Sea Horse

Official Number
25885

The Sea Horse was launched at Workington on Saturday, 22nd November 1851. The vessel was described by the local newspaper as "the largest ship ever built in Cumberland", being 900 tons, and had been built, under cover in a shed, by Peile, Scott & Co. The newspaper reported that she had been built  for Potter Brothers, of Liverpool, and that she was to be commanded by Captain R.Banks, late of the Owen Potter (a vessel built at the same Workington shipyard 18 months previously).

The launch report in the Carlisle Patriot newspaper for the Dinapore refers to the Sea Horse, and states that she was to be built to 15 years, A1 classification, and was to be fastened throughout with copper bolts.

The Sea Horse, under the command of Capt.Wilson, arrived at Calcutta from Liverpool on the 2nd March 1858. On the 11th April she cleared the port, bound for Liverpool. She struck on Saugor Sand, ESE from the Upper Floating Light, and became a total wreck. All hands were saved, and the wreck was advertised for sale on the 24th April.

Potter Brothers named a second vessel Sea Horse. She was built of iron at Liverpool in 1859, with similar tonnage to the earlier vessel. She was also commanded initially by Captain Robert Banks.

Name
Year Built
Gross Tons
Length (feet)
Breadth (feet)
Depth (feet)
Masts
Figurehead
Stern
Lloyd's Classn.
Sea Horse
1851
 857
 153.8
 28.8
 21.3
 3
 Sea Horse figure
 Square
 

Sources :

  1. Launch reported in the Cumberland Pacquet and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser, Tuesday, 25th November, 1851.
  2. Mercantile Navy List 1857 lists several vessels named Sea Horse, but only one registered at Liverpool, official No. 25885, 857 tons.
  3. BoT Transcript of Liverpool Shipping Register (No.45 for 1852) at the Merseyside Maritime Museum - annotated "Totally wrecked on the 16th April 1858 at the Sandheads near Calcutta".
  4. Wreck reported in Lloyd's List (1858) - 13th April, col.14; 24th May, col.17; 29th May, cols. 11 & 19.
  5. American Lloyd's Register of American and Foreign Shipping, 1862: Sea Horse, iron ship, 867 tons, built at Liverpool by Vernon in 1859, owned by Potter Brothers, registered at Liverpool, commanded by Capt.R.Banks, .