A Baltic Trader

The ship was built in 1780/1 as a baltic trader at Rotherhithe, a ship building establishment on the Thames near the Deptford shipyards. She was named Berwick and was used privately to bring back to the shipyards materials necessary for the expansion of the British Navy. The American War of Independence was over and the Navy was busy replenishing its fleet, as there was still the French to be confronted.

Baltic trader was the name given to ships designed to carry timber from the Baltic area but, as far as is known, the Berwick made many voyages across the Atlantic but none to the Baltic States. Nova Scotia, the eastern states of America and the Caribbean were recorded as the ports she visited. These types of ships were built to a standard with a wide beam and a deep hold that were necessary for carrying timber and any other goods that may be useful for the Navy. They were quite large by comparison with other trading ships, being about 500 tons against the more usual 200 tons.

The pertinent measurements for the Berwick were as follows:

Tonnage 511
Length of hull 89 feet, ¾ inch
Breadth extreme 39 feet, 9 inches
Depth in hold 13 feet
Burthen 530 tons

Refitted as an armed storeship

The Berwick was purchased by the Navy before she was completed and fitted out as an armed storeship. As Navy property, these types of ships were despatched to various parts of the world for iron, copper, pitch, hemp, tar and timber. Timber was the main cargo carried, which was required to meet the Navy’s immense needs. These storeships had to be armed as prize-takers, pirates and enemy ships also patrolled the shipping routes.

The Berwick was then refitted. Her hull was coppered to guard against worm infestation which was prevalent in tropical waters, masts and yards replaced, ballast was adjusted to compensate for the addition of guns and accommodation quarters refurbished. The guns recommended were twenty two to twenty four 9-pounders on the middle deck and six 4-pounders and four 18-pound carronades on the upper deck. However it is not known for sure if this particular arrangement was met.

She had to be properly stabilised and one of the primary concerns was that correct ballast was in place. 80 tons of iron was loaded in one hundredweight pieces together with 40 tons of coal. It was the builder’s job to calculate what type and how much ballast was to be used as every voyage was different when taking into account season, weather, cargo, destination, purpose and duration of voyage. Also, this affected the way goods were stored and how much could be carried. There were many disagreements on amount and storage of ballast.

It is recorded that the Navy bought her for 5,856 English Pounds and the cost of refitting her was a further 5,817 Pounds, a reasonable sum considering the work that had to be done. She was floated from the dock in January 1782 and began her voyages to the New World.

Four years later and with no real problems, she was due for a refit that took about six months. Her bottom had to be scraped, repairs made to the bowsprit and rigging, stores placement adjusted and guns overhauled. She resumed her voyages to the west and returned to Britain in 1784. By this time, the plans to send convicts to New South Wales had been formulated and the Navy needed a large ship, in good condition, to be commissioned as the flagship.


Forging an 18th century anchor                                          

Commissioned as HMS Sirius

Orders came through in October 1786 for the Berwick to be outfitted for foreign service and she was duly commissioned as HMS Sirius, a 6th Rate ship of the Line. Her status had now changed from armed storeship to armed escort requiring changes to the type and number of guns she carried. It was now set down that she should carry four 6-pounders, six 18-pound carronades and eight swivel guns. It is interesting to note that, officially, carronades did not figure in the ratings so an extra ten 6-pounders were put on board.

The rating of ships depended upon the number of guns carried; 100 for a 1st Rate down to 20 – 28 guns for a 6th Rate. Although the ship did not carry the official number of guns, it is presumed that giving her the rank of a 6th Rate warship raised her status as she was carrying the new Governor of New South Wales and was the flagship of the First Fleet.

The ballast arrangements were also changed. In 1786 the holds were cleared and 28 ½ tons of iron was replaced, followed by 70 tons of flint pebbles from the Thames and 4 ½ tons of coal. Provision barrels were stored in this level of pebbles and then another 20 tons of pebbles were loaded. Although this may appear to be haphazard loading, it can be seen that the last layer of pebbles provided a stable platform for the next layer of goods.

Many other goods such as armaments, anchors, nautical instruments, replacement sails, hawsers, ammunition, carpenters and blacksmiths tools, lighting lamps and surgeons instruments with hundreds of other types of equipment had to be stored. Food such as meat, bread, oatmeal, peas, butter, cheese, beer, wine, spirits and, of course, water and water purifiers were also stored. The amount of money spent on equipping the Sirius for the voyage was 2,572 English Pounds for hull, masts and yards. Furniture and stores cost a further 4,500 English Pounds.

Four small boats were taken aboard – a launch and three cutters – built especially for the voyage and then came the job of assembling the crew. Another problem which delayed the sailing was the victualling and the organising of who were allowed to take their families. The Royal Marines were to be the armed guard on the ship and future duties were to station these men at the new settlement. This was also contentious but at last the fleet sailed from Portsmouth in May 1787.


Francis J. Bayldon Commander R.N.R.. The Sirius. (Norfolk Island Museum collection)