Gertrude Voyage History

A postcard of the wreck of the steamship Gertrude, reproduced courtesy of Dorset County Council Library Service.

An artefact, possibly a deck cover plate, recovered by divers in the 1960s from what is belived to be the wreck of the Gertrude, between Tarr Rocks and Blacknor Point, Portland Bill. Having been cleaned, it is now at the Portland Museum, Dorset. 

Peter Otto Eduard Trechmann (Otto) as well as owning a successful cement manufacturing company had shares in sailing vessels from 1859. He purchased his first two steamships, the Emma Trechmann and the Wilster, in 1871. Two of his sons, Otto and Albert, became involved in the shipping business and in 1895 the company became Trechmann Bros. In 1897 the company name changed to Trechmann S.S. Co. Ltd., with the Trechmann brothers as managers. There were other partnerships as can be seen below.

'Notice is hereby given that the partnership heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned, Robert Hayes Carrick, of Bute Docks, Cardiff, in the county of Glamorgan; Otto Kramer Trechmann, of West Hartlepool, in the county of Durham; Albert Frederick Trechmann, of West Hartlepool aforesaid; and Robert Morton Middleton (the younger), formerly of West Hartlepool aforesaid, but now of Ealing, in the county of Middlesex, carrying on business as Ship and Steamship Owners, Ship and Steamship Managers, Ship and Insurance Brokers, Coal Exporters, and Commission Agents, at Cardiff and Barry Dock, in the county of Glamorgan, and Newport, in the county of Monmouth, under the style of "Trechmann, Carrick & Company," has by mutual consent been dissolved by the retirement of the said Robert Morton Middleton from the said Partnership, as from the 12th day of November, 1897. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said Robert Hayes Carrick, Otto Kramer Trechmann, and Albert Frederick Trechmann, who will continue to carry on the said partnership business of Trechmann, Carrick, and Company" at Cardiff, Barry Dock, and Newport aforesaid. 12th November, 1897.'

'Notice is hereby given that the partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Otto Kramer Trechmann, Albert Frederick Trechmann, Robert Hayes Carrick and John Edward Moorhead, carrying on business as Ship Brokers and Coal Exporters at Cardiff Barry Dock and Newport under the style or firm of Trechmann, Carrick and Co., has been dissolved by mutual consent as and from 31^st December 1898. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said Otto Kramer Trechmann, Albert Frederick Trechmann and Robert Hayes Carrick who will continue to carry on the said business as heretofore. 14^th January 1899.'

At the beginning of the First World War the company had four steamers. They lost the Hartdale in 1915, the Hudworth in 1916 and the Numina in January 1918. The Kingfield was sold and the company ceased trading in May 1918.

Family History:

Peter Otto Eduard Trechmann (known as Otto) was born at Wilster, Holstein, Germany in 1819. He married Emma Dorothea Wilhelmine (nee Kramer) who was born in Hamburg. They arrived in England between 1841 and 1850 and became British Nationals. Otto never forgot his roots as three of the Trechmann steamers were named Wilster. The couple had eight sons, Charles, Henry, Otto, Albert, Emil, John, Adolphus and Maximillian and two daughters, Amanda and Emma. By 1851 Otto was living with his family at Cliff Terrace, Hartlepool and was listed in the census as a merchant and ship broker. In the 1861 census he was listed as a coal exporter, steam ship owner, cement manufacturer employer of 90 men and in 1871 his profession was listed as a coal exporter, steam ship owner, cement manufacturer employer of 100 men and German Consul for Hartlepool. By 1891 the couple had moved from Cliff Terrace and were living at Norton Lodge, Norton-on-Tees with one of their sons, John, a marine engineer.

Otto died aged 72 at Norton on 17 May 1892 leaving effects of £95,583.

Otto Kramer Trechmann was born at Stockton-on-Tees in July 1854 to parents Peter Otto Eduard and Emma Dorothea Wilhelmine (nee Kramer).  He was married at Kendal on 14 June 1881 to Dora Webster and they had a son and two daughters during their marriage. Otto was appointed German Consul for Hartlepool in 1894 and his brother, Albert, appointed German Vice-Consul.

Otto died aged 63 at Hartlepool on 14 January 1917 leaving effects of £151,078.

Albert Frederick Trechmann was born at on 17th September 1857 to parents Peter Otto Eduard and Emma Dorothea Wilhelmine (nee Kramer). He married Maria Anna Jachmann in Wurtzberg, Germany in 1882. The couple had six sons and four daughters.  In 1891 they were living in Station Lane, Seaton Carew. Albert was the director of five companies, a Justice of the Peace and he was a member of four provincial Philatelic Societies.

Albert died aged 80 at Stockton-on-Tees on 11 December 1937 leaving effects of £104,243. Maria, his widow, died in May 1857 aged 90.