It has long been assumed that the origin of IPA (India Pale Ale) was that it was brewed in Britain to be suitable for surviving the journey to India and then appropriate for the climate there. Its popularity in Britain was ascribed to a shipwreck in the Irish sea that resulted in barrels being recovered and sold in Liverpool.
This scenario seems to be correct and is supported by the sale advertised in the Liverpool papers of items salvaged from the wreck of the East India company's ship Crusader.
For a fuller story from the beer history perspective: see here
For more details of the wreck of the Crusader see here.
[from Lloyd's List Wednesday, 9 January 1839]:
Port Talbot, 7th Jan. 8, a.m. At one this morning the wind blew to NW,
and blew a perfect hurricane. The Thomas Peile, M'Cartney, was totally
wrecked off the Bar; Mate and two men drowned
Milford, 7th Jan. It commenced
blowing a perfect hurricane last night from midnight and continued till this morning. The
Mary & Eleanor, of Cardigan, was driven on the rocks and sunk. The
Henry, of Bideford, was driven on shore, and broke her rudder. The John, of
Youghal, struck the ground, and is leaky.
Holyhead, 7th Jan. It has blown
throughout last night and this morning a tremendous gale, from WSW to W
N. The AnaSelina, Trevethen, from Naples to Liverpool, has been run on
the beach on the East side of the Bay, but it is expected will be got
off without much damage. The Amy, from Ipswich to Liverpool, is on shore near the
same place, with loss of foremast.
Beaumaris, 7th Jan. The Wreath, Gorbelar, from Chester to Bangor,
was driven on shore at the entrance of this harbor this morning,
during a heavy gale from S to SSW. The Speck, Steward, from Troon to
Barcelona, which put in here 3rd inst. with loss of bulwarks, &c., was
dismasted this morning whilst at anchor.
Chester, 7th Jan. About midnight it
came on to blow a tremendous gale at South, but flew to WNW, a
complete hurricane; is now moderating. There are 20 Sail on shore in
Hoylake, and some sunk.
Liverpool, 8th Jan. The gale continued with but
little abatement until 3 this afternoon, but is now nearly calm.
The Pennsylvnia, Smith, bound to New York, which sailed 6th inst., is totally
wrecked on West Hoyle; only one Passenger saved. The Brighton, from
Bombay, was wrecked this morning on West Hoyle; the Master and seven
of the Crew taken off the wreck by the Life Boat; the remainder, 14 in
number, had previously quitted on a raft, and are missing. Two small
Vessels are aground on Burbo Banks, and will become complete wrecks.
Fears are entertained for the St. Andrew, Thompson, and Lockwoods,
Sproule, both bound to New York, which sailed the 6th. The wreck
of a large Vessel is visible in the Channel, and there is a signal of
distress flying at Bidstone.
Lytham, 7th Jan. The following Vessels are on
shore near Blackpool: Jonah, Ashburne, with loss of bowsprit; Hetty
Clifton, Burmeister; Tom, Scott; Agnes, Reimer; Grace, O'Neill; Sally,
M'Quirk; Content, Hyam; Mary Ann, Bond; Lively, Whittle; Favorite,
Butler; Nancy, M'Eany, of Dundalk; Hibernia, Whiteside; John Clifton,
Walley; Lewtas, Dobson; Margaret & Peggy, Sumner; Barbara, Sumner; and
Fame, Rymer; all with loss of anchors and chains, and more or less
damaged. The Catherine, Fell, capsized and sunk in the river.
Ulverstone, 7th Jan. The William & James, of Belfast, Lea, was driven on Foula
Isle [sic Foulney] this morning during the gale, is much damaged and full of water. The
Hercules, of Maryport, M'Neil, is also ashore on Foula. The Nicholson,
Kay, and the Henry, Mackinnon, both of Harrington, have dragged their
anchors on the Sands, and several Vessels have been driven from their berths
Workington, 7th Jan. It blew hard last night from South, and at 2 this
morning veered to West, blowing a complete hurricane. The Cherub,
Ditchburn, is on shore high aud dry on the Derwent side. Every Ship
in the harbor broke adrift, but none received any material damage.
Great fears are entertained for the safety of the Pilot, Wilson, which
sailed yesterday for Ireland. Noon. No abatement of the gale.
Whitehaven, 7th Jan. The John Airey, Wilson, from Leghorn to Liverpool, which put
in here 2nd ult. dismasted, proceeded to sea yesterday morning, during
a strong gale at SW, was driven on shore to the Northward of this
harbor, and totally wrecked; only the Master saved. The Schooner
Buoyant, is on shore near Harrington; Crew saved.
[from Lloyd's List Thursday 10 January 1839]:
Pwllheli, 7th Jan. It blew a tremendous gale
during the night at SW. The Swallow, Jones, from Waterford to
Liverpool, is on shore near this place; part of the cargo saved; the
Dorah, Peters, from Barmouth to Carnarvon; and the John & Ellen,
Price, are also on shore. The Cygnet, Roberts, is on shore near
Portinlaen; one of the Crew drowned. 8th. The Sappho, Wallace, from Demerara to
Greenock, was totally wrecked this morning in Carnarvon Bay; only one
Man saved. The Cybele,Smith, from St. John NB to Belfast, was driven
on shore at Criceith Castle yesterday; Mate drowned. The cargo will be saved.
Liverpool, 8th Jan. The Endeavour of Drogheda, sunk in the River,
on the night of 6th instant. The Edward, of Dundee, is wrecked on
Hoyle; Crew saved. A Ship is on shore near the Spencers Gut Buoy. A
Ship totally dismasted, is on shore near Mockbeggar; Crew saved. The
St. Andrew, Thompson, bound to New York, beat over the North Bank in a
disabled state, and is now on the main; Crew saved. The Thomas Mason, Owens,
of this port is on shore a tSouth port, without damage, having been
driven from Beaumaris without any person on board.
11p.m. The Lockwoods, ,Sproule, bound
to New York, is on shore on the North Bank. Master, and part of the
Crew and Passengers (33 in number) saved; a great many stiil remaining
on board in imminent danger. 9th. The Dennis, Carty, hence to
Wexford, and the Orion, Davis, from Bangor to Shoreham, are on shore
near Blackpool. The Alert, Hall, from hence to Sligo, and the Mona
Castle, from the Isle of Man to this port, are on shore near Heysham;
the former it is feared will go to pieces; cargo of the latter
discharging. The Ann Paley, Hunter, from hence to Lisbon, is on
shore near the Ribble. Three of the Crew drowned. The Monkey, Bain, from hence
to Gibraltar, was wrecked off Formby yesterday; three persons drowned.
Liverpool, 9th Jan, The Harvest Home, Kenn, from hence to St. Thomas,
is wrecked on Mad Wharf; two of the Crew saved. The Victoria,
Chandler, from Charleston to this port, is on shore near Leasowe
Castle. A Brig, and a Schooner, were driven on shore on Formby Point
this morning. The Ward, from St. John NB, is is at anchor near the
NE buoy, with loss of yards. The Jane, Roberts, bound to Bristol, put
back yesterday, with loss of sails, and leaky. The Swan, bound to
Glasgow, was in contact this morning with the Nimrod, from Charleston,
and lost mast and bowsprit. The Victoria (Steam Tug), has arrived
with 26 persons from the Pennsylvania, and from the Lockwoods; the
Master and second Mate of the former were drowned. The William 4th,
from Tralee to this port, is wrecked in Lough Swilly.
Blackpool, 8th Jan. The
Crusader, Wyckman, from Liverpool to Bombay, came on shore this morning
on a Bank at the entrance of the River Ribble, is full of water, and
it is expected will go to pieces unless the wind moderates,
Lancaster, 9th Jan.
The Yeoman, Thoms, from Liverpool to Demerara, is stranded in the
harbor of Lune; very little of the vessel is to be seen; the cargo is
washing on shore.
Maryport, 8th Jan. It blew a complete hurricane yesterday
from SSW to WNW, from 1. a.m. until 3. 30. p.m. The following
vessels received considerable damage in the harbor: Cottager, Burn;
Belvoir Castle, Wood ; Nancy, Carricks; Ann, Wilson; Janes, Scurr;
Mary; Curwen & Bradil, Panolt; Tartar; and Salus, Wilkinson.
Stranraer, 7th
Jan, it blew a hurricane yesterday evening. The Marys Packet, sunk in
the Roads; two of the Crew supposed to be drowned. The Loch Ryan (s),
was driven from the Quay, and is lying high and dry without much
damage. The Tiger, is totally wrecked in Port Patrick harbor. A
Sloop, with all hands, is lost near Port Patrick; also a Schooner,
laden with flour, in Ardwell Bay. Two or three Brigs, are on shore at
Cairn Ryan. A Sloop, is reported to be sunk in the Roads. The Margaret,
Tender, is riding out the gale with masts cut away. All the Vessels
in the Roads, have driven half-way across the Loch. It continues to
blow a gale from WNW.
