Many other vessels were lost with crew lost also.
From Parliamentary Report on Wrecks and Casualties on the coasts of
the United Kingdom for 1859.
An official list of all those wrecks involving loss of life was published -
here are those on the east side of the Irish Sea during the October
storm: over 75 lives lost on vessels other than the Royal Charter.
Many more vessels were totally wrecked - without loss of life - and an even
larger number were driven ashore, damaged or sunk, but later repaired.
Name/age/rig/tons/crew/cargo/nature of loss/lives lost/wind/location
25th Oct 1859
Margaret Lloyd 5y dandy 52 4 slates foundered total 4 NNW 12 off
Cardigan Island
Beatrice Catherine - smack 34 3 culm+1 passenger stranded total 4
NNE 10 Porthor Bay[Llŷn]
Villa [de Rivadeo] 4y barque 441 15 sugar stranded total 1 NE 12
Porthcolmond[Llŷn]
Messenger - smack 30 3 iron+coals stranded partial 3 ENE 9 near Penmon
[Anglesey]
26th Oct 1859
Major Nanney 19y cutter 43 4 coals stranded partial 1 SE10 White
Sand [Traeth Gwyn] Cardiganshire
Eliza 23y schooner 82 5 iron ore stranded total 5 NE 12 Porthferin
[Llŷn]
Agnes 41y brig 116 6 ballast stranded total 2 NNE 12 Point Lynas
[Anglesey]
Royal Charter 4y SS ship 2719 110 general+388 passengers stranded
total 446 NE 12 Moelfre
Martha Grace 27y schooner 60 3 coals loss of sails partial 2 ENE 12
off Calf of Man
Petrel 19y schooner 58 4 pig iron stranded total 1 ENE 11 off Calf
of Man
Twin Sisters 2y schooner 92 5 coal foundered total 5 - - Aberystwyth
Severn - - 67 5 coal foundered total 5 - - supposed off Piel
(Barrow)
Fame 32y sloop 52 2 steam fuel foundered partial 1 NNW 10 off Mostyn
[Dee Estuary]
Mathilda 18y schooner 96 6 culm stranded total 6 NNW 12 Dinas Head
Chas Holmes 7y ship 886 25 general stranded total 25 - - near
Aberach [Strumble Head]
Morning Star 32y sloop 38 4 slates foundered total 4 variable 11
Cybwr [Ceibwr] Creek
Claudia 9y smack 29 3 lead ore foundered total 3 - - Porthor
Bay[Llŷn]
Priscilla 14y sloop 32 3 lead ore foundered total 3 - - Porthor
Bay[Llŷn]
Eliza 24y schooner 82 5 unkown foundered total 5 - - off
Porthdinllaen[Llŷn]
Swansea Trader 31y smack 35 3 slates foundered total 3 - - off Dinas
Head
Orion - smack 24 3 slates foundered total 3 - - off St Davids
Note that this list is incomplete - the flat
William was reported lost in the Mersey with 2 lives lost; the Eagle was lost near Abergele with
2 drowned; the schooner Laurel was lost near
Aberystwyth with all aboard [3-6] drowned; schooner Eliza and Jane was lost near Cardigan with all
hands [3-5]; schooner Wrestle was lost with all
hands.
Note that the reports above of two schooners called Eliza look
suspiciously like applying to the same wreck.
Fuller discussion and list of other vessels wrecked.
Royal Charter
Captain Thomas Taylor was very proud of the Royal Charter and was
nearing his destination of Liverpool with every intention of making
good time, having left Melbourne on 26 August. She was a fast vessel
under sail and had auxiliary engines to allow her to keep going
whatever the weather. She had aboard many passengers from Australia and
a quantity of gold coins, bar, ingots and dust extracted from the
Australian goldfields. The weather on the night of 25 October was
exceptionally bad and many vessels were lost around the coast of
Britain. The greatest loss of life was from the Royal Charter.
As she rounded Point Lynas at 8pm she signalled for a pilot but the
conditions were too stormy for a pilot to board her. With an easterly
wind of force 10 or more, she was making very little headway as the
screw was often out of the water in the huge waves. By 11 pm she was
riding to her two anchors. As the wind strengthened further, at 1.30 am
the port cable snapped at the hawse pipe and, an hour later, the
starboard anchor cable parted. She was driven against the shore just
north of Ynys Moelfre at about 3 am. She was broadside to the shore
with her bows just 6 metres from a rock on shore. The tide was ebbing
and the crew hoped to be able to walk ashore later on. Their signals
of distress were not seen for a while because of the noise of the
storm. The mainmast was cut down but it did not fall so as to reach the
shore. The sea state was atrocious with huge waves and confused seas.
A Maltese sailor, Joseph Rogers, obtained permission to make for the
shore with a rope. He was dropped overboard and was swept back and
forth in the waves. After being hurled on the rocks, he was grabbed by
men on shore and the rope was secured. A ten inch Manila hawser was
led ashore and secured to rocks as a bridge. Sixteen passengers were
passed along it in a chair arrangement, although with delays as one
female passenger would not dare to go. After low water at 4 am, the sea
level rose and by 5 am the whole vessel was bumping against the seabed
in the violent waves. In the panic, many passengers jumped overboard and
most were lost. At 7.30 am the waves broke her side and she split into
two parts. This also broke the hawser linking the wreck to the shore,
casting three men who were on it as it broke into the water. The sea
swept over the wreck and none of those left on board were to survive.
Captain Taylor was one of the last seen alive on board - he was lashed
to a spar but the sea picked up one of the ship's boats and it fell on
him, crushing him.
Of the 371 passengers and 112 crew aboard, only 21 passengers and 18
crew survived: 16 by the rope hawser and 23 who were washed or swam
ashore. No women or children were among those who reached safety. Many
of the passengers had valuable gold in bags and belts and this weight
reduced any chance they had of getting ashore alive. As debris was
swept ashore, those on the rocky shore searched for any gold. The
coastguards and later the marines kept order and limited any plunder.
At an inquiry into the wreck, it was mentioned that the Captain might
have run to Holyhead for shelter and that the masts might have been cut
away sooner. The Captain, however, was exonerated. The Maltese seaman,
Joseph Rodgers, was awarded a silver medal by the Mercantile Marine
Fund for his heroism.
With such a valuable cargo, divers salvaged the wreck as soon as the
weather improved. Many other attempts have been made to recover
valuables from the wreck, most recently in 1985 and then again in 1997.
The seabed of sand is around 10m deep with metal plates sticking out
of it. Using air lifts the seabed was excavated another few metres and
many items were recovered. The site is just off the shore near the
memorial which was erected on the cliff top in 1935.
The storm of 25/26 October 1859, known as the Royal Charter gale, had
force 11-12 NE winds. These drove sailing vessels onto NE facing
shores: Isle of Man, North Wales, East Anglesey, North Llŷn,
Cardigan Bay from St. David's Head to Aberystwyth. Here I list the
details of some of the vessels lost, from North to South along the
eastern coast of the Irish Sea (mainly Wales). Information from BoT wreck reports, Lloyds Register, newspapers, shipping
registers, Mercantile Navy List, books, coflein, shipbuilders site, Welsh mariners site,
Swansea mariners site, crew list site, Madu
site,....
Index of wrecks:
Diana; Petrel;
Severn;
Victoria; Flat William;
Cherry; Fame;
Sarah;
Oriental; Number Two;
Eagle; Catherine;
Alice; Sylph;
Hectorine; Robert;
Messenger; Jane;
Maria; Royal Charter;
Agnes; Hope;
Catherine;
Sea Wave; England;
Martha Grace; Weaver;
Villa de Rivadeo;
Bard;
Eliza; Beatrice Catherine;
Claudia; Priscilla;
Bee; Rachel;
Twin Sister;
Laurel; Margaret;
Mary Anne;
Robust; Major Nanney;
Ellen; Hope;
Catherine; Victoria;
Eliza and Jane;
Margaret Lloyd; Britannia;
Morning Star; Swansea Trader;
Mathildis; Abeona;
Charles Holmes;
Carolina; Orion;
Martha,
Wrestle.
Wooden schooner Diana of Belfast, 78 tons, ON 8742
Wooden schooner Petrel built 1840, 58 tons, ON 22658.
THE LATE STORMS - BARROW - There is now no doubt that the Iron Age
[lost on S coast of England], Twin Sisters, and Severn, belonging to
this place, are lost, together with all hands.
Wooden schooner Severn of Barrow, 67 tons.
Brigantine Victoria of Jersey, 110 tons, ON 26514, first registered 1843.
The Alexander, from Whitehaven to Cardiff, with iron ore,
put into Liverpool, and while at anchor in the Mersey, was run into by a
steamer, and lost bowsprit, etc.
From Warrington Guardian - Saturday 29 October 1859
More shipping casualties in the Mersey:
The Jane, flat, from Liverpool, with coals, in attempting to dock at
Garston, sprung a leak, and sunk opposite the pier head; crew saved.
Runcorn Oct 27 The Alert, Owens, of Bangor left the Duke's
Dock [Liverpool] on Tuesday the 25th to go over to Woodend[Widnes] to
load coals. She grounded at the entrance to the Woodend Channel, and
during the gale yesterday, fell over on her beam ends, with her masts in
the sand. Efforts are being made to save her.
Many vessels were driven ashore between the Dee estuary and Conwy. A
flat and two schooners were reported ashore at Hoylake.
Wooden schooner Cherry built Waterford 1823, registered Truro,
82 tons. ON 580.
The wooden sloop Fame was reported as foundering
off Mostyn (Dee estuary) with the loss of one life. The BoT wreck report
gives: built 1827, 52 tons, crew of 2, partially wrecked (so refloated).
Her cargo was described as steam fuel.
Flat Sarah of Preston sunk near Point of Ayr, crew saved
Wooden schooner Oriental built Andrew Stevens, Pugwash, Nova
Scotia 1852
Wooden sloop [flat] Number Two of Liverpool, 59 tons, ON 4109
The Eagle was one of the many vessels lost
during the Royal Charter Gale, 25-26 October 1859. It is not, however,
included in the list of wrecks involving loss of life, tabulated in the
Admiralty Register of Wrecks and Casualties to Shipping 1859. The
Aberystwyth shipping register, however, confirms that the vessel was lost
in Llandrillo Bay on 25 October 1859.
The flat Catherine ashore at Rhos Point.
Summary of wrecks near Conwy [from Baner ac Amserau Cymru, 2 Nov; in
Welsh] Wrecks near the bar: Hectorine of Preston; Handy of Conwy[16tons]; Sylph
of Aberystwyth; Eagles of Conwy. The crew of the Handy were rescued by
Liverpool schooner Percy. See below for rescue of those aboard Sylph.
Wooden sloop Alice built Conwy 1838, 26 tons, registered
Beaumaris
Wooden brigantine Sylph built Owen Owens, Newquay, 1855. 145
tons
Wooden schooner Hectorine built Kirkcudbright 1840, 40 tons
Wooden sloop [flat]Robert built Frodsham 1831, 88 tons
Wooden smack Messenger built Barmouth 1841, 28gt,
Wooden smack Jane built Llanelltyd Bridge, Barmouth, 1826, 41 tons
Many vessels were driven ashore and damaged at Bangor - though
the only loss of life reported was of two men ashore.
Wooden brig Maria built Liverpool 1793, 128 tons
Royal Charter lost just north of Moelfre
with a huge loss of life.
Wooden brig Agnes built Neath 1818, 116 tons burden,
Hope, from Holyhead
to Liverpool, with wheat, is a total wreck at Porth Llechog [Bull Bay],
near Amlwch; cargo lost. Vessel refloated.
Wooden schooner Catherine of Amlwch, master Williams, ON 20561.
Holyhead Harbour outer breakwater was only partially built by this
date.
However, as the damage to Holyhead Marina in 2018 caused by storm Emma
testifies, Holyhead is subject to big waves in a NE gale. The 1859 storm
destroyed
some of the building work on the breakwater and caused grave concern to
those
aboard the Great Eastern (then the largest ship afloat) which was moored
in
the harbour.
The barque Sea Wave, of Liverpool, 317 tons, ON 22033, built
Sunderland 1858, laden with copper ore, was
towed into Holyhead, derelict, by the iron steamer Briton Ferry [156
tons, 3 masts, 141 x 17ft, iron frame, 35hp screw, registered Swansea, built Renfrew 1852, captain
Richard Barratt, Swansea to Liverpool]. She was sighted, abandoned, off Strumble Head,
after, it is supposed, a collision. Bowsprit and mizenmasts gone
near the deck, the mainmast only standing now, cutwater, and the
starboard side, chaffed and damaged, spars and gear hangings alongside.
The cargo is copper ore. On referring to the logbook left on board we
find that she was from Valparaiso [Tocopilla also quoted] in South
America for Liverpool. It turns out that she had collided with the
ship Grand Trianon of Antwerp and that the Grand Trianon had taken her
crew aboard and brought them to safety at Liverpool.
Holyhead: The England (barque), Cochrane, drove foul of, and
caused the John
Ann, Derbyshire, from Conway to Dublin, with slate; Prince of Wales
(smack) Dublin, from Arklow to Woodend [Spike Island, Widnes], with
copper ore and the Ellen
(schnr.) Owens, bound, of and from Bangor for Belfast, with slates; to
come to the beach where they now lie - not much damaged.
Wooden schooner Martha Grace, built Hopewell N.B. 1832, 60 tons, 3 crew,
cargo coal. ON 12645. Register closed 1861.
There were many vessels driven ashore along the north coast of the
Llŷn, from Porthdinllaen to Bardsey Island. Many vessels moored
and ashore at Porthdinllaen were damaged. Many were wrecked near
Porthor [whistling sands]. Many were refloated without loss of life.
Here I include some of the more significant wrecks:
Wooden schooner Weaver, built Frodsham 1836, 49 grt,
The Spanish barque Villa de
Rivadeo was lost at Porth Colmon, Llŷn.
The Bard, master Roberts, for Portgolmon [sic] was described [Lloyds List 28 Oct]
as likely to become a total wreck.
Wooden schooner Eliza, built 1836, 82 tons, 5
crew, cargo: iron ore.
Wooden smack Beatrice Catherine, built Bangor 1845, 34 tons
Wooden smack Claudia of Aberystwyth, built 1850 by John Jones
at Ynyslas, 29 tons
Wooden sloop Priscilla of Aberystwyth, built Hugh Evans,
Ynyslas, 1845, 32 tons
Wooden schooner Bee built Cape Breton Island, 1832, 33 tons,
Wooden smack/sloop Rachel of New Quay, 25 tons, built Ceibach 1836, registered
Cardigan, ON 16140.
Porthmadog was the main harbour for loading slates; here is a list of
vessels [from NW Chronicle 29th October] that sailed from Porthmadog,
before 27 October; note that 7 of these are listed as wrecks below.
Aberystwyth had a sheltered harbour and several vessels sought to
enter.
The harbourmaster had neglected to light the harbour entrance and this
was
responsible for vessels having nowhere safe to go. This was reported as
responsible for the loss of the Margaret Lloyd (see below) as reported
by Captain Enos of the Victoria:
Wooden Schooner Twin Sister built Wexford 1857, 91 tons
Wooden schooner Laurel built Canoe Cove, Prince Edward island 1849,
98tons
Shipping at Newquay (Cardigan) was much damaged by the storm.
Vessels were cast ashore and some were wrecked beond repair.
Wooden sloop Margaret built Ceibach [New Quay] 1841, 26 tons
Wooden sloop Mary Anne[also Mary Ann] built Newport 1810, 23 tons
Wooden schooner Robust built Miramichi 1834, 76 tons
Wooden sloop Major Nanney built Pwllheli 1841,
46 tons
The Ellen of Aberystwyth was driven onto the rocks near
Penpolion, Newquay. Captain Thomas. All crew saved.
The Hope, of New Quay, master Thomas, was totally wrecked at New Quay. All crew
saved.
The smack Catherine, of New Quay, master Davies, was totally wrecked at
New Quay. Crew saved.
Wooden sloop Victoria built Aberystwyth 1845, 31 tons
At Aberporth seven large fishing boats were washed off the beach,
and totally lost, and during the night the stern and deck of a schooner
from Porthmadog was washed ashore, which had evidently been wrecked
in the gale and all the crew perished. The masts of another schooner
can also be seen above low water.
Wooden schooner Eliza and Jane built Traethbychan, Merioneth, 1839, 54
tons
Wooden smack Margaret Lloyd built Thomas Watkins, Aberystwyth
1854, 52 tons.
Wooden schooner Britannia built Cardigan 1797, 21 tons,
Wooden smack Morning Star built Aberystwyth 1826, 38 tons
Wooden smack Swansea Trader built Bideford 1828, 35 gt,
Wooden schooner Mathildis built New Quay 1842, 96 tons
Wooden smack Abeona built St. Dogmaels 1852, 29 tons
Wooden ship Charles Holmes built Merriam & Andrews, Rockland, Maine, 1851.
Wooden barque Carolina, Danish, of Copenhagen, 550 tons
Wooden sloop Orion built Nevin 1849, 25 tons
Wooden schooner Martha of Neath, 78 tons, ON 20616, registered Swansea
Wooden schooner Wrestle built Porthmadog 1859, 88tons
Loss of Royal Charter 1859
Steam clipper: 2719 tons, 306 ft long, 41 ft beam, draught 20 ft. ON
1355.
Built: William Patterson, Sandy Croft, near Chester, 1855.
Engines: 200 hp.
Owned: Liverpool and Australian Navigation Co.
Date of wreck: 26 October 1859.
Location: 53° 21.50' N 4° 14.30' W.
Depth: 10 m seabed.
Royal Charter wreck.
Other wrecks during the October 1859 storm
Very many vessels were reported as driven ashore, damaged,
wrecked. These were mostly tough wooden vessels designed to "take the
ground" for unloading. Many survived being driven ashore, or
dismasted, and were repaired and continued in service. Here I aim to
include all cases with loss of life, as well as all cases with vessel
not put back in service. The huge volume of casualties means that many
vessels are barely mentioned in contemporary newspaper reports. So, in many
cases, the outcome is not clear - some of those cases are
included also.
62 x 17 x 9.5 ft, built 1812 at Irvine, 83 tons om, first owner at
Irvine.
Possibly transferred to Belfast registry in 1859 [so described by Belfast newspapers].
Voyage Maryport to Belfast with cargo of coal, Captain James Hill.
Leaky and foundered off Douglas Head, crew saved in their own boat.
Diana of Irvine [ON 8742] is
listed on the Approriation Book as lost per cert 10 Nov 1859.
The schooner Diana, 78 tons, James Hill master, while on her
passage from Maryport to Belfast, with coals, sprung a leak about 15
miles S.E. of Douglas Head, the wind blowing at the time a strong gale
from N.N.E. Her crew, five in number, reached Douglas in their small
boat on Wednesday night [26th October], at half-past seven o'clock, in a most exhausted
state. The poor fellows state that the vessel sank in deep water 20
minutes after they left her. [Whitehaven News - Thursday 03 November
1859]
1852 registered Preston; 1857 on registered Fleetwood.
Voyage Troon to Liverpool with cargo of pig-iron, Captain Richard Nicholson
Ran ashore in a sinking state on Calf of Man. Reported as near
mouth of Calf sound.
Appropriation book annotated: lost as per cert., 6 jan 1860.
A boy, Francis Munzey, washed overboard and lost, 3 other crew saved.
WRECK OF THE PETREL, OF FLEETWOOD. - To the many disasters at
sea by the fearful gale
of Tuesday and Wednesday week, we have to add the total loss of the
schooner Petrel, of Fleetwood. The Petrel, Captain R. Nicholson, left
Troon, on Monday, the 24th ult., with a cargo of pig iron for
Fleetwood [sic], and first encountered severe weather off the Mull of
Galloway. The gale increased in fury, and during Tuesday night, the
sea broke over the ship fearfully, causing the greatest anxiety to all
on board. The cabin boy was washed overboard, and was seen no more.
About four on Wednesday morning she struck on the Calf of Man, and
the captain, mate, and another hand, (all on board,) succeeded in
getting on to the rocks. The mate dropped from the end of the bowsprit
immediately the vessel touched, but the captain and sailor had a hard
struggle and were much exhausted on gaining the shore. The vessel sank
in a few minutes afterwards, and has since gone to pieces. A good
portion of the cargo is likely to be saved. The Petrel was jointly
owned by Messrs. Gibson and Butcher, Mr. J. Ward, and Mrs. Hesketh,
all of Fleetwood; and is insured to the extent £350 in the
Fleetwood Mutual Ship Insurance Association. [From Preston Chronicle 5 November]
THE LOSS OF THE PETREL. The loss of this vessel on the Calf of Man in
the storm of Wednesday week was related in the last number of the Manx
Sun. It appears that the Petrel is the same vessel that was abandoned
off Douglas Head some years ago, having on board a cargo of oatmeal,
and was brought into harbour by the Douglas boatmen. The following
document has been signed by the master, Richard Nicholson; the mate,
G. Parker; and R. Hinon, a seaman, -
The Petrel left Troon, Oct. 24, wind light
and variable. At 3.30 a.m. on the 26th found the ship was making
water. I ordered the main and foresail to be taken in, and run the
vessel W.S.W. for Dublin. At 4 a.m. a tremendous sea broke on board,
and washed the boy Francis Munzey overboard, carrying away
stanchions, bulwarks, and small boat. At 7 a.m, abreast of Peel
harbour, only two hours' flood, and not sufficient water to take it,
the sea running very heavy and blowing very strong; ship making water
fast, notwithstanding all our efforts at the pumps. The water was now
above the lockers, the vessel losing command of her helm, and fast
settling down. In order to save life, we determined on running the
vessel through the Sound of the Calf, which we were enabled to do in
safety, by the guidance of the beacon lately placed on the sunken rock
in the centre; we were then comparatively in smooth water. At 8:30
a.m. we ran her on the beach, but the jib-boom taking the rock, on
which the mate succeeded in landing, she then backed off about her own
length, and then her head rushed in, so that the other man and myself
got on a projecting cliff, from whence we could not get up nor down,
not even at low water. The vessel then drifted out about 40 yards and
sunk. The mate, knowing our perilous position, went in search of help,
and found Mr. Qualtrough, who collected his men and a horse, who
dragged the boat a full mile over the rocks and launched her on the
lee side of the island. In about three hours we were rescued by the
indefatigable exertions of Mr. Qualtrough and his brave crew. I shall
ever bless him for saving my life. He then took us all to the house,
and supplied us with dry clothing and every refreshment the house
could afford, and then accompanied us to the Low Lighthouse to procure
beds (his own being all occupied with millwrights and other workmen),
when Mr. Slesson and Mr. Grierson, with their families, vied with each
other to show us the most kindness. We therefore, the undersigned, the
master and crew of the Petrel, desire to place on record the extreme
kindness and substantial sympathy we experienced from the inhabitants
of the Calf Island generally, and particularly to Mr. Qualtrough and
the crew of his boat, to Mr. Alex. Slesson, Mr. Robert Grierson, and
their families, for their great kindness and attention to the poor
shipwrecked mariners. The Calf of Man and its inhabitants will long be
remembered with gratitude. [Manx Sun, Saturday, November 05, 1859]
Voyage Dee Estuary to Barrow with coal, master Garner
and 4 crew.
Left on 25 October 1859 and not heard of since. Presumed lost
near Piel Island (entrance to Barrow). Crew all lost.
Some of her previous voyages in 1859 had been from Barrow to
Morecambe with iron ore, returning light; from Barrow to Chester
(Saltney) with iron ore, returning with coal. Earliest newspaper mention
of her trading at Barrow was 1854 - with master Garner.
On 17 March 1859, she was reported, as a schooner (master
Garner) of Barrow, ashore at Sea Scale
[near Sellafield] on a voyage from Saltney to Barrow in ballast..
Mercantile Navy List has several vessels called Severn - but none
are a good fit. Maybe [as for Twin Sister] the MNL was not updated
effectively from the Lancashire register.
Master David Drummond, from Mogador [Morocco] to Liverpool.
Got on Brazil Bank on 22 October 1859.
She was taken nearer to the [Wallasey] shore where she partially dried. Then,
during the gales of 25/26 October, she broke up and disappeared - with only a few hides saved.
It was said that the flat that was attending to her was that
which sank off Seacombe [William -see below] during the gale.
On FRIDAY next, the 4th November,
at one o'clock, at the Brokers' Office, 80A, Exchange-street East,
About 60 Casks OLIVE OIL, 13 Barrels, 28 Bags, and a Quantity Loose
GUM, 1,200 SHEEP SKINS, and 220 HIDES, Saved from the Wreck of the
Victoria, Mogadore to Liverpool, lying at the Sheds for Wrecked Goods,
Northeast Side, Prince's Dock.
[Liverpool Albion - Monday 31 October 1859]
27 Oct 1859; Derelict brig [possibly the Alexander] drifting
towards Bell Buoy off Liverpool. [but also described as foreign in one
report] Lifeboat and two steamers alongside.
Point of Ayr Lifeboat is listed as launching on October 27th to
the brig Alexander of Whitehaven which was aground on Hoyle Bank with
loss of sails - but she was pulled off and taken to Liverpool by a
steamer.
Melancholy Accident and Loss of Life. On Tuesday last[25
Oct 1859],
the flat [William] belonging to John Wright, Esq., of Runcorn, proceeded [in
bound to the Mersey] to Egremont, loaded with stone; the foggy
weather, however, prevented her from running farther than opposite
Seacombe, where she cast anchor until the following day. At tide time
there was a tremendously strong gale, and the captain endeavoured to
run near the Ferry-slip for shelter; owing, however, to a sudden
squall she was capsized, and afterwards carried into deep water, where
she foundered. The captain and his son [named Howard], of
Fryer-street, Runcorn, (both of whom were excellent swimmers) were
observed struggling in the water, by several persons on shore, but the
gale being at its height defied all their efforts, and owing to the
heavy sea running at the time, it was impossible to render them any
assistance, so that both were drowned.
VESSEL CAPSIZED. - The schooner Alert, of Fleetwood,
belonging to
Messrs. Gibson and Butcher, capsized in the Mersey, opposite Runcorn,
on Wednesday week, has been got up without having sustained any
damage. [Preston Chronicle - Saturday 05 November 1859]
Driven ashore in River Dee, totally dismasted. Eventually
refloated.
Voyages from a vessel Fame, master Rennie: taking lead ore within
the Dee estuary; iron ore from Barrow; bricks to Dublin from Chester;
are recorded in newspapers in 1859.
Her crew of 2 and tonnage would suggest she was a Flat.
The most likely vessel, of those listed in MNL, is Fame of Chester, ON
4232, previously registered at Runcorn, broken up in 1869.
40 tons, ON 19803, first registered 1841, listed in MNL to 1863.
ON 3064, 93 tons burthen, 66 x 18 x 10ft, 2 masts, registered Lancaster
Voyage Ardrossan to Ulverston, Lancaster with pig iron, Captain Robert
Cumming [b Piel 1821] and 5 crew.
25/26 October 1859, driven ashore near Rhyl, dismasted with sails
gone. Not in Mercantile Navy List after 1860.
All hands saved by Rhyl tubular lifeboat.
From the Caernavon and Denbigh Herald, 12 November 1859:
A letter from the master of the vessel,
Robert Cumming, and a mate of the vessel, John Currie, praising the
work of the Lifeboat Station in Rhyl - 'We, the undersigned, Robert
Cumming and John Curries, the master and mate of the ORIENTAL of
Lancaster, lately wrecked near Rhyl, do hereby certify that we were
taken off the vessel, with four others, by the Rhyl Tubular Lifeboat,
and that, in our opinion, the coxswain and crew acted with the
greatest possible energy and expedition in bringing us relief and we
have never in our experience seen a better boat for the saving of life
than the Rhyl Tubular Lifeboat - no lifeboat can equal her. We have
resided since our misfortune in the farm house of Mr. and Mrs. William
Evans, Voryd-bach, from whom we have received the greatest possible
kindness. We have to thank Mr. Kerfoot and Mr. Evan Jones for their
civility in sending teams to cart our stores and cargo. Dated this 4th
day of November, 1859. Robert Cumming. John Currie.'
Voyage Woodend [Widnes] to Llanddulas in ballast [for stone]
During storm, on 26th October, drove ashore in Colwyn Bay
and went to pieces; crew saved [Lloyds List 2 November]
Listed in Mercantile Navy List to 1860 only.
Appropriation book states: loss reported 5 Jan 1860.
From Gore's Liverpool General Advertiser - Thursday 13 January 1859:
Vessels by Auction. This day Thursday 13th inst.
Also, the coasting Flat NUMBER TWO; 59 tons per register. Built Witton
[near Northwich], in
1846, carries about 110 tons. Dimensions: Length 64.5 feet, breadth
15.9 feet, depth 6.1 feet; lying in Harrington Dock. Apply to
CURRY, KELLOCK and CO. Brokers.
The EAGLE was built at Newquay, Cardiganshire, launched in 1819.
Its technical and configuration specifications are given in her ship
registration documentation:
24 40/100 tons burthen; 1 deck, 1 mast; length from the inner
part of the main stem to the stern post; aloft 38.4ft; her breadth in
midships is 12.4ft; her depth in hold at midships is 6.7ft, that she is
a sloop rigged with a running bowsprit, is square sterned, carvel built.
The vessel was sold to David and Evan Jones, both mariners of
Aberystwyth on 17 January 1838 by shareholders John Phillips of New
Quay; James Jones of Pendw; Anne Jones of Llanafeth; Elizabeth Rees of
Clynerth, and the executors of David and Morris Davies. David and Evan
Jones owned the EAGLE until 2 January 1845, when they sold their shares
to John Richards, the elder, of Borth, mariner. John Richards used a
loan from the merchant, Thomas Jones of Aberystwyth, to complete the
purchase. John Richards subsequently passed ownership to Evan Richards
of Aberystwyth.
Details of the loss are known, however, since the consequences were
recorded in the master's own words in a letter he wrote to the editor of
the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, thanking the people of Abergele and
Llandrillo yn Rhos for their generosity and kindness towards him and his
shipwrecked crew.
The newspaper reports that Evan Richard's wife and
child were lost but he, and his crew, were saved.
From North Wales Chronicle, 19 November 1859:
Dear Sir,
my vessel, THE EAGLE of Aberystwyth having been totally wrecked during
the late gales off Llandrillo, and my poor wife and child drowned on the
sad occasion, I shall feel extremely obliged if you will allow me
through the medium of your paper to communicate my most sincere and
heartfelt gratitude to those humane and hospitable people of Abergele
and Rhyl, on whose hospitable shore I was cast, for the benevolent and
hospitable conduct they manifested, and the assistance they so readily
afforded to me in the mournful and distressing condition I was placed
in. I was received in the middle of that stormy (and to me and
thousands of others sadly memorable night), by Mr Hugh Jones, gardener
of Bryndunoedd, from who I received every attention and assistance that
my case required and to whom and his kind employer my gratitude is
especially due. And those who took such deep interest in my behalf and
enabled me to bury my wife and child, and supplied me with food,
clothing and the means of returning home, I am especially grateful to
Lady Hesketh, Gwrych Castle, the Rev. Mr. Hughes, Llandrillo, Fosketh
esquire, Mr. Richards, wine merchant, Abergele, Mr. Owen of the Harp,
Mr. Hughes of the Ship, both of the same place, Captain Edward Roberts,
West Parade, Rhyl, and Messers Robert and Rees Rees of the same place,
jewellers. These kind and benevolent persons used their utmost
influence to solicit subscriptions for me, rendered me every comfort and
assistance in their power, and I may add their kind sympathy, and to
each of them individually, and all others who assisted me, I return my
heartfelt thanks assuring them that their timely aid, and kind sympathy
will never be erased from the memory
Yours, very truly, Evan Richards, late of the Eagle.
The mate of the Success of Aberdyfi [50tons] was washed overboard but vessel was
brought to safety, the Duchess of Gloucester of Bangor[78tons] and the Joseph of
Liverpool are aground near the town. A schooner and a flat are aground
in the channel - fate of crews and names of those vessels unknown at present.
[From Preston Chronicle - Saturday 29 October 1859]:
On Tuesday last, 4 vessels left Preston. One of them, the John,
Cartmell, belonging to Mr John Cartmell of Preston, got safe into Newry,
on Thursday. Three other vessels, which left Preston at the same time,
namely the Constitution [sic, possibly schooner Confidence, built Lytham 1856,
51 tons, ON 14921, registered to 1900], of this port [Preston],
belonging to the same owner; the Kate, of Ramsey [built Ramsey 1857, 62
tons, ON 18464, register closed 1891]; and the Hectorine of Lancaster
[sic], have been wrecked on Conway Bar. The crew of the Hectorine have
been saved.
ON 16453, 42 x 13 x 6 ft, owned William Morris, Conwy.
Shipping register states in a letter from William Jones that Alice was
lost 31st October 1859 in Conwy Bay.
As date of loss is quoted as 31st October, possibly vessel broke
up further in the days after being driven aground by the gale.
ON 9806, 81 x 20 x 12 ft. Owned Newquay, registered Aberystwyth.
Vessel refloated, repaired, and continued in service until 1881.
Driven ashore at Conwy, near the bar; the crew
and the captain's wife having clung to the rigging for hours, the
remainder of the vessel being under water, and the sea so violent that
none could reach them, though in the afternoon the coastguards
succeeded in bringing them all safely to shore and they were taken to
the Erskine Arms to recover.
Another report of the rescue [presumably of this vessel]:
Schooner wrecked off Conway Marshes:
A boat was manned by coastguards and fishermen to reach the wreck.
A tremendous sea had been breaking over the wreck, concealing from
view, every time it swept over the vessel, the poor creatures
(consisting of master and his wife, mate, and four men) who were
clinging to the rigging, and fearing to make a movement of any sort.
As the tide ebbed, the break over the wreck became less, and the lives
were thus providentially saved.
ON 8163, 54.6 x 13.6 x 7.9ft, owned Garstang, registered Preston,
then owned Dundalk
Driven ashore at Conwy, salvaged and repaired, in service to 1864.
SALE BY MR. LLOYD, CONWAY, TO SHIP CARPENTERS, BUILDERS, AND MARINE
STORE DEALERS. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, (WITHOUT RESERVE,) BY MR. SAMUEL
LLOYD, (For the benefit of whom it may concern.) On FRIDAY, the 25th
dav of NOVEMBER, 1859. THE WRECK OF THE SCHOONER "HECTORINE," of
Preston; (45 Tons Register.) As she now lies on the Conway Beach also,
in lots at the Coast Guards Yard, all the Sails, Masts, Yards,
Booms, Gaff, Rigging (nearly new) and other Ropes, Sails, Blocks,
Water casks, Cabin Stove, Kedge, Anchor, Winches, Pump, Ladders,
Lamps, and a quantity of old Rope and Canvas. A GOOD BOAT. Sale to
Commence at One o'clock precisely.[North Wales Chronicle 19 Nov 1859]
ON 1586, 62 x 17 x 7.5ft. Owned Liverpool.
Reported wrecked at Conwy, under Twt Hill [Bodlondeb], but refloated and repaired: in service
until 1920,
ON 4112, 43.5 x 14.8 x 7.3ft, 1 mast. Registered Caernarfon.
Voyage carrying iron and coals
25/26 October 1859, driven ashore on sandbanks near Penmon,
opposite Trecastell.
Captain William Jones and 2 crew - all 3 lost
Refloated and put back in service by March 1860.
ON 1297, 47 x 15 x 8 ft, owned Barmouth, registered Beaumaris,
master Lewis Edwards,
Shipping register states lost 26th October 1859 on the Anglesey Coast.
Newspaper report: The Jane, of Barmouth, after beating over
the Dutchman's bank, and the Causeway, got ashore on Trwyndu [eastern
tip of Anglesey], and speedily broke up. Crew saved.
BANGOR.[From North Wales Chronicle 29 Oct] The following is a list of
the vessels which were either driven on shore, or were more or less
damaged during the night, on the coast skirting Hirael and Garth: -
Conservative, on shore, scuttled; Adur, on shore; Elizabeth, ditto;
Martha, ditto, and damaged; Dart, ditto and ditto; Anne and Susan,
damaged; Llansantffraid Trader, on shore, and much damaged; Alice Ann,
on shore; Active, ditto; Priscilla, ditto, and damaged; Ann and
Elizabeth, on shore, and total wreck; Arthur Wyatt, on shore, damaged;
Vine, ditto ditto; Alice, on shore; John and Sarah, much damaged; John
Nelson, damaged; a fishing boat, (name unknown) wrecked; Alliance, on
shore; Louis Napoleon, ditto; Douro, damaged; Emily, dismasted; Fron,
damaged.
The following is a list of the vessels damaged at the New Harbour:-
Martha, much damaged; Boston, do.; Nell, of Aberystwyth, (driven right
up the pier) and much damaged; Isabella, much damaged; Equity, do.;
Margaret and Ann, do.; Catherine and Jane, do.; Pride of Anglesey,
do.; Alma, do. ; Caudez, do.; Elizabeth, do.; J. C. Wade, do.; Jane
Roberts, damaged ; George IV., damaged; Margaret, do.; Catherine, do.;
Maria and Jane, do.; Crane, of Berwick, Capt. Grey, do.; Isabella, of
Glasgow, do. ; Margaret and Ann, do.; and a smack do.
ON 9291, 75 x 19.2 x 12 ft, 2 masts, owned Thomas Fisher of Barrow.
Voyage Barrow to Swansea with iron ore.
25/26 October 1859, ashore Red Wharf Bay (Benllech)
Crew got safely ashore, then returned and vessel refloated and
moved to Dulas Bay.
ON 9270, 68.6 x 19.9 x 12.6 ft, 2 masts, registered Beaumaris, owned Amlwch.
Voyage Liverpool to Barrow in ballast - 25/26 October 1859
Driven ashore near Point Lynas (Dulas Rocks) and totally wrecked.
Captain Owen Evans and 5 crew - 2 lost. [Shipping register has:
vessel lost with all hands 1859]
Lost her rudder off Barrow and
was driven ashore on Anglesey. Captain's brother and crew member William
Parry lost.
Voyage from Liverpool with cargo of coal (ballast trim) to Cemaes.
She missed her way in making Cemaes harbour last night, and
anchored hear the Pier-head, but subsequently parted and went on a rock
behind the pier, and upon the flood making this morning, she drove
over the rock on to the beach, where she now lies with her bottom
much damaged; crew saved.
Report of Captain Alfred Hayes, Master of the Grand Trianon
(1046 tons), of and for Liverpool, from Antwerp (sulphur ore):- Sailed
from Antwerp on the 14th Oct., moderate. Up to the 25th fine. 26th, at
1:30 a.m., thick wind, NE, a hurricane, ship reaching over towards the
Irish coast having the requisite lights burning, saw a bright light to
leeward. Took it for the Arklow lightship, and gave orders to wear,
which was done immediately, bringing the light on their lee bow. At
that time it was blowing a hurricane; the sails were blown away, and the
light was obscured by the snow shower, but in a few minutes a flash of
light was seen close to our starboard bow, which proved to be from a
barque, coming stem on, and striking the Grand Trianon on the starboard
side, abaft the main chains, damaging the Grand Trianon. The ships
soon cleared. Immediately wore ship and remained somewhere in the
vicinity of where the collision took place. At daylight, nothing of the
barque could be seen, and supposed her to be sunk. We proceeded on our
voyage to Liverpool. The barque proved to be the Sea Wave, of
Liverpool.[Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Tuesday 08 November 1859]
The Sea Wave (316 tons) reached Liverpool on 9 November and was
put back in service, advertised as trading to Rio di Janeiro.
The schooner Gipsey, master Foulkes, from Chester
River [Queensferry] to Drogheda is on the rocks in the New Harbour. She has received
considerable damage and must discharge.
The William Carey, of this port [Liverpool], from Singapore, in
Carnarvon Bay, the 27th, fell in with the Martha Grace of Maryport,
with master, John Benn, and mate, John Wilson, washed overboard, and
only one man aboard [lashed to the mast], and towed her into
Liverpool.
PORTINLLAEN [sic Porthdinllaen]. The gale commenced here
about 4 p.m,, on the 25th. At 1 p.m. a complete hurricane came over
Nevin. The Slater's, Roberts, had her after-part entirely taken off;
the Gronant flat, and the Three Brothers on the stocks, sustained much
damage and a quantity of new and old timber of every description was
seen floating off. Most of the boats belonging to this port were
damaged, more or less. A new schooner was knocked off the stocks. The
schooner Laura and Ellen was beaten up on the beach under Ty Coch,
Portinllaen. The Princess Charlotte, of Carnarvon, ran on the beach at
8 a.m., and sunk - crew saved.
ON 8128, 66 x 16.6 x 6.6ft, 2 masts, registered Liverpool [details as a Mersey jigger flat]
Capt. Hill, of Liverpool, from Saltney for Dublin, with cargo of
coals, went on the rocks under Tudweiliog.
She was refloated and put back in service, later registered at
Caernarfon and owned at Tudweiliog.
She had been reported as arriving in Porthdinllaen on 19
August and again on 1 September. Previous years record voyages, with
tonnage 13, master Roberts, between Runcorn and Liverpool to and from Porthdinllaen and Caernarfon.
[no vessel called Bard in MNL 1858 or 1860]
The Eliza (schr.), of Preston, was lost with all hands on
the rocks at Porthferyn [now Porth Ferin; near Porth Iago; parish of Bodferin],
North of Bardsey. Totally
wrecked. Part of a boat marked Wm Richards [her master] was driven
ashore.
Eliza, master Richards, is listed as leaving Barrow with
iron ore for Cardiff on 25 October. This fits the vessel above.
Also MNL 1858 has Eliza, registered Lancaster, ON 16444, 82 tons, not in
MNL 1860.
William Richards, b 1813/4 St Davids, was captain of Eliza (ON
16444) since 1855,
drowned with ship 26 October 1859, buried Nefyn public cemetery, he had
married Jane Wade at Newport, Mon, 1851, and had a son, Thomas Wade, born
circa 1855.
[MI at Mynwent Gyhoeddus, Nefyn, CAE: Capt William
Richards o'r schooner 'Eliza', Caerdydd, boddwyd yn llongdrylliad y
llestr, 26 Hydref 1859 yn 47]
ON 10892, 46 x 13.5 x 6 ft, Cargo of culm with one passenger
(captain's wife). Neath to Conwy.
Captain and part owner: David Davies of Porthmadog.
All 4 persons aboard lost at Porthor. Totally wrecked. Register closed.
ON 19809, 41.6 x 12.2 x 7ft, Cargo of lead ore from Chester
All 3 crew, including master William Francis, lost at Porthor. Totally wrecked.
Register closed 25 October 1859.
ON 9831, 45.6 x 12.6 x 7.5 ft, owned Evan Jenkins of Borth.
Cargo lead ore from Chester. All 3 crew lost at Porthor. Totally
wrecked.
Register states lost in Royal Charter Gale in Aberdaron Bay[sic]
Evan Jenkins, of Morfa Borth, mariner, died 25 Oct 1859.
ON 9847, 50 x 14 x 7 ft, registered Aberystwyth, owned Aberdovey/Machynlleth.
Cargo lead ore from Chester; ashore at Porthor, crew saved.
Register entry was closed with the annotation: vessel
stranded and became a total wreck in Careg Bay [not a name now known],
Carnarvonshire, on 26 October 1859.
Robert Jones Evans (b Harlech 1821) was master of Bee, then of other
vessels from 1860
Voyage to Bangor in ballast, ashore Porthor, crew saved. Vessel probably put back in service,
since crew lists exist up to 1865.
Ann Jones, Williams
Love, Jones
Snowdon Trader, Jenkins [sic, Swansea Trader]
Victoria, Evans [sic, Enos]
Emily, Batty
Laura, Davies
Margaret Lloyd, Lloyd
Britannia, Rees
Morning Star, Thomas
Aurora, Evans
Eliza & Jane, Jones
Isabella, Jones
Eliza & Mary, Davies
Plynlymon(SS), Dempsey
Orion, Roberts
Garside, Leer
Mary Jones, Williams
'Captain Owen Enos, master of the VICTORIA (lost at New Quay during
the storm that night), said - We were in company with the MARGARET
LLOYD and MORNING STAR (the vessels lost as stated) on the
morning of Tuesday 25th, from St Tudwal's Roads. The BRITANNIA (also
lost), the SWANSEA TRADER of Aberystwyth, the ELIZA MARY of New Quay
and others were also with us. The last time I saw the MARGRET LLOYD
was between 5 and 6 o'clock in the evening, staying out about
Pendinas. I was about three quarters of a mile to leeward of her. The
wind was ENE. In about three quarters of an hour afterwards, it was
quite dark, and the storm increasing, I saw the lights of the MARGARET
LLOYD in such as position as would have enable her to fetch the
harbour in safety if there was a light on the pier, I am positive she
would have been in. I would have made an attempt to come in myself had
there been a light..'.
In a subsequent meeting of the harbour trustees, the harbour
master was dismissed - for failing to arrange the entrance to be lit.
ON 20483, 78 x 21.6 x 9.1 ft, 2 masts, registered Lancaster, owned
Fleetwood/Barrow
Vessel listed in MNL 1860, but not 1858.
Voyage Newport to Liverpool with coal
25/26 October 1859, missing with all 5 aboard lost.
The vessel was last seen off Bardsey on the night of the
storm. One
of its boats marked 'TWIN SISTER OF BARROW Wm Porter', was washed up
on the coast 7 miles south of Aberystwyth leading to speculation that
it may have been wrecked on the Sarn Gynfelin (Outer Patches) off
Aberystwyth.
It was reported that the masts of five or six vessels could be seen in
Aberystwyth bay when the tide was low, which were supposed to have sunk
during the late gale
ON 10260, 71 x 18 x 11ft, registered Beaumaris, owned John Price, Amlwch.
Wreckage marked "John Price, Amlwch" was washed ashore at Tanybwlch
(S of Aberystwyth). Register marked lost 1859.
John Price (20) and his brother Thomas (15) have memorials at
Amlwch.
Reported in the newspaper Baner ac Amserau Cymru '.. Below Fron-Wig,
the PEARL, recently repaired, was lying on its side against the rocks
being battered by waves; the MARY HUGHES, the PERSERVERANCE and the
MARGARET AND ANNE were crashing together and being completely submerged
at times by the huge seas. Behind Penpolion, the MARY ELIZA had sunk
completely and the ELLE [sic Ellen] was on the rocks. The MARY ANNE,
the smack MARGARET and the MAJOR NANNERY [sic Nanney] were driven ashore
at Traeth-gwyn. The LOUISA JANE, another schooner and the smack
CATHERINE, were dragging their moorings and likely to drift with the
rest...'
ON 24103, 39 x 13 x 7.2ft, 1 mast, registered Cardigan, owned Newquay,
Captain Thomas.
Driven ashore at Traeth-gwyn (New Quay beach) and became total
wreck. Shipping register closed with note - lost in 1858 or 1859.
ON 16122, 39 x 12 x 6.4ft, 1 mast, registered Cardigan, captain Rees.
Driven ashore at Traeth-gwyn, Newquay. Described as total wreck. Register closed 1866.
ON 15708, 53.4 x 17.5 x 10.5 ft. Owned and registered
Aberystwyth.
Captain Thomas Williams, voyage Aberystwyth to Liverpool with
pitprops.
Initially rode out the storm in Porthor Bay [Llŷn] but when
anchor and chain parted, ran before the wind. Crew threw timber
overboard to no avail. Eventually driven ashore on a beach near
Newquay [named as Pwll Morgan - a name not now known]. Crew saved.
Shipping register closed with note that vessel wrecked at New Quay on
26 Oct 1859.
ON 9854, 50 x 17 x 8.8 ft, 1 mast, registered Caernarfon 1854,
registered Aberystwyth 1856.
Voyage Swansea to Liverpool with cargo of coal, Captain Jones.
Driven ashore at Traeth-gwyn, New Quay, with loss of 1 crew member
[some newspapers report all crew drowned]; repaired and put back in service.
Stranded 7 April 1876 at
St. Govan's Head (described as a smack) and wrecked, crew saved.
[Major Nanney, 1790-1870, was landowner and Caernarfon MP, based at
Plas Gwynfryn, near Llanystumdwy]
Report of 12 November from Newquay: The ELLEN, Thomas, from Milford to
Craiglas [near Llanon], stranded on the Breakwater in the gale of the 25 Oct., has been
floated off after discharging her cargo and sailed today for Aberayron.
The MARY JANE, Hughes, from Aberystwyth
to Douglas, with oak bark, which was stranded at the same time and place as the
ELLEN, was floated off, but afterwards capsized.
The Jane Morgans, Morgans, from Barrow for Newport was also
stranded nearby [at Pwll Morgan beach] - but later (27 October) refloated.
ON 10661, 43 x 14 x 7.4ft, 1 mast. Registered Aberystwyth.
Voyage Porthmadog to Weston super Mare with slates.
Ashore Cei Bach [E of Llanina] 25/26 October 1859; totally wrecked.
Captain Owen Enos and crew saved, and some material saved from wreck.
Captain Enos reported (see above) that he was unable to enter
Aberystwyth Harbour since it was unlit.
ON 10450, 52 x 18 x9 ft. Owned Griffiths, Porthmadog.
Owen Griffiths (b Harlech 1820) is listed as her master in 1859
Voyage from Bangor with slates [departure listed October 22]
Wreckage ashore at Aberporth and nearer Cardigan identified as from
her.
Presumed foundered with all hands (typically 3-5) lost near Cardigan.
Register states vessel lost near Cardigan 25 October 1859. MNL last
listing 1863.
However, Eliza & Jane, Griffiths, is listed as arriving at
Porthdinllaen on 29 Dec.
Confusingly, Eliza & Jane of Caernarfon, ON 16739, was also
trading.
Possible reports of that vessel:
Eliza & Jane, master Jones, is listed as departing from Porthmadog
shortly before the gale.
Fishguard, Dec.11: The Eliza and Jane, from Porthmadog to
Bristol, which was stranded the 26th October, has sailed for her destination.
She is listed in MNL, owned John Griffith of Nevin, with crew lists for several years after 1859.
ON 8156, 56 x 15.4 x 8.5 ft, owner and master William Lloyd of Aberystwyth.
Voyage with cargo of slates from Porthmadog, eventually wrecked at Cardigan Island,
all 4 aboard (including master's eldest son William) lost.
During the storm, she was seen tacking to and forth for
some 3 hours (between 7 and 10 o'clock) about a mile off Aberystwyth in
evident distress. As no light was being shown at the harbour, the
master was unable to locate the entrance. The harbour master was
informed by both members of the captain's family and other bystanders,
but neglected to take any action. Consequently, the smack was forced to
head down the coast and was eventually overwhelmed near Cardigan Island
- its two masts [described as dandy rigged] were seen above the water some
300 yards east-southeast of the island. The four crew members were
drowned.
ON 18923, 43 x 12.6 x 7.5 ft, 1 mast, owned Richard Jones, Borth, and Hugh
Rees, Borth (her master)
To Newport, also with slates from Porthmadog, unable to enter Aberystwyth Harbour,
was eventually driven ashore at Ceibwr (4 miles south of Cemaes Head) where she broke up. Crew saved.
Register records stranding and loss - signed Hugh Rees, master.
ON 9864, 44 x 14.4 x 8.2 ft, registered Aberystwyth and owned by men from
Aberystwyth, Newquay, Newport and Neath
Voyage Porthmadog to Newport with slates. Reported lost at Ceibwr Bay
Isaac Thomas (master, 59), Lewis Thomas (his son), mate John
Jenkins and Thomas Davies (14) all lost.
ON 15585, 45.5 x15.5 x 8.3 ft, 1 mast, registered Aberystwyth
Owned David Jenkins of Morfa Borth. Cargo roofing slates
Foundered near Dinas Head, all 3 crew lost
ON 13144, 68 x 18.5 x 10 ft, 2 masts, registered Cardigan, owned New Quay
Cargo of culm - stranded and wrecked Dinas Head
all 6 aboard lost - including captain Joshua Davies, his stepson
and Owen Davies from Fron-wig.
Welsh mariners web-site gives Joshua James (b 1808 Llangrannog,
residing New Quay) as
master of Mathildis - lost 25 October - with his stepson (surname Evans)
also lost. He was the only New Quay resident sea captain lost in the storm.
ON 21974, 53 x 13.5 x 7.7ft, 1 mast. Registered Cardigan, owned Stephens of
Llechryd.
Reported [Pembroke Herald 21 Oct] as sailing from Pembroke Dock to
Caernarfon, in ballast, Captain Jenkins.
Struck Cow and Calf rocks which are just N of the Fishguard outer
breakwater.
Crew of 3 saved. Register quotes lost Angle Point near Fishguard
Bay 1859.
887 tons, 154 x 29.3 x 21.1 ft, 3 masts, ON 1741
First owners American; sold to Liverpool owners 1854, registered Liverpool.
Captain (and 1/4 owner) Charles Halket Bowlby (age 35), 28 crew.
Voyage Liverpool (left 24 Oct) to Mobile with coal, iron, tools, clothing, crockery and meat. 1 passenger.
Driven ashore in storm of 25/25 October 1859 at Aberbach [W of Strumble Head].
All aboard lost (28+1) - though BoT return quotes 25 - 12 bodies recovered.
Some wreckage recovered, then divers visited in mid 1860 and
items were advertised for sale in November 1860.
Approximate location: Aberbach [NE end of Abermawr], Porth Dwgan to Carreg Dandy
51°58.66N, 5°5.180W.
More history:
Coflein;
Peoples Collection.
The CHARLES HOLMES. A party of
divers have, for some time past, been actively and successfully
engaged in raising portions of the cargo of the 'Charles Holmes,'
which vessel it will be remembered went down at Abermawr, with all on
board, during the severe gale in October last. About 50 tons of iron,
chiefly rods of a superior quality have been recovered.
[Pemb Herald 11 May 1860]
PRELIMINARY NOTICE. MR. LEVI JAMES has been favoured with
instructions to SELL BY AUCTION early in October next, at ABERBACH in
the parish of Granston, a quantity of goods saved from the wreck of
the Charles Holmes, for the benefit of all whom it may concern,
consisting of a variety of articles, viz:- complete sets of china,
breakfast, tea and coffee services, dinner sets, tart and pudding
dishes, chamber ware, etc, etc., some hundreds of frying pans,
together with a variety of hard ware, (brass and steel), fire irons,
boxes of carpenters' tools, brass and iron chains, tons of rigging,
etc, etc . [Pemb. Herald 14 Sept 1860]
Captain S C Ibsen and all crew saved (13 in total)
Voyage Dublin to Cardiff in ballast. Wrecked Porthgain - materials advertised
for sale.
PORTHGAIN Oct 26: This morning at 3:30 am the Danish barque
Carolina, Ibsen, of Copenhagen, on her passage from Dublin for Cardiff
(ballast), during a strong gale from the NW, and when unmanageable,
struck the south pier of this harbour, veered round, and went behind the
north pier, and immediately broke up into fragments, crew, 12 in number,
all saved by getting from the ship onto the pier. The wreck now in
charge of the coastguard. [Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Friday 28
October 1859]
Advert: On Monday, the 7th day of November 1859, at eleven
o'clock, am, at Porthgain, in the parish Llanrhian, for ready money
only. The whole of the materials of the wreck of the Danish barque
CAROLINA of Copenhagen, S C Ibsen, Commander, burthen 550 tons. Wrecked
at Porthgain on the 26th instant, consisting of the whole of the oak and
other timber, constituting the hull of that splendid ship, masts, yards,
sails, cordage, blocks, cables and anchors, copper, metal and iron,
boats, and all the tackle, apparel and furniture, saved from the wreck,
as they now lie, in and about the creek of Porthgain, aforesaid. An
early attendance is requested as the whole will be sold, without
reserve, in one day. John Harries, Receiver of Wreck, Newport, Oct 28,
1859
ON 18943, 40.4 x 13.3 x 7.2 ft, 1 mast, registered Caernarfon, owned William
Roberts, Porthmadog.
Cargo of roofing slates from Porthmadog, master Roberts, foundered
off St. David's Head.
All 3 crew lost. Register notes lost 1859.
Formerly Leole of Nantes, 2 masted, ketch rig. Owned Robert Evans,
timber merchant since 1854.
Voyage Aberayron to Neath with pit props, Captain Daniel Williams
(b New Quay 1823)
Ashore near Pencarren [sic - Pencarnen], St Davids
Head about 11 pm.
Crew got safely ashore by climbing onto the rocks, vessel expected to become a total wreck.
IMPORTANT SALE. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY MR W. BEYNON,
on Tuesday, the 8th inst., at 10 o'clock, a.m., at PORTHSELLY BAY [sic
Porthselau, S end of Whitesands Bay], near St.David's, about 1000 lots
of very prime Larch and other Poles, saved from the cargo of the Martha,
of Neath, wrecked at that place; together with the Materials of the
Wreck, consisting of Oak and other Timber, Masts, Yards, Sails, Cordage,
Blocks, Cables, Boat, Tackle, etc, as they now lie at Portcarmon Farm.
An early attendance is requested, as the whole will be sold in one day.
St. David's, November 1, 1859.
ON 22142, 72 x 21 x 10.5 ft. Registered Caernarfon. Captain Jones.
Owned by people in Aberporth area, mainly Evan Jones, master
mariner, of Penbryn.
Voyage Cuxhaven to Porthmadog, presumed lost during storm
of 26 October.
Register closed with note "lost on or about 25th October 1859 -
supposed to be foundered in the gale of the 25th Oct. 1859 and that
all hands perished as nothing has been heard of her up to this date."
Recorded as leaving Porthmadog with slates on 15 September and
arriving at Cuxhaven 26 September, and Harburg [an area of Hamburg]
before 29th Sept. No further shipping movements listed - so presumably
lost with all hands on return voyage from Cuxhaven to Porthmadog.
Memorial inscription, Penbryn church: Evan Jones, age 28, captain
of the Wrestle, drowned on a voyage from Hamburg to Dublin, October 26
1859.