The Cornwall  1848 - 1871 - A wooden Barque in the Emigrant Trade (River Thames), and latterly, the Copper Ore and Guano Trades - out of Swansea, Wales - page last modified 29 May 2007

Introduction

These pages are the beginning of information about The "Cornwall", a wooden barque, built in 1849 and sent to the bottom of the Bristol Channel in March 1871, when Jenkin Jones was its Captain. Some crew members when the ship was lost are listed below. Note that the described tonnage of the vessel varies for the many entries shown; different measurement systems were in use.

Details about an early emigrant Voyage to New Zealand

The web page http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~nzbound/cornwall.htm lists details of an early voyage of the "Cornwall"

The Cornwall, 580 ton barque left London/Gravesend 15 August 1851 and arrived at Port Cooper (Lyttelton) New Zealand 10 December 1851 and continued on 2 January for Wellington and Nelson.

CORNWALL - 1848/1860 - Master: Captain W. Davis (1848); Captain Dawson (1860)

Rigging: Barque; sheathed in felt and yellow metal in 1848 & 1853; copper bolts substituted for treenails

Tonnage: 452 tons (1848); 460 tons using old measurements and 580 tons using new measurements (1860)

Construction: 1848 in London - Owners: Wigrams
- note Wigrams & Green were Thames (Blackwall) shipbuilders (from 1823) ; they also built the "Kent"

Port of registry: London - Port of Survey: London

Voyages: sailed for New Zealand (1848); Australia (1860)

The following email was sent in Sept 2006 to the National Waterfront Museum, SWANSEA, which had an immediate reply: My forebears came from Aberaeron and Glamorgan. I am interested in the Barque "Cornwall" 487 tons, registered at Swansea, built in London in 1849, which foundered off Lundy Island on 19 March 1871. My great-grandmother's brother was the Captain, (Jenkin Jones, born Aberayron) and he drowned when his ship was rammed by the "Himalaya". I have a photograph of him.

I would be grateful if you can provide further information; in particular, I understand (from a web list) there is a transcript of the log of the barque Cornwall on voyage to South America, 1867-1868 ( ref D/D Z 164). If there are many pages, perhaps mailing surface (or scanning) might be better. If this task can only be done by a researcher, please can you recommend a suitable professional researcher? I may be able to ask a friend in Port Talbot. Is an image/photo/engraving/description of the vessel available?

The reply was: The wooden barque Cornwall was a vessel of 487 registered tons, built at London (builders unknown) in 1849, owned by Tremellen & Co. of Swansea and registered at that port. She was on a voyage from Sombrero in the Windward Islands to Gloucester with a cargo of guano and in thick fog off Lundy when she was struck by the steamer Himalaya, outward bound from Newport with a cargo of railway rails. Five crew members from the barque managed to clamber onto the steamer shortly after the impact, but the rest were lost as the Cornwall sank very rapidly.

You could obtain further details on the vessel from the West Glamorgan Record Office (westglamarchives - at - swansea.gov.uk), as they hold the statutory shipping registers for the port of Swansea. I trust that this information will be of use to you. email 26 Sep 2006

- Dr. David Jenkins, Senior Curator, National Waterfront Museum, SWANSEA

A gravestone, Henfynw cemetery, Aberaeron, Cardiganshire - in Welsh:
  grave #549 Daniel Jones Albert St., Aberaeron d 24 July 1887 (79) also Jenkin, son, Master of  Cornwall,  Abertawe, who drowned near Ynys Lundy d 19 Mar 1871 (aged 31).

Also, from web page http://www.welshmariners.org.uk/ - and the swansea mariners page:many items:

- The Shipping Gazette 21 March 1871: JONES Jenkin, Aberaeron b 1840 Drowned by foundering of ship (ship run down) off Lundy Island on 19 March 1871 - plus additional information.

-- Jenkin Jones:b 1840 CC 21833 Kew ref 122/6 sailed on  Cornwall  1871 also sailed on  Laura  1868-1869

his father was in the merchant marine, too: : Daniel Jones:b 1807, cc 42314 Kew ref 124/5&6 sailed on Eigen 1857 & St.Cyrans 1868-9

21 PER MI Henfynw (ref31) and Reg Davies welshmariners web: Daniel Jones:b 1807 cc 42314 Kew ref 124/5&6 sailed on Eigen 1857 & St.Cyrans 1868-9

28 PER MI Henfynw (ref31) and Reg Davies welshmariners web:Jenkin Jones:b1840 CC 21833 Kew ref 122/6 sailed on Cornwall 1871 also sailed on Laura 1868-1869

1860 - 1865 ' ' ' all from The Cambrian

E31 24 August 1860 from Cuba: The 'CORNWALL', with Copper Ore for the Cobre Mining Company. P5.

E38 04 October 1861 Sailed from CUBA, the 'CORNWALL', (CRAIG) AUG.26, for Swansea. P5.

E31 18 October 1861 Capricorn & the 'CORNWALL' with Copper Ore P5

E43 18 October 1861 The 'PRINCE ARTHUR', of Liverpool - Deserted - Position given repoort of CAPTAIN CRINK, 'CORNWALL', 8th Oct. P5

E45 18 October 1861 Reprt: CAPT.CRINK of the 'CORNWALL', arrived at SWANSEA, passed 'PRINCE ARTHUR' damaged. NO PAPERS.P5.

E45 24 October 1862 Rumoured in SWANSEA: CAPT.& eight crew of steamer 'CORNWALL', have died of Yellow Fever off Cuba.

E31 27 March 1863 FOREIGN:'CORNWALL', FROM CUBA, WITH COPPER ORE FOR Cobre Co .P5.

1865 - 70 all from The Cambrian

22 September 1865 CREW OF 'BLANCA' Saved at SANTIAGO DE CUBA by crew of 'CORNWALL' (CAPT.F.WATKINS) of SWANSEA. P5

08 February 1867 FIRE ON BOARD THE 'CORNWALL', WATKINS, FROM SWANSEA, FOR CUBA, PUT INTO ST.THOMAS. P5.

30 August 1867 THE 'CORNWALL', FROM CUBA, with Copper Ore Cobre Mining Company. P5.

25 October 1867 P5. SWANSEA: MR.ROBINSON, SHIP-BUILDER, Re the Seaworthiness of 'CORNWALL'. REFRACTORY CREW.

25 October 1867 SWANSEA: FIVE SEAMEN refuse to obey CAPT.WATKINS, BARQUE 'CORNWALL', boiund for CHILI. P5

E60 25 October 1867 SWANSEA POLICE: J.BROCK, M.NEWTON, - refusing commands of CAPT.WATKINS, OF THE 'CORNWALL'. P5

E66 25 October 1867 SWANSEA POLICE: E.LEWIS, W.KADE, T.JAMES - Refusiung orders of CAPT.WATKINS, OF THE 'CORNWALL'. P5

These are all from - The Cambrian, Cardiff - using a search engine - West Glamorgan Archives

24 March 1871: Cornwall, of Swansea, struck by the Himalaya & sunk off Lundy. Capt. Jenkin Jones, of Aberayron, & 10 crew lose lives.

24 March 1871 'CORNWALL' wreck - Crew lost - PETER SANTIANA, Cook, BARBADOES; DAVID DAVIES, CARDIGAN, LEWIS DAVIES, LLANON & LOUIS CHALONT.

31 March 1871 Board of Trade Enquiry at Swansea - REGARDING 'CORNWALL' WRECK - Eleven dead. P8

31 March 1871 Report of the Board of Trade Enquiry at Swansea into the loss of The 'CORNWALL' OFF LUNDY, with the loss of 11 LIVES.

31 March 1871 Loss of The 'CORNWALL': In court, Certificate unanimously returned to the CAPTAIN OF THE 'HIMALAYA'. P5

31 March 1871 'HIMALAYA' & 'CORNWALL' COLLISION: Thomas Whiteman, Master of 'HIMALAYA' - JENKIN JONES, MASTER OF 'CORNWALL', DROWNED. P8

31 March 1871 Board of Trade Enquiry into aCollision betwenn the Screw Steamer 'HIMALAYA' & THE BARQUE 'CORNWALL' (11 lives lost). P8

31 March 1871 Collision of 'HIMALAYA' & 'CORNWALL': Witnesses - EDW. FOSTER, HENRY BROWN, JOHN WALKER. P8

31 March 1871 Enquiry into 'HIMALAYA' & 'CORNWALL' COLLISION: EVIDENCE OF JOSEPH BROWN, BRISTOL CHANNEL PILOT. P8

31 March 1871 Enquiry into 'HIMALAYA' & 'CORNWALL' COLLISION:Evidence of ROBERT (OR THOMAS) REAVELEY, Chief Officer of 'HIMALAYA'

31 March 1871 'HIMALAYA' & 'CORNWALL' Enquiry wintesses - JOHN NAYLOR, PETER WILLIS, STEPHEN PASSMORE, FRANCIS CURNOCK, WALTER HANNAH

07 April 1871 'CORNWALL' Wreck: Board of Trade Enquiry, 'HIMALAYA' absolved from blame.

07 April 1871 'CORNWALL' Wreck: Board of Trade Enquiry,, CAPT.WHITEMAN OF 'HIMALAYA' GIVES EVIDENCE, MENTIONS GEORGE REEVES.

07 April 1871 Conclusion of the Board of Trade Enquiry, AT SWANSEA into the loss of The 'CORNWALL' OFF LUNDY. Fog blamed. rRport.

21 April 1871 'HIMALAYA' & 'CORNWALL' collise. Witnesses - ROBT REAVELY, EDWARD FOSTER, JOHN WALKER, JOHN NAYLOR, HENRY BROWN. P6

21 April 1871 P6 Collision between 'HIMALAYA', screw steamer & 'CORNWALL'. Official Report by JOHN TREVELLIAN JENKIN & GEO BROWNE BROCK

21 April 1871 P6.HIMALAYA' & 'CORNWALL' COLLIDE: Witnesses - WALTER HANNAH, STEPHEN PASSMORE, FRANCIS CURNOCK, JOSEPH BROWN, PETER WILLIS

21 April 1871 OFFICIAL REPORT BY J.TREV.JENKIN & G.B.BROCK on collision of the Screw Steamer 'HIMALAYA' & THE BARQUE 'CORNWALL'. P6

Cambrian 24 March 1871 'CORNWALL', of SWANSEA, struck by the 'HIMALAYA' & sunk off LUNDY.CAPT. JENKIN JONES, OF ABERAYRON, & 10 crew lose lives.

Cambrian 24 March 1871 'CORNWALL'WRECK - Crew lost includes SAMUEL VITTERY, Brixham, DAVID DAVIES, Llanon, CARDS., EVAN JONES, New Quay, CARDS.

Cambrian 31 March 1871 'HIMALAYA' & 'CORNWALL' Collission: THOMAS WHITEMAN, Master of 'HIMALAYA'- JENKIN JONES, Master of 'CORNWALL', drowned. P8

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/westglamorganarchives/index.cfm?articleid=1247#maritimerecords has Transcript of the log of the barque Cornwall on voyage to South America, 1867-1868 (D/D Z 164)

Memorial at St David's Church, Henfynyw, Ceredigion, Wales
'Captain Jenkin Jones, S North Rd Aberayron, who lost his life on S.S. Wavelet, which was mined off Kentish Knock

and also St David's Church, Henfynyw, Ceredigion, Wales -- 'Thomas Phillips Jones, Master Mariner, Sychpant, Aberayron who lost his life Feb 5th 1874 aged 35 years, whilst in command of the Brig 'PILGRIM' which foundered with all hands in the Bay of Biscay on a voyage to Santander. Also Elizabeth, his wife, died 19th March 1931 aged 84 years & Lewis Benjami Jones, Thomas Phillips