The Naming of the Katherine
Stewart Forbes
- Ingram
Chapman was a Commander in the East India Company and at the time of his
marriage to Agnes Stannus Willis in Bombay in 1827 was commanding the
Katherine Stewart Forbes (reported
in the Asiatic Journal 1828).
- The
Chapman family had the K.S.F. built by Henry Pitcher at the Northfleet
Docks in Kent and it was launched October 31, 1818. The ship was
described "a
most noble ship for strength, accommodation and fast sailing” (from Scown
- Cornwall to South Australia).
- Many
of the large family of Chapman (traced back to 1508) began in Whitby and
were originally Quakers. Later in his career Ingram was a shipowner
but I haven't yet connected him to the family who built the K.S.F.
-
- It's
voyage to Hobart and Sydney in December 1825 with the new Governor Ralph
Darling on board. The captain was Chapman, but
hasn’t determined which one yet.
-
- Ingram
was recorded (Wedding Certificate) as commanding the ship when he married in
Bombay 20.10.1827.
-
- There
followed a number of journeys in 1830, 1832 (convicts), 1837 (settlers),
1838, 1839 (sheep and timber) mainly to Port Adelaide, 1841 Port Nicholson,
1853 assisted immigrants. It also carried whale oil and bone and wool
to England 1838-39.
-
- The
ship was probably named after Sir Charles Forbes' daughter. Once again
in the Asiatic Journal it was reported - "October 31, was launched at
Messrs Pritchard's yard, Northfleet, a beautiful ship, built for Messrs
Chapman, expressly for the East India trade. At a quarter to two the
Lady of Chas. Forbes, Esq. M.P. and family went on the platform and the ship
was then christened by the daughter of that gentleman by the name K.S.F. and
soon after the ship glided off the stocks into here natural element in a
very fine style, to the admiration of all spectators". Katherine
Stewart's grandmother was also of the same name.
-
- Chas
Forbes and his family were very successful and respected businessmen in
Bombay, India and had a lot of dealings with the East India Company.
Chas. Forbes youngest son's name was James Forbes and that name was listed
as one of the witnesses at Ingram and Agnes' wedding ceremony in Bombay in
1827. It seems likely that Ingram is connected to the Chapmans who had
the K.S.F. built and that Ingram and Chas. Forbes were close friends, as
Chas' son was probably at Ingram's marriage ceremony.
-
- Beryl
& Arnold Hendry
[email protected]
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