Nelson & His World

Hi All,
On browsing Wikipedia I noticed a reference to a ship or boat named Sir Alexander Ball on a thread named HMS Niemen (1809).

Quote:
15 July: Niemen recaptured the Sir Alexander Ball, J. Skynner, Master, of 300 tons [400 tons London Gazette 1815], which had been taken on a voyage from Bristol to Malta, with a cargo of British manufactures and colonial produce. She carried six guns and a crew of 35 men. On 18 August 1812, Sir Alexander Ball, then a letter of marque, had captured the Grace Anne Green, [London Gazette 1812], with Hyacinth and Blossom in sight.

Apart from these facts has anyone here any pointers to guide me to a more detailed account of the ship’s life, type and status.

I have just been in touch with ‘World Naval Ships’ forum and they kindly gave me a link to the Mothership, N&HW!

Ed, a good starting place is http://1812privateers.org/ . Michael Dun has transcribed the register of letters of marque against France (1793-1815) and against America (War of 1812), and has scanned more detailed information.

Here is a scan of the Declaration of the Letter of Marque for the Sir Alexander Ball against the USA: http://1812privateers.org/1812IMAGES/095.jpg

It is full of fascinating information, including Home port, Crew size, Stores, named crew, and the owners. You will see that the Sir Alexander Ball was a 3 masted ship of 391 tons, from Bristol, commanded by John Skynner, mounted with 16 guns of 18 and 6 pounds, with 35 crew. She carried 50 small arms, 30 cutlasses, 10 barrels of powder, 30 rounds of great shot, and a hundredweight of small shot. She was victualled for 5 months, carried 2 suits of sails, 3 anchors, 3 cables, and about ten hundredweight of spare cordage. It names the mate, gunner, boatswain, carpenter, cook, surgeon, and owners.

She also held a letter of marque against France.

Here is a scan of Lloyd's List, 15 July 1814, listing her capture by the General Armstrong American privateer of 8 guns and 65 men, after an action of 15 minutes: http://www.1812privateers.org/LLOYDS/18 ... 5-1814.jpg

Here is a scan of Lloyd's List, 12 August 1814, listing her recapture by the Niemen frigate and safe arrival at Halifax: http://www.1812privateers.org/LLOYDS/18 ... 2-1814.jpg

Here is a list of other mentions in Lloyd's List: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lloydsli ... d=&fd=&o=0 (The City of London has an online searchable index of the Marine News from copies of Lloyd's List held at the Guildhall Library)

Hope that helps - isn't the Internet wonderful!

Thanks so much for that Tony -- fantastic!

I too have been going through the British Newspapers 1800-1900 and had just gleaned:
The Morning Chronicle, Tuesday, June 30, 1812; Issue 13462.
The Sir Alexander Ball, Captain Skinner, returned to Bristol from Malta, on the 25th instant, after performing a voyage out and home in a very short space of 59 days. She left Malta 31st ult.

The Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, July 8, 1812; Issue 3365.
DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE London July 2
By the arrival of The Sir Alexander Ball at Bristol from Malta, we have accounts from that Island to the 31st May.

Caledonian Mercury, Monday, October 26, 1812; Issue 14174.
PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE – Lisbon, Oct 16
By The Sir Alexander Ball, advices have this day been received from Malta to the recent date of the 23rd ult.

The Caledonian Mercury, Monday, July 18, 1814; Issue 14447.
LLOYD’S MARINE LIST – July 15 1814
The Sir Alexander Ball, Skynner, from Bristol to Malta, was taken in lat. 39.45. long. 10.39. [between Sardinia and Tunisia] by the General Armstrong American privateer, of 8 guns and 65 men, after an action of 15 minutes.

The Morning Chronicle, Saturday, August 13, 1814; Issue 14126.
SHIPS NEWS.
The Sir Alexander Ball and the Nelly, have been retaken, and arrived at Halifax.

Caledonian Mercury, Monday, August 15, 1812; Issue 14459.
LLOYD’S MARINE LIST – August 12 1814
The Sir Alexander Ball, Skinner, from Bristol to Malta, which was taken by the General Armstrong American privateer, has been retaken by the Niemen frigate, and arrived at Halifax 20th ult.

Caledonian Mercury, Saturday, February 8, 1817; Issue 14854.
LLOYD’S MARINE LIST – February 4 1817
The Sir Alexander Ball, Richardson, from St Domingo, was driven on shore at Leghorn during a violent gale of wind on the 15th ult.

Caledonian Mercury, Monday, March 3, 1817; Issue 14864.
LLOYD’S MARINE LIST – February 25 1817
The Sir Alexander Ball, Skinner, from Leghorn, which was driven on shore near that port 15 ult. has been got off without much damage, and carried into the harbour.

I shall link it all together, should make a great page for my Sir AJB tome which is now 2 vols and in excess of 700 pages.