Since writing The Wreck of the Hesperus, I have stumbled across a little more information about the ship.
In The Wreck of the Hesperus, I stated, “The Hesperus was built by Robert Steele & Company of Glasgow in Greenock, Scotland in 1873. She was a full-rigged ship of 1,777 tons register, length 262.2 feet (79.9 m), beam 39.6 feet (12.1 m), depth 23.4 feet (7.1 m). She had been built especially for the South Australian trade route, and her first contract was to carry some 340 immigrants to Adelaide. The Hesperus’ sailing days ended in a breaker's yard in 1923, as the Silvana.”
By Unknown author - State Library of Victoria, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57683259
According to “The Register” for 3rd April 1928, “Mr GG Legoe (of the firm of Willcox, Mofflin Limited) has in his office in Currie Steet, Adelaide, beautiful models in full sail, in glass cases, of two well-known early day sailing ships in this State – Yatala and Hesperus – of which his father, Capt Legoe, was the skipper. …. Both models were made by Messrs. Guie & Co., of London.”
Further, “Yatala was built for Capt. Legoe, and he was in charge of her until she was wrecked off the coast of France. Then he was made master of a fine iron ship, Hesperus (1,777 tons, built at Greenock in 1874 (1873?). Capt. Legoe bought her out on her maiden trip, but illness prevented him from making the second voyage. He ran her until 1877, when he stayed out here and founded the South Australian Stevedoring Company at Port Adelaide with C.A. Brown, Joseph Stone, and Capt. Begg, who succeeded him in The Murray, and was Lloyd’s surveyor here for years and a great friend of Sir Thomas Elder.”
“Mr AT Saunders, who accompanied a representative of The Register to inspect the (ship) models” became a master in the South Australian Stevedoring Company in 1885. The firm later became a limited liability company. Capt. Legoe was a member of the Marine Board for many years until he died.
According to The News of 6th October 1920, Mr Saunders lived at North Adelaide and was “an authority on early Adelaide and shipping.”
According to Wikipedia, “John Legoe (c. 1824 – 24 March 1895) was a ship's captain, associated with the sailing ships Celestial, The Murray, Yatala and Hesperus, before settling in South Australia, where he and his family were notable citizens. …. He supervised building of Hesperus at Greenock, Scotland, completed 1873, to replace Yatala. She was chartered by Francis S. Dutton, Agent-General for South Australia, to bring out migrants to Adelaide, leaving Plymouth on 23 February 1874 and arriving 10 May 1874, a voyage of 77 days. The next voyage, leaving England July 1875 had William Gumming at the helm. Legoe took the next, which left June 1876. His last voyage was in charge of the Hesperus, on which brought his own family from Cornwall to settle in South Australia, left 19 July 1877 and arrived in October.”
According to Trove, the Hesperus was anchored off of Semaphore, South Australia in May 1874. The newspaper report reads: -
“VISIT TO THE HESPERUS - Early on Monday a start was made from the Semaphore Jetty to inspect Captain Legoe's new ship. The wind was about west as we headed off, and even on leaving the pier the fine proportions of the ship loomed up as she rode as quietly as if in harbour. Having a good scope of chain she veered a good deal; but her rise and fall were scarcely perceptible.' She is built of extra stout plates, and being of 1,777 tons register, will, in the event of her loading here, take an immense cargo of wool. To the common observer she looks graceful enough; but no one would imagine her to be of such great burden unless he boarded, and then the dimensions of the spars, and gear are apparent. The mainmast, in accordance with modern arrangements, is an iron tube 86 feet long and 2 feet 8 inches in diameter; then the topmast, topgallant mast, royal skysail and pole together send the main track 160 feet towards the clouds. The bowsprit is 2 feet 9 inches in diameter and 26 feet long, and on the end are carried a jibboom and flying boom of great wooden spars. The square' of her yards may be imagined when it is stated that the main and foremast are furnished with spars of precisely the same length. Thus main and foreyards are 89 feet, by a diameter of 22 inches at the truss. The lower topgallant yards are 61 feet 8 inches, the royals 43 feet, and the skysail yards 32 feet 6 inches. She has a long fine line entrance, with deep undercut run, giving a clean delivery aft. The vessel has a nice sheer, and the adornments of her hull set her off to great advantage. The sides are painted black, with a white port streak, and the cutwater is surmounted by a demi-figure of a full grown Hesperide. On a line with the 'tween decks are pierced fine circular ports for ventilation, and in the poop they are of extra size. The feature of striking interest on boarding is a spacious, well-appointed promenade, 80 feet long, extending from the ensign staff close to the main rigging. The skylights, companions, and deck gear are of worked teak, and on stepping over to the main deck a pretty view Is obtained of the cabin front, which is embellished with gilt work and varnished mouldings. The interior of the saloon is in excellent taste, there being seen a skilful adoption of various woods. Teak, rose wood, oak, and maple, with Dantzic fir and walnut, are placed together in excellent contrast. The pilasters are surmounted by gilt Corinthian capitals, and the ceiling is-white, with gold mouldings. The- centre has a long telescope table, and overhead an admirable skylight has swinging trays and lamps. Differing from most modern ships, the stem is devoted to two spacious cabins, with a ladies' bathroom contiguous: The fittings and upholstery are choice, and voyagers must be fastidious if not satisfied with such quarters as are provided. The bed berths are so constructed as to be made single or double by a neat contrivance. In every detail the saloon, staterooms, and appointments are nearly complete. The gourmand will be delighted to observe that attention is devoted to the buffet, which is in the charge of a first-rate steward, who has already served in the Darra, of the same line of ships. Abaft the mainmast is the next deckhouse, which properly belongs to the officers, but under, the emigrant regime has been made into a dispensary. In the immense deck room a house or two seems of small importance, so before the main hatchway is another built of teak, in keeping with the 'surroundings. Here are the realms of the chef de cuisine, one being set apart for the ship's company and the saloon passengers, and the other for the emigrants. Pots, coppers, and boilers here would reign supreme, but that in one corner there is a neat engine by Chaplin. It is of eight horse-power, and its duties are those of a general slave without grumbling. Sometimes it has to heave up an anchor or take a pull at the topsail haulyards; if a shroud needed setting up, this appliance is at the service of Mr. Begg; if the ship and, finally, it drives a powerful steam-winch to discharge the cargo. Attached to the cook's galley wanted pumping out, which she never yet-has done from leakage, the engine is in use; is a condenser capable of working off 40 gallons of fresh water per hour. This is- when in full blast, but on the passage it was seldom required, because of the great sea stock carried. Under the same roof is the second cabin, which is at present occupied by youngsters. A large dining cabin and several commodious staterooms are here fitted with a due regard to comfort The forecastle deck is as long as many a thousand ton ship's poop, and in addition to covering the tars' quarters it has below a fine Emmerson and Walker's windlass, one of those contrivances which saves the ship's owners money by doing away with much manual labour. No person touches the cable except perhaps a couple in the chain-tier to see it stowed. On board there are nine excellent boats. Two on the quarter davits are lifeboats fitted with Clifford's patent lowering apparatus, which, however, the captain has condemned as useless. On the main skids are four boats, and on the fore deckhouse three, one of which is a dockyard cutter. A descent to the lower regions through the fore-hatchway shows a fine roomy compartment occupied by 115 single men. It is a matter for regret that the emigration officials under the new system have not recognised the propriety of putting the single men in hammocks—a course which would not only afford more space, but would be conducive to cleanliness. There appeared to be a lot of useful hands, who at the early hour of the visit were scrubbing and cleaning according to the customary routine. The shifting tables, bunk-boards, mumbers, mess-kids, and all sorts of utensils were as clean as possible. The main hatch compartment of the 'tween-decks was larger than the before-mentioned space, but of the same height, there being eight feet clear from deck to deck. The children here appeared to be legion, of all sizes, sorts, ages, and both sexes. Hard-handed sons of toil with their wives and daughters were looking as happy as if their new home bad been explored and found equal to the anticipation. It was gratifying to observe the master, as he passed along through the family groups, interchanging friendly words with each. In this compartment were 233 souls, and although the examination was on a close, murky morning, the place looked thoroughly clean. In yet another space 67 single females seemed ready to take situations early. Apparently the domestic servant difficulty should be partly solved. Dr. Duncan was early in attendance to muster the people, and arrangements were made to land the single females by the Sophia on Tuesday. The Commissioner, it is stated, has given instructions that no single females are to be hired before they have been transported to the depot. The Hesperus, as she lies at the Bell Buoy, is one of the handsomest, if not the finest ship ever seen there, and when painted and in harbour trim Captain Legoe may well be proud of his craft.”
Here are some of those dimensions again: -
The mainmast is an iron tube 86 feet long and 2 feet 8 inches in diameter.
The topmast, topgallant mast, royal skysail and pole together send the main track 160 feet skywards.
The bowsprit is 2 feet 9 inches in diameter and 26 feet long.
On the end of the bowsprit are carried a jibboom and flying boom of great wooden spars.
The main mast and foremast are furnished with spars of precisely the same length.
The mainyards and foreyards are 89 feet, by a diameter of 22 inches at the truss.
The lower topgallant yards are 61 feet 8 inches, the royals 43 feet, and the skysail yards 32 feet 6 inches.
A report about Capt. John Legoe’s arrival in South Australia in 1877 can be read at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/56522162 .
Captains John Legoe and William Begg are two of the captains listed on the plaque by the Star of Greece anchor presently adjacent to the Semaphore jetty.
Comments