Hymn sheet for Captain Clinch's memorial service onboard SS SOUTHERN CROSS

Date13 June 1875

Object number00003179

NameLeaflet

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 222 x 176 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA hymn sheet for Captain John Clinch's memorial service on board SS SOUTHERN CROSS on Sunday afternoon, 13th June, 1875. Captain John Clinch (1808 - 1875) was a well known and highly esteemed Tasmanian sea captain. He worked for the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company (T.S.N. Co.), The SS SOUTHERN CROSS was one of their ships.HistoryCaptain John Clinch was born in Rotherhithe, Surrey, in England and his father had also commanded several merchant vessels. He joined the merchant navy himself at a young age and arrived in Tasmania in 1833 as a mate aboard the NEPTUNE and decided to stay. He became employed by Dr Embley to transport cattle from Twofold Bay in New South Wales to Hobart aboard the BRITOMART and MEROPE. In 1854, after many years sailing between Hobart and Port Phillip, Victoria, Captain Clinch joined the Tasman Steam Navigation Company as command of the company's fleet. Through his career with the TSNC he sallied the CITY OF HOBART, TASMAN and the SOUTHERN CROSS. In addition to his expert seamanship, Captain Clinch's exceptional reputation was based on his warm personality. In his obituary the Hobart Mercury it states: “...the people of Hobart of all who knew Captain Clinch, than whom a warmer hearted man, a more considerate obliging and careful master of a vessel, a better citizen, a kinder husband, or a fonder parent, never breathed. Of Captain Clinch it may truly be said: - He was a man, take him for all in all, We shall not look upon his like again." Mercury, Thursday 10 June 1875, page 2.SignificanceWhen sail was the primary method connecting states, captains of vessels became well known to regular passengers. They were held in high esteem based not only on the completion of a successful voyage but also in their treatment and care of passengers. In Tasmania in particular, a smaller colony and totally reliant on shipping at the time, long term masters of vessels were well known members of the community with Captain Clinch being held in particularly high regard.