Blengfell

Official Number 74512

The Blengfell was an iron full-rigged ship built by the Whitehaven Shipbuilding Company at Whitehaven in March 1876. She was registered at Liverpool and was owned by J.Edgar & Co. of  Liverpool.

In October 1878 and in January 1881 the Blengfell, Capt.Peter McCulloch, arrived at Sydney from Liverpool (see Source 3 for crew lists).

From the Manchester Guardian, 19th December 1896, page 11:

" STRANGE AFFRAY AT SEA - The Melbourne Argus publishes the following message from Brisbane, dated November 8: - A sensational affray on the high seas is reported by the master of the ship Blengfell, which arrived from New York this afternoon. During the voyage one of the hands, named John Godfrey, an American negro, was taken ill, and from August 1 was unable to work. On August 15 the captain visited him, and inquired as to the state of his health, the reply being that he was still ill and in about the same condition. On the same evening the captain was called out of his cabin, and on going into the saloon met two seamen, J.Silva and H.Wicks, bleeding profusely from wounds. Upon questioning them they declared that Godfrey had shot them. The captain states that he went on deck with his revolver. He then heard Godfrey say, from some part of the forecastle, "You'll shoot me, will you?" and at the same time a shot was fired at him. He did not return the fire, but ordered everyone aft, whereupon the second mate reported that Samuel Lewis, a seaman, was lying on deck shot. This man died ten minutes later. As Godfrey refused to come up, a lookout was set for him. An examination was then made of the injuries received by Silva and Wicks, who were discovered to have several bullet wounds in their body, though none of them were serious. They reported that they were asleep in their bunks at night when Godfrey fired at them. At a later hour further efforts were made by the master and the officers to capture Godfrey, but without success. Several shots were fired by him, and one of them just grazed the boatswain's cheek. Early next morning, August 16, the crew were going forward with their revolvers when Godfrey walked out of the forecastle into the open, and fired on them. Shots were exchanged, but without effect. The ship Maria Hackgedd then hove in sight, and was signalled to ask if the captain could let them have firearms, but he replied in the negative. More shots were fired during the day, but no injury was done. On the following day Godfrey was neither seen nor heard, and on the 18th it was decided to go forward at all risks. A rush was made into the forecastle, which, however, was empty. In Godfrey's bunk was found a written confession, stating that he intended to shoot the two seamen, and asking that his effects might be thrown overboard after him. He had evidently committed suicide by jumping overboard."

From the New York Times, 18th October 1898, page 1

" NINE LIVES LOST AT SEA

The British Ship Blengfell, Carrying Naphtha from New York, Completely Wrecked by Explosion.

MARGATE, England, Oct.17.-The British ship Blengfell, Capt.Johnson, from New York on Sept.19 for London, was destroyed by a sudden fire off this place, early this morning. Nine of her crew, including the Captain, his wife and child, the First and Second Mates, and a pilot, perished. The survivors were landed here and at Dover.

The Blengfell was passing here, in tow, on her way to London, at about 6.30 A.M., and was about four miles off the coast. Suddenly she was enveloped in flames, and smoke poured from her hatchways. Two lifeboats immediately put off to her assistance, but before they were able to reach the burning vessel her masts fell, and she was burned to the water's edge. Her hull eventually drifted upon the Goodwin Sands.

The Blengfell had a quantity of naphtha on board, which smelled strongly during the voyage, especially aft, so much so that the officers of the ship had to shift their quarters yesterday evening. An explosion occurred just as the Captain of the Blengfell had engaged the services of a tug, which saved the survivors. The vessel burned so quickly that her crew had no time to lower the boats.

The Blengfell was an iron vessel, built at Whitehaven in 1876. She registered 1,117 tons, hailed from Liverpool and was owned by J.Edgar & Co. The Blengfell carried as cargo 329,300 gallons of naphtha, shipped from here by the Standard Oil Company.

Balfour, Williamson & Co., agents for the vessel in this city, said yesterday that they had received two dispatches. One announced the destruction of the vessel, and the second that six of the crew had been saved. The Captain had, besides his wife, two children with him."

Sources :

1. "Shipbuilding in Whitehaven - A Checklist" by Harry Fancy, Whitehaven Museum (1984)
2. Mystic Seaport Library Ship Register Search has shipping register details from 1877 to 1899.
3. Mariners and Ships in Australian Waters - Blengfell (1878) - Blengfell (1881)
4. Wreck info also from "Shipwreck Index of the British Isles" Vol. 1 (1995) by Richard & Bridget Larn, pub. Lloyds Register, 2000, ISBN 0 900528 88 5.
5. On  24th June 1900 the New York Times reported some superstitions surrounding the Blengfell in an article entitled "Story of a Hoodoo Ship".
6. Paper on the Sea Gallantry Medal by Bernard de Neumann (link no longer active).
7. Newspaper report of Blengfell loss from the Shetland Times, 29th October 1898.
8. There is a painting of the Blengfell at the Beacon museum, Whitehaven.