largest on this coast are
given. Her
dimensions
are : Length 331 feet ; Breadth 46 feet ; Depth 27 feet 4 inches, and
her gross tonnage 3000. In appearance, proportion, and everything
for utility and
the
purpose for which she is intended, this vessel - - - - like all turned
out by the
Whitehaven Shipping Company - - - - is a paragon.
On Saturday morning (29 June, ed.) just before high water - - - - this being the lowest spring-tide of the year - - - - everything was in readiness for the launch. A platform was erected as usual at the bow. And on this stood the Mayoress, who was to christen the vessel, and a large number of lady visitors, and several of the principals of the Company. The day being exceptionally fine and the launch of so large a vessel an uncommon attraction there was an immense assemblage of spectators on the beach and North Pier. At about half-past eleven the vessel was started on its ways, the Mayoress swung the bottle of wine - - - - which hung by a ribbon decorated with flowers - - - - against the bow and named the ship in due form, and the spectators gave a cheer. The vessel slid down steadily and came to a stand with about half her length in the water. Everybody was surprised and disappointed. The steam tugs which were awaiting to guide her into the dock were connected with tow-ropes, and endeavours were made to free the Alice A Leigh from the little hitch and induct the good ship to her natural element ; but she remained stationary in spite of all efforts. Twice in each twenty-four hours up to last night, efforts have been made with tugs, manual labour and hydraulic engines to draw, lift, or force the vessel to take to the water without success.
On Tuesday afternoon, while preparations were being made for another attempt to float the vessel, she suddenly ran into the sea, and stood upright wholly below the high water line. Yesterday no fewer than three tugs - - - - the Prince of Wales of Whitehaven, and Rocklight and Confidence of Workington, and also a screw steamer were connected with the new vessel, and for an hour or two they tugged away, while hundreds of people were looking on, but the Alice A Leigh would not stir.
At high water this morning the tugs Prince of Wales and Rocklight were joined by the Gamecock, and Knight St John of Liverpool. The last named came up within a few minutes of the height of the tide and was soon connected, and immediately she strained the rope the Alice A Leigh glided gracefully out to sea at 2 50 a.m. (Thursday ed.) amid the cheers of the onlookers. As the vessel floated out cheers were given for 'Mr Johnston', 'Mr Keith', and the ' Whitehaven Shipbuilding Company '. The appointed master of the new vessel Captain J. Belyea, who was present, will remain to watch the fitting up of the vessel and take charge of her when she leaves port.
On Saturday morning (29 June, ed.) just before high water - - - - this being the lowest spring-tide of the year - - - - everything was in readiness for the launch. A platform was erected as usual at the bow. And on this stood the Mayoress, who was to christen the vessel, and a large number of lady visitors, and several of the principals of the Company. The day being exceptionally fine and the launch of so large a vessel an uncommon attraction there was an immense assemblage of spectators on the beach and North Pier. At about half-past eleven the vessel was started on its ways, the Mayoress swung the bottle of wine - - - - which hung by a ribbon decorated with flowers - - - - against the bow and named the ship in due form, and the spectators gave a cheer. The vessel slid down steadily and came to a stand with about half her length in the water. Everybody was surprised and disappointed. The steam tugs which were awaiting to guide her into the dock were connected with tow-ropes, and endeavours were made to free the Alice A Leigh from the little hitch and induct the good ship to her natural element ; but she remained stationary in spite of all efforts. Twice in each twenty-four hours up to last night, efforts have been made with tugs, manual labour and hydraulic engines to draw, lift, or force the vessel to take to the water without success.
On Tuesday afternoon, while preparations were being made for another attempt to float the vessel, she suddenly ran into the sea, and stood upright wholly below the high water line. Yesterday no fewer than three tugs - - - - the Prince of Wales of Whitehaven, and Rocklight and Confidence of Workington, and also a screw steamer were connected with the new vessel, and for an hour or two they tugged away, while hundreds of people were looking on, but the Alice A Leigh would not stir.
At high water this morning the tugs Prince of Wales and Rocklight were joined by the Gamecock, and Knight St John of Liverpool. The last named came up within a few minutes of the height of the tide and was soon connected, and immediately she strained the rope the Alice A Leigh glided gracefully out to sea at 2 50 a.m. (Thursday ed.) amid the cheers of the onlookers. As the vessel floated out cheers were given for 'Mr Johnston', 'Mr Keith', and the ' Whitehaven Shipbuilding Company '. The appointed master of the new vessel Captain J. Belyea, who was present, will remain to watch the fitting up of the vessel and take charge of her when she leaves port.
Unfortunately
several men and lads were injured from various causes. Four
or
five men were injured through a scaffold giving way on Saturday
but only two received
injuries of a serious nature. Albert Wain, an apprentice
caulker, was
taken to the Infirmary, and was found to be suffering from slight concussion
of the
brain ; but he left on Monday night
considerably improved. John Holt, foreman rivetter of
Duke-street, who received a scalp wound and had his
head injured by a piece of iron
falling
upon it, was taken to the Infirmary, but was so well after treatment
that he was able to leave in the evening. Joseph
Sanderson, aged 30, of
82
George Street, got his hand injured, and was taken to the Infirmary on
Sunday and is going on well. Three men
Corkhill,
Gaitskell,
and Farrer, and a lad named Scott, also received slight injuries."
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END
OF ARTICLE
The Whitehaven
News
reported that "one of the men ( probably Mr Sanderson ) on board the
Alice A Leigh caught his finger with a rope, and had the top
of his
finger taken off ".
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This photograph was not included in the above article.
" The vessel slid down steadily and came to a stand with about half her length in the water. "
Original photographer unknown; image c.22 June 1889, now out of copyright.
Queries if any via the feedback patch below, thank you.
--------------------------------------------------
This photograph was not included in the above article.
" The vessel slid down steadily and came to a stand with about half her length in the water. "
Original photographer unknown; image c.22 June 1889, now out of copyright.
Queries if any via the feedback patch below, thank you.
