The Jordan Story

Voyages of Oscar Scholdberg

Oscar Scholdberg's Voyages Chronology
1868 - 1875

by Dave Jordan
Introduction

Seaman records, in particular Crew Agreements, Ship's Logs and Consul Certificates offer an unparalleled means of knowing exactly where an ancestor was at a given date, sometimes at a particular hour. From the records of Knut Oscar Scholdberg's many voyages, the following chronology was created.

Other Voyage Information
  1. Voyages of Oscar Scholdberg - Introduction
Notes
  1. Initial Web Publication Date: 7/1/2003
  2. Modified: 1/31/2009, 4/3/2009
  3. The file: Address_Jordan_All.xls, Worksheet Voyages is the off-line master for the table that follows.

 


Oscar Scholdberg's Voyages Chronology
1868-1875
Date Ship Location Position Wages Activity
25 June 1868 Cella London Docks Able Bodied Seaman 4.0.0 On June 25, 1868, Knut Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Able Bodied Seaman on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 7 am on June 27. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board.
27 June 1868 Cella London Docks Voyage commences.
30 June 1868 Cella Harve After 3 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers. They left the same day.
17 July 1868 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 18 days at sea.
24 July 1868 Cella New York After 7 days in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks.
11 August 1868 Cella London Docks On August 11, 1868 after 18 days the Cella arrived at London Docks and Knut Scholdberg was discharged.
18 August 1868 Cella London Docks A week after discharge, Knut Scholdberg  signed for his final wages of 3.17.8 for a total of 5.17.8.
20 August 1868 Cella London Able Bodied Seaman 4.0.0 On August 20, 1868, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Able Bodied Seaman on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 7 am on August 22. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board.
22 August 1868 Cella London Voyage commences.
25 August 1868 Cella Harve After 3 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers. They left the same day.
13 September 1868 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 19 days at sea.
18 September 1868 Cella New York After 4 days in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks.
6 October 1868 Cella London On August 11, 1868 after 18 days the Cella arrived at London Docks and Knut Scholdberg was discharged.
9 October 1868 Cella London Three days after discharge, Oscar Scholdberg  signed for his final wages of 4.0.0 for a total of 6.0.0.
15 October 1868 Cella London 2nd Master 4.10.0 On October 15, 1868, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of 2nd Master on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 6 am on October 17. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board.
17 October 1868 Cella London Voyage commences.
20 October 1868 Cella Harve After 3 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers.
20 October 1868 Cella Harve The Cella papers were picked up from the British Consulate and they left for New York.
11 November 1868 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 22 days at sea.
14 November 1868 Cella New York After 3 days in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks.
4 December 1868 Cella London On December 4, 1868 after 20 days the Cella arrived at London Docks and Oscar Scholdberg was discharged.
5 December 1868 Cella London A day after discharge, Oscar Scholdberg  signed for his final wages of 4.13.8 for a total of 6.18.8.
10 December 1868 Cella Victoria Docks, London 2nd Master 4.10.0 On December 10, 1868, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of 2nd Master on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 6 am on December 12. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board.
12 December 1868 Cella Victoria Docks, London Voyage commences.
16 December 1868 Cella Harve After 4 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers. They left the same day.
16 January 1869 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 31 days at sea.
26 January 1869 Cella New York After 10 days in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks. However, Oscar Scholdberg and two others who have contracted smallpox and are too sick to travel are left behind in a hospital. Oscar's belongings and wages of 4.7.8 are left with the British Consulate. He had received a 2.5 advance, thus total wages were 6.12.8
26 January 1869 Cella New York Oscar Scholdberg  wages deposited were 4.7.8 for a total of 6.18.8.
18 March 1869 Cella New York It is presumed that Oscar Scholdberg remained in New York until the Cella returned on its next voyage. It arrived on March 15 and left for London on March 18. Oscar was not listed in the crew, perhaps there were no openings. It is possible he booked passage back on another ship, but it is more likely he would receive free passage on the Cella. Records for the next voyage indicate that his previous voyage was on the Cella, thus it is unlikely he worked his way back on another ship. Most likely he stayed in New York and picked up odd jobs after his recovery from small pox.
6 Apr  1869 Cella London Docks The Cella arrived in New York after 19 days at sea, though the termination is listed as April 7. Thus it is possible they did not disembark until April 7.
9 Apr  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London Able Bodied Seaman 4.0.0 On April 9, 1869, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Able Bodied Seaman on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 6 am on April 10. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board.
10 Apr  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London Voyage commences.
13 Apr  1869 Cella Harve After 3 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers.
3 May 1869 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 20 days at sea.
8 May 1869 Cella New York After 5 days in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks.
26 May 1869 Cella London On May 26, 1869 after 18 days the Cella arrived at London Docks.
27 May 1869 Cella London Oscar Scholdberg was discharged and then signed for his final wages of 4.2.0 for a total of 6.2.0.
17 Jun  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London 2nd Master 4.10.0 On June 17, 1869, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Able Bodied Seaman on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 6 am on June 19. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board.
19 Jun  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London Voyage commences.
21 Jun  1869 Cella Harve After 2 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers.
8 July 1869 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 17 days at sea.
10 July 1869 Cella New York After 2 days in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks.
27 July 1869 Cella London On July 27, 1869 after 17 days the Cella arrived at London Docks and Oscar Scholdberg was discharged.
28 July 1869 Cella London A day after discharge, Oscar Scholdberg  signed for his final wages of 3.9.8 for a total of 5.14.8.
12 Aug  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London 2nd Master 4.10.0 On August 12, 1869, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Able Bodied Seaman on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 6 am on August 14. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board.
14 Aug  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London Voyage commences.
16 Aug  1869 Cella Harve After 2 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers.
2 September 1869 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 18 days at sea.
10 September 1869 Cella New York After 8 days in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks.
27 September 1869 Cella London On September 27, 1869 after 17 days the Cella arrived at London Docks and Oscar Scholdberg was discharged.
30 September 1869 Cella London Three days after discharge, Oscar Scholdberg  signed for his final wages. However, it is unclear how much this was based on what was written.
7 Oct  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London 2nd Master 4.10.0 On October 7, 1869, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Able Bodied Seaman on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 6 am on October 9. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board.
9 Oct  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London Voyage commences.
12 Oct  1869 Cella Harve After 3 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers.
29 Oct  1869 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 17 days at sea.
5 November 1869 Cella New York After 7 days in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks.
22 November 1869 Cella London On November 22, 1869 after 17 days the Cella arrived at London Docks and Oscar Scholdberg was discharged.
25 November 1869 Cella London Three day after discharge, Oscar Scholdberg  signed for his final wages of 4.7 for a total of 6.12.
3 Dec  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London Steerage Steward 3.0.0 On December 3, 1869, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Steerage Steward on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 7 am on December 4. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board. It is not clear why Oscar chose or was assigned a lesser position with quite a bit less pay. There was a new mate who had come on board on the previous voyage and perhaps there was a falling out between them.
4 Dec  1869 Cella Victoria Docks, London Voyage commences.
8 Dec  1869 Cella Harve After 4 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers.
30 Dec  1869 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 22 days at sea.
31 Dec  1869 Cella New York After only one day in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks.
19 January 1870 Cella London On January 19, 1870 after 20 days the Cella arrived at London Docks and Oscar Scholdberg was discharged. On the same day, he signed for his final wages of 3.1 for a total of 4.11.
28 January 1870 Cella London Steerage Steward 3.0.0 On January 28, 1870, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Steerage Steward on the Cella of Waterford, a passenger ship that regularly traveled from London to Harve to New York and back to London. He was to be on board by 7 am on January 29. He may have returned to Poplar between the signing and time to be on-board.
29 January 1870 Cella London Voyage commences.
1 Feb  1870 Cella Harve After 3 days, the Cella docked at Harve, France to discharge and pickup passengers.
21 Feb  1870 Cella New York The Cella arrived in New York after 20 days at sea.
26 Feb  1870 Cella New York After 5 days in port and picking up passengers for the return, the Cella disembarks.
17 March 1870 Cella London On January 19, 1870 after 19 days the Cella arrived at London Docks and Oscar Scholdberg was discharged. On the same day, he signed for his final wages of 3.1 for a total of 4.11.
1870 Cella It is likely Oscar had additional voyages on the Cella in 1870.
12 April 1871 Fenella London Able Bodied Seaman 3.7.6 On April 12, 1871, Oscar Scholdberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Able Bodied Seaman on the Fenella of London, a combined sail and steamship thoght to be carrying cargo. He was to be on board at once. The destination was the Black Sea. The crew agreement states his previous voyage was on the Cella in 1870.
12 April 1871 Fenella London Voyage commences.
12 April 1871 Fenella Carddiff The Fenella probably added or discharged cargo. They added a crewmember.
3 May 1871 Fenella Malta The Fenella arrived in Malta and dropped off an ill crewmember. Given the amount of time since the voyage began, it is possible the Fenella stopped at other UK ports to pick up cargo.
4 May 1871 Fenella Malta The Fenella continued on to the Black Sea.
13 May 1871 Fenella Taganrog The Fenella arrived at Taganrog located in the Sea of Azov, just north of the Black Sea.
5 June 1871 Fenella Taganrog The Fenella spent about 3 weeks in Taganrog most likely unloading cargo and arranging for new cargo to be brought to England.
17 June 1871 Fenella Malta The Fenella arrived in Malta and picked up the sick crewmember they had dropped of on 3 May.
7 July 1871 Fenella Antwerp Two men were discharged in Antwerp by mutual consent.
10 July 1871 Fenella South Shields On July 10, 1870 after about 3 months since leaving London, the Fenella arrived at South Shields Docks and Oscar Scholdberg was discharged. On the same day, he signed for his final wages of 5.13.9 for a total of 6.26.18.
11 July to 17 October 1871 Home Poplar On 18 October 1871, Oscar stated in the Aquila Crew Agreement that his previous ship was the Fenella in 1871. The records were checked for two voyages of the Fenella between Oscar Scholdberg's 10 July 1871 Fenella discharge and his 18 October 1871 crew agreement on the Aquila. The Fenella voyages reviewed were from 12 July to 5 August 1871 and from 15 August to 6 October 1871. The timing was such that he might have been on board; however, his name was not found on the crew list. Thus it would appear that he was at home in Poplar from 10 July to 18 October 1871. In a way, this is surprising given the better weather.
18 October 1871 Aquila Dock at North Shields, England Able Bodied Seaman 3.10.0 On 18 October 1871, Oscar Scoldberg signed the Crew Agreement for the position of Able Bodied Seaman on the Aquila of London. He immediately went on board. The Aquila was a new iron hulled sail and steam powered merchantman, just completed months earlier that year. The Aquila had been out since 11 August and needed replacement crew. The Aquila is headed for the Baltic.
25 October 1871 Aquila Swinemünde at Stettin, then in Prussia, now in Poland. On 25 October 1871 after 7 days at sea, the Aquila arrived at the the Port of Swinemünde and dropped their papers off at the British Consulate at Stettin. They unloaded and loaded cargo and perhaps their was time for the crew to walk around during the evening.
26 October 1871 Aquila Swinemünde at Stettin After one day, the Aquila left Swinemünde for Riga.
30 October 1871 Aquila Riga, Latvia On 30 Oct, after 4 days at sea, the Aquila arrived in the port of Riga and stayed for 5 days. Oscar and friends most likely had time to go ashore, walk around and visit local establishments.
4 November 1871 Aquila Riga On 4 November 1871, after 5 days in port, The Aquila sailed from Riga.
20 November 1871 Aquila London Docks Sixteen days later, the Aquila arrived at the London Docks, probably late at night
22 November 1871 Aquila London Docks On 22 November 1871, Oscar is discharged from the Aquila, a normal activity when the voyage ends. He collects his final pay of 2 pounds and 10 shillings.
22 November to 30 November 1871 Home Poplar On 22 November 1871, Oscar probably returned to Poplar for a few days to see his wife, Elizabeth, his newest son Charles Edward just a few months old, and young Oscar who was three. He probably walked, as a most it was just a few miles.
29 November 1871 Aquila London Docks Able Bodied Seaman 3.10.0 On 29 November 1871, Oscar signs another Crew Agreement as an Able Bodied Seaman on the Aquila. This time for a trip to St. Naziere, France and is to be on board the next morning.
30 November 1871 Aquila Millwall Docks On 30 November before 6 a.m. Oscar boarded the Aquila at the Millwall Docks. The Millwall Docks are south of the West India Docks on the Isle of Dogs just south of Poplar. Oscar probably walked the few miles with his bag earlier in that morning.
5 December 1871 Aquila Borkenhead Docks, Liverpool On 5 December 1871, the Aquila arrives in Liverpool.
8 December 1871 Aquila Mersey, Liverpool On 8 Dec, the Aquila is at the Mersey in Liverpool.
12 December 1871 Aquila St. Naziere, France On 12 December 1871, the Aquila arrives at St. Naziere and leaves the same day.
19 December 1871 Aquila Liverpool, England On 19 December 1871, the Aquila arrives in Liverpool and Oscar is discharged. However, the same day he signed a  new Aquila Crew Agreement as an Able Bodied Seaman for a voyage to Glasgow.
20 December 1871 Aquila Liverpool, England Able Bodied Seaman 3.10.0 On 20 December 1871, the Aquila sails for Glasgow.
25 December 1871 Aquila Glasgow, Scotland On 25 Dec, the Aquila arrived in Glasgow.
26 December 1871 Aquila Glasgow On 26 December 1871, Oscar Scholdberg is discharged in Glasgow.
10 January 1872 Aquila Liverpool About 10 January 1872, the Aquila arrives in Liverpool. Probably Oscar was on board, but the records need to be obtained to verify this.
10 January to 4 March 1872 Home Poplar It is presumed Oscar traveled by train from Liverpool to Poplar and spent the winter pf 1872-1873 with his family.
5 March 1872 West South Shields, England Able Bodied Seaman 3.10.0 After a winter at home, most likely doing repair work at the London docks, it appears Oscar took the train north to South Shields looking for work for the new season. On 5 March 1872, Oscar signed the Crew Agreement for the position of an Able Bodied Seaman on the West at South Shields. South Shields is about 250 miles north of London and about 10 miles east of Newcastle. This location, far to the north to start the season is unusual as there should have been many opportunities at the many London Docks to start the new season. Perhaps good positions were advertised in London papers, or perhaps Oscar sought some work their over the winter, or perhaps there was an unknown voyage.
6 March 1872 West South Shields, England Oscar is to be on board the West by 6 a.m. on 6 March 1872. The West is a new screw schooner, built the previous year. The West was about half the tonnage as the Aquila and is thought to be iron hulled with sails and steam power.
7 March 1872 West South Shields, England On 7 March 1872, the West sailed from South Shields for a voyage to Bilbao, Spain. This sounds like warm weather, perhaps that's why Oscar wanted to go.
24 March 1872 West Bilbao, Spain After 17 days, the West arruved at Bilbao, Spain on 24 March where she unloads and pickups cargo.
6 April 1872 West South Shields On 6 April 1872, the West returned to South Shields to unload and pickup cargo.
13 May 1872 West near Ile de Batz Around 11 p.m. on the night of 13 May 1872, the West collided with the French schooner Isabella, which was sailing without lights in rolling seas. It is very possible, Oscar was part of the small boat that was sent over to rescue the captain in crew.
15 May 1872 West Dover On 15 May, the Captain of the West sent a shore boat into Dover to drop off the Isabella's captain and crew. Oscar could have been a rower on the shore boat.
17 May 1872 West South Shields On 17 May 1872, Oscar was discharged along with three other able bodied seamen at South Shields. He signed for 5.10.8 of wages. Possibly they are cold and wet from the rescue of the Isabella crew.
17 May 1872 to 29 September 1875 Various Various For the 29 September 1875 Voyage, Oscar indicated his last voyage was on the West in 1875. The voyages between these dates have not yet been searched, but it is likely he had a number of voyages during this three year period. In the interim three years, Oscar must have learned to operate the Donkey Engine, a steam driven machine used to load and unload cargo.
29 September 1875 West London Docks Donkey Engine Driver 5.0.0 On 29 September 1875, Oscar signed the Crew Agreement as a Donkey Engine Driver on the West. The West was at one of the many London Docks and Oscar was to be on board at once. As a Donkey Engine Driver, Oscar made 5.0.0 per month, one pound per month higher than Able Bodied Seamen on this voyage.
1 October 1875 West London Docks On 1 October 1875, the West sailed from the London Docks for a voyage to Morocco and the Mediterranean.
19 October 1875 West Mogador, Morocco On 19 Oct, the West arrived at the British Consulate in Mogador, Morocco. Mogador is now called Essaouira and is located on the western edge of Africa, south of the Straits of Gibraltar and about 150 miles south of Casablanca.
1 November 1875 West Mogador After almost two weeks, the West left Mogador on 1 November 1875. During this time, Oscar would have unloaded and loaded cargo with the donkey engine and most certainly he and friends had shore leave to explore Mogador.
14 November 1875 West Alexandria After almost two weeks at sea, the  West arrived at Alexandria.
15 November 1875 West Alexandria On 15 November 1875, a day after arriving in Alexandria, Oscar Scholdberg had a heart attack while onboard the West and is taken to a hospital. He died later the same day. He was approximately 38 years old. Perhaps he was working with heavy machinery when it happened.
20 November 1875 West Alexandria On 20 Nov, the West left Alexandria without Oscar, although they brought back his bag. His accumulated wages were paid to the British Consulate in Alexandria for transfer to London.
13 December 1875 West London Docks On 13 Dec, after almost three weeks at sea, the West arrives in London. Oscar's wife is probably informed for the first time by crewmates or the captain that Oscar has died. Elizabeth is only 28 years old. There are three children, Oscar (7), Charles (2) and baby Elizabeth.
4 January 1876 West London On 4 Jan, W. Stuart, probably William Steward, Elizabeth Scholdberg's brother picked up Oscar's bag at the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine Office in London. Later Oscar's final wages were given to the family.
16 November 1876 West Poplar With Oscar's unexpceted death, Elizabeth Priscilla Scholdberg was in a difficult situation. She had three very young children, and no means of support except for her parents who lived in nearby Poplar. However, she was still fairly young and found a new mate relatively quickly, one who was willing to take on the responsibilities of not only a wife but three very young children. He was James Jordan. Within a year they were married. In fact, Elizabeth married him one year and one day after Oscar's death, the soonest that was allowed by the conventions of the times.  James Jordan was also a donkeyman, suggesting that he might have been a friend of Oscar's. Perhaps James was someone he learned the donkey engine trade with or someone he met on many of his voyages. So far, James Jordan hasn't been found in the crew lists, but he may show up in that interval from 1872 to 1875 that hasn't yet been searched.
Notes
  1. Wages are shown as pounds, shilling, pence. In the nomenclature used, 5.4.3 represents 5 pounds, 4 shillings and 3 pence.
  2. The spreadsheet Addresses_Jordan, worksheet Voyages is the off-line master for the above table.
  3. Initial Web Publication Date: 7/1/2003
  4. Modified: 1/13/2009
Other Voyage Information
  1. Voyages of Oscar Scholdberg - Introduction