During the period July to December 1866, the ship MAGGIE, sailed from Belfast to Ayr to Newport to Charlestown to Antwerp to London to Berwick to Hartlepool to Berwick to Yarmouth. During that time the captain was James Nicholson, aged 29 from Spittal assisted by James McNab, the mate and 4 seamen.

From 1747 the masters or owners of merchant ships were required to keep a record for each voyage of the men employed on the ship ; their place of abode ; where they joined the ship and the name of the last ship in which they sailed.

Merchant Shipping Act of 1835, masters of ships belonging to someone who came from the United Kingdom which operated overseas, and British registered ships over 80 tons employed in the coastal trade had to keep on board a written agreement with every seaman employed on the ship at any stage of its journey. At the end of the voyage, on return to their home port, the master handed in these lists which have become known as Crew lists.