The Norman Court was a notable composite built clipper ship constructed in 1869 by A. & J. Inglis of Glasgow, designed by William Rennie. She measured approximately 197.4 feet in length, with a beam of 33 feet and a draught of 20 feet, and had a net tonnage of 833.87 tons. As a clipper vessel, she was built for speed and cargo capacity, embodying the maritime design principles of the late 19th century aimed at commercial efficiency. Throughout her service, Norman Court was involved in long-distance trade routes, including a significant and arduous voyage from China, which was described as extraordinarily difficult by her captain, Andrew Shewan. Captain Shewan, who commanded the vessel from her launch until 1873, was known for his seamanship and leadership. Following his retirement due to ill health, his son, also named Andrew Shewan, who had previously served as first mate, took over as captain. The younger Shewan later recounted numerous tales of the ship and the era of clipper ships, contributing to maritime history through his memoir, *Great Days Of Sail: Reminiscences of a Tea Clipper Captain*, published in 1926. He is believed to have been the last surviving tea clipper captain before his death in December 1927. The vessel’s service ended in a tragic wreck on the night of 29 March 1883, when a strong gale drove her ashore in Cymyran Bay, between Rhoscolyn and Rhosneigr on Anglesey. Despite the severity of the wreck, rescue efforts by nearby Holyhead lifeboats saved all but two crew members. The Norman Court’s history highlights her role as an example of the classic clipper design and her connection to the era of fast sailing ships that were vital to global trade, especially in the tea and other cargo trades during the late 19th century.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.