Matilda_1841
British Southern Voyage
| WRI | BV058330 |
| Vessel | Matilda |
| Master | Bliss |
| Departure | 1841-06-03 |
| Return (days) | 1845-07-15 (1504) |
| Port (dock) | London |
| Destination | New Zealand |
| East/ West | East |
| Owner (Agent) | Green, Wigrams & Green (Owner) |
| Cargo | 116 tons oil |
| Sources | SST1; SST3 ; ATSUU; BOI2; LISLE; NHA; FEDARB |
| Reports | At the Bay of Islands 6 November 1841 out 5 months with one whale; reported 25 May 1842 at the Bay of Islands July 1842 with 50 barrels; spoken by the Frolic near Samoa 19 June 1842; reported 29 November 1842 with 109 barrels on 11 February 1842; reported 11 July 1843 with 60 barrels on 5 February 1842; spoken by the Nantucket of Nantucket near Hawaii 4 October 1843; reported 14 November 1844 with 650 barrels 17 August 1843; reported 8 October 1844 at the Kingsmills January 1844 with 700 barrels; at the Bay of Islands 11 March 1844 with 1100 barrels sperm oil |
| Notes | Following its less than successful third cruise the Matilda had remained in London for ten months. It is likely that the ship was extensively refitted during this time in preparation for sea. Since its purchase in 1829 the vessel had spent less than three-quarters of a year in London and the rigours of whaling were such that vessels required quite extensive overhauls after a number of back to back cruises. Unfortunately no record exists of what work was performed in the Blackwall Yard during this time. Similarly, no log recording the events of the fourth cruise exists, but other sources provide a fairly well documented record of the route taken and some of the events of the voyage. The Matilda sailed from London under the command of Captain A. Bliss in early June 1841. This and the refitting of the vessel suggest that Green Wigrams & Green were still committed to whaling and that the events which would finally result in the dissolution of the partnership in April 1843 had not yet surfaced. In February 1842, the Matilda was in New Zealand waters with 109 barrels, having sailed via the Cape of Good Hope. In early May the Matilda was at Guam on its way to a season on the 'Japan' grounds. By November, the Matilda had taken 200 barrels and the ship was next recorded at the Bonin Islands in April 1843, probably indicating an intention to whale on the 'Japan' grounds again. In August 1843, the vessel was recorded 26 months out with 650 barrels. This last report did not arrive in London until November 1844, which highlights some of the communication difficulties peculiar to the whaling trade. A result of 650 barrels in 26 months was a disappointing performance, and the receipt of such a report, 15 months after it was written, cannot have been welcome news for the former partners. Richard and Henry Green must have been especially concerned, for just days before the arrival of the report, they had purchased the Narwhal from the old firm. |
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