Robert Jameson (shipowner) facts for kids

Robert Jameson (died 1608) was a Scottish shipowner and sea captain from the town of Ayr. He owned several ships, including a famous one called the James Royall. Robert Jameson was also a burgess of Ayr, which meant he was an important citizen of the town. His brother George was also a burgess.

Working with the King

Robert Jameson often worked with King James VI of Scotland. The king sometimes used Jameson's ships for important trips or tasks.

Early Voyages and Royal Tasks

In August 1584, King James VI gave Robert Jameson a ship named the Pheasant. This ship had been taken from a pirate.

In 1585, an important person named James Stewart, Earl of Arran was on Robert Jameson's ship. He was carrying valuable royal jewels. However, he was forced to hand them over to William Stewart of Caverston, who was the Governor of Dumbarton Castle. This happened while they were on the ship in the waters near Fairlie Road.

In 1588, King James VI needed a ship from Ayr. This ship, which might have belonged to Robert Jameson, was used by Sir William Stewart. He used it to chase a rebel leader, Lord Maxwell, with 120 soldiers.

The King's Trip to Norway

In October 1589, King James VI decided to sail to Norway. He wanted to meet his future wife, Anne of Denmark. His royal advisors, led by John Maitland, prepared a fleet of six ships for this important journey.

One of the ships hired for the king's trip was the James Royall, which belonged to Robert Jameson. This ship was quite large, about 126 tons. It was even fitted with cannons by John Chisholm, the person in charge of weapons. These cannons were likely used for firing salutes, which are special celebratory shots. The sails of the James were decorated with fancy red taffeta fabric.

In March 1590, the king ordered several towns, including Ayr, to prepare ships. These ships were meant to bring King James VI and Anne of Denmark back from Denmark. These ships were also supposed to have "streamers of war of red taffeta."

Payment Concerns

In June 1590, Robert Jameson was worried about being paid for hiring out his ship, the James. The way the tax money was collected to pay for the king's trip had changed. Jameson complained to the Privy Council, which was a group of the king's advisors. The Council ordered that Jameson should be paid for his ship.

The payment covered two months for the king's "passing and returning." This suggests that the James, likely with Jameson as its captain, sailed with the king to Norway. It then returned in November 1590 and made the trip again in April.

Later Events

In January 1593, a man named Mr George Kerr gave 236 gold coins to John Campbell, who worked for Robert Jameson. The Privy Council asked Jameson to give this money to a courtier named James Sandilands.

In August 1598, King James VI and his council again chose Robert Jameson's ship. The plan was for the king to travel to Kintyre. Robert was told to hire sailors in Ayr and get weapons and cannons from the town. However, this trip was later cancelled.

Family Life

Robert Jameson had two children, a son named John and a daughter named Margaret. In 1607, a royal document officially declared them to be his legitimate children.

End of Life

Captain Robert Jameson passed away in January 1608. At the time of his death, his ship, the James, was in Ayr. It had been taken apart and stripped of its equipment.