I would be very interested in any newspaper reports about the sailing ship FORMOSA [Official Number 20189] a 97 ton schooner which entered Ramsgate 27th. December 1873 to seek shelter from a severe storm. My gt. grandfather William Robert Smith of King's Lynn was her Master and she had sailed from Antwerp on 11th. December, bound with cargo for Plymouth. The storm must have been particularly bad as she did not get very far in those 15 days, and as a result of "suffering extreme privitations" during that storm, when my gt. grandfather eventually left that ship he gave up the sea to become a businessman and ship owner in King's Lynn. I would be particularly interested in any report of the state of the ship when she limped into Ramsgate, as she remained in that port for over a month undergoing repairs. I would also be interested in any artivles referring to the repairs carried out, her crew, and anything about her cargo which she eventually took to Plymouth. During this time her Mate Andrew Blackburn deserted the ship and was convicted to 14 days imprisonment at Sandwich Jail, also losing 12 days pay through desertion and having to pay court costs of £1 12s. 00d. {this information is from her log books and Account of Voyage, copied from the Newfoundland archives}. Log book entry was dated 13th. January 1874. After completing extensive repairs she sailed from Ramsgate 26th. January to resumed her voyage to Plymouth with her cargo before heading up to Newcastle where my gt. grandfather handed over command to his brother, and left the ship.. This was a life-changing event in my gt. grandfather's interesting life, hence my particular interest in the storm and his ship's enforced stay in Ramsgate. Many thanks, Chris