FAMOUS SHIPS

The "MIDDLESEX"

This was the second ship of the same name. The first ship was a wooden built vessel, both constructed and owned by George Marshall & Sons, of London. The second MIDDLESEX, built by Barclay, Curle & Co., was of iron construction. She was the largest ship in the Marshall fleet, being launched in November, 1884. Her gross tonnage was 1,824, net tonnage of 1,742. She had dimensions of: Length, 268 feet 4 inches; breadth, 38 feet 8 inches; depth, 23 feet 6 inches.

Captain George Janes took command of the MIDDLESEX from the time of her launch until she left the George Marshall & Sons ownership. He was a very fine ship master -- one of those men who always get the best out of a ship, a bold sail-carrier, who was not afraid to hang on to his canvas in heavy weather, and yet rarely lost even a light weather kite. He was a strict disciplinarian and, like all sailors who would stand no nonsense, was much respected by his crews. The MIDDLESEX was his last command, as her retired from the sea when he left her.

On her maiden voyage she loaded a Clyde general cargo for Sydney, N.S.W. She sailed on February 14th, 1885, and almost at once ran into bad weather. She had a lot of trouble with slack wire rigging, which had evidently been stretched by the straining and plunging of the ship in the stormy weather. This kind of trouble was not serious with wire rigging and burn-buckle rigging screws, but the MIDDLESEX still had the old tarred hemp and thus was constantly setting up the rigging.

The MIDDLESEX had a very tough crew this voyage - most of the hands intended to jump ship in the Sydney, were the wages were higher. The passage continued without incident until the ship was to the southward of the Leeuwin, where she ran into a very severe gale. This was one of the few occasions where Captain Janes lost some sails. At last it became necessary to haul up and make fast the foresail, but when the order was given, the men refused to go aloft and furl it. This resulted in the sail being blown out of the roping.

The MIDDLESEX finally reached Sydney on her 78th day out and berthed alongside Circular Quay to discharge her cargo. During the first night, as a result of runner’s rum, pandemonium reigned aboard and the riot became so bad that the water police were sent for in the small hours of the morning. In a day or two not a single man of the MIDDLESEX’s unruly crew remained except the petty officers.

After discharging, the MIDDLESEX was towed down to Watson’s Bay, where she waited for a month for a wool cargo. But then, unexpected orders were received to proceed to Chittagong, in order to load jute for Dundee.

Captain Janes decided to take the northern route via Torres Strait, the MIDDLESEX making a good passage. In going through the strait, it was not safe in those days to be under way at night. She therefore spent her first night at Bramble Key and her second night at Double Island. There was also, at this time, the extreme danger of pirates. In order to be ready for these guests, red- hot ashes were kept handy in the donkey-house, whilst tins of kerosene were distributed along the deck under the bulwarks. These precautions were not necessary, however, as she sailed unmolested through the Strait.

After waiting nearly three months for her jute cargo, the MIDDLESEX made a fair passage home to Dundee from Chittagong, taking the north-about route round the top of Scotland in order to escape the strong easterly winds in the Channel.

On her second voyage, the MIDDLESEX loaded coal at Cardiff for Singapore. On the sail round to Cardiff in ballast, the ship came down-Channel with a fresh north- easterly wind on her quarter and passed steamer after steamer. Her outward passage to Singapore was uneventful. After discharging her cargo, she sailed up to Chittagong to load her second homeward cargo of jute for Dundee. She again went north-about and made the passage in 105 days, which was the best of the jute fleet that year. No less than 11 sailing ships made the passage and none equaled the passage of the MIDDLESEX. On her third voyage she again made the same round of Cardiff, Singapore, Chittagong and Dundee. Her homeward voyage was not a good one as Captain Janes decided to first try passing the Azores to the east instead of west. The ship had a rough time of it and the captain had an anxious night until they rounded the island.

On the 95th day out Captain Janes decided to try the Channel - this again was a mistake. She spent 40 days trying to beat up the Channel with a stronger and stronger wind beating dead ahead against the ships path. She finally reached Dundee 140 days out.

George Marshall and Sons sold their last remaining sailing ships including the MIDDLESEX. She went to Galbraith & Moorhead, of London and retained her old name. Captain H.D. Clark commanded the ship under her new owners, but she did not last for long, as she was posted missing on January 21st, 1896.

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