Hi Ian, Sorry for not replying quicker. Having been away for a while, I've rather lost the thread of this thread, but for the sake of completeness, I have unearthed some additional information in my files. If I'm repeating myself, apologies. You wrote: > .... if I sent the info about your 1835 NEPTUNE the 'OS' reference > could well have been my 'Outside Scotland' code, i.e. outside the scope of > my research at the time. The 1835 reference I cited in my original posting came to me from Findlay Pirie, who therefore obviously must've got it from you originally. You pointed me in Findlay's direction way back in 2001, regarding a shipmaster called HUTTON, who had a dalliance with my 3xgtgdmother Janet CRUICKSHANK in Banff. This unexpectedly opened up a large and complicated area of research into the ROBERTSON merchants in Portsoy, which resulted in lots of fascinating findings which I needn't go into here. Suffice to say that this was a very neat demonstration of one thing leading to another, and I have to thank you again for providing the key that unlocked a positive cornucopia. This was collaberation in operation at its very best! Your posting: > NEPTUNE? Take your pick... > > I have a note of a 1780 newspaper reference to a NEPTUNE of Portsoy with a > master named Elder. > > In a 1790 newspaper is a reference to a NEPTUNE of Banff with master named > Stewart. > > At that time the vessels of the Banff coast would have been registered at > Aberdeen and checking my Aberdeen records I see that there was a 70 ton > NEPTUNE registered number 129th in the 1786/87 list and also an 82 ton > NEPTUNE registered number 139th. > {the Moray ports further west (Findhorn, Spey, Kingston Port, Burghead) > would have been registered at Inverness) > > In 1788 a 111 ton NEPTUNE was built in Aberdeen > > In 1790 a neswpaper makes reference to an Aberdeen NEPTUNE with master named > Stewart [probably the same vessel noted as Banff earlier] > > .....etc..... I have unearthed this newspaper extract. Aberdeen Journal, Monday, 14 June 1779: - PORTSOY VESSEL TAKEN BY AMERICAN PRIVATEER - On the 23rd of May the "Neptune" of Portsoy, James Scott, master, on her voyage from the West Highlands to Portsoy was brought to, and taken by the "Independence" of Boston, an armed sloop about 75 tons burden, with 4 carriage guns, 4 swivels, and 12 men. Captain Scott and one of his hands were brought on board the "Independence", and two of the Americans were put on board the "Neptune", with orders to follow their captor. About two miles from the easternmost part of the Isle of Skye the "Neptune" fell astern (two men of her own crew, who were left on board, having resumed the command) and though fired at, got off and is arrived at Portsoy. The two American sailors are lodged in Banff jail. Captain Scott afterwards prevailed on Captain Brown to set him ashore on the mainland of Scotland. The prisoners report that they sailed from Fredricksburgh in Virginia on the 26th. April in company with seven other sloops and two schooners, all loaded with tobacco, and bound for Gottenburgh in Holland. They imagine four of them were taken the next morning as they saw them steering for land, under the stern of a large vessel, supposed to be a British frigate. The above American ship was seen in the Murray Firth a few days ago; and as it is thought that the rest of the consorts came also north it is hoped that some of out cruisers will fall in with them before they reach their destination. And, from a memorandum of 1843 by Dr. George Greig, Portsoy: - ................The next merchants of consequence were the Messrs. Robertson, ... who were also deeply engaged in smuggling. They were the owners of several vessels and at their own expense fitted out a privateer, the Neptune, of eight guns to emise against the French and the Spaniards. This vessel was commanded by Captain Elder and took several prizes although she turned out a losing speculation to her owners. (The Aberdeen Journal of 5th March 1781 reported that the "Neptune" sailed from Portsoy on her first cruise on the 23rd. February 1781) Regards Howard