Hamilla Mitchell
The Hamilla Mitchell was a ship owned by Thomas Mitchell of Glasgow, which left Gravesend, England on 5 April 1869 and sank on the Leuconna Rock near Shanghai in August 1869 whilst carrying cargo valued at £150,000 and £50,000 in coins. The crew survived. A large amount of the cargo was subsequently salvaged using specialised diving equipment and after escaping Chinese pirates.[1][2][3]
Recovery of treasure
The underwriters paid Captain Lodge to recover the treasure, who then secured the services of divers Robert Ridyard and William Penk of Liverpool.[4] They made their way to Shanghai and chartered a small vessel to approach the Hamilla Mitchell. As the Hamilla Mitchell was among high rocks, they then used the small boat that they had towed. Using specialised diving apparatus, Ridyard and Penk located the Hamilla Mitchell with its stern over-hanging deep water. Ridyard managed to break into the strong room. Inside the strong room were treasure chests, many of which had fallen apart, with the floor covered in gold coins. Ridyard undertook 4 trips down to the strong room and was able to bring to the surface £40,000 coins, consisting of at least 64 boxes [5] After resurfacing, Captain Lodge, Ridyard and Penk became aware of Chinese pirate junks in large numbers pursuing them. The pirates pursued them until sunset, when they were able to safety get to Shanghai with their treasure.[6] A newspaper article from 1910 states that: "The balance was recovered some time later."[7]
Features and history
The Hamilla Mitchell was owned by Thomas Mitchell of Glasgow and commanded by Captain Branscombe. It was made out of iron and weighed almost 1000 tons.[8] She had been launched in 1864 and built by Denny & Rankin, Dumbarton,[9][10] the second ship of that name for John Mitchell named after his daughter.[11][4] Her first voyage was to New Zealand.[12]
References
- ^ "Shipping". Brisbane Courier. 12 November 1870. p. 4. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ Davis, Sir Robert H. (14 September 1934). "Deep Diving and Under-Water Rescue". Journal of the Royal Society of Arts. 82 (4269): 1083–1101. JSTOR 41360206 – via JSTOR.
- ^ "Wreck of a British Ship. Loss, £200,000". Blackburn Standard. 22 September 1869. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via British Library Newspapers.
- ^ a b Chamberlain, Tim (3 February 2013). "In Search of the 'Hamilla Mitchell'". Waymarks. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Treasure-seekers Chased By Pirates". The Capricornian. 11 June 1898. p. 25. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ Masters, David (1924). The Wonders of Salvage. London: The Bodley Head. pp. 58–64.
- ^ "Divers Recover Much Treasure". The San Francisco Call. 26 December 1910. p. 11. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ ""The British Ship Hamiila Mitchell" [Untitled Notice]". The Illustrated London News. 25 September 1869. p. 315. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "HAMILLA MITCHELL". Clyde Ships. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Gotland". Greenock Advertiser. 28 April 1864. p. 4.
On Saturday, there was launched from the building yard of Messrs Denny & Rankin, Dumbarton, large iron clipper ship. She was named the Hamilla Mitchell, by Mrs James Holmes, Fern Lodge, Glasgow, daughter of the owner of the ship, John Mitchell, Esq. This fine vessel is intended for the China trade, but will proceed on her first voyage to New Zealand with passengers, for the comfortable conveyance of whom she is admirably adapted, having a largo full poop, spacious deck houses, and being very lofty 'tween decks.
- ^ "Marriages". Fife Herald. 16 January 1868. p. 3 – via British Library Newspapers.
the Rev. Peter Pennycook, minister of the Parish of Carnock, Fife, to Hamilla, daughter of John Mitchell, Esq. of Moore Park.
- ^ "Emigration to New Zealand". Glasgow Herald. 13 June 1864. Retrieved 6 February 2024 – via British Library Newspapers.
The fine ship Hamilla Mitchell, Capt. Branscombe, sailed from the Tail of the Bank on Saturday for Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. The Hamilla Mitchell is chartered by Messrs. Potter, Wilson & Co. for the voyage, the ship being the property of John Mitchell, Esq. Her passengers number 181, Captain McKenzie, R N., Government emigration officer at this port, having expressed himself satisfied with the arrangements made for their accommodation. Dr. McCandlish goes as surgeon of the ship.