The barque Euterpe, inbound to Liverpool with mahogony from the Caribbean, went aground on the West Hoyle Bank on 15 April 1845, and subsequently became water-logged. It was supposed that the vessel heeled over and the crew took to the rigging. When the wreck was sighted, two lifeboats [presumably Hoylake and Point of Ayr] put out to her. Her crew of 14 had been washed overboard and lost, except for two whose dead bodies were found aboard and were each brought ashore by one of the lifeboats.
One body was identified as the Liverpool Pilot, Mr George Benson, of
no. 11
Pilot Boat, who was highly respected and who left a widow and 5 young
children. He had been a licensed pilot since 1830.
The vicar of Llanasa (parish including Point of Ayr) reports burying 7
sailors "cast ashore" during the period 19-25 May 1845, probably from
the Euterpe.
The wreckage was refloated on 17 April and towed by three steam tugs, beached at Seacombe and, subsequently, taken in to Princes Dock at Liverpool. On 29 May, the hull, spars, anchors and chains, etc were offered for sale, lying in Princes Dock. It appears in Lloyds Register, after this, as owned by Ashton & Co. of Liverpool with master Jordan.