Relatively recently, the figurehead was restored and a copy was carved to stand in its place. The original is now at the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, Brodick.
From Millom Gazette; Thursday 31 December 1908
THRILLING WRECK SCENE, BENUMBED MEN WASHED FROM THEIR VESSEL, LIFEBOATMAN'S MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.
Millom Boat Lost. Blizzards and snowstorms have been
general off the British coasts, and a number of shipping casualties have
occurred , with serious loss of life. The schooner Bessie Arnold, of Millom,
was totally wrecked on Monday at Sliddery, near Blackwaterfoot, Island of
Arran, four of the crew being drowned. One was saved by the rocket
apparatus.
The Campbelltown lifeboat was called to the scene of the wreck, but
owing to the position of the vessel, which lay forty fathoms from the shore,
the lifeboatmen were unable, in the very mountainous seas running, to effect
the rescue of the unfortunate crew, three of whom were seen clinging to each
other, apparently benumbed. One immense sea, swept the lifeboat right between
the Fore and Mainmast of the vessel, and, at the same time washed Neil
M'Kenzie out of the lifeboat, and carried away two of the schooner's men, who
were never seen again. M'Kenzie had a marvellous escape being rescued by his
comrades after he had been twenty minutes in the water. He was in an exhausted
condition, but later revived. The lifeboat crew had reluctantly to
leave the vessel, but the rocket apparatus had by this time got to work, and
rescued the only survivor of the Bessie Arnold's crew.
It will be remembered that the Bessie Arnold was driven ashore on
Walney Island about eight years ago in a storm. The crew were rescued, and the
schooner was afterwards floated and towed to Millom, where she was repaired.
The Bessie Arnold was a small coasting vessel belonging to the Hodbarrow
Company and in charge of Capt. Jones.
She left the
Millom pier on Saturday for Glasgow. It is surmised that in the blinding
snowstorm that prevailed, Capt. Jones got somewhat out of his course, and got
into the rocks of the Isle of Arran, before he was aware of his dangerous
situation. He would have had full knowledge of the dangerous locality, as he
had
sailed from Millom to Glasgow on previous occasions. Walter Evers, son of
Mr. Evers, Egremont Street, Millom, and brother of the well known footballer,
was one of the unfortunate crew, and had only joined the vessel in the
outgoing trip, as well as another Millomite named Michael M'Mullen. A young
fellow named S. McGowan for the same voyage transferred his services
from the Coniston, and the fifth man, who was saved, was the mate, T. Burns,
who though not belonging to Millom, is nevertheless well known in the town.
Captain Jones, who was a native of Wales, had resided many years in Millom,
and his wife and daughter are still in the town, and for whom the greatest
sympathy is felt in their very sad bereavement.
Postscript:
Crew lost: Captain Jones, Walter Evers, S Gowan, Michael McMullen
Crew saved: Mate:T. Burns
Some of the drowned crew were buried in the graveyard of Kilmory (or
Kilmorie) Church on the SW corner of the Isle of Arran. The figurehead of the
Bessie Arnold was recovered and used to mark the grave.
Relatively recently, the figurehead was restored and a copy was
carved
to stand in its place. The original is now at
the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, Brodick.