5 Whaling barque "Derwent Hunter" Private Deposit Collection : University of Tasmania Library Special and Rare Collections
Level 5, Morris Miller Library, Sandy Bay Campus, University of Tasmania Sandy Bay Tasmania 7005 Telephone: +613 6226 2243 Email: Special.Collections@utas.edu.au http://www.utas.edu.au/library/research/special-and-rare-collections
2018-05-21 Generated by Access to Memory (AtoM) 2.6.1 2026-04-18 04:06 UTC English Whaling barque "Derwent Hunter" M1-5 1871-1881 1 paper, 1 bundle Private Deposit Collection : University of Tasmania Library Special and Rare Collections
Level 5, Morris Miller Library, Sandy Bay Campus, University of Tasmania Sandy Bay Tasmania 7005 Telephone: +613 6226 2243 Email: Special.Collections@utas.edu.au http://www.utas.edu.au/library/research/special-and-rare-collections
Alexander McGregor

Alexander McGregor (1821-1896), shipowner and merchant, and John Gibson McGregor (1830-1902) arrived in Tasmania from Scotland with their parents, James and Janet McGregor. The brothers served apprenticeships under a shipwright, John Watson, and then started building boats. Alexander acquired the Domain Shipyard in 1855 with his brother John as foreman, but sold out to his brother in 1869. Alexander McGregor started the firm of McGregor, Piesse & Co., general merchants of Elizabeth Street, Hobart, with Charles A. Piesse. They bought ships for exporting whale oil, blue gum, timber and wool, known as the "Red Iron" fleet, and they had a warehouse in Salamanca Place. The partnership was dissolved in 1886, possibly because the firm was getting into debt through McGregor's speculating in land and mine ventures. In his last years Alexander McGregor speculated unwisely in various property and mine share deals and was involved in a number of legal actions. Alexander McGregor was a member of the Legislative Council 1880 - 1896.In 1847 McGregor married Harriet Bayley (1829-1878), who gave her name to two of his ships, the "Hally Bayley" and the "Harriet McGregor", Harriet McGregor died in 1878 and Alexander married Margaret Pigdon about 1884. He had a house, Lenna, in Battery Point and other property. After his death his second wife Margaret (nee Pigdon) married agent Thomas Bennison.For more information see http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mcgregor-alexander-4095

Published

Material relating to the whaling barque "Derwent Hunter" 1871 - 1881 including the will of John Bull, chief mate of the whaling barque "Derwent Hunter", Charles Bayley owner appointed executor (1871); papers relating to claim from NSW Govt. for refund of expenses paid on behalf of John Doherty, a seaman who was injured while serving on the "Derwent Hunter" and left ashore on Lord Howe Island to recuperate, including extract from log book (Capt. Richard Sparkes) and letter from Richard R. Armstrong, Commander RN. retired, Magistrate Lord Howe Island (1879¬ 81).

 Shipping -- Tasmania

Deposited in the 1950's

HE May 2018

This material is made available for personal research and study purposes under the University of Tasmania Standard Copyright Licence. For any further use permission should be obtained from the copyright owners. For assistance please contact Special.Collections@utas.edu.auWhen reusing this material, please cite the reference number and provide the following acknowledgement:“Courtesy of the UTAS Library Special & Rare Collections”