Paddle steamer b Wood & Barclay, Port Glasgow 1827
Registered Glasgow; 111 ft long, 16 ft wide, 86 tons burthen
Engines 70 hp., b David Napier.
On voyage Waterford for Dublin, she sank off Courtown Harbour.
22 March 1828; 7 (or 4) passengers and 2 crew lost.
A letter in the Waterford paper of the 22nd inst.[March 1828] gives the following particulars of the loss of the Venus steam packet: - The Venus steamer sailed from Waterford on Tuesday morning, with passengers, 150 sacks of flour, 214 bundles of paper, 46 boxes of oranges, 10 bales of cotton goods, and several small parcels, none of which were insured. In proceeding on the voyage, between Gorey and Arklow, a part of the engine broke, and pierced a hole through the bottom of the vessel. All hands went to work pumping, and bailing with buckets a hole was cut in the deck for an additional bucket to work, and by great exertions the passengers and crew prevented the leak from gaining on them, there being then four feet water in the hold. Up to seven o'clock everything was done that human prudence could suggest, and to run the vessel on shore as speedily as possible was determined on. When within a mile of the shore, in 5 fathoms water, to the amazement of every one, the Captain, mate, male and female stewards, cabin-boy, and four sailors, slipt into the boat, cut it away, and left the vessel, by which means the leak gained, and the vessel drifted off the shore, let go her anchor in six fathoms water - the pumps being unavoidably neglected - the vessel sunk about half-past eight. Some got to the masts, funnel, etc and were ten hours before they were relieved from their perilous situation, by the Preventive Water Guard, to whom too much praise cannot be given for their prompt exertions. - A gentleman who returned from the wreck states, that "six lives were lost, viz. four passengers, one fireman, and one of the crew."
Another report from a vessel caught in the same gale:
On Monday morning, the 17th inst., the Waterloo, pilot-smack. Capt. W.
Brown, containing Mr. Potter's company of comedians, left Milford Haven for
Wexford, the wind being adverse, but moderate. On Tuesday afternoon, about
three o'clock, they made the Tuscar Rock near the entrance of Wexford,
when a most tremendous storm arose, the waves running mountains high, and
washing over the mast-head of the small vessel. At this time a fine steam
vessel, the Venus of Glasgow, passed, and apparently, in distress. This idea
was too soon verified, as she soon afterwards foundered, and it seems six
passengers perished, though not in sight of the Waterloo. Capt. Brown had no
choice left but to remain at sea during the storm, or to make a desperate
effort to get over Wexford bar, which latter he adopted, and succeeded in
getting over the south bar - the storm still raging and increasing.
The location of sinking is described as near Gorey (an inland town) or as near the Blackwater Bank (offshore sandbank). The modern harbour of Courtown is near both of these locations.
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