Bloomer

Official Number 34705

The Bloomer was a brigantine built at New Brunswick in 1854. She was registered at St.John, New Brunswick until 1861, but after being sold to A. Somerville of Liverpool on the 17th December, 1860 her registry was transferred to London in January 1861 (see Source 1). By 1865 she was registered at Maryport, owned by Henry Fisher and commanded by Capt.E.Wilson (see Source 2).

On 9th April 1870 the Bloomer grounded near Maryport. She was in ballast, commanded by Capt.Davies (see Source 4).

In October 1870 the Bloomer, Captain Davis, was reported driven ashore at Little Ross, at the mouth of the River Dee. The crew saved their lives by taking to the rigging until the tide receded, the sea being too rough for the lifeboat to be launched. The vessel lost her keel (see Source 5).

In 1877 the Bloomer was owned by Mr.J.Thornthwaite of Maryport. In January 1877 she ran aground outside Maryport Harbour, bound from Rostrevor to Maryport with timber. She was still rigged as a brigantine (see Source 6).
 

Sources :

1. Canadian Ship Heritage Database
2. Official Number from 1857 Mercantile Navy List. The Bloomer was registered at St.John's New Brunswick, 116 tons, signal code RLNP.
3. Clayton's Register of Shipping, 1865 - gives tonnage as 112 tons, vessel described as a brigantine.
4. The Times newspaper, Tuesday, 12th April, 1870, page 10.
5. From a cutting from an unnamed Whitehaven newspaper,  possibly the Cumberland Pacquet of Tuesday 18th October 1870, reporting the loss of the Capella, Nimble, Richard and other Cumberland vessels.
6. The Times newspaper, Saturday, 27th January, 1877, page 12.