William Hoodless (1776-1855) saw three of his sons join the merchant navy and become master mariners, masters of their own vessels they sailed to far flung destinations in the service of trade and commerce for the British Empire.
William the eldest (1804-1876) made a good living for himself and retired in comfort, although childless.
Robert Hoodless 1809-1841
Robert Hoodless was born on 7th May 1809 in Workington, Cumberland and was baptised a few weeks later at St Michael’s Church, Workington on 8th June.
By 1835 we know he was a sea captain and master of the Horatio out of Liverpool. As this article shows, he was sailing from the former penal colony and newly developing major city, Sydney, Australia as early as 1835.
The clipping below shows that in September 1836 he was master of the Amity, followed by a voyage in February 1837 in the Melanthus. This voyage was to Santiago de Cuba out of Swansea
The third record in the register shows Robert sailed on the Emerald in June 1838. Robert was on board the Emerald in August 1841 when it foundered of Livorno on the Tuscan coast of Italy. It was on a voyage from Liverpool to Livorno when it sank in heavy seas as reported by “Ship News” in The Times, London, 17 August 1841. Robert was killed. He was very young, only 32 years of age. The Emerald was refloated two days later as was the practice at the time, due to the value of these vessels and it was taking in to the port of Livorno.
Records are painfully thin on the ground for Robert Hoodless, his life, marriage and death are a blank space. But I have taken a clue from William’s, his brother’s, will which names as beneficiaries two great-nieces the daughters of William’s late nephew Robert. This leads me to a marriage record dated 4th March 1867 of a Robert Hoodless born in 1837, the son of Robert Hoodless (deceased). This Robert Hoodless was also a master mariner. It’s hard to say for sure, but I believe he was Robert’s son and would have been two years old when his father was killed at sea. More research required.
John Hoodless 1815-1849
John Hoodless was the youngest of the three brothers who went to sea. As the exert below shows he was master in 1837 adn sailed on the Yare, was discharged at Valaparaiso in Chile on 11th November 1836 and went on to saile the Lord Althorpe and the Patriot King sailing our of Liverpool (64) and London (62).
Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857
On Wednesday last a splendid new ship of 540 tons register , was launched from the building yard of Peile, Scott & Co of Workington and called The Neraeides. She was built expressly for Joseph Busby Esq. of Liverpool for the eastern trade and will be commanded by Captain John Hoodless of Workington. She is truly a just and beautiful model and reflects as little ?? upon her draughtsman Mr Fell, the manager of the yard. whether for the model or the superior workmanship displayed. She is coppered and copper fastened in the upper part of the bends, has half poop and forecastle and bound with Fell’s patent binding and as a fine ensemble, is certainly one of the best and most beautiful vessels ever launched in Cumberland.
News Article 9th October 1846
John Hoodless died of an illness at sea on 14th January 1849. His brother William was the executor of his estate.