British Empire

Robert Brewis, son of a Sunderland shipbuilder, began his working life as a painter and glazier. He must have been successful in his trade as he began purchasing shares in sailing vessels in 1837. By 1845 he owned ships outright and had shares in partnership with others. His partners included: two of his brothers James Collins Brewis (grocer died 1873) and William Brewis (clothier died 1869) both of Newcastle-on-Tyne; George Black of Felling; James Finlay (engineer) of Wigton; Robert Walker (ironmonger) of Hartlepool; John Wilcher (master mariner) of Hartlepool, George Graham (shipbroker and coal exporter) of Hartlepool and George Blumer (shipbuilder) Hartlepool.

John Wilcher was master of the Hartlepool owned ships Ninus when she was wrecked in 1857 and Atlas from 1865.

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Robert Walker was born at Sedgefield in 1821 to parents Margaret and John Walker. He became a silversmith and ironmonger and married Mary Ann.  In 1851 and 1861 the couple were living at Southgate Street, Hartlepool. By 1871 they were living at High Street. In 1881 Robert was listed in the census as a retired ironmonger and widower living at Fern Villas, Stranton. By 1891 he had moved to 2 Rowell Street.

Robert died aged 71 at Rowell Street on 11^th January 1892 leaving effects of £1,099.

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Robert purchased two Hartlepool built ships, the Queen of Commerce and the British Empire. These are listed below as ships. Vessels that were built elsewhere are listed under " - a general history".

Official No. 58752: Code Letters HTSL.

Owners: 1868 Robert Brewis (Blythville, Darlington) Hartlepool: 1888 Joseph Rees (Cardigan) & Lewis Jones (master mariner, Cardigan) Hartlepool: March 1892 Mary Ann Malcolm (Port Gordon, Banffshire) Hartlepool: William & David Reid (both Port Gordon, Banffshire) & James de Veulle Le Couteur (Hamburg, Germany) Hartlepool

Masters: 1868-89 G Rowe: 1890-91 L Jones: 1892-94 C Malcolm.

Arrived at Swatow, China 20 January 1872: from Hartlepool 6 January 1874 arriving at the Straits on 20 May 1874: She was sold at Liverpool on 18 February 1892 for £1400.

British Empire discharged a cargo of railway iron & grain at Geelong, Noumea & loaded a cargo of nickel ore. As she was bound for Havre she was driven onto a reef by a sudden squall & wrecked at Pouembout on the coast of New Caledonia on 26 August 1894. Her crew were picked up by the steamer Strathray & landed at Sydney.