Ralph GOUNDRY 1841 – 1915 – Genealogical Records

Sources

Genealogy Event 1
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: ABT APR 1841
Event Place: Lambeth, Surrey

Genealogy Event 2
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 6 JUN 1841
Event Place: South Lambeth, Surrey
Record Source: living with four siblings, their parents and two Servants
Age:
2m

Genealogy Event 3
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 30 MAR 1851
Event Place: Lawn Cottage, South Lambeth, Surrey
Record Source: living with eight siblings, their parents and three Servants
Age:
10y

Genealogy Event 4
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 6 MAY 1857
Record Source: he was apprenticed into the Merchant Navy for four years to Peter Thompson AIKMAN, on the ship "Ivanhoe", 1034 tons, at the Port of Glasgow
Age:
16y

Genealogy Event 5
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 7 APR 1861
Record Source: - he was an Ordinary Seaman on the "Neal Dow", which had four other crew, and at the time was off Great Yarmouth
Age:
20y

Genealogy Event 6
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 6 FEB 1865
Record Source: he was 2nd Mate on the "Hornet" of London, 1156 tons, which arrived in Sydney, New South Wales, having left from London via Plymouth. The ship carried a total of 437 emigrants, comprising 177 men, 200 women, 23 boys and 37 girls. Apart from the Master there were 25 crew and a Surgeon

Genealogy Event 7
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: ABT 1871
Record Source: he began employment with the Tyne Steam Shipping Company, which operated regular cargo and passenger services between Newcastle and London, Dunkirk, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg. Between 1864 and 1904, the company owned a total of 25 ships, of which 11 were lost at sea

Genealogy Event 8
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 13 MAR 1872
Record Source: Ralph GOUNDRY was included in Lloyd's Captains' Register as a Captain to whom a Masters' certificate had been issued by the Registrar-General of Seamen, during the week ending 9th March 1872, after taking the examination at South Shields.

Genealogy Event 9
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: ABT 9 JUL 1872
Record Source: he began making weekly return trips to Hamburg, Rotterdam and Antwerp for the Tyne Steam Shipping Company, mostly on the SS. "Brigadier"

Genealogy Event 10
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 20 FEB 1873
Record Source: he was Captain of the screw steamer "Otter", en route with passengers and cargo from Newcastle to Antwerp - off Yarmouth, at about 7 am. a thick fog set in, so the ship slowed, and sounded the fog-horn almost continuously. Suddenly a vessel, the "J. H. Laurentzen", was seen close on the port bow, lying at anchor owing to the fog. The "Otter" collided with her and was holed below the water-line and started to sink. All the boats were lowered, and the passengers and crew got into them with what effects they could take, and rowed to the other ship. The "Otter" gradually settled down, and about 20 minutes after the collision, she disappeared under the water, with only two or three feet of her mainmast above the surface.

Genealogy Event 11
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 26 FEB 1873
Record Source: the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette reported that the "Otter" lay in about 12 fathoms at low water, about five miles off Bacton, North Haisborough Lightvessel bearing NE 3/4 N, nearly three miles distant, Cromer Lighthouse, WNW 9½ miles distant.

Genealogy Event 12
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 11 AUG 1873
Record Source: the steamship "Dragoon", of which he was Captain, en-route from Newcastle for Copenhagen had to put back in to Newcastle, with the top of her low-pressure cylinder broken, piston rod bent, etc.

Genealogy Event 13
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 14 JUL 1874
Record Source: the British Consulate in Antwerp issued a letter requiring him, as Captain of the steamship "Brigadier", to transport a man to Newcastle for trial. The man, a seaman on the brig "Mayflower" of South Shields, was charged with shooting at the Captain of that vessel, with intent to kill him while the vessel was in the River Plate.

Genealogy Event 14
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 10 AUG 1875
Record Source: "Report of Ralph GOUNDRY, Master of the steamship "Dragoon", of Newcastle, 582 73-100 tons, from North Shields on the 10th of August, at 11 am., for Copenhagen (general cargo) : at 2.30 pm., weather fine and clear, wind S.S.E., moderate, the said steamer was in my charge, John STOLT, Second Engineer, in charge of the engines, the other members of the watch being at their respective duties, and under full steam, going about nine knots, heading east. At about 2.45 pm., being in the chart-house, suddenly heard a great noise in the engine-room, found the top of the low pressure cylinder had broken into sundry pieces. Finding it was impossible to make the passage, determined to put back with one cylinder, and we arrived at Newcastle Quay at 8 am. on the 11th inst. to effect the necessary repairs, At the time of casualty Tynemouth bore E. by N., distant about 40 miles. - Newcastle, Aug. 11"

Genealogy Event 15
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 6 SEP 1875
Record Source: he was Captain of the steam vessel "Dragoon" of Newcastle, and appeared as a witness at a special meeting of the Local Marine Board of Newcastle at which the ship's late First Engineer was investigated re charges of incompetency and gross acts of misconduct. The man was cleared of incompetence, but was admonished for serious neglect in allowing the ship to leave Copenhagen without seeing the bilges properly cleared.

Genealogy Event 16
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 11 OCT 1875
Record Source: a newspaper reported that the screw-steamer "Dragoon" was involved in an accident near Newcastle Quay, when it collided with a wherry which was crossing the river - two of the three crew of the wherry were reported to have been killed. It reported that "the "Dragoon", Captain GOUNDRY, from Copenhagen, entered the river between four and five o'clock, and after taking on board the pilot, John KNOWLES of South Shields at the Low Lights she steamed up the river in the usual manner. When opposite the Mushroom landing-stage, near the east end of Newcastle Quay, the mate of the "Dragoon" give the signal, "Boat ahead". Immediately afterwards the steamer came into collision with a wherry, which afterwards proved to belong to Mr BAGNALL, of the Ouseburn (father of the celebrated oarsman), and had on board a man named Robert GIBBONS, and a boy named WILSON. The wherry which was of about fifteen tons burthen was cut to the water's edge, and her crew were thrown into the river. The captain as well as the pilot were on board the "Dragoon" at the time and immediately stopped the ship and threw out life-buoys and ropes and a boat was also lowered; in fact everything was done to render assistance but without avail and the bodies of the unfortunate people have not yet been found. It is stated that the wherry had no light and was crossing the river at the time of the accident which also took place in the midst of the dense black smoke from the cement manufactory in the neighbourhood. The pilot KNOWLES is one of the most careful men on the river; and Captain GOUNDRY has hitherto experienced no casualty of any kind. An inquest two days later referred only to the drowning of one person, a boy. The jury's verdict was "That the occurrence was accidental, that it arose from the wherry not having a proper light, and that they did not attach any blame to the steamer"

Genealogy Event 17
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: BET 1876 AND 1900
Record Source: he was listed as a Master of Home Trade Passenger Ships who were licenced to pilot their own Vessels into and out of Shields Harbour.

Genealogy Event 18
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 21 MAY 1876
Record Source: "at half-past two, the Tyne Steam Shipping Co.'s well-known steamer "Brigadier", Capt. GOUNDRY, arrived at the Rotterdam Wharf, North Shore, Newcastle, and was moored alongside. A number of children were playing on the Quay, at the east end of the wharf, and one of them, a little boy, apparently about seven years old, fell into the river, between the Brigadier and the Quay. The accident was seen by George WATSON, a fireman on board, and without a moment's hesitation he jumped overboard, and picked up the child, holding it safely until his comrades threw a rope ladder over the side of the ship, up which he clambered with the boy, little the worse for his ducking. A strong ebb tide was running at the time, and but for WATSON's promptitude the child would have been drowned."

Genealogy Event 19
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 29 DEC 1878
Record Source: he was Captain of the screw steamer "Collingwood", which was proceeding to sea, bound from Shields to Havre, with coals, when she came into collision with H.M.S. "Castor", which was moored at the Low Lights, North Shields. The "Collingwood" had boats and davits carried away, and she was put back to repair the damage.

Genealogy Event 20
Event Type: Residence
Event Date: BET 1879 AND 1888
Event Place: 14 Milton Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Genealogy Event 21
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 4 FEB 1879
Record Source: he requested the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette to state that following a collision between his ship, the "Collingwood", and another steamer, the "Alrune", "that it was the "Alrune" which took the ground, and not his steamer"

Genealogy Event 22
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 11 SEP 1879
Record Source: a hawker of firearms went on board the SS "Rosalind" in the Victoria Dock, Hull to offer his goods for sale. A Custom House officer on board took one of the revolvers and not knowing it was loaded, pulled the trigger and accidentally shot another man. Mr. R. GOUNDRY, the Master of the vessel, was below at the time, and on hearing the report rushed on deck, and had the man removed to the Infirmary "with all speed where it was found that the bullet had become embedded in the bowels. He is in a most critical state, and the surgeons fear that inflammation will supervene"

Genealogy Event 23
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 9 JAN 1880
Record Source: he was Captain of the SS "Sentinel" which arrived at Shields from Rotterdam.

Genealogy Event 24
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 1881
Record Source: at the High Court of Justice, Admiralty Division a claim was brought by John JOICEY and others, the owners of the steamship "John McIntyre", against the owners of the "John Ormston" and Ralph GOUNDRY and others, the Master and crew, in respect of a collision between the vessels on 11 Feb. 1881. They decided that it was caused by the improper navigation of the steam vessel "John McIntyre" whose owners were liable for damages of up to £7,878. (On 03 Feb 1883, the "John Ormston", under another Master, and while being piloted up the River Thames, collided with, and sank, a sailing barge, "Lass of Gowrie", drowning one of her crew, for which a Court later blamed the pilot of the "John Ormston").

Genealogy Event 25
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: 1883
Event Place: 14 Milton Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Genealogy Event 26
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: APR 1883
Record Source: the monthly meeting of the River Tyne Improvement Commission "was held to vote for a new Harbour Master for the Tyne. Out of 31 applicants Ralph GOUNDRY, 42, Tyne Steam Shipping Company, received the 3rd largest number of votes"

Genealogy Event 27
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: JUL 1884
Record Source: he was Captain of the SS "Miaca".

Genealogy Event 28
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 1887
Record Source: living at 14 Milton Street, Newcastle, he was a subscriber to The History of Newcastle & Gateshead, Vol. 3.

Genealogy Event 29
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 30 AUG 1887
Record Source: he was granted Administration of his mother's estate.

Genealogy Event 30
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 20 OCT 1887
Record Source: he was granted Administration of the estates of his brother George William GOUNDRY who had died on 12 June 1869, and of his sister Myra who had died on 23 Jun 1873.

Genealogy Event 31
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 17 DEC 1887
Record Source: he was granted Administration of the estate of his brother Charles John GOUNDRY, who had died at sea on or after 24 Dec. 1867.

Genealogy Event 32
Event Type: Residence
Event Date: 1888
Event Place: 14 Milton Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Record Source: and was qualified to vote as he occupied a dwelling house there.

Genealogy Event 33
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 18 DEC 1888
Record Source: an advertisement in the Shields Daily Gazette read:-
"Accelerated Passages to London. The Steamers of the Tyne Steam Shipping Company, Limited, leave Newcastle, unless otherwise ordered:-
Port - London, Ship - "Tynesider", Captain CRACKNELL, Date - Sat. Dec. 22, Hour - 2 pm.
Port - London, Ship - "Royal Dane", Captain CAY, Date - Sat. Dec. 22, Hour - 2 pm.
Port - Antwerp, Ship - "Juno", Captain GOUNDRY, Date - Sat. Dec. 22, Hour - 2 pm.
Port - Hamburg, Ship - "Ormston", Captain SEARLE, Date - Sat. Dec. 22, Hour - 2 pm.
Port - Rotterdam, Ship - "Grenadier", Captain CLARK, Date - Tues, Sat. Dec. 18, Hour - 12 noon.
Returning from Free Trade Wharf, London, Weds. and Sats.; Antwerp, Weds.; Rotterdam, Sats.
The "Tynesider", "Royal Dane", and "John Ormston" are lighted throughout by electricity.
Fares (including steward's Fees) - London, 12s. and 8s.; Three Months 18s. and 12s., Antwerp or Rotterdam, 22s-6d. and 11s-6d. Three Months, 35s. and 18s.; Three Months, 50s. and 25s-6d. Children, between 3 and 14, half-fares.
Passengers are advised not to Embark or Disembark in the River.
Rates, Passports, and other information from
Richard WELFORD, Sec.
King Street, Newcastle."
The "Juno" had been built in 1882, and was owned by the Tyne Steam Shipping Company from 1888 to 1904 - it was 1,311 tons. Captain GOUNDRY did the return trip from Newcastle to Antwerp almost every week from then, usually on the "Juno", - the last advert which has been found was for the sailing on Saturday 3 November 1906 when the fares were 20s. and 11s-6d. single, and 30s. and 18s. for a 3 months' return.

Genealogy Event 34
Event Type: Residence
Event Date: BET 1890 AND 1900
Event Place: 15 Harrison Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Genealogy Event 35
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 9 AUG 1890
Record Source: a newspaper letter described an excursion on the "Juno" from Newcastle to Antwerp, which cost £3-10s-0. (approx. equal to £1,575 in 2019). They set sail on Saturday morning and arrived at Antwerp on Sunday evening, returning from Antwerp on Wednesday mid-day and arriving back at Newcastle on Thursday afternoon. Captain GOUNDRY was described as good-natured - "As we neared the various places of note along the coast, our courteous and intelligent captain did not omit to tell us what they were, nor did he forget to mention anything historical connected with them. At the head of the table Captain GOUNDRY filled his place admirably, pouring out jokes and yarns during the different meals"

Genealogy Event 36
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 23 JUN 1894
Record Source: another newspaper article about a trip from Newcastle to Antwerp on the "Juno" said "I was in luck's way, for I also travelled with the same captain - Captain GOUNDRY. If a passage is rough and stormy, you require a captain who will comfort and cheer you, besides one who will, when his duties allow, chat about various subjects, and so make the voyage all the pleasanter. And when the weather is fine, and the sea is somewhat smooth, what adds more to the enjoyment of the voyage than a friend on board who will point out the different objects of interest that may be seen along the coast you are skirting ? Fortunate as I am generally, I was doubly fortunate in travelling with Captain GOUNDRY"

Genealogy Event 37
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 14 JUL 1894
Record Source: a newspaper article describing an excursion on the "Juno" said " Apart from the capital fare and the comfortable berths, the "Juno" is commanded by a captain of whom everyone speaks in the most glowing terms. Captain GOUNDRY is certainly an accomplished seaman. One feels entirely safe in his hands. Moreover, he is a thorough gentleman, intelligent and genial. Only those who have travelled with him know what excellent company and what an excellent seaman he is. . . . . .

Genealogy Event 38
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 29 SEP 1894
Record Source: another newspaper article stated "We came home on the "Juno", under the watchful care of Captain GOUNDRY, ever the most kindly and agreeable of "skippers", who likes to see a well-filled table and bright faces surrounding him"

Genealogy Event 39
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 25 JUN 1895
Record Source: a list of contributors to the Poor Children's Holidays Association in Newcastle, "a fund for giving delicate children the benefit of two or three weeks in the country, and for providing a day's holiday at the seaside" included Captain GOUNDRY, 10s-6d.

Genealogy Event 40
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: ABT 1896
Record Source: he was named in Abstracts of the returns made to the Board of Trade of shipping casualties which occurred on or near the coasts or in rivers and harbours of the United Kingdom from the 1st July 1895 to the 30th June 1897

Genealogy Event 41
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: FEB 1896
Record Source: a newspaper reported "a telegram from Lloyd's agent at Antwerp states that the British steamer "Busy Bee", from Shields for Antwerp, and the Hansa Line steamer "Lindenfels", from Hamburg and Antwerp for Bombay, were in collision off Wielingen during a thick fog. The "Busy Bee" sank; crew saved. The "Lindenfels" has put back to Flushing badly damaged, having a hole above the water line. A telegram from Flushing states that part of the crew and passengers of the "Busy Bee" have landed there. The "Busy Bee" was owned by the Tyne Steam Shipping Company, Quayside, Newcastle, and was a regular trader between the Tyne and Antwerp, carrying about twelve passengers. She left Newcastle at about nine o'clock on Saturday morning for Antwerp, under the command of Captain GOUNDRY. The vessel was built at Jarrow in 1865, and was registered at Newcastle in 1871. She was constructed of iron, and her dimensions were:- Length 231ft 8in; breadth, 28ft 2in; depth 15ft 8in. Her net tonnage was 565, and her gross tonnage 903".

Genealogy Event 42
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: ABT JUN 1896
Record Source: another newspaper letter about a voyage with Captain GOUNDRY, this time on the SS. "Warkworth" said "It is not a bad boat, except that it is rather slow, is not intended for passengers, and has little accommodation". Of the captain it said "If we hadn't a first-class steamer, we had a first-class captain, and this means a good deal to passengers by sea. So many sea trips have I enjoyed from Newcastle with Captain GOUNDRY, the able commander of steamers trading from the Tyne to Antwerp, that I felt at home at once, even on the "Warkworth". Whenever there is a chance of cheering enlightening one as to the land we are passing or the land we are about to touch, Captain GOUNDRY seizes it. He has the happy knack, too, of telling sea tales to passengers just when he fancies they are going to be squeamish, and so engrossed become the listeners that they almost forget they are on the ocean at all"

Genealogy Event 43
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 22 JAN 1900
Record Source: he was named as next of kin when his son Charles enlisted for the Army.

Genealogy Event 44
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 26 NOV 1901
Record Source: the body of a Marine Engineer named THOMPSON, from Sunderland, who had arrived at Antwerp on 23rd Oct. after travelling from Newcastle with Captain GOUNDRY on the "Juno", was found in the River Scheldt after he had been missing for three weeks. "On the journey the Captain had been struck by THOMPSON's affability and his musical accomplishments, though he found him very melancholy. The Captain managed the Hotel d'Angleterre in Antwerp, and THOMPSON took his meals there for two days although he did not sleep there. Then he disappeared. On October 25th his father telegraphed to the Angleterre, asking if his son was there. Captain GOUNDRY wired affirmatively. The father wired again to THOMPSON to come home to his father at 60, General Gordon Terrace, Sunderland. "A friend, Mr. HUNTLEY, then came over, and searched throughout Antwerp for two weeks without any result. Meanwhile the mother met Captain GOUNDRY in Newcastle, and implored him to make every effort to search for her boy. The Captain had no further news until yesterday, when he was informed by the police that the body had been found with his father's telegram, a tobacco pouch, and a knife in the pocket." "Notwithstanding rumours to the contrary, there have been no indications whatever of foul play"

Genealogy Event 45
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: ABT AUG 1909
Record Source: his wife Apphia died

Genealogy Event 46
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 8 MAR 1915
Event Place: the Workhouse Infirmary, Dover, Kent
Record Source: his home address was The Nook, Temple Ewell, Kearsney, near Dover - his wife died three weeks later
Age:
74y

Genealogy Event 47
Event Type: Probate
Event Date: 3 JUL 1915
Event Place: London
Record Source: Administration was granted to Fred RACE, a Commercial Traveller - the estate was valued at £495-11s-0d.