"Louisa Maria", Thomas Gamble - 1836
Letters from Thomas Gamble Master of "Louisa Maria" to Messrs Lafone Barker & Co
FO 446/6 FHC microfilm 1494331, Folio 164, pages 337, 338

Louisa Maria, July 3rd [1836]
Messrs Lafone Barker & Co.
Gentlemen,
I am sorry to inform you that the Louisa Maria is on shore in Ensenada spit and request of you to send down an anchor and cable and a vessel to lighten her on the test terms you can, no salvage concerns, if prompt a good anchor cable and vessels to lighten her will save all, trusting that you will do your best for the interest of all I remain
Gentleman your most obt. Servant

(signed) Thomas Gamble

P.D. We have lost an anchor cable and boat - we are not making any water
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Louisa Maria. July 5th [1836]
Messrs Lafone Barker & Co.
Gentlemen,
The vessels reached us at eleven o'clock this Forenoon and we have got the anchor, only loaded the vessel that carries this, the Conception, we should have loaded more but the weather has been so bad, we parted our other chain after the mate left us and forged a long way ahead during the gale on Sunday night so that I fear we shall have to take nearly all the cargo out before we shall float.

Upon receipt of this I think you had better send two more vessels down and then we shall see whether we shall require more. Should we float after loading the two that are down we can but pay the other two a dead freight it will be better risk that, than leave the vessel to wait and get injured, at present we are not hurt nor do I think it likely we shall but the sooner we get off the better, three or four hands would be of great assistance too as our crew is small and it takes the crews of the schooners to load their own vessels, if you can, without putting yourselves to any inconvenience, send me a quarter of beef and a few vegetables by the first vessel you will very much oblige me.

The annexed is a list of the goods sent up by this vessel. I likewise send the manifest, bills of lading, letters and all the small parcels for which Mr. Steward gives me a receipt. You will see by the manifest what goods we have, in hoping we shall have the pleasure of being up shortly
I remain Gentlemen
Your most obt. Servant
(signed)Thomas Gamble

I likewise send the Bills of Lading and Buenos Ayrean Consul's manifests
KO 12 cases - J36 9 bales - XCA 1 case - B 24 kegs - BC 5 cases - BB 1 cask - FB 1 case - BD 1 case - RD 5 cases- BB 1 cask - CHPA 200 barrels gun powder - D&Co. 1 case - XX 1 cask.

P.D. you of course hold the goods till we get proper security for whatever the average may come to, on their value. TG

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Wednesday 2 o'clock[July 6th 1836] - I have just received your letter by the whaleboat and according to your request I send the letters & samples in the letter bag, 121 letters & packages & a letter & bundle of news papers for the house, 5 parcels loose & a copy of the manifest, we have discharged 200 kegs of gun powder for which a licence must be got for Mr. Steward is very much alarmed about it he will leave directly with two vessels the other will be loaded this evening, & hope shall then float, we hove a short way off this morning but do not neglect sending me more vessels for fear the water should fall, the vessel is all right, excuse this, I am so fatigued I can hardly hold my pen
Yours etc.
(signed) Thomas Gamble

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Bond of Indemnity of Schooner Louisa Maria
FO 446/6 Folio 165-166 page 339-341

Whereas on the fourth day of July in this Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and thirty six a letter was received by and addressed to the house of Lafone Barker & Co. in this City of Buenos Ayres of which letter the following is a true and faithful copy.
Louisa Maria. July 3rd [1836]
Messrs Lafone Barker & Co.
Gentlemen,
I am sorry to inform you that the Louisa Maria is on shore in Ensenada spit and request of you to send down an anchor and cable and a vessel to lighten her on the test terms you can, no salvage concerns, if prompt a good anchor cable and vessels to lighten her will save all, trusting that you will do your best for the interest of all I remain
Gentleman your most obt. Servant
(signed) Thomas Gamble

And whereas in consequence of such letter having been so sent by Thomas Gamble the master of the British Schooner "Louisa Maria" addressed to the before named Messrs. Lafone Barker & Co. the said Lafone Barker & Co. did at their own proper cost and risk immediately send the assistance required unto the aforenamed Thomas Gamble and the schooner aforenamed forwarding to him with all possible dispatch, and on the same day the before cited letter was received, River Crafts to lighten her and (as requested) on board the "Conception" an anchor and cable by which timely assistance the said schooner Louisa Maria has been relieved and lightened and on the day of the date hereof both vessel and cargo have arrived in safely in this Port of Buenos Ayres.

And whereas extra costs, charges and expenses have already been incurred and others may hereafter be incurred by the said Master and his aforenamed Agents Messrs. Lafone Barker & Co., and as such extra costs, charges and expenses must be defrayed by General Contribution by Ship, Freight and Cargo (Freight not having been previously paid in England).

Now therefore the time intent and meaning of this Bond of Indemnity is that we the Undersigned the several consignees of the cargo of the aforesaid Schooner Louisa Maria Do hereby bind ourselves in the case that such of our respective goods as have been saved by the exertions of the said master and his agents Messrs. Lafone Barker & Co. shall be delivered unto us previously to the costs herein having been accurately ascertained to hold him the said Master Thomas Gamble and his Agents Messrs Lafone Barker & Co. harmless as respects the said costs and charges. Hereby binding ourselves to pay such proportion or percentage thereof on the value of our respective goods as shall appear due from us, by general adjustments to be made up in conformity with all mercantile custom and usage in such like cases.
In Testimony whereof we have severally hereunto set our hands on this 13th day July 1836 in this City of Buenos Ayres
(signed)
J. C. Thompson Rennie Macfarlane & Co.
Villate Nelson & Co McCracken & Jamieson & Co.
John Rains & Co. Parlane Macalister & Co.
Briscoe & Twyford & Co. Jno. Best & Bros.
pp Dickson & Co., Wm. H. Garrett Hodgson & Robinson
Nicholson Green & Co.

Plowes Atkinson & Co.

Lafone Barker & Co.

Protest Extended "Louisa Maria" Thomas Gamble
FO 446/6, Folio 168-170, page 345 -349

By this public Instrument of Declaration and Protest be it known to all whom it may concern that on the Thirty First day of August in the year of Our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally came and appeared in the British Consulate of Buenos Ayres in South America Thomas Gamble, master of the Schooner or Vessel called the "Louisa Maria" of Plymouth, of the burthen of 136 Tons or thereabouts who duly noted his Protest in this office on arrival at this Port together with John H Drew, mate and John G. Victor, seaman.

Who declared that the said vessel being laden with a general cargo they the said appearers sailed on the 8th day of May of this year on board the said schooner from the Port of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster bound direct to this Port of Buenos Ayres and proceeded on the voyage with the wind in the NE nothing material occurred until the 1st day of June when they had squally weather, but nothing of moment happened but making and shortening sail as occasion required.

On the 2nd it continued squally with heavy rain but from that time continued the voyage with in general favourable and pleasant weather until the 27th day of the same month when about 9am the weather became heavy, reefed the topsail and mainsail stowed the jib, it continued cloudy with rain until the 28th when it cleared up again made sail and on the 1st day of July made the land.

On the 2nd sounded in 16 fathoms. At 6:30 am Black Point [E of Piriapolis] bore North distant about fourteen miles, and at meridian the Island of Flores at WNW about 8 miles.

On the 3rd at 5pm the Mount bore NNE fine clear weather. At 4:30 pm sounded 8 fathoms water and at 8 pm hoisted a light as a signal for a Pilot.

Sounding continually from 3 to 3 ½ to 4 ¼, 4 ½ fathoms. At 3 am sounded to 3 fathoms hard bottom. Kept away and deepened the soundings until 4 o'clock. From 4 until 6 kept hauling up until they found hard bottom and shoals, the water to 2 ¾ fathoms, put the helm up and again deepened to 3 fathoms with muddy bottoms, but the next cast the lead again shoaled to 2 ¾ fathoms hard ground, put the helm over immediately but before the vessel could come three points to she struck the ground,

let go the starboard anchor ?….up all the sails and stowed them, got the boat out, run the larboard anchor and chained out 32 fathoms hove taut and picked up the starboard anchor, hove the vessel out to the larboard anchor.

The breeze increasing and heavy swell and in getting the starboard anchor into the boat she filled and capsized, the cook was nearly drowned and the mate was almost knocked up from the quantity of water he swallowed in endavouring to save the cook. Got the boat turned up and a line fast to her, the anchor had torn all her thort [thwart] away. The ship remaining hard and fast aground the whole time. At daybreak saw the land and found it to be the mainland and that we had struck just below Ensenada Point.

At 11 am [July 4th] it blowing fresh gales, parted the larboard chain, got out a spare boat they had on board for sale and sent the mate and three hands to Buenos Ayres for another anchor and cable and assistance of vessels to lighten her, the boat started at meridian . At 6 pm it blowing heavy gales the sea breaking right over the vessel and heaving her bow more towards the land parted the starboard chain in endeavouring to save the ship and cargo by heaving to get off. At 11pm very heavy squalls with rain thunder and lightning.

At daylight on the 4th still ashore sent down top gallant masts and yards, struck the main topmast, cleared the hatches, picked up the large boat and hoisted her up to the bowsprit, got out the jolly boat and hoisted her up the fore rigging to clear away the decks for work. At 5:30 pm fresh breezes from the Eastward.

At 7 am [on the 5th July] the boat came alongside. In going up to Buenos Ayres she had been caught in a squall and was driven on a bank when she swamped, however the crew with assistance of some fisherman hauled her over the bank into a creek and saved all the things in her. At about 3 am on the 4th the mate, leaving the crew in the fisherman's hut, proceeded to Buenos Ayres in a cart, saw Messrs Lafone Barker & Co., the Consignees, at 8 am, who at half past nine dispatched three vessels for the cargo and an anchor and cable for the vessel. The mate then proceeded to rejoin the crew of the boat, found the boat quite dry, got four horses to her and dragged her over the banks, made sail and the best way for the ship and arrived alongside as before stated.

At 7 am on the 5th of July found that she had parted the other chain, started the hawse pipe, lifted the covering board and chafed the starboard bow. At 11 am the river craft got close to the vessel. At 3 pm all hands went on board the schooner that had the anchor and chain, dropped the anchor about 70 fathoms from the ship, hauled the schooner close to, took the cable on board and hove it taut and got out the schooner anchors.

At 4 pm the schooner hauled alongside, at 6 she was loaded with all the [gun] powder and the heavy goods to be got at from the after hatch. Lost the deep sea lead with 70 fathoms of line, weather very unsettled and very heavy rain, a River Pilot also came down in this schooner.

On the 6th the weather very unsettled. At 9 am hove about 4 fathoms astern. At 11 am another schooner river craft came alongside and she was loaded from the main and the after hatchways, after which a sloop hauled alongside likewise a whale boat arrived from Buenos Ayres for the letters, papers and parcels, continued to load the sloop until 4 pm when it set in to rain thunder and lightning with heavy squalls, the sloop hauled off and anchored with 31 packages in, heavy squalls the whole night. The vessel thumped heavy but made no water

On the 7th attempted again to load the sloop but was prevented by the rain. Tides very low, lost the hand lead and line.
On the 8th finished loading the sloop and at 2 pm another schooner arrived for cargo, brought us four hands some fresh beef and vegetables. About 5 pm dispatched the loaded schooner and at 6 another having arrived she hauled alongside, heavy rain and thick weather during the night.

On the 8th loaded the vessel alongside and at 3 pm communicated with another, which had arrived with three more hands for the ship. By 7pm had discharged all the remaining iron into this craft. At midnight she broke adrift and did likewise the jolly boat in a strong gale and went ashore.

On the 9th the weather being fine broke out cargo from the main hatchway. At 7 am the schooner again hauled alongside and continued to load as the water under her was too little. At 8 am got off the jolly boat from the beach without damage. At 9 as the water was rising, put all the remaining cargo on board the craft but the coals. At 2 pm went to sweep for the anchors and continued to sweep for them until dark but could not find them.

On Monday July 10th at 3 am the tide being high and the wind off the land the vessel swung? off to her anchor, hove the large anchor up to the stern, got it onto the longboat and carried it forward to the starboard bow, bent the chain to it and drop it underfoot. Weighed the stream and made sail from the anchor, about 8 pm it fell calm, brought up all standing.

On the 11th weighed at 10, being under weigh the consignee Mr. Alex Lafone came on board with a harbour Pilot and at 5 pm the anchored the vessel in safety in the Outer Roads of this Port and the said appearers further declare that the said schooner at the time of her sailing from Liverpool aforesaid upon the said intended voyage was tight staunch and strong and had her hatches well and sufficiently caulked and the aforesaid was well and sufficiently provided and furnished with all things necessary for the said voyage and that they the said appearers and the rest of the ship's company used their uttermost endeavours to preserve the schooner and cargo from damage.

Whereupon the said Thomas Gamble master of the said schooner called the "Louisa Maria" entered this Protest to the end that all such loss or damage as said vessel her cargo tackle or furniture may have suffered or sustained by the happenings aforesaid and all costs charges and expenses attending the same shall be borne and paid by those whom it may concern as being occasioned by the reasons aforesaid and not by or through any insufficiency or neglect of the said vessel, her tackle furniture or crew.
Thus done and Protested they the said appearers have hereunto subscribed their names in the British Consulate at Buenos Ayres on the day month and year before written.
Thomas Gamble
John H Drew
John George Victor
And in testimony thereof etc. etc. etc.
Charles Griffiths
H. M Consul

Account of Expenses

Survey of Schooner "Louisa Maria"(July 23rd and 25th 1836)
FO446/4 Pages 358-365

British Consulate
Buenos Ayres 19th July 1836

Mt Thomas Gamble master of the British Schooner "Louisa Maria" having applied in this Consulate for an order of survey upon the ship,-
These are to require of you Mr. David Smith Master of the British Barque "Isabella" of you Mr Arthur Smith master of the British Schooner "Emily" and of you Mr. Peter Ball ship carpenter to repair on board, examine and report upon the state and condition of the said vessel "Louisa Maria."
(signed) Charles Griffiths
H M's Consul
To/
Mr. David Smith Master of Barque "Isabella"
Mr. Arthur Smith Master of Schooner "Emily"
Mr. Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter

In the presence of the foregoing requisition by the British consul Charles Griffiths Esqr. Dated on the 19th of July 1836 we the undersigned David Smith Master of the British Barque "Isabella", Arthur Smith Master of the British Schooner "Emily" and Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter did on the 20th July 1836 repair on board the British Brig "Louisa Maria" to survey the said vessel in consequence of her having stranded and we advised that the said vessel should be hoven keel out, in order to examine her bottom.

On the 23rd everything having been done for the purpose, she was hove down the starboard side and some small pieces of her copper sheathing were found turned up, which was immediately repaired. On the 25th hove her out on the starboard side and found her copper and keel sound, but nevertheless as the vessel from her having been aground and her caulking shaken we recommended that she shall be caulked from her copper upwards and her decks caulked all over in order to put her into condition to receive a merchantable cargo for delivery in a Foreign Port.
In testimony thereof we have severally hereunto set our hands this 25th day of July 1836 in this City o Buenos Ayres
(signed) David Smith Master of the "Isabella"
(signed) Arthur Smith Master of the "Emily", London
(signed) Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter

These are to certify that the aforegoing signatures are of the true and proper handwriting of Mr. David Smith Master of Barque "Isabella", Mr. Arthur Smith Master of Schooner "Emily", Mr. Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter.
British Consulate
Buenos Ayres 17th September 1836
(signed) Charles Griffiths
H.M's Consul

Survey of Schooner "Louisa Maria"(August 5th 1836)
FO 446/4 Folio 175 page 359

British Consulate
Buenos Ayres 4th August 1836
Mt Thomas Gamble master of the British Schooner "Louisa Maria" having applied in this Consulate for an order of survey upon the ship, -
These are to require of you Mr. Arthur Smith master of the British Schooner "Emily" and of you Mr. Thomas Mitchinson master of the British Brig "Nautilus" and of you Mr. Peter Ball Ship carpenter to repair on board, examine into and to report upon whether the said schooner "Louisa Maria" is seaworthy or not.
(signed) Charles Griffiths
H M's Consul
To/
Mr. Arthur Smith Master of Schooner "Emily"
Mr. Thomas Mitchinson master of Brig "Nautilus"
Mr. Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter

In conformity with the foregoing requisition from the British Consul Charles Griffiths Esqr. We the undersigned Arthur Smith Master of the British Schooner "Emily", Thomas Mitchinson master of the British Brig "Nautilus" and Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter on the day of the date hereof repaired on board the Louisa Maria (British Schooner) and having carefully examined into the actual state of the said schooner have found that she has recently been and now remains well caulked from her copper upwards and her decks have been caulked all over as recommended to be done under a former survey bearing date 25th day of July 1836, And we hereby unanimously declare the said Schooner "Louisa Maria" to be at this present time tight staunch and well caulked and that she is in every respect in a fit state to take in a Cargo for any Port of the World.
In Testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands on this fifth day of August 1836 in this city of Buenos Ayres.
(signed) Arthur Smith Master of Schooner "Emily"
(signed) Thomas Mitchinson master of Brig "Nautilus"
(signed) Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter

These are to certify that the within signatures are of the true and proper handwriting of Mr. Arthur Smith Master of Schooner "Emily", Mr. Thomas Mitchinson master of Brig "Nautilus"
Mr. Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter.
British Consulate
Buenos Ayres 17th September 1836
(signed) Charles Griffiths
H.M's Consul -

Survey of Schooner "Louisa Maria" (August 6th 1836)
Folio 176 page 361-362

British Consulate
Buenos Ayres, 4th August 1836
Mr. Thomas Gamble master of the British Schooner "Louisa Maria" having applied in this Consulate for an order of survey on the said ship.
These are to require of you Mr. Arthur Smith master of the British Schooner "Emily" and of you Mr. Thomas Mitchinson master of the British Brig "Nautilus" and of you Mr. Peter Ball Ship carpenter to repair on board, examine into condition and report upon the value of the said schooner "Louisa Maria", and likewise to survey the chain cables and boat
(signed) Charles Griffiths
H M's Consul
To/
Mr. Arthur Smith Master of Schooner "Emily"
Mr. Thomas Mitchinson master of Brig "Nautilus"
Mr. Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter

In conformity with the foregoing requisition from the British Consul Charles Griffiths Esqr. We the undersigned Arthur Smith Master of the British Schooner "Emily", Thomas Mitchinson master of the British Brig "Nautilus" and Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter on the day of the date hereof repaired on board the British Schooner 'Louisa Maria" Thomas Gamble master for the purpose of declaring her value as she now lies in this Harbour and after having examined her thoroughly we are of the opinion that she is a British Colonial Built Vessel and although tight staunch and good and near four years old and a good vessel of her class yet we are of opinion that as she is from her Built a British American bottom she cannot be valued at more than six pounds per ton.

And moreover we examined and surveyed two chain cables a Best Bower and Small Bower and found they had been both parted, the Best Bower about eight fathoms from the anchor stock and the Small Bower about nine fathoms and on consulting what was best to be done for those concerned we declared that as the two chains are of an equal diameter that we are of opinion it will be advisable to take one shackle of the chain form the small bower cable and add it to the best Bower chain and that the remainder small bower chain be sold for the benefit of whom it may concern and that the small bower chain be replaced by a new one to enable the schooner to proceed to sea properly supplied for her future safeguard.
We likewise surveyed the schooner's pinnace and found that she has been so much shattered and damaged by the best bower anchor tearing away her sides when the anchor was lost and by other accidents that we declare that she is totally unfit for repair and cannot be replaced under one thousand current dollars.
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in this City of Buenos Ayres on this sixth day of August 1836.
(signed) Arthur Smith
(signed) Thomas Mitchinson
(signed) Peter Ball
These are to certify that the within signatures are of the true and proper handwriting of Mr. Arthur Smith Master of Schooner "Emily", Mr. Thomas Mitchinson master of Brig "Nautilus", Mr. Peter Ball, Ship Carpenter.
British Consulate
Buenos Ayres 17th September 1836
(signed) Charles Griffiths
H.M's Consul

Statement of the Proportion of General Average incurred by the British Brig Louisa Maria Thomas Gamble Master and particular charges falling on the said vessel in consequence of her having stranded on her voyage from Liverpool to Buenos Aires on the night of the 3rd of July adjusted by Robert de Billinghurst paid by Lafone Barton & Co.

The foregoing statements of General and particular charges accounts of whom it may concern has been carefully drawn from the original documents by me Buenos Ayres 15th September 1836
(signed) Robert de Billinghurst

these are to certify that the aforegoing signature is of the true and proper handwriting of Mr. Robert de Billinghurst accountant
British Consulate , Buenos Ayres 10th Sept. 1836
(signed) Charles Griffiths
H. M's Consul