|
HomePort |
Bemister
Ships
|
|
Among the Bemister family of
Newfoundland,
four related individuals registered thirteen ships between 1822-1872.
Despite
a loss-free record from 1822-1843 there were four ships lost at sea
between
1843 and 1856 no losses for thirteen years then - two ships lost within
three
years.
Despite these losses, their average length of ownership was twenty years, not including the two ships which were quickly sold within the first three years of purchase. Most of the ships were constructed in Newfoundland although two were from Prince Edward Island and one was from Nova Scotia. |
Lark, a
brig
was first registered by William Bemister the son of William Willis
Bemister
in 1823. A 64 foot brig, she was already 12 years old, having been
constructed
in Petit Riviere, Nova Scotia in 1811. After three years she was
sold. |
Corfe Mullen, was named by William Willis Bemister for the town in England where he was born, she was constructed in 1832 at Carbonear, and was a 60 foot schooner that would serve him until 1859. She was the longest serving schooner in the Bemister fleet tying the brig Victoria for long service, at 32 years. |
Victoria, was a comparatively big ship and not the familiar schooner rigging that had been the mainstay of the family fleet. A ship that would outlive its owner William Willis Bemister, the 65 foot brig was built for him in New Perlican, Newfoundland in 1837. She would serve for 32 years before she was lost at sea in 1869. |
Mary and Ann,
like the name, was a joint venture between three owners - William
Willis
Bemister,
and his sons John Bemister and Willis Bemister. Built in New
Perlican
in 1843, a massive schooner at 77 foot and 143
Ton,
she lasted ten years for the owners. Her documents
indicate
that she was destroyed by fire in 1853. |
Orient, an 85 foot brigantine built in St. Peter's, Prince Edward Island would be the last ship that William Willis Bemister would buy. Purchased in 1853 she was registered in his name for just three years until 1856. The Orient appears to be a replacement for the Mary and Ann, yet was registered in only the father's name. Son John, had entered a political career the year before, being elected to the provincial government. |
HomePort Quick Finder | Bemister@HomePort | Search HomePort | Send e-mail to: HomePort |
. |