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Captain John A. Gillies and Family ( C1800- 1875[1] )
John Gillies was a boat builder, and harbourmaster. He is first recorded in the 1830s in New South Wales building boats on the banks of the Manning River, about xx miles north of Sydney. He then moved to Frederickton on the McLeay River further up the NSW coast, where he again had a boat building yard in what is now Lawson Street. In early 1843 he sold out to a Christopher Lawson. During the period when he was in business on the McLeay River, he built a vessel for Willam Abercrombie, who he was to have a business association with, along with his brother Peter, throughout most of the 1840s in New Zealand. Sailing frequently back and forth across the Tasman Sea, he was resident at Coromandel and for about three years at Nagle Cove, Great Barrier Island. At both these places he built vessels. After the Stirlingshire was launched at Nagles Cove, he continued shipbuilding at least until 1858 when indications to that effect still appear in a log of shipping movements, and related comments, that it seems he kept in New Zealand between 1844 and 1858. On Friday morning 20th August, 1858, his wife Anne died[2] after a long and painful illness aged 54. This would seem to indicate John Gillies was born around 1800. The family were Catholic[3].
(Image of Manning River, NSW area to come)
Ship-building along the Manning River got under way in the early 1830s, utilising ancient and abundant Red Cedar trees in the adjacent rainforests. At times these trees reached over 35 metres tall and could be more than a thousand years old. Convict labour was readily available.
Gillies mostly built his vessels to sell rather than to order, and the Hero, and Echo were put on the market as soon as they arrived in Sydney.[4] In early 1838, Gillies built another cedar vessel called the Fairy, a 37.7 foot long two-masted schooner of about 30 tons which is recorded as being lost on the (unpredictable) Macleay River bar in May, 1839 when Gillies, as master and owner, was on a voyage from Sydney to Port MacQuarie.[5] For Sale by Private Contract The fine new and fast-sailing Schooner, “ECHO” 217 tons now lying off KING’S WHARF. She is well found and may be sent to Sea at an hours notice. For further particulars, apply to the Owner on board. J. GILLIES. Source: The Sydney and New South Wales Advertiser Tuesday, 21st January, 1840, p1. and Thursday 23rd January, 1840 p1. Sales By Auction. Schooner and Cedar Mr Samuel Lyons Will sell by auction, on MONDAY the 6th September, at his Mart, George-street and Charlotte place positively at Ten o’Clock precisely. A FINE NEW BRIGANTINE, not yet named, will register about 165 tons old and new, and carry upwards of 200 Tons of Dead Weight; was built on the McLay River by Captain Gillies, and now discharging Cedar at Messrs Dunlop & Co.s Wharf, where she may be inspected and Inventories had; is coppered and completely copper fastened, and abundantly found in Sails, Cordage, Chains, Anchors &c. Immediately after which At the Wharf of Messrs Dunlop & Co., McQuarrie Place 100,000 Feet Cedar. 3494 Source: The Sydney and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday, 4th September, 1841, p3.
At some time in 1841, in an area inhabited by the Ngamba-ngagu Aborigines, Gillies set up a shipbuilding yard at Klywooticka[6] near Frederickton[7], located up the MacLeay River and over 250 miles north of Sydney. This was possibly to take advantage of relatively more secure supplies of the valued red cedar, despite two decades of cedar-cutters working the area. One of the first vessels to be launched from his yard was the 150/165 ton schooner Glenmore on August 25th 1841 built for Mr. Abercrombie, (which brother is not known, though it was most probably either or both William and/or Charles), but immediately put up for sale[8]. Captain John Gillies sells an unnamed brig 12th August, 1842. To close a Partnership account Peremptorilly. Mr Thomas Brennand will sell by public auction, on Friday next, the 12th instant, at twelve o’clock precisely. An entirely new Brig of about 160 tons register (old and new measure). She has just arrived from the M’Leay River; she was built by Captain John Gillies, and in respect of model, finish, and fastening, she is equal to any vessel yey built in the colony. Her dimensions are: length, eighty-two feet six inches; depth of hold, twelve feet; extreme breadth twenty-two feet; and is well found in sails, cordage, two anchors, chains &c., &c.; there is on board a sufficient quantity of patent metal for coppering her, which will be sold with the vessel. The whole may be inspected on board the brig as she now lies, at Captain Thom’s Wharf. Terms at sale. Source: The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday, 10th August, 1842. P3.
An article in the Southern Cross newspaper (10/6/1843 Page 1, column 1), where the Tryphena is referred to as 'The Fine New Brig'.... and if so, then its building at Great Barrier Island is not recorded anywhere in the early Auckland newspapers.
First appearance of the Brig Tryphena in Sydney September 7th, 1842. Coasters Outward September 7 - …..Tryphena, 131, Abercrombie, for Newcastle, in ballast…. Source: The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 8th September, 1842 p2
First voyage of the Tryphena to New Zealand October 1842. Projected Departures Tryphena for Auckland this day Source: The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Tuesday 11th October, 1842 p2
And here is proof-positive about who built the Tryphena and where- the murderer Penn was arrested in Kempsey near or on the MacLeay River, where Gillies had his shipbuilding yard.
Captain Robert Menzies reminisces about the building of the Tryphena in Australia. The Great Barrier Murder A Singular Coincidence A correspondent (Mr Robert Menzies, shipbuilder) of Coromandel, sends the following note: “It is rather a strange co-incidence that Penn, who is at present under charge of murder, should have been arrested at the very spot where a vessel which gave the name to Tryphena Bay, Great Barrier, was built by the late Mr Gillies and myself in 1841. We built a brig which was called the Tryphena, after the daughter of one of the owners, and I came over to the bay, now called Tryphena at the Barrier in her in 1842.” Source: Star 9th November, 1886 p3 9/6/1843 Tryphena advertised from Auckland to Sydney via Barrier in 10 days time
For Sydney Calling at the Great Barrier The Fine New Brig TRYPHENA Will sail for Sydney in 10 days, For Freight, or Passage, apply to Captain Horn, or to BROWN & CAMPBELL Auckland June 9, 1843 By 1843 Gillies had sold his business to a Christopher Lawson and next appears more permanently at Coromandel in New Zealand. There is the harbourmaster's log highly probably written by John Gillies between 1844 and 1858 (which includes 1846-9 at Great Barrier Island overseeing the finishing off of the Stirlingshire at Nagles Cove) which I have transcribed.
There is an historical society in Kekpsey. It is the:
Macleay River Historical Society Street Address Kempsey Museum and Cultural Centre, South Kempsey Park, Pacific Highway, Kempsey 2440 Postal Address P.O. Box 390, Kempsey 2440. Ph. (02) 6562-7572 for archive information Hours and facilities - open Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and by appointment. General reference assistance and copying services available. Access: 2 days advance notice of visit required listing subjects or names to be researched. Focus: The society focuses its interest on Macleay River District local history- people, land, buildings and life styles. Relevant Major Holdings: Shipping 1837- ; Family histories 1837- ; Timber industry 1836- ; Articles on Macleay River 1821- ; Maritime history 1836- ...and would be well worth a visit to find out more about Gillies shipbuilding yard.
KEMPSEY SHIRE HERITAGE - Frederickton Frederickton was named after Frederick William Chapman. He wrote in his manuscript Early Days on the Macleay 1836-1908 that: ‘I decided to subdivide a small portion of my property into township lots and call it Frederickton….they sold very well and a nice little village had soon formed.’ He had apparently surveyed the 170 acres several years after his marriage to Jane Agnes Scott in 1853. Prior to this the locality had been the site of a ship building enterprise - a ‘river town’ based around ship building, timber getting and pastoral pursuits. Sugar cane was also grown here from 1871 until it was found that the climate was unsuitable. John Gillies had the lease of 50 acres on the riverside. Major Henry Oakes, Commissioner for Crown Land, noted in his log book in 1837 that the settlement was well conducted and the ‘proprietor was engaged in ship building’. The name of the settlement was Klywooticka and that it was 2 miles from Yarrabandini Station. In 1843 the ship yard was taken over by Christopher Lawson, a native of Denmark, who named the settlement Christopherson. Source: http://www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/heritage_frederickton.htm
There is no evidence, that I have so far found from primary sources, to link John Gillies to the building of the brig Tryphena at Tryphena Harbour, Great Barrier Island, or even to show that a brig was ever built in Tryphena. It may be of interest that the Tryphena Harbour appears on an early chart as Port Tofino. It seems a certainty that the Tryphena was built on what is now Lawson Street, Frederickton, on the Macleay River.
Kemsey Shire Community Based Heritage Study 29-30.5.06 Page - 68 Works inspection Page G-47 Kempsey Shire Community Based Heritage Study …In addition in this general area, although some buildings have disappeared, many historic sites are worthy of marking. Known as Klywootica, a shipyard was on the riverbank in what is now known as Lawson Street. (Gillies, Lawson 1830s). Also, there are two paintings purporting to be of the Tryphena. They are both highly speculative representations.
  By Maurice Forester in 1981 By Theresa King, and dates from 1970 or 1971 when she was about 50-60.
In a diary of David Burns, 'A Diary of Passing Events By Land And Sea Volume the Tenth', the shipping reporter for the New Zealander newspaper, Burns mentions meeting Gillies in Auckland on Monday, 11th February, 1856:
"Sunday: 10th: Up at seven: fine morning: found the Pioneer in from the Bay, and at anchor. Went to morning service – Lloyd preached – Governor present. Dined, and strolled down to the pier. Went to Evening service, at which crying Wilson preached. Kitty and I had a saunter. Monday: 11th: Turned out betimes. Wrote a paragraph or two. After dinner went to Gillies to see and obtain information about his new schooner. Passed up Victoria Street a crowd looking on at the erection of the gallows. George and Wing spent the Evening with us; and George paid me the half year’s rent (£10.10/-) for allotments. Tuesday: 12th: Got up a little before 7 oclock. Went down town, and witnessed the last sentence of the law carried into effect upon Marsden. The execution was bunglingly performed; the hangman received £20 for his work, and was hooded and cloaked in black. Found Williamson at home on my return. Went on board the Pandora with Wing, who accompanied me home to dinner. Over to the Prov.Council ; but there was not a quorum in Council. Penned a lengthened paper on Steam Communication for which we had no room. Reading, writing and revising, till the usual hour. The whalers Cortes and Tamerlane sailed, the one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. Pandora & 58th det’d."
The 1866 Coromandel electoral roll shows John Gillies had a dwelling at Coromandel, and a house and premises at Patapata. The latter property and premises is also recorded in the 1975 Coromandel roll.
Last updated 1st November, 2008. (To be continued).
Don Armitage ©a
gle getting it built first seems the more
"Down to the Sea in Ships" published by Manning Valley Historical Society, Page 55 - a list of Gillies' vessels as researched by historian Gordon Dennes
SHIP REG. GWT BUILT AT HISTORY
"Hero" Sloop, one mast, ___ Builder/Owner/Captain -John Gillies,shipowner, Manning River Launched 24th Apr,1837 G.W.T. 36 Went to South Australia then to Tasmania.Wrecked off (Builder's Certificate) New Zealand. Register closed Jan. 1849 Registered Sydney 25th May 1837
"Fairy" Schooner, wood, Builder/Owner/ Captain - John Gillies, Shipowner, Manning River. Launched 10th July, 1838 two masts Coaster, wrecked on Macleay River Bar, May 1839 (Builder's Certificate) L.36.7; B. 13.6; Registered Sydney D. 7; G.W.T. 25 18th July, 1838
"Echo" Schooner, two masts ___ Builder/ Owner/Captain - John Gillies, Shipowner, Manning River. Launched 20th Sept.1839 L.51.1; B.15.8; D.8.4 Foundered or wrecked between Cape Raoul and Wedge Bay in Registered Sydney, G.W.T.70 Tasmania around 27th August, 1840 with all hands. [but obviously Gillies not Captain on that voyage-dja] 25th Sept, 1839
From "Australian Shipwrecks" by C.B.Paterson, page 38 "The schooner 'Fairy' was wrecked on the bar of the Macleay River during May 1839, apparently becoming a total wreck - so far as is known there was no loss of life. She was built on the Manning River in 1838, was a two masted wood schooner of 36/25 tons on measurements of 36.7x13.6x70. She was owned by John Gillies of the Manning River, who was also registered as her master. It is not known if he was in command of her when she was wrecked." Hero, cutter.
Lost at Little River, to the south of Cape Campbell, late in November, 1848. The casualty was caused by a sudden change of wind during the night, which drove the cutter ashore. All hands were saved, as well as the cargo.
Source: "New Zealand Shipwrecks - Over 200 Years of Disasters at Sea" by Lynton Diggle, Edith Diggle and Keith Gordon, 2007.
[1] Archives NZ - Agency BBAE, Series 1568, Box -, Record 599, John Gillies - 1875 [2] GILLIES. On Friday morning, August 20th at Coromandel Harbour, Anne the beloved wife of J Gillies, after a long and painful illness, aged 54 years, deeply regretted by her friends. Southern Cross, 27th August 1858 [3] Records from Catholic archives, Pompallier House, Auckland, NZ. [4] Eric Richardson, article for the Manning Valley Historical Society, 1998 [5] Shipwreck Atlas of New South Wales, Loney, and Bateson [6] Macleay River Historical Society [7] Now virtually a northern suburb of the town of Kempsey. [8] Shipping Arrivals and Departures Sydney Vol III 1841-1844 And Gazetteer By Graeme Broxam and Ian Nicholson and Sydney Herald
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Capt. John Gillies c1800-1875 |