Rose Hill

Official Number
63887
Benjamin Sackett, seaman, lost with the Rosehill in 1900.

The Rose Hill was an iron barquentine built by R.Williamson & Son at Harrington, launched in August 1875. She was registered at Workington and was owned and commanded by Capt.W.Price from her launch until about 1883, when Capt.Price gave up her command. He seems to have sold the vessel in about 1898, to H.B.Varwell, of Exeter.

The Rose Hill was wrecked by collision with the steamer Holtenau on the 14th September 1900, 15 miles WSW of St.Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight. The barquentine was carrying China clay from Teignmouth to Antwerp, under the command of Capt.H.Langmaid. He and six other crew, all hands, were lost. The wreck is now a dive site.

Launch party at the bow of the Rosehill, at Harrington, 1875.
Benjamin Sackett, seaman aboard the Rose Hill when she was lost by collision, with all hands, in September 1900 (click photo to enlarge).
 Guests at the launch of the barquentine Rose Hill,
at Harrington, Cumberland, in August 1875.
Name
Year Built
Gross Tons
Length (feet)
Breadth (feet)
Depth (feet)
Masts
Figurehead
Stern
Lloyd's Classn.
Rose Hill
1875
 217
 117.0
 22.1
12.0
3
 
 
100 years A1, Special Survey 

Sources :

  1. "Shipbuilding at Workington - a Checklist" by Harry Fancy, pub. Whitehaven Museum (1985) - vessel described as a barquentine.
  2. Workington Shipping Register - spells name as Rose Hill.
  3. Photo of launch provided by Malcolm Bland - the name of the vessel was written on the back of the original photograph.
  4. Mystic Seaport Library Ship Register Search has shipping register details from 1876 to 1883 - these give the name as Rose Hill and describe the vessel as a brig.
  5. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1883-4: Rose Hill, iron 3-masted brigantine, 217 gross, 196 net tons, official number 63887, owned by W.Price & Co., registered at Workington, master Capt.J.Evans.
  6. Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1898-9: Rose Hill, iron barquentine, 217 gross, 196 net tons, official number 63887, signal letters PGSV, owned by H.B.Varwell (W.Price & Co. crossed out), registered at Exeter, master Capt.Trelistock (?? illegible).
  7. Wrecksite location of wreck.
  8. Wreck details from "Shipwreck Index of the British Isles" by Richard and Bridget Larn, citing from BoT Wreck Returns for 1900.
  9. Photo of Benjamin Sackett from Michael Rowe - on the back of the original print is inscribed "Benjamin Sackett = aged 23. One of the Beloved Sons of Alfred & Eliza Sackett. Also one of my 3 Shipmates. Who was drowned by the Loss of the Barquentine (Rose Hill) of Exeter on 14th September 1900".
  10. Wreck described in 'South Coast Shipwrecks off East Dorset and Wight 1870-1979' by Dave Wendes.