Bransty
 Official Number
13121

The Bransty was the third vessel of this name built by Thos. & Jno. Brocklebank at Bransty, Whitehaven. She was launched in February 1832 and was a schooner. In her early years she sailed under Capt.Wilson to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in the coasting trade. In 1840 her master was named as Capt. Lowther Benn.

From the “Scotsman” newspaper, 9th October 1847 :

“ A VESSEL ABANDONED AT SEA.- On Wednesday morning, Captain Togher, in command of the St.Patrick steam-ship, of Drogheda, on his voyage from Liverpool, observed a vessel dismasted and rolling on the waves, the sea breaking over her, about six miles north of the Skerries, on the coast of Wales. He immediately bore down, and discovered that the vessel had lost her bowsprit, mainmast and foretop, and received some damage in her bows. She brought her to Drogheda on Thursday morning. The vessel thus found abandoned was a brigantine named the Branstye, of Whitehaven, and was bound from Cardiff, in Wales, for Liverpool, laden with 150 tons of iron rails for some railway. She is a sound, strong vessel, in good order, with the exception of the accidental damage she has received. We have learned from Liverpool, that the accident was caused by collision with a Boston ship, inward bound. The shock was sudden and unexpected. One of the crew of the brigantine was killed by a fall of the mast, and knocked overboard. The mate was injured also, but he, with the captain, Russel, and the remainder of the crew, were taken on board the Boston ship. The Branstye and her cargo are worth nearly L.8000. “
In 1847 the vessel was sold by Thomas Brocklebank to Capt.J.Wood, of Whitehaven. By 1881 the vessel was in the ownership of Capt.W.Nulty, also of Whitehaven. The Bransty was wrecked at Tyrella on the Irish coast on the 6th February 1881, whilst on passage from Newry to Bristol with a cargo of oats. The Tyrella lifeboat rescued Capt. Nulty and three crew.

Page for the first Bransty, built 1811.
 

Name
Year Built
Gross Tons
Length (feet)
Breadth (feet)
Depth (feet)
Masts
Figurehead
Stern
Lloyd's Classn.
Bransty
1832
 99
70.8 
18.1 
10.1 
2
 
 
 

Sources :

  1. "Shipbuilding in Whitehaven - A Checklist" by Harry Fancy, Whitehaven Museum (1984)
  2. A List Of The Cumberland Shipping, Corrected To February 1840, by William Sawyers, Comptroller Of Her Majesty's Customs At The Port Of Whitehaven.
  3. "From Cumberland to Cape Horn" by D.Hollett.
  4. "Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast, Vol.I" by Edward J.Bourke - describes the vessel as a brigantine.
  5. 1857 Mercantile Navy List gives port of registry as Whitehaven, official number and signal letters LFQR.
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