'May Newton' (1878 - 1892)

The barquentine May Newton the last of Alexander Newton’s ships, was the end of an era of ships built at the Pelican Shipyard, Manning River NSW.

 

Details :

Name: May Newton

(Named after Alexander Newton's youngest daughter Maria Alexandria Newton. [May] )

Type: Barquentine / Schooner

Length: 144 ft

Beam: 22.8 ft

Draft: 8.9 ft

Gwt: 214 tons

Builder: Captain Alexander Newton Snr.

Launched: 15th October 1878

Official number: ON075003

Signal letters: WNLF

Registered: Sydney 3rd January 1879

Owners:

-Alexander Newton Snr /Alexander Newton Jnr

 

Construction:

- Carvel built from locally sourced hardwoods.

- White beech decks.

- Hardwood planking and copper fastened throughout.

- 3 stepped masts/ White beech topmasts

- Round Stern

- Figure Head: Female Bust

 

PART I - EARLY LIFE (1878 - 1887)

 

1878

The barquentine May Newton appears to be one of the last large sailing vessels built on the Manning River NSW. Named after Alexander Newton Snr’s daughter, she was launched from his Pelican Shipyard. The proportions of the May Newton were somewhat different to his earlier vessels, in that she was long and narrow with a shallow draft, maybe intending his last vessel to be a steamer.

 

1879 - 1881

Alexander Newton Jnr. as Master followed by William Newton as Master. For two years, the May Newton was a family affair with Alexander Newton Jnr as master, William Newton as mate, and Robert Newton as ordinary seaman. William soon worked his way up and took over the command of the May Newton in 1881. After trips to New Zealand and South Africa, the May Newton made a succession of voyages between Sydney and the Richmond River NSW.

 

"The May Newton was another of the list which made many a fast trip when she got the wind, and she frequently beat the supposed fliers from other parts of the world."

 

“In the eighties of the last century the three masted barque May Newton used to load girders at Tinonee for New Zealand, under the command of Captain Newton Jnr. We well remember seeing her passing down fully loaded for her foreign ports”. The Northern Champion 3rd December 1927.

 

Captain Alexander Newton Jnr, was a daring young navigator, and there in lies a tale. When entering the river in his own ships as a passenger, in very rough weather, Captain Alexander Newton Snr, has known to be heard to tell the commander while crossing the Harrington bar, “Stick her into it, she must come over,” meaning that a rising tide would carry a strong vessel in, even if she grounded for a while. The black hull of the May Newton was very prominent, even though her name was not very distinct, she would pass by the Government wharf and anchor near the junction of the Manning and the Dawson Rivers.

 

1884

Robert Newton joins crew of the Alexander Newton. Robert sailed as mate on the Alexander Newton under the command of his eldest brother for approximately six months, between September 1884 and early 1885.

 

1885

Robert Newton transfers back to the May Newton as Master: When the May Newton and the Alexander Newton were together in Sydney on 25th May 1885, Robert transferred to the May Newton, gaining his qualifications as master in the following year and spending most of his working life on the May Newton.

 

1886

Dismasted: After leaving the Richmond River on the 7th July bound for Melbourne, the May Newton was dismasted, and badly damaged. She was picked up by the steam tug Secret and towed safely to Sydney.

 

Death of Alexander Newton Snr: After the death of Alexander Newton Snr in September 1886, the remaining Newton family formed a partnership. Ownership of both the Alexander Newton and the May Newton was taken over by Alexander Newton Jnr, who managed the partnership and the Pelican property.

 

 

For her later life (1888 - 1892) see PART II - LATER LIFE

 

Image Source: "Crossing the Bar" written by Rebecca Linton .

 

All Images in this photostream are Copyright - Great Lakes Manning River Shipping and/or their individual owners as may be stated above and may not be downloaded, reproduced, or used in any way without prior written approval.

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