Built as a wooden ship rigged vessel at Dundee for J. Todd of Alloa, Scotland.
Launched as the SIR RALPH ABERCROMBIE.
Tonnage 799 tons (new measurement), dim. 167.3 x 27.4 x 20.7ft.
1855 Completed.
She made voyages from the U.K to India, New Zealand, China and Japan.
1862 Sold to J. Brodie and registered in London.
She underwent repairs in 1859, 1863 and 1866.
1869 When entering the anchorage in Tristan da Cunha under command of Captain James Anderson she struck a submerged rock. Captain Anderson thought nothing of it, he said he was accustomed to such things when cruising in the China Sea. The ship took on provision and water and sailed the next day. Probably through the action of the sea on the damaged planking, she began to sink.
At that time the Cape Town schooner TELEGRAPH hove in sight and took off the Captain and crew.
It is stated that the SIR RALPH ABERCROMBIE before had been abandoned between the Cape and St Helena, it seems she was then salvaged by a passing vessels as she was taken to St Helena.
Tristan da Cunha 1985 60p sgMS389
Source: Lloyds Registry and an article in Log Book Vol. 14 page 236 written by the late E.J. Hogan.