From the list of ships and various vessels Thomas Hiller has illustrated in his biographic picture we have a chronological record of those he sailed and the ranks he achieved as a working mariner until he commanded and owned (or part owned) his own vessels as captain or commander.
The list below attempts to cross reference Hillers list of vessels with their illustrations from his picture and their mention in his anecdotal stories.
4. The Reigna des Angers (1)spelling may be incorrect (under Portuguese colours) the first ship I belonged to as an apprentice – 1782
In April 1782 Hiller was bound to Captain Tyson of Faversham
“And as stated in the Explanation I went on board my Master’s ship the Harriot formerly but then called the Reigna des Anges (in English “Queen of Angels”) in Portuguese as she was going to Grenada under those colours so that I was the only English on board of her except Isaac Blackburn the supercargo and I only went as far as the Downs in her. “
“First as I was one day in the craft alongside of the Reigna des Anges the Goods, in doing so, I did not please one of the Portuguese, he took a handspike and aiming it at me it glanced past me and stove the craft I was in, had it struck me on the head or body it would have killed me on the spot.“
5. The Friendship. Cap’t Isaac Blackburn. One voyage to Jamaica before the [month?] 1783.4.
“…in the following June I was bound to Captain Thomas Blackburn of St. Peters for six years. I served him the six years during the time he caused me to act in all capacities below a chief Mate “
6. The Townsend (formerly the Reigna des Anges). To Grenada, Cork, New Providence in the Bahama’s. Savanna S.A and Babadoes, and in a hurricane there shipwrecked 1785.6. Cap’t Fendale
“when I was shipwrecked in the Townsend in the Island of Babadoss. I was below when her bottom parted from the upper works and she fill altogether and I was on the wreck for five hours in the fury of the hurrican after which I got safe on shore without a scratch naked except a pair of ragged trousers!“
7. The Three Brothers. Cap’t J.Brinan; To …. by the run home after being shipwrecked 1786.
“On the passage to England in the Three Brothers the ship breached to, and it was a hair’s breadth escape from foundering.“
8. The Thomas and Mary. Cap’t. George [Hurst?]. between Broadstairs & Grassland with flints
9. The Bigantine Keeling George Blackburn a voyage to Granada, West Indies
“In June [1782] I was bound to Captain Thomas Blackburn of St. Peters for six years. I served him the six years during the time he caused me to act in all capacities below a chief Mate, two year after I was out of my time he sent me out to the West Indies to take the Command of the Keeling Brig belonging to him. I went out acting as Boatswain and Second Mate with his Son (Geo. Blackburn) in the Thomas, and my not liking her I would not take the Command of her but returned in the Thomas which so offended him (my former Master) that he never would serve me any more! “Well” I was young, healthy, strong, willing, Industrious a Seaman a Navigator and a Married man with an unblemish’d character, the world before me. “
10. The Alexandera Cap’t Boudinor a voyage to New York (U.S). 1787.
“In going out to New York in the Alexander we were going before the wind in a sudden squall taking in sail. I was outermost on the Foreyard resting the foresail when she rolled so as to dip my legs in the sea, when the boatswain on see-ing the hold nearly full of water calls out “come down you B_____rs we are all going to Hell”, the ship with an over pressure of sail had sprung a leak and on sounding the pumps we found ? ? of water in her the pumps set to work and they soon became choaked; but in 16 days we got safe into New York!“
11. The Caroline Cap’t [Chevland?]. a voyage to Jamaica. Second mate 1789=33.
12. The Snow Thomas. Cap’t George Blackburn. a voyage to Granada 1790 = 34. (see my History)
13. The Glamorgan Cap’n Ford a voyage to Salarno, Naples & Smyrna. Chief Mate. 1791 = 35.
“In the Glamorgan on our passage from Smyna [Smyrna] Cotton Loaded in a severe squall which gave no notice she was upset, but she Rightened again and we arrived safe!“
14. The Catherine (formerly the Liberty) a Pleasure yatch [sic]. Capt. Thomas Hiller 1792.3.4.5
“In going in the same vessel (Liberty) under another name (Catherine) from Rush to Douglas in the Isle
of Man in a gale of wind she [?] stays and went on the rocks. She was a total wreck but I got safe on shore!“
15. The Hobby Horse. Margate & London Packet. Capt. John Hiller. Thomas Hiller owner (see my History)
16. This is the same vessel as No. 14 but strengthened and name altered. From Liberty to Catherine
17. The Prince of Wales. Margate & London Packet. Cap’t. John Hiller. Thos Hiller part owner
18 The Farrier. 16 Gun Brig in H.M.H.A. Service Cap’t Thomas Hiller, a [cruiser?] in the Channel
19. The Sandwich. Brig. Cap’t Thomas Hiller. – a Trader
“In the Sandwich from Cardiff (Wales) to London very deeply laden with Iron we had a very narrow escape from foundering near the Longship’s Lighthouse but we arrived safe in London! “
20. The Queen a Cutter of 16 Guns. Thomas Hiller Comm’dr. In His Majesty’s Hired [A]pointed Service
21. The Active a French Packet Thomas Hiller Comm.dr from Ramsgate to Calais.
22. The Lord Keith a Cutter of Ten Guns. In H.M.H A Service Thomas Hiller Comm.dr
23. The Admiral Nelson a 16 Gun Cutter. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do.
“One day in the Admiral Nelson when cruising in the North Sea I went into the stern boat to examine my fishing lines the boat canted[?] with one and I fell overboard and was supported until the boat came to me!“
24. The Olive Branch Cap.t Thomas Hiller. A voyage to Jamaica 1804.5.6.
“In the Olive Branch on my passage from Jamaica in a severe gale of wind a sea struck the ship, carried away the jib boom outhouse (cookhouse) took away the tiller blocks stove the stern boat and washed out one of the lead[?] lights and the ship leaky the whole of the crew knocked up and left the deck excepting one (the carpenter) the sails blew loose and to rags, nevertheless we arrived safe in London!“
72|Olive Branch, Ship sheathed|Master:Hiller|196 tons single deck with beams|Built: America (large repair) |05|Owner: March|13ft draught|Trade: London-Jamaica|
25. The Atlas No. 234 Transport Cap.t Thomas Hiller 1806.7.8.9.10.11.
“In the Atlas on our passage from Mountevideio, in South America, I was fishing on the spritsail yard I fell over-board no one saw me but I caught hold of a rope hanging over the side of the ship and with some assistance I got safe on board! “
1266|Atlas, Ship sheathed with copper|Master:Hiller|553 tons|Built: Quebec|1801|Owner:Thompson 10-18 C|18ft draught|Trade:Cowes-Trans.|
26. The Phoenix No.677 Transport Cap.t Thomas Hiller 1813.14
Images appear to show the ship in various states of sail
290 | Phoenix, Ship sheathed with copper over boards| Hilliers|610 tons 3 decks|Built at: River large repair|17×2|Owner Hibbert &Co 2-9P20-18N|18ft draught when loaded| Trade: London Transport
27. The Sir William Curtis a Foreign Packet Cap.t Thomas Hiller 1815.
28. The Thames Steam Packet between London and Margate Capt. Thomas Hiller 1815.
29. The Majestic Steam Packet Do. – Do. Do. – Do. – 1816.
30. The Caledonian Steam Packet Do. — Do. Do. Do. 1817.
31. The Rapid Steam Packet between London and Rotterdam Capt. Thomas Hiller 1823
References
| ↑1 | spelling may be incorrect |
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