11. The ‘Senhouse Privateer’.

A large plain stem goblet engraved with ‘Success To The Senhouse’ & a three masted brig (c. 1754). The Senhouse was launched in Whitehaven Cumbria in 1754 and belonged to one of the most influential shipping families of the day. The Senhouse family were involved in what has become known as the Cumbrian Trade Triangle. Ships would be sent to Africa to stock up with the usual commodities of the day (gold, ivory & slaves etc) & these would then be transported to the West Indies where the Senhouse family had plantations. The ships would return to Whitehaven with rum & sugar cane and, in some instances, slaves (some of whom are recorded as having settled in Cumbria). The records from the time show that the Senhouse made regular trips to Ireland, the west coast of Africa, and the West Indies.