Vessels Of Steel(e)

Web site maintained by Dodie E. Browning

Vessels Of Steel(e)

From the combined research of Dodie (Smith) Browning & Jodi (Steele) Catano
Direct descendants of George and Elizabeth (Ratcliff) Steele.

Page last updated April 01, 2003

From the earliest days of the colonies, the Steeles have had a love affair with the sea. Very few passenger lists and ship's logs have survived, but from the records that have survived, we can get a glimpse of the activities of some of the men and their love of the sea. The Steeles helped settle the colonies by "planting" people in the "new world." They transported families from various ports in England, Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands. Some transported convicts who had been banished to the colonies for petty "crimes" and/or religeous persecution. All of the sea-going Steeles were involved in carrying other cargo as well, mostly tobacco and fur, to Europe and bringing back such desired items as silk, china, tea and other items not readily available in the colonies. When we read the old documents, there is seldom a mention of the wives and children, but it was probably a lonely life for the wives of the Men of Steel(e) who loved the sea.

Virginia Colonial Documents
Steele, Lawrence - owner of ship: Jonathan and Abigail- lawsuit involving- 1648-1652, 
SR 10472, p. 1.
Steele, Lawrence - 1650, SR 08640, p. 1.
Steele, Lawrence - 1651, SR 08641, p. 2.
Steele, Lawrence - lawsuit involving - 1653, SR 10468, p. 1.
Still,  Christopher - sailor - 1708, SR 08710, p. 1.
Steel,  Joseph - master of ship: Lucretia - 1716/1717, SR 08916, p. 3.
Steel,  Joseph - master of ship: Lucretia - 1718, SR 08917, p. 3.
Steel,  Joseph - master of ship: Lucretia - 1719, SR 08918, p. 1.
Steel,  William - sailor - 1735, SR 08729, p. 1. 
Still,  James -  sailor - 1740, SR 08731, p. 2, 3.  
Steel,  William - sailor - 1743, SR 08544, p. 2.
Steele, Lawrence - owner of ship: Dolphin - 1747, SR 07087, p. 2
Steele, Robt. -  master of ship: Tryal - (Saltcoats) - 1747, SR 04502, p.
Steele, Robert - master of ship: Binning - 1755, SR 05659a, p. 1.
Steel,  Samuel - master of ship: King's Fisher - 1756, SR 07959, p. 2. 
Steel,  Samuel - master of ship: King's Fisher - 1756, SR 07939, p. 3. 
Steel,  Robert - master of ship: Buchanan - testimony by - 1757, SR 08593, p. 1. 
Steel,  Archibald - master of ship: Archibald - 1758, SR 06560, p. 7. 
Steel,  Robert - master of ship: Britannia - 1758, SR 05659a, p. 6.
Steel,  Robt. - master of ship: Neptune - 1766, SR 06562, p. 4. 
Steel,  Thomas - owner of ship: General Gates - testimony by - 1778, SR 05483, p. 1. 
Steele, WIlliam - Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy,
                     served aboard The Tempest- Revolutionary War-
                     enlisted 20 Aug. 1776-
                     (source: Will and Rev. War Pension application)

1774 Prince William County: Shipped by John Edmonds upon the Jannie, master John Steele, at anchor in Rappahannock and bound for Port Glasgow under Messr. Bogle Somervell & Co.. In Witness whereof the Master of said ship hath affirmed to three Bills of Lading all of this tenor and date. Dated 25th June 1774. At a court held for Prince William County Oct. 5, 1784 this bill of lading signed by John Steele was presented to the Court by Alexander Bruce and admitted to record.p.133
Know all men that by these presents that I John Edmonds of the county of Fauquier have appointed Mr. Alex. Bruse, Merchant, my true and lawfull Atty to recover for me of Messrs. Bogle, Summerville and Coy..(McCoy)..Twenty thousand six hundred and ninety pounds of nett Tobo as per bill of Ladeing signed by Capt. John Steele 25th June 1774. Signed by Robt. Phillips, Hezk. Turner, John Chunn, William Wright, and John Edmonds." From Pennsylvania Archives
Ship Loyal Judith, of London, Robert Turpin, Master, from Rotterdam. Qualified Sept. 25, 1732.

Ship Loyal Judith, from Rotterdam, last from Deal [England]. Arrived Philadelphia, 3 September 1739. Edward Poynter, Commander
(note: Edward Poynter died in Wochester County MD in 1752. His will documents him as the father-in-law of William Steal.)

Ship Loyal Judith, Capt. Lov. Paynter Qualified Nov. 25, 1740 (Note: Lovell Poynter)

Ship Patience, Nov. 1750-Hugh Steel, Captain

John Steele-served in the Navy during Revolutionary War (Pension Application R10098.)

Maryland Colonial Documents

Steele, John - Navy Officer, 1718-1719 Annapolis 

Captain John  Steele operated a shipyard on the 
waterfront across the street from his house in the 
late 1700s. His house is still standing on Fell St. in Baltimore. 
Steele's partner was Captain Thomas Lambdin.

Volume 11, Page  
386 Journal and Correspondence
Friday 26 April 1776.
Council met. Present as yesterday except Mr Jenifer.
Permits granted to the Boat Gimblet, Gilbert Middleton,
Master, and Schooner Ranger, George Steel, Master, to pass
to Baltimore Town.

Council of Maryland, 1777-1778
Wednesday 4th February 1778.
Present as on yesterday
Commission of Letter of Marque and Reprisal issued to
Thomas Steel Master of the Sloop called the General Gates
mounting 6. 3 pounders 2 blunderbusses and 6 Musketts
navigated by 15 Men belonging to Thomas Steel, William
Hammond, Thomas Russell and John McLure of Baltimore
dated the 20th October 1777.

Monday 9th November 1778
Thomas Steel Commander of the Sloop Irish Gimblet mount- 
ing 4 Carriage Guns 2 Swivels and 6 small Arms, burthen 50
Tons belonging to John McLure and Thomas Russel of
Baltimore

Council of Maryland. 
Liber C C
No. 22
p. 153
Sir Yours of the 9th Inst is received. We now enclose you the
Order on the Collector of your County for 6000Ł which was omitted,
 p. 154
of the Council of Maryland. 255
 belonging to William Smith & others of Baltimore and also to
Thomas Steel Commander of the Schooner Tucker navigated by
21 Men 85 Tons burthen mounting 10 Car. Guns belonging to
Richard Curson and Compy of Baltimore.

...of the Council of Maryland. 241 Care of John Shaw and to deliver the whole of them to the Order of the Governor and Council on or before the first Day of May next and not less than fifty at any one time of Delivery and that he will procure mounting and Ramrods for the said Muskets upon the most reasonable terms. In Consideration whereof the Governor and Council Agrees to pay to the said William Campbell seventeen shil- lings and six pence in gold and silver or Current money at the common Exchange at the Time of Payment for every musket stocked, finished and Delivered in manner aforesaid and to advance the said William Campbell all Sums of Money which he may engage to pay for mounting and Ramrods. In Virtue of the Act for enlarging the Powers of the Governor and Council passed at November Session 1779 Permission is hereby given to Captain Thomas Steel of the Brig Fox, Capt. James Kiersted of the Schooner Nautilus and Captain Benjamin Weeks December 11 Liber C. B.No. 24p. 13
of the Brig Cato to lade on board said Vessels Cargoes of Flour, to be Exported for the purpose of procuring Cloathing and other necessaries granted by the Act entitled An Act relating to the Officers and soldiers of this State.

1779 Nov. 24 Richd Stiles, Master Schooner Swann to Boston N. England, 375 barrels of flour, shipped by Mr William Smith out of the Port of Baltimore.

Parish Records of Jamaica
Steele, William - mariner-buried  14 June, 1778, Westmoreland, 
           Jamaica
Steel,  Hugh- Commander of the ship Catherine-buried 18 June 1792,
                 St. Elizabeth, church yard, Jamaica

Reports for the Belfast News

1738/39 Feb.8-10 It was reported that a No. Great Britian brigantine the 'Anne' from London to Berwick, James Steel master, lost corn, and fish from Westbrough Sand and Swynd was saved by a Dutch vessel which was fishing for smack.

1752 Captain Steele master of the Ship Charles/Town brought Germans from Rotterdam to St. Helena Inlet. This ship was registered as a North American Ship

1757, Oct. Ship arrivals, from North Belfast, were reported. One such ship was named the Sisters, piloted by Captain Steel. This ship was carrying a load of Whitehaven linen cloth to Liverpool.

1758, Feb. Captain Steel, (from Workington) Master of the Northern Belfast ship, the 'Marygold' together with the ship 'King George', Master Dingee delivered a load of Irish Linnen to the Port of Philadelphia.

1776 Aug. 27. The ship 'Fanny', piloted by Captain Steel arrived in a North Belfast port with a shipment of St Christopher's rum

1777, between May 2-6th It was reported that Northern European Ship, 'Fanny', Master Steel, was captured and taken to St. Luce

1777, between May 27-30 it was reported that the Port-Surveyor, Mr. Steel died in the Coleraine room, No. Ireland

1777, June 24-27 A ship named "Belle", Master Elijah Steel, a 'Savage' brig (owned by Savage) delivered a cargo of rice, indigo, deer-skins to America, possibly So. Carolina

1779, 28-31 Dec. North American ships during the aftermath of the Revolutionary War coming into port with damage included the ship 'Viper', John Steel, the Masters mate.

1781, June 5-8 No. Some British ships were ransomed during the aftermath of the Revolutionary War. Among these ships were the "Lark" Captain Macklin from Workington,"The Glory", Captain Steele, and the "Elizabeth", Captain John Milford.

1781, 31-3 Aug. A Northern American 'armed' Ship of war, the brig Keppel, piloted by Captain Steele, carried Northern Neck Loyalists, volunteers, Connecticut rebel's field piece, horses cattle, sheep, boats. What happened to this ship is not stated. It may have been sunk, as it didn't reach port.

1784, Jan 9-13. The wooden brig "Three Friends", Master Robert Steele, managed safe passage carrying 20 passengers and freight to Baltimore.

1787 Robert Steele Captain of the Ship 'Neptune' delivered a shipment of Bourdeau pipes to Belfast. This ship is described as a wood cut sailing freight ship. The ship belongs to a company identified by the letters ADAL Co.

1807-1808-William Steele and Robert Smith Steele of Cumberland County, PA

"William Steele served from April 5, 1807 to August 12, 1808 as surgeon's mate on the United States Frigate, "Wasp" which afterward became so famous by her capture of the British ship "Frolic". He died at sea before the Frolic had achieved her great distinction.

His brother, Robert Smith Steele, became midshipman in the navy and was on the frigate, "Chesapeake", when on June 22, 1807, the British ship "Leopard" fired upon her off the capes of VA. He came through the ordeal unscathed, and although he longed for an opportunity to help avenge that insult to his country, the customs them prevailing in the navy were distasteful to him and he retired to civil life. He afterward settled in Mississippi and died in New Orleans. William Steele and Robert Smith Steele never married. "
(From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, PA
Published by The Cumberland County Genealogical Society, 1903
Steele Family Page 143.)

1850-Cole County Missouri Richard Steele, sailor(age 34 in 1850) born PA; Sentenced in 1846 for passing counterfeit money.

This picture hangs in Dodie's home,in honor of her son,
a Steele descendant who also loves the sea..

The Victory Chimes Since there are no pictures of the sailing vessels of our Steele ancestors I thought I would share this beautiful picture with you, which is similar to the sailing vessels of our ancestors. The Victory Chimes is the oldest schooner still under sail along the coast of New England. Ron and Dodie took two trips on this beautiful vessel. On the first trip (1978), they renewed their wedding vows on their silver anniversary in the presence of Captain Frederick Giles, Mrs. Giles, the crew and the other passengers. A feast followed the ceremony; Lobster fresh from the Atlantic Ocean, for everyone on board (all we could eat) compliments of Captain and Mrs. Giles; and "pop-overs" compliments of "Six-Toe" the Chinese Chef.

The sea is in our blood!

Much more coming Soon from Jodi and Dodie
on Families Of Steel(e)!

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