Francis Watson

Official Number none

Launch report from the Cumberland Pacquet newspaper, Tuesday, 8th February 1825;

" On Saturday was launched from the building yard of Messrs.K.Wood and Son, Maryport, a very fine, copper-bottomed brig, called the Francis Watson, burthen per register, 333 tons, and built for Messrs.Wood and Watson, of Liverpool."

At 333 tons, the Francis Watson was very large for a brig, but the newspaper report is consistent with the shipping registers, at least until 1830, when she was listed as a ship. The first voyage of the Francis Watson was from Maryport, departed Monday, 28th February 1825 for New Orleans (see Source 2).

The Francis Watson, Captain Bragg, was driven on shore and wrecked, after landing her cargo, in Algoa Bay, during a gale, on the 13th January 1830.

Sources :

1. "Shipbuilding at Maryport - a Checklist" by Harry Fancy, published by the Friends of Whitehaven Museum, 1989 - describes the vessel as a brig., as per the newspaper launch report - certainly a mistake.
2. Cumberland Pacquet newspaper, Tuesday, 1st March 1825.
3. "Ships of the East India Company" by Rowan Hackman, World Ship Society, 2001.
4. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1826 (Underwriters' Green Book): brig, coppered, 333 tons, owned by Watson, master Grisedale, voyage Liverpool - New Orleans.
5. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1828 (Underwriters' Green Book): brig, coppered, 333 tons, owned by Watson, masters Grisedale, then S.Bragg, voyage Liverpool - St.Thomas.
6. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1830 (Shipowners' Red Book): ship,coppered, 334 tons, owned by Watson, master S.Bragg.
7. Wreck reported in the Morning Chronicle newspaper, Friday 16th April 1830.