Ocean Mail, built by Thompson Robert Jnr - launched 1869

[Happymuppet]

In the process of tracing my ancestory, I've discovered that John Sinclair, his wife and 3 kids left the Shetlands for New Zealand. They were assisted emigrants (66 pounds in total) embarking 17 Aug 1874 (probably London) and arriving Nelson, NZ 08 Nov 1874. According to Lloyds register, the vessel was launched from yard 41, in June 1869 by Thompson Robert Jnr, Sunderland for a London company called Paxton & Co. Made of iron, the tonnage was recorded as 1039 nett. Her length was 208, bredth 34 and depth 20 (presumably yards). The Suez canal opened in 1869 so I assume my relatives traveled on a newish ship on a very new route thru Asia.

Could anyone help me get photograph of the ship or a description. Presumably it was a steamship not sail? Any info to help flesh out the experience, good or bad, which my relatives would have incurred will be appreciated.
best regards
Happymuppet

[Whickham]

Hello Happy Muppet

Very little detail on our Sunderland Ships site at the moment. EDIT: Now updated.

See: http://sunderlandships.com/view.php?yea ... OCEAN+MAIL

She was a sailing ship and the measurements you quote are feet not yards. I have traced her with the same company through to 1876 but have lost trace after that (at the moment) EDIT: Now updated. As for the Suez canal, I would suspect that she would still use the old route as the winds would be more regular.

[Whickham]

A description of the launch from the Shields Daily Gazette, Monday, 28/06/1869.
Remember to use the +sign on your cursor to magnify this image.

[Whickham]

For a photo of her on the reef at Chatham Island, see: http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23030112? ... h%5D=items

Also: http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22798647? ... h%5D=items

For location of Chatham Islands see: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Cha ... 4546?hl=en

[Whickham]

See also description of the Surgeon's report covering the period 18/08/1874 to 07/11/1874 at: https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.179299

[Whickham]

Details of the wreck published in the Belfast News-Letter, Monday, 21/05/1877