SS Rostrevor

The name of a vessel can be many things; sentimental, traditional, awe-inspiring, or just practical. But who chooses the name? This article explores micro-histories and connections associated with the seemingly innocuous naming of a generally unremarkable ship, traced through newspaper articles.

In 1899, Messrs John Fullerton & Co of Paisley, Scotland launched a 350 ton steel screw steamer, ordered by Joseph Fisher & Sons of Newry, Ireland. This was the 10th vessel built by this company for shipping magnate Joseph Fisher, who was one of the first to invest in steamships for transport of goods in the Irish Sea. This particular steamer was built to a high specification “largely in excess of Lloyds requirements” with “the most modern outfit for working both ship and cargo”. Joseph Fisher had specific naming schemes for his ships; places near his home port of Newry  ^[1] . A short 7 miles southeast of Newry, on the coast Carlingford Lough is the small village of Rostrevor. This village gave its name to the steamer launched in 1899, however, this name was not selected by Joseph Fisher. Newspapers that announced the launching record that a Mrs Bost, of Adelphi House, Paisley named the vessel.

Mrs Camille Bost (née De Patoul) was the daughter of Alphonse De Patoul of Brussels, Belgium. She married WD Ashton Bost, partner of the Cartvale Chemical Company, in 1883 and moved to Paisley. She does not appear to have any associations with shipping or shipbuilding, and historical records don’t connect her to Ireland in any way. Therefore, it is most likely that her connection with this vessel came via John Fullerton. From at least 1898, the Bosts and Fullertons lived just a 15 minute walk apart, and both families were engaged in their local community; in 1901, both the Cartvale Chemical Company and John Fullerton & Co were listed as signatories of a petition to the local council to withdraw their opposition to the Clyde Valley Electric Power Bill which would see new electric mains laid in Paisley. WD Ashton Bost and John Fullerton were likely of a similar class; both business owners living in grand houses likely moving in similar social circles. They may have been friends.

Whatever the reality, Camille Bost was asked to name several vessels built by John Fullerton & Co, including Fawn in 1897 for a Guernsey based shipping company, and for Joseph Fisher & Sons, both Rostrevor in 1899 and Ashton in 1901.

Although Rostrevor was an appropriate name for the newest addition to Joseph Fisher's growing fleet, it was not his first! Joseph Fisher had already owned a ship named as ship named Rostrevor, built in 1890 also by John Fullerton & Co. Rostrevor (the elder) struck Horse Rock off Pembrokeshire and sank in 1898. A year later, Rostrevor (the younger) was launched. Kind of like allowing your new ship to be named Titanic II, no?

Joseph Fisher had more success with the new Rostrevor, although she eventually met a similar fate. She operated as a shipping vessel for 18 years until April 1917. However, during a crossing from Newry to Manchester, she encountered a northeasterly gale which caused her cargo of granite setts to shift, foundering the ship which later capsized. The crew were picked up by Jargoon, a passing steamer. The location of the wreck is unknown, but the sinking was recorded as approximately 25 miles northwest of the Skerries (Anglesey).

As for Camille, she continued living in Paisley with her husband. Camille is listed as the host for a family of Belgian Refugees, the Uyterhoevens, during the First World War at an address in Glasgow  ^[3][4] .

After the war, she and Ashton moved to the Côte d''Azur, France. She died in 1938.

References

 ^[1]  Noreen Cunningham. 2022.  Joseph Fisher & Sons Ltd in Newry .  ^[2]  Eddie McIlwaine. 2017.  Why 'C' change couldn't stop tragedy hitting shipping line . Belfast Telegraph.  ^[3]    The Mitchell: Glasgow City Archives.  Belgian Refugees, 1914‐1920 .  ^[4]   Glasgow Life. 2022.  Belgian Refugees - Times Past .