Red Rose

Official Number
56965

The Red Rose was launched on Tuesday, 8th April 1879 from the Glasson Dock shipyard of Matthew Simpson. According to the report of her launch, she was the 20th vessel built there by Simpson, and was copper-fastened and yellow-metalled, so must have been intended for foreign trade. Since she was also described as having "a platform for copper ore trade" then it can be assumed she was intended for the trade to the Guadiana River ports, Pomaron, Huelva and Villa Real. The Red Rose was a three-masted schooner, which carried 8,606 sq.ft. of canvas, and which could carry upto 320 tons of cargo.

The Red Rose was reportedly the last vessel built by Matthew Simpson at his Glasson Dock shipyard, before it came under the management of Nicholson & Marsh. Like many other vessels built by Simpson (Lancashire Lad, Dairy Maid, Saxon Maid, William Shepherd, James & Mary, Lord Howe, Result), she was owned by Edmund Porter of Fleetwood, and was registered at that port. In 1905 she was sold to an owner at Dumfries.

Name
Year Built
Gross Tons
Length (feet)
Breadth (feet)
Depth (feet)
Masts
Figurehead
Stern
Lloyd's Classn.
Red Rose
1879
198
 112.2
 23.3
 12.6
3 
 
 
12 years A1, Special Survey. 

Sources :

  1. Launch reported in the Lancaster Gazette newspaper, Saturday, 12th April 1879.
  2. " Merchant Sailing Ships 1850-1875" by D.R.McGregor (pub.1984) gives some details of the Glasson Dock shipyard and building costs. The Red Rose was built at a cost of £3765, but was sold for only £2000.
  3. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1883-4: Red Rose, official number 56965, signal letters SNPH, 3-masted schooner, 198 gross tons, 188 net tons, FYM January 1882, owned by Porter's Shipping Co.Ltd., registered at Fleetwood, master Capt.McDonald, 12 years A1, Special Survey.
  4. Fleetwood Museum has a photo of a watercolur painting of the Red Rose (Fleetwood Museum neg.no. F15/2/95).