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Cumberland | Official Number
79125 |
The Cumberland was a steel full-rigged ship built at Workington by R.Williamson and Son and first registered in March 1884. She was owned by T.Williamson, of Workington.
The West Cumberland Times, Saturday, 29th March 1884;
" SHIP LAUNCH. -On Thursday forenoon the new vessel "Cumberland"
was most successfully launched from the shipyard of Messrs.R.Williamson
and Son, at Workington. The ceremony of christening the vessel was
performed by Miss Williamson, of Oakhurst, Cockermouth. She was accompanied
by Mr.T.Williamson, Mr.R.Williamson, Mr. and Mrs.Snelus and party, and
several other friends. Miss Williamson failed to break the bottle
of wine on the first attempt, but on a second trial the glass was smashed
across the bows and loud cheers from the thousands that assembled marked
the naming of the vessel. The daggers were then knocked away, and the great
ship at once moved down the ways, making the easiest and prettiest launch
yet made from the yard. The wash of the waves threw a quantity of water
upon the pier, and a large number of persons who were standing too close
were wetted.
The tugs Confidence and Derwent took the Cumberland
in tow, and in a short time the vessel was berthed in the old dock, where
Mr.Monkhouse will complete her rigging. The lower masts were placed in
the vessel before being launched. Her tonnage is about 1,800, and
the Cumberland is an exact copy of the two vessels recently launched
from the yard for Messrs. Leyland and Company, of Liverpool. The Cumberland
will be owned by a company at the head of which is Mr.Williamson, the vessels
sailed by the ownership usually proving lucrative and lucky. Like the Garston,
the
Cumberland is of steel, and she has a steam deck winch and crane,
with all the patent appliances and windlass. Her measurements are
267 feet in length, 39 feet in breadth, 23 ft. 7 in., depth of hold.
The Cumberland will carry about 3,000 tons of cargo. She was
drawing 8 ft. of water forward and 7 ft. 6 in. aft. The vessel is
a beautiful model, and is thoroughly substantial in all respects. The largest
vessel yet built in Workington is on the stocks in the adjoining berth.
This is a four-masted ship of 2,000 tons for a Liverpool firm."
The Leyland vessels referred to in the launch report could be the Aigburth, Garston or Grassendale. The vessel described as being on the stocks is presumably the four-master Lancaster Castle, launched in October 1884.
In 1900 the Cumberland was bought by James Stewart & Co.,
and then in 1916 she was sold to J.E.Scott of Cayman Brae in the Carribean.
Subsequent owners included Furness Withy, from 1918, and the Cardiff-based
Italian Export Co., from 1920. Her final owners were Italian, and the barque
was renamed Mater Sericordaie in 1923. After being dismasted in
the following year the vessel seems to have been sent to the breaking yard.
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