Madras

Official Number none

The Madras was a full-rigged ship built at Maryport by John Peat & Co., launched 9th August 1827 (see Source 1). She was registered at London in 1844 and was lost by fire at Deptford, as reported in the Times below. Although the second report states that the vessel was built at Whitehaven, the tonnage and year of build agree with Source 1. Since Source 2 does not report any vessel of this name being built at Whitehaven, it seems clear that this is the Maryport-built ship, by that time reduced to barque rig.

From The Times newspaper, Weds.10th July 1844, page 6:

" FIRE ON BOARD SHIP.- On Monday night, about half-past eleven o'clock, the fine large bark Madras, of London, Captain W.T.Kitching, 331 tons register, was discovered  to be on fire whilst lying at her moorings off the Royal Dockyard at Deptford, where she had been taking on board a miscellaneous cargo of Government stores for the island of Ascension, &c. The fire was first discovered by an apprentice on board, who states that he discovered smoke issuing from the deck, close to the foremast. He instantly gave an alarm, and Mr.Bagley, the chief officer, the only other person on board at the time, was speedily upon deck. The fire shortly after burst forth from the forecastle hatch, the flames ascending as high as the foretopmast, but fortunately, there being very little wind, the rigging and sails did not ignite. The conflagration being visible in the dockyard and neighbourhood, the large floating fire-engine belonging to the dockyard was got alongside the burning vessel, but not before fully an hour had elapsed. By this time the vessel was on fire from stem to stern, and it was quite evident that the only alternative left for saving any portion of the ship and cargo from inevitable destruction was to scuttle her. This was done by perforating the ship in two places near the main chains; and she speedily filled and sank, the hull being completely covered at low-water. There was one fortunate circumstance attending this unfortunate occurrence. On Monday evening a lighter came alongside the Madras with several puncheons of rum to be taken on board; but, as the arrival of the lighter was beyond the usual time, the rum was permitted to remain in it. Had it been received on board the ship on Monday night, the consequences must have been frightful. The authorities in the dockyard rendered every assistance, and last evening preparations were being made to raise the vessel, which is insured. The Madras, which belongs to Captain Kitching, has just undergone a thorough repair in Mr.Morris's Fore and Aft Deck, at Bermondsey-wall, having been felted and sheathed with yellow metal, &c. Yesterday forenoon Mr.Bagley, the chief officer of the Madras, narrowly escaped being drowned through the obstinancy and alleged negligence of the Waterman steam-packet No.10. Mr.Bagley states that he was a passenger from London, and wishing to get out off Deptford, he hailed a sculler, who came alongside, but the Waterman steam-packet was neither eased nor stopped, and Mr.Bagley, in stepping into the sculler's boat, missed his footing and fell into the water, and was only saved from drowning by the exertions of the sculler."

" The Partial Destruction of the Ship Madras by Fire - The bark Madras, 331 tons register, Captain W.T.Kitching, which took fire late on Monday night, whilst lying at her moorings off the Government Dockyard at Deptford, and afterwards scuttled, as detailed yesterday, still remains under water, the preparations for raising her not having yet been completed. She is, however, fully expected to be raised some time before high water this forenoon, a number of competent persons having been employed yesterday perfecting the necessary arrangements. At high tide she lies in nearly four fathoms water, right abreast off the Watergate, Deptford. The origin of the fire is unknown; some attribute it to spontaneous combustion amongst the Government stores in her fore-hold. The statement that she is the property of Mr.Somes, the extensive shipowner, and uninsured, is destitute of foundation. She belongs to Captain Kitching, and is fully insured in London. A partial loss will, however, under the circumstances of the case, fall upon the owner. The Madras is an old vessel, having been built at Whitehaven in 1827; but she has constantly been kept in a thorough state of repair by Captain Kitching, the master and owner. When the fire happened she had 80 tons of miscellaneous Government stores on board for Ascension. We understand that Captain Kitching was to have resigned the command of his bark in favour of Mr.Bagley, long the chief officer."

Sources :

1. "Shipbuilding at Maryport - a Checklist" by Harry Fancy, published by the Friends of Whitehaven Museum, 1989 - first a ship, then later a barque, 329, then 331 tons.
2. "Shipbuilding in Whitehaven - A Checklist" by Harry Fancy, Whitehaven Museum (1984)