EAST DONYLAND​ / ROWHEDGE
s.y. WALRUS
The steam yacht Walrus provided employment for many Rowhedge and Wivenhoe men over a number of years. She was, however, launched as Queen of Palmyra and there is a good run of crew lists at the Southampton record office.
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NORTHAMPTON MERCURY – Saturday 26 November 1881 – “In the early part of next year the Queen of Palmyra, Lord Exeter’s yacht, will be equipped for a cruise in the Mediterranean.”
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NORTHAMPTON MERCURY – Saturday 2 February 1889 - “Gossip from the “World.”…. “Lord Exeter has sold his large steam yacht, Queen of Palmyra, which is lying at Cowes, to Mr. Stroud (sic).”
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ST. JAMES’S GAZETTE – 5 March 1889 – “COURT AND SOCIETY – The Marquess of Exeter, Commodore of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, has sold his well-known steam-yacht Queen of Palmyra to Mr. Stamp, of Brighton, who intends to alter her name to the Walrus, after his yawl.”
ESSEX STANDARD – Saturday 6 April 1889 – “EAST DONYLAND – YACHTING.- With the return of Spring, signs of life begin to manifest themselves among the forest of bare poles that have for months past stood like spectres by the banks of the Colne. Crews have been shipped and may now be seen busily at work removing all the signs of the long winter rest and putting on the summer dress that makes a yacht look “a thing of life.” Among them are some that are the racers of the deep, coming home at the end of the season with a long string of flags flying from the mast head, every flag representing a race won. Others, again are, mere floating dwellings cruising about with their owner and his family from place to place along the coast in search of health and pleasure. Among those that have thus begun fitting out, are Queen of Palmyra, s.s.; Violet, s.s.; Reindeer, Glimpse, OEanthe, Vera, Juliette, Dione, Frolic, Ariel, Yarana, Foxhound. The Coquette, in Harris’s yard, and the Sunmaid, in Puxley’s yard, are undergoing repairs and alterations preparatory to fitting out.”
THE STAR [Guernsey] – Saturday 11 May 1889 – “St. Peter Port: Arrivals, May 11 - Walrus, (y), W.B. Stamp, Esq., Dartmouth.”
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THE STAR [Guernsey] – Tuesday 14 May 1889 – “St. Peter Port: Sailings, May 13 – Walrus, (y), W.B. Stamp, Esq., pleasuring.”
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THE STAR [Guernsey] – Tuesday 4 June 1889 – “St. Peter Port: Arrivals, June 3 – Walrus, (y), W.B. Stamp, Esq., Rouen.”
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THE STAR [Guernsey] – Thursday 6 June 1889 – “St. Peter Port: Sailings, June 5 – Walrus, (y), W.B. Stamp, Esq., pleasuring.”
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ESSEX STANDARD – Saturday 5 October 1889 – A patron of the Colchester and Wyvenhoe Regatta…. Mr. W.C. Blatspirl-Stamp, s.y. “Walrus.”
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ESSEX STANDARD – Saturday 8 February 1890 – “SHIP-BUILDING. Messrs. Forrestt and Son, Wyvenhoe…. The steam yacht Walrus, owned by Mr. W.C.B. Stamp, came into the dry dock on Thursday last. This yacht is the first to enter Messrs. Forrestt and Son’s new dock at Wyvenhoe.”
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THE STAR [Guernsey] – Saturday 17 May 1890 – “St. Peter Port: Arrivals for the week ending 17th May, 1890…. Walrus, s.s., 271 tons, W.C. Blatspiel Stamp.”
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THE STAR [Guernsey] – Saturday 24 May 1890 – “St. Peter Port: Arrivals for the week ending 24th May, 1890…. Walrus, s.s., 271 tons, W.C. Blatspiel Stamp.”
THE STAR [Guernsey] – Saturday 9 May 1891 – “St. Peter Port: Arrivals, May 9 – Walrus, Stamp, Southampton.”
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THE STAR [Guernsey] – Tuesday 12 May 1891 – “St. Peter Port: Sailings, May 11 – Walrus, Stamp, pleasuring.”
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HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER – Saturday 16 May 1891 – Walrus at Southampton.
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THE STAR [Guernsey] – Tuesday 19 May 1891 – “St. Peter Port: Sailings, May 19 – Walrus, Stamp, pleasuring.”
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ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS – Saturday 23 May 1891 – Shipping. “The Walrus, s.s., Mr. Stamp, passed from the westward for Southampton on Tuesday.”
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HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER – Saturday 30 May 1891 – Walrus at Southampton.
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HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER – Saturday 20 June 1891 – At Southampton: “Walrus, ss, Mr. W.C. Stamp.”
THE STAR [Guernsey] – Saturday 18 July 1891 – “St. Peter Port: Arrivals, July 18 – Walrus, s.s., 271 tons, W.C.B. Stamp, Southampton.”
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HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER – Saturday 8 August 1891 – Walrus at Southampton.
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HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER – Saturday 12 September 1891 – “YACHTING – The Walrus, ss, Mr. W.C. Stamp, arrived at Wisbey (sic) on the 6th instant from Stockholm.”
HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER – Saturday 21 May 1892 – Walrus (Mr. W.C. Stamp) noted as being “on station” at Southampton.
IRISH SOCIETY (DUBLIN) – Saturday 23 July 1892 – “The following is a list of the yachts at present in Kingstown Harbour…. Jullanar, yawl, 126 tons… L’Esperance, cutter, 60 tons…. Queen Mab, cutter, 40 tons…. Corsair, cutter, 40 tons…. Walrus, ss, 271 tons…. etc”
THE ABERDEEN JOURNAL – Monday 5 September 1892 – “SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE – ARRIVED AT ABERDEEN, September 3rd…..Walrus, Walford, Inverness, light.”
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ABERDEEN FREE PRESS – Thursday 8 September 1892 – “SHIIPING NEWS. SAILED [FROM Aberdeen] – Sept. 6. Walrus (yacht), Walford, Granton, light.”
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EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES – Monday 6 February 1893 – “YACHTING - …. Mr. P.T. Harris, of Rowhedge, has a quantity of work going on in his yard, so much so that he is in want of extra workmen…. (inc.) the steam yacht Walrus, 290 tons, belonging to Mr. W.C.B. Stamp, London….”
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ESSEX STANDARD – Saturday 1 April 1893 – YACHTING – Harris’s Yard. The 270-ton schooner Walrus, Mr. Sharp, has finished alterations and repairs, and a new boat has been built for her.” Presumably this is s.y. Walrus.
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LLOYD’S LIST – Wednesday 10 May 1893 – “ALLEGED SMUGGLING ON THE SOUTH COAST.- On the arrival of the yacht Walrus at Southampton yesterday from Flushing, via Dover, the steward was arrested by the Custom House officers, who found secreted a large quantity of tobacco and cigars. He was subsequently remanded until Friday, heavy bail being required. Smuggling on the South Coast has been reported as frequent for some time, and special measures have been taken to detect offenders.”
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HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER – Wednesday 10 May 1893 – “ALLEGED SMUGGLING AT SOUTHAMPTON – After the business, before the Southampton borough justices had concluded yesterday (Tuesday) morning the Customs authorities brought to the Bargate, in custody, the steward of the yacht Walrus, recently arrived at this port from Flushing, via Dover. He was at once taken before Mr. R. Chipperfield, and giving the name of William Goodrum, was charged with concealing a quantity of cigars and tobacco, namely 3lb. 30z. of tobacco, of the value of 15s. and duty £1. 11s. 10d.; 22lbs. of Cavendish tobacco, value £4. 19s., duty £2. 4s.; 18lbs. tobacco (O.S.), value £3. 12s., duty £1. 7s.; a total of £9. 6s. 11d value, duty %3. 2s. 10d. - £14. 9s. 9d.; double value and duty, £28. 19s. 6d.; treble value and duty, £43. 9s. 3d.- The case was remanded till Friday, Mr. Chipperfield consenting to admit the defendant to bail himself in £100 and two sureties in £50 each.”
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THE STAR (Guernsey) – Saturday 13 May 1893 – “YACHT ARRIVALS: Walrus, s.s., R.T.Y.C., 271 tons, from Southampton, on Friday morning, owner W.C. Blampied (sic) Stamp, Esq., will probably proceed to Jersey early next week.”
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THE STAR (Guernsey) – Saturday 13 May 1893 – “ARRIVAL OF YACHTS: Week ending August 19th, 1893 – Walrus, s.s., 271 tons, W.C.B. Stamp.”
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EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES – Monday 13 November 1893 – “In Messrs. Forrestt’s yard there is…. The steam yacht Walrus, 271 tons, Mr. W.C.B. Stamp, has been in dry dock for a fortnight to receive a new shaft and general overhauling to her machinery.”
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EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES – Monday 26 March 1894 – “YACHTING NOTES – Messrs. Harris and Sons, of Rowhedge…. The Walrus, steam yacht, 280 tons, is being overhauled.”
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THE STAR (Guernsey) – Saturday 12 May 1894 – “YACHT ARRIVALS: May 11 – s.s. Walrus, 271 tons, W.C.B. Stamp, Esq., from Southampton.”
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JERSEY INDEPENDENT – Saturday 19 May 1894 – “LOCAL SHIPPING. The fine steam yacht Walrus, the property of Mr. W.C. Blatsfield (sic) Stamp, and belonging to Southampton, arrived here yesterday from Guernsey. She is schooner rigged, and was built at Southampton in 1876 by A. Payne and Sons, and is of 271 tons measurement.”
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ISLE OF WIGHT OBSERVER – Saturday 4 August 1894 – “ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUB – Departures: July 31st, Walrus, sc. St., Mr. W.C.B. Stamp.”
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THE STAR (Guernsey) – Saturday 25 May 1895 – “YACHT ARRIVALS: For the week ending May 25, 1895.- Walrus, s.s., 271 tons, R.T.Y.C., W.C.B. Stamp, Southampton.
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ST. JAMES’S GAZETTE – Wednesday 5 June 1895 – “YACHTING – Ailsa and Britannia started for the first race at Harwich yesterday in a light wind. Both vessels were over the line too soon, and had to return. Ailsa eventually got the best of the start. After a luffing match both bore away for the Shipwash. Ailsa, after rounding the light-vessel, unfortunately ran ashore on the Shipwash Sand, leaving Britannia to finish the race alone, and so win. The Ailsa was towed in by the steam-yacht Walrus.”
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EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES – Wednesday 5 June 1895 – “HARWICH - …. The fine steam yacht, Walrus, 271 tons, belonging to Mr. C. B. Stamp, a member of the Royal Harwich Club, which is always present at the annual regattas, tendered her services, and, as the flood tide made, towed the Ailsa off, and into Harwich Harbour, where she arrived at 5.40.”
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EVENING STAR [Ipswich] – Monday 17 June 1895 – “The s.y. Walrus left [Brightlingsea] on Friday.”
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Marquis of Exeter died in July 1895 from asthma complicated with dropsy.
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THE SCOTSMAN – Monday 29 July 1895 – “SHIPPING – Portsmouth, July 26.- Arrived, Walrus (steam yacht), from Flushing.”
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EVENING STAR [Ipswich] – Monday 4 May 1896 – “YACHTING NOTES – The steam yacht Walrus has started a cruise to the Channel Islands, with her owner, Mr. W.C. Blatspiel Stamp on board.”
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THE STAR (Guernsey) – Tuesday 5 May 1896 – “YACHT ARRIVALS: May 3.- Walrus, s.s., W.C.B. Stamp., Cowes.”
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THE STAR (Guernsey) – Saturday 23 May 1896 – “For week ending May 23rd. Walrus, s.s., 271, R.T.Y.C., W.C.B. Stamp, Southampton.”
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THANET ADVERTISER – Saturday 20 June 1896 – “SHIPPING ITEMS. RAMSGATE HARBOUR – Yachting Arrivals: June 12. Walrus, (s), Master: Walford. From: Colchester.”
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MORNING POST (London) – Tuesday 23 June 1896 – “HOME SAILINGS – SCILLY, June 22.- Walrus (steam yacht of Southampton).
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CORNISHMAN – Thursday 25 June 1896 – “ISLANDS OF SCILLY – ARRIVED at St. Mary’s, Scilly, 21st June, the s.s. yacht Walrus.”
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ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS – Saurday 8 August 1896 – Yachts here…. Walrus (no other details).
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THE SCOTSMAN – Monday 7 September 1896 – “The steam yacht Walrus, 104 tons (sic), Royal Thames Yacht Club, Mr. W.C.B. Stamp and party on board, arrived from Lowestoft on Sunday and anchored in the east harbour Granton.”
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HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER – Saturday 1 May 1897, also 8 May 1897 – Walrus at Southampton.
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THE STAR (Guernsey) – Saturday 15 May 1897 – “YACHT ARRIVALS: For week ending May 15.- Walrus, s.s., W.C.B. Stamp, R.H.Y.C (sic), 271 tons.”
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WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER – Thursday 16 September 1897 – “Penzance. Two beautiful steam yachts are now in the floating dock – the Nerissa and the Walrus.”
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THANET ADVERTISER – Saturday 18 September 1897 – “SHIPPING ITEMS – RAMSGATE HARBOUR. Yacht Arrivals: Sept. 15, Walrus. Master: Walford. From: Cowes.”
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EVENING STAR (Ipswich) – Monday 27 September 1897 – “YACHTING – The s.y. Walrus is expected to arrive at the yard to-day, her owner is Mr. W.C.B. Stamp.” Mr. Peter Harris’s yard at Rowhedge.
YACHTING WORLD - 8 October 1897 - "ROWHEDGE - The s.y. Walrus has come up the river, and is lying in Mill Creek."
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EVENING STAR [Ipswich] – Monday 28 March 1898 – “At Mr. Peter Harris’s, at Rowhedge, several of the yachts lave been launched during the past week, including Norman, Xanthe, and Daydawn. Mr. W.C.B. Stamp’s fine steam yacht Walrus, 271 tons, and Mr. C.H. Hutchin’s cutter Zwerver have both started fitting out, and Corsair will follow shortly. Mr. Compton’s new yacht is ready for launching, but will not go off until the tides during Easter week. The keel and framing for Mr. Whitehead’s new 13-tonner have been got out, and she will be laid down immediately after the other yacht is off. Mr. James Powell’s 50-ton steam yacht Wyvern is coming round from the Thames to undergo repairs. Edwina, Coquette, Daydawn, Lassie, and Zwerver are to be out for Easter cruises.”
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EVENING STAR [Ipswich] – Tuesday 6 September 1898 - “COLLISION OFF LOWESTOFT – ENGLISH YACHT AND GERMAN WARSHIP. Late on Monday night, the private steam yacht Walrus, belonging to Mr. W.C.B. Stamp, of Brighton, arrived at Harwich. Captain Walford reported this morning that at ten minutes past one on Monday morning, when about sixty miles from Lowestoft, a dense fog prevailing at the time, the German man-of-war Moltke collided with his vessel, striking her on the forward part of port bow, about four feet from the stern, and carrying away the bowsprit, head-gear, bulwark rails, a stanchion, covering board, boat davits, port rigging and stays, and also side-lights.
The yacht was bound from Lowestoft to Amsterdam, whilst the German vessel, which is said to be undamaged, was bound to Plymouth. There was no loss of life on either vessel. After the collision the yacht proceeded to Harwich, arriving there at eleven o’clock on Monday night.”
THE DAILY NEWS [London] – 8 September 1898 – “COLLISIONS AT SEA – GERMAN WARSHIP DAMAGED. The German training ship Moltke, which arrived at Plymouth yesterday, reported that about one o’clock on Monday morning, when steaming through a dense fog in the North Sea, at about six knots speed, she collided with the steam yacht Walrus, belonging to Mr. W.C.B. Stamp, of Southampton. In the darkness it was impossible to ascertain what damage had been done, but the alarm on the yacht was so great that five of her crew jumped on board the Moltke, and several ladies who had been awakened from their sleep rushed on the deck wearing only their night attire. The Moltke at once stopped her engines and stood by the disabled yacht, whose bowsprit, jibboom, stanchions, and rails had been carried away; but there was no sign of any leakage, and the Moltke, having remained by the Walrus until six o’clock in the morning, proceeded on her voyage. She has sustained some slight damage to her bow, and this will be made good while the vessel remains at Plymouth.”
THE IPSWICH JOURNAL – Saturday 10 September 1898 – “The steam yacht Walrus, of Brighton, arrived at Harwich late on Monday night. The captain on Tuesday morning reported that shortly after one on Monday morning, in a dense fog, when sixty miles off Lowestoft, his boat came in contact with the German warship Moltke, which carried away her bowsprit, bulwarks, rigging, rails, stanchions, boat davits, stays, and sidelights. The German vessel was undamaged, and proceeded to Plymouth. The yacht was bound for Amsterdam, with the owner and party on board.”
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EVENING STAR (Ipswich) – Friday 16 September 1898 – “COLNE OYSTER FISHERY – THE OPENING CEREMONY." Among the assembled luxury steam yachts, such as Varuna and Rosabelle, was Walrus.
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HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER – Saturday 15 March 1902 – Day, Summers, and Co., Southampton. “The new boiler and decks to Walrus, ss, Mr. Stamp, are finished, and the vessel is fitting out.”
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ESSEX COUNTY STANDARD – Saturday 30 September 1905. “RETURN OF THE YACHTS – A good number of yachts have returned to unfit for the winter, including Mr. Stamp’s s.y. Walrus (Captain Ben Walford), s.y. Kempion (Capt. Thomas Jay), yawl Gudrun (Capt. Thomas Ennew), Brenda (Capt. Wm. Brown), Lilith (Capt. Harry Cook, Snr.), Polly (Capt. B. Mills), Coquette (Capt. A. Burch).
SUDDEN DEATH – The death has occurred somewhat suddenly of Mr. Richard (sic) Lay, of Albion Street. The deceased was first mate of the steam yacht Walrus, and was at work helping to unfit the vessel until Thursday, September 21, when he became unwell, and notwithstanding the unremitting care of Dr. Squire, he rapidly became worse, and expired on Saturday afternoon. He leaves a widow and grown up family of two sons and two daughters, with whom sympathy is felt.”
ESSEX COUNTY STANDARD – Saturday 7 October 1905. EAST DONYLAND. “FUNERAL – The funeral took place of Mr. Orlando Lay (whose death was recorded in last week’s issue) at the parish churchyard on Friday Sept. 29, amid many tokens of sympathy and respect. The remains were conveyed to their last resting place by the members of the crew of the yacht with whom he had been so long associated, viz. 20 years. He was 72 years of age. The Rector (Rev. J.M. Easterling) performed the last sad rites. The floral tributes were numerous and of lovely design, and included one from the widow and family, one from the owner of the yacht (Mr. Stamp), one from the officers and crew of the vessel, etc. Deceased leaves a widow, five daughters and three sons.”
ESSEX COUNTY STANDARD - Saturday 29 September 1906 - “EAST DONYLAND - SAD DEATH - Widespread sympathy is felt in the parish for the relatives of the young sailor, Charles Crosby, who died on Sunday, September 23, at the early age of 33 years, blood poisoning and inflammation of the brain being the cause of death. Deceased was a native of the parish, and had only returned from yachting a fortnight previously having been second cook on the steam yacht Walrus. He was married, and was greatly respected by all who knew him, and was of a steady, quiet, and amiable disposition. He leaves a widow and one young son. A singular coincidence in connection with his death is that the mate of the same vessel died a year ago on the same day at the close of the yachting season. The funeral of Crosby took place in the parish churchyard yesterday (Friday)."
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ESSEX COUNTY STANDARD - Saturday 6 October 1906 - “EAST DONYLAND - FUNERAL - The funeral of the young sailor Charles Crosby, whose death was recorded in our issue of Saturday last, took place in the parish churchyard on Friday, Sept. 28, the crew of the vessel acting as bearers. There was a large number of relatives and friends present, and the scene both in the Church and at the graveside was very impressive, the last sad rites being performed by the Rector (Rev. J.M. Easterling). The Wesleyan Mariners' Choir (of which deceased was a member) attended, and the hymn "Safe in the arms of Jesus" was sung in the Church, and at the conclusion of the service at the graveside the hymn "Shall we meet beyond the river?", many being visibly moved to tears. The floral tributes were very beautiful and were from the following:- Widow, wreath; Mr. C.S. Stamp (deceased's employer), wreath; crew, wreath; Dr. Kevern (medical attendant), cross; Stanley and Kate [Cranfield], cross."
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Walrus - REGISTER CLOSED 1918
William C.B. Stamp died Sept Qtr 1910 aged 69. District: Steyning, West Sussex
He was still mentioned as the owner of Walrus at Cowes Week August 1910
Interesting. Another death for a William C B Stamp – March Qtr 1915, age 34, Tendring. A son?
