Montague Dawson, F.R.S.A., R.S.M.A. (British, 1895-1973)

Despite being referred to as a Blackwall frigate, the Walmer Castle was actually built at Sunderland, in the far northeast of England, rather than anywhere near Blackwall on London's River Thames. Launched from Pile's Yard in 1855, she was ordered by Green's of London for their extensive fleet of Indian trading ships and she proved a highly successful vessel.

Registered at 1,064 tons (gross & net) and measuring 193 feet in length with a 35 foot beam, she sported a full ship-rig and, when completed, looked every inch the thoroughbred she soon became. Under her first master Captain C. L. Daniel, she began her career with two round trips from London to Melbourne, each taking approximately a year, after which, as she lay idle in the London docks awaiting her third voyage, she found herself chartered by the British government to take troops to India where the 'Great Mutiny' was in its final phase. On returning to England Walmer Castle then began ten years of regular sailings to Calcutta, Madras and China, usually completing one round trip per annum. The Walmer Castle was destroyed by fire whilst loading cargo at Samarang (Java) on Christmas Day 1876.