Interpreting the Census Data

Interpreting the Census Data

he cigar boats appear in two British censes taken in Southampton. The census, taken every ten years, collected information on all people in Britain at a particular hour on a particular day, including those aboard ships in port.

Neither boat appears in the 1871 census as archived in Southampton.

The 1881 census⁶⁴ records the following for midnight 4 April:
     The Ross Winans, described as "experimental", 166 tons, and located off Southampton Quay, had only the ship steward aboard, William Chapman, age 60. One more crewman is recorded as on shore.
     The W. S. Winans, also described as "experimental", 56 tons, and also located off Southampton Quay, had the "boatswain" aboard, Richard Jordan, age 54. Four other crew are recorded on shore.
     L. W. Howling is listed as the master of both boats.

The 1891 census⁶⁵ records the following for midnight 5 April:
The Ross Winans, described as a steam yacht (laid up*), 250 tons, and located at Itchen Southampton off Hythe, had the ship's carpenter, Jacob Gorbell, age 33 aboard. Four crew are recorded as on shore. Captain Howling is recorded as the master.
The W. S. Winans does not appear in the 1891 census.

Neither boat appears in the 1901 census.

We know the Ross Winans was launched in London in 1866^{36, etc} and the Walter S. Winans arrived at Newhaven from across the Channel in late March 1866⁴¹. Information in the Maryland Historical Society archives records numerous sea trials with the Walter S. in the period 1877-79.

*Probably under repair