James Masterton (1846-1919)
Guernsey Master Mariner
James Masterton, master mariner, from Guernsey appears in print in several near catastrophic incidents at sea, and in some of the local records of the Guernsey constabulary, some of them revealing a bitter long-running feud between him and his wife and Captain Audoire, who they accused of being responsible for the death of their eldest son, John Edward Masterton, who drowned in May 1914 when his vessel, the SS Turret Hill, was lost. James had two younger seafaring brothers, John Masterton, who was a harbour watchman in the Great War, and Albert Masterton, who was drowned at sea in 1891.
Genealogy
James Masterton was the first child born to Captain John Masterton, master mariner, and Mary Phillips, who had married in 1845 in Bridport, Dorset. John Masterton was the first Masterton in Guernsey and was the eldest son of a butcher in Montrose. John had moved to Guernsey with Mary and two children in 1849 or 1850. James Masterton belongs to the large group of Mastertons that flourished in the Forfar and Montrose area. Fuller details of his extended family can be found at this link.
Guernsey Constabulary Records
Rube Pipet, David Bartley and William Nichols put in prison by A.C. Lihou & Renouf for deserting from on board the Barque Augia, Capt Masterton thereby detaining said ship.
Guernsey Constabulary Records
Guernsey
Sunday 9th April 1876
Rube Pipet, David Bartley and William Nichols charged with deserting from on board the Barque Augia, Capt Masterton dismissed them for the want of evidence.
Guernsey Constabulary Records
Guernsey
Monday 10th April 1876
The Star, Guernsey
MARITIME DEPOSITIONS
Report of James Masterton, Master of the barque Augia, of Guernsey, 200 tons, from Newcastle, November the 3rd, at 10.15 a.m., from Newhaven (360 tons of coal):- On the 7th, at 6.30 p.m., the tide being ebb, weather fine and clear, wind S.W., light, with a smooth sea, the barque being then under sail, and off Orfordness, and on the starboard tack, proceeding to the south, deponent being on deck, observed another vessel steering N.E. 1/2 N., distant about two miles. Such vessel continued her course until within a quarter of a mile of deponent's vessel, when, fearing a collision, deponent and his crew observed and hailed the approaching vessel, and inquired where she was coming to but no notice was taken, and the other vessel, which proved to be a fore-and aft schooner or ketch, called the Pallas, of Jersey, continued her course. As the Pallas had the wind free, she could have gone under the stern of the Augia, or she might have ported her helm and gone ahead. When close upon deponent's vessel she starboarder [sic] her helm, and came into collision with the Augia, striking her on the starboarded bow, breaking several stanchions, three timbers, starting some planks, and doing other damage. After remaining in collision for about half an hour the ships were got clear, and the Pallas continued her voyage without making any communication with deponent's vessels. Deponent ran for the nearest port, and on the following morning, the 9th inst., he entered the Cockle Gat leading to Yarmouth Roads. When in the Cockle Gat he was boarded by a boat from Caister, and deponent agreed to pay them £105 to get his vessel into Yarmouth Harbour. The Boatmen came on board and assisted the Crew at the pumps, as the ship was making a great deal of water, and the Boatmen employed a steamtug, which towed the ship into Yarmouth Harbour, where she was moored at about noon testerday.
The Star
Guernsey
24th November 1877
MARITIME DEPOSITION.
The following deposition was made before the Receiver of Wreck at Leith on the 8th inst:-
Report of James Masterton, Master of the barque Augia, of Guernsey, 199 tons, from Newcastle on Jan. 6, at noon, for St. Malo, cargo coals and cement:- On the 7th, at 4 p.m., weather clear, wind S.S.E., blowing a moderate gale with a cross sea, the ship was then 50 miles east of Souter Point
on the port tack, under topsail, trysail, and staysail, when by the force of the wind the maintopsail was carried away, and other sails split. I then made for the Firth of Forth for shelter, as the gale was increasing.
Towards midnight the gale had increased to a storm, and, by the heavy seas over the vessel, our boat, the wheel, and bulwarks on both sides were washed away. The seas breaking on board got into the cabin
and may have damaged the cement. The vessel has put into Leith for repairs.
The Star
Guernsey
11th January 1879
MARITIME DEPOSITION.
Report of James Masterton, Master of the barque Augia, 199 tons, of Guernsey, from London, Sept. 21, at 4.30 p.m., for Shields (120 tons of chalk ballast) :- At 11 15 p.m. same day, tide being one-third flood, weather fine and clear, wind W.S.W., a fresh breeze, the ship was proceeding about five miles N.E. of Oxfordness, under all square sail, maintrysail, and jibs, going about five to six knots an hour, deponent in charge on deck, F. Elliott, A.B., at the wheel, one Seaman furling the jib, and another the gaff topsail. The vessel's course was N.E. by compass, our red and green lights were brightly burning, trimmed with paraffin oil, placed on forerigging at the greatest breadth of the ship. Deponent saw a red light about three points on starboard bow. Ordered helm hard a-port, which was done, which brought the other ship right ahead almost immediately. Sighted other vessel's green light right ahead, about E. and N. Then directed helm to be put a-starboard to avoid collison, but we came alongside on the starboard side of the vessel, our bowsprit over her, and carried away both the fore and main masts. The Master, Master's wife, and Crew got on board our vessel, and we lowered our boat and went alongside other vessel, which proved to be the Yorkshire Lass, of Boston, and we took two of the Master's children out of her. The Master and Mate and two of our men went on board the Yorkshire Lass. Finding she was not making any water they brought the ship to an anchor. Deponent also brought his vessel to an anchor until daylight, then went on board other vessel. Some parties came from the shore and arranged to take the Yorkshire Lass to Lowestoft, when deponent returned to the Yorkshire Lass. No salvage services were rendered to deponent's vessel. - Newcastle, Sept. 24.
The Star
Guernsey
7th October 1879
Richard Gilpin and Henry Williams, two sailors on board the brigantine Flora, now lying in the roads, were charged by James Masterton, captain of said vessel, with refusing to do duty on Friday and Monday last.
The Court sentenced them both to one month's imprisonment, half the time at hard labour.
The Star
Guernsey
Tuesday, 15th February 1887
Guernsey Constabulary Records
James Masterton & wife charged with continually insulting and threatening Capt John Audoire and wife at their home situated in Bosq Lane and also in the Public Road especially in the Canichers on two occasions last week. Sentenced the former to be bound on oath to keep the peace towards Capt Audoire and wife and all H. M. subjects for the space of one year. The latter sentenced as her husband but refused to take the oath although allowed 15 minutes to alter her mind but when asked to take the oath the 2nd time she again refused and she was then remanded in prison for a fortnight to be kept under observation by the Doctor.
Guernsey Constabulary Records
Guernsey
Thursday 9th July 1914
Mrs Masterton charged on Thursday last with continually insulting Capt John Audoire and his wife and remanded for a fortnight, coming before the Court this day and took the oath not to insult or threaten John Audoire & wife but to keep the peace toward them and all H. M. subjects for the space of 12 months.
Guernsey Constabulary Records
Guernsey
Saturday 11th July 1914
Mrs James Masterton charged with continually insulting John Andoire (Capt) especially on Monday last at the bottom of Bosq Lane. Sentenced to pay a fine of 20/- or in default to 8 days imprisonment.
Guernsey Constabulary Records
Guernsey
Thursday 13th April 1916
Occurrence Book, Guernsey
Mrs James Masterton charged with continually insulting John Audoire (Capt) especially on Monday last at the bottom of Bosq Lane. Sentenced to pay a fine of 20/- or in default to 8 days imprisonment.
Occurrence Book
Guernsey
Thursday 13th April 1916
Weekly Press, Guernsey
INSULTS
Mrs Masterton (nee Loveridge) was charged with insulting Mr John Audoire, master of the London Queen. Complainant said he was continually being insulted by Mrs Masterton, who accused him of murdering her son. Her son was drowned at sea. Witness added that every month he received a letter from her containing insulting matter. Accused said she thought it very hard that she was not allowed to molest accused, who was responsible for the death of her son. Captain Audoire said the son was discharged by him, and went on the S.S. Turrett Hill. Mr F H Vaudin said he heard accused say to Captain Audoire, “You are a murderer.” A previous charge for a similar offence, when accused was bound over for a year, was read by H.M.’s Comptroller, who asked for a fine of 20s, and that accused be bound over for 12 months. The Court concurred and accused was fined 20s and bound over.
Weekly Press
Guernsey
Saturday 15th April 1916