Flat Lota 1916

Wooden Flat built S. Stock, Widnes, in 1878, 87 tons, 73x19x9 ft. ON67166.
Owned Samuel Stock, colliery owner living at Blackleyhurst Hall, Billinge, who had a tram road linking his collieries to the St. Helen's Canal [Sankey Navigation]
1889 ownership changed to Thomas Coppack of Connah's Quay, registered Chester.
Voyage Connah's Quay to Liverpool with cargo of iron sheets.
Sank in Hilbre Swash on 2 December 1916. Crew of 2 saved.
Some of cargo and gear above LW level salvaged by Hoylake fishermen
Wreckage was at about 3m below CD in 1987, then clear at 5m in 1993, and is now not charted.
Location 53°25.05N, 3°13.06W

Birkenhead News - Wednesday 06 December 1916: Wreck off Hoylake. A FLAT ASHORE, A large two-masted flat, said to be the Lotor [sic: Lota], loaded with galvanised iron, was observed to be dangerously aground on the Hoyle Bank, off Hoylake, on Sunday morning. As the tide was too far out for the Hoylake lifeboat to be launched, the lifeboatmen were dispatched to Hilbre, and set off for the rescue with all possible speed. Before they arrived at the scene of the wreck, however, they met a small steamer which had already taken off the crew of the doomed vessel, which shortly afterwards sank, only her masts showing above the water.