From Flint Observer 13th November 1890:
SHIPPING DISASTERS. - AN UNUSUAL SIGHT IN THE DEE. For about a week previous to last Thursday [6 November 1890], the Mostyn Roads had been thickly studded with ships which were becalmed and unable to proceed on their voyages. On Thursday morning, a favourable breeze enabled them to put to sea, and about forty vessels left the Roads, only to face the terrible weather that followed that night, when such a hurricane blew as has not been experienced since the Royal Charter foundered. Of the vessels which went out on Thursday, about one half of them were either dismasted or lost altogether.
SORROW AT CONNAH'S QUAY - A TOWN IN MOURNING. There is mourning in almost every home at Connah's Quay, for the morning before the gale, tempted by the lovely weather, forty vessels left the river, outward bound. Nearly all have been wrecked, stranded, or their whereabouts unknown. The following is the disastrous record at Connah's Quay:
As well as these vessels trading to Connah's Quay, other vessels were driven ashore on the North Wales Coast and Banks of Liverpool Bay: Linnet lost on Lavan sands; Ocean Queen lost at Colwyn Bay; Planet lost off Llandudno; Margaret Elizabeth, Colonel Campbell ashore near Rhyl; Elgin, James Stonard, Blanche lost on West Hoyle Bank [see below]; W.M.J. lost on Jordan's Bank.
Smaller vessels were also damaged:
The storm proved disastrous to the fleet of fishing boats at Parkgate and
Neston at the mouth of the Dee. The storm broke over the fleet as it was
engaged at the mouth of the river and a number of the boats were driven ashore
at Dawpool and Heswall. Six of them became total wrecks and the crews had
narrow escapes. Six Chester fishermen were obliged to abandon their boats and
return home by rail.
A BRAVE RESCUE AT LLANERCHYMOR. A GALLANT CREW. During the height of the
storm on Friday [7 November 1890], a schooner was seen to be in distress in
the river [Dee] opposite Llanerchymor. She proved to be the Margaret, of
Connah's Quay, 130 tons burthen, laden with ornamental bricks for Belfast.
[Built King's Ferry 1848, registered Chester, owned J.G. Roberts, Connah's
Quay, 69 tons register]. The schooner during Thursday night was anchored in
Moelfre Bay, but during the storm she parted her cables and drove before the
wind into the Dee. She was brought to, under her kedge anchor, near to
Llanerchymor Wharf, on the opposite side of the channel. About noon on Friday,
when the storm was raging furiously, she sank, and the worn-out and benumbed
crew took refuge in the rigging. Three gallant attempts were made to reach the
poor fellows, but the rescuers were driven back by the force of the gale. The
scene on land was most exciting, and it was expected every moment that the
sailors would be either washed away, or that the rigging to which they clung
would give way. With stout hearts and resolute will, Mr. Eyton's small open
fishing boat was manned by volunteers, impelled to a deed of daring at the
sight of the imminent peril of their fellow creatures. Those who took to the
boat were Captain Dennis, a brave old mariner who faced the storm although
over 70 years of age, Mr. Trevor Eyton (second son of Mr. Eyton, J.P., Plas
Llanerchymor), Capt. Edward Dennis (son of Captain Dennis), William Lloyd,
Joseph Jones and Edward Jones. The aged captain took command, and their
departure was witnessed with eager anxiety, as it was not expected that a
small open boat could live in such a sea. Time after time the sea washed clean
over the crew, who were drenched to the skin, but so skilfully was the boat
managed that she weathered the storm, rescued the seaman from their position
of extreme peril, and landed them at Llanerchymor, whence they were driven to
the station and took train to their homes. With the exception of Mr. Trevor
Eyton, the rescuing party were seafaring men. The gallantry of Mr. Eyton and
the members of the crew is beyond all praise; and their bravery and daring
deserve public recognition. [This vesel is not listed in 1891, so presumably
was damaged beyond repair]
A PITIFUL RESULT OF THE STORM. DEATH THROUGH FRIGHT & EXPOSURE.
On Sunday, the schooner "Elizabeth Latham," of Chester,
arrived in Mostyn in tow of the steam tug "Taliesin" from Moelfra Bay. She had
on board the dead body of one of her crew named George Davies, aged 20 years.
The schooner was one of the many coasting vessels caught in the storm of
Thursday night and Friday. She ran for shelter to Moelfra Bay, where she
experienced a fearful time of it. On Friday, as the storm raged, all hopes of
the safety of the vessel and her crew were given up by those on board, she
being continually swept from stem to stern by the heavy sea. Davies expired
suddenly. The poor fellow lost his reason, it is thought through fright and
exposure. The good vessel weathered the storm and remained until Sunday
morning, and got a tug, and she was towed into Mostyn, where there was a
conveyance in waiting, and the body removed to Connah's Quay. The master of the
vessel, Edward Hughes of Connah's Quay, as well as the rest of the crew were
completely worn out.
Three coasting sailing vessels were driven on to West Hoyle Bank, with a loss
of life in each case. The Point of Ayr lifeboat made three rescues and saved many lives.
The vessels are presented in the order that the lifeboat attended them. The Blanche
was also lost, with all hands, on East Hoyle Bank.
Schooner Ellen Harrison of Barrow. ON 76891, built Ulverston, 91 tons,
owned William Postlethwaite of Millom. Captain Coppack. Cargo: bricks,
most probably from Connah's Quay for Dublin.
From contemporary newspapers and lifeboat records: Northwich Guardian - Saturday 15 November 1890
Barque Elgin of Dublin, ON 51989. Built Hogg, Argyle, Nova Scotia, 1866, 299 tons,
126 x 27 x 12.7 ft, owned
John Carroll of Dublin, not recorded after 1890. In ballast from Dublin to Liverpool.
From The Point of Ayr lifeboat records: The lifeboat put to sea again at
6pm (one hour after landing the survivors from the Ellen Harrison) to the
Elgin which had lost her sails and rudder. One of her crew had already left in
the ship's boat [see below] when the lifeboat arrived and rescued the 3 men still on board.
The lifeboat returned to her station at 4am.
Chester Courant - Wednesday 12 November 1890 The BOT wreck return reports 6 men survived and one lost. Condition NNW force 10.
Brigantine James Stonard of Belfast, ON 27763. Built 1859
Schollick,Ulverston, 140 tons, 88 x 25 x 11 ft. owned Fleetwood until 1889,
then owned Charles Neill, Bangor, Northern Ireland. Cargo of coal from Garston
to Donaghadee. Captain J. Eddis.
Lifeboat records: The Point of Ayr lifeboat was launched again at 11am on
Saturday (8th November 1890], after some wreckage was seen floating on West Hoyle Bank with two men
clinging to it. The captain and two of the crew had already been swept away,
the remaining two were in a bad way and were rescued and the lifeboat
returned to Gronant [lifeboat station] at 1:30pm.
The Northern Whig newspaper (15 and 20 November) records the reports of the two crew saved:
The Loss of a Bangor Schooner. - The statement of Robert Taylor, seaman on the
schooner James Stonard, of Bangor, after corroborating the report which has
already appeared, goes to say -
Schooner Blanche of Plymouth, ON 68326. Built Banks, Plymouth, 1873, 74
tons, 76 x 19 x 10 ft, owned John Westcott, Plymouth. Carrying salt from Runcorn to Plymouth.
Captain Charles Curtis.
On Friday
night, the coastguards at the Point of Ayr Lighthouse, just below Rhyl, saw
signals of distress [blue lights] from a ship lying in the direction of Hilbre
Island. On getting alongside, after a pull of four miles, they [Point of Ayr
lifeboatmen, who set out at 1pm on 7th November 1890] found the Ellen Harrison
schooner in a most dangerous position. The sea, which was making clean
breaches over her, had carried away one of the hands [when attempting to
launch their boat], but the other two [4, including the seriously
injured captain, in the lifeboat record] were taken off and landed at Mostyn. [at
5:30pm]
ANOTHER VESSEL REFLOATED. The Ellen Harrison, the schooner which got ashore
off Liverpool last Friday during the terrible gale, was refloated on Monday night.
She got stranded in No.105 per chart, and the lifeboat from the Point of Air took off two of
her crew, but the third hand was drowned.
The Ellen Harrison was put back in service and her register entry was
only cancelled in 1917.
THE RECENT GALE.
The most serious shipping disaster that has occurred off the Mersey during the
hurricane was reported on Saturday. At ten o'clock on Friday night, the Point
of Ayr lifeboat landed, on Hilbre Island, Captain Doyle and four men of the crew
of barquentine Elgin, belonging to Dublin, and bound from Dublin to Liverpool
in ballast. During Friday's storm, the vessel drove on to the West Hoyle Bank.
Her distress rockets were observed at the Point of Ayr, and the lifeboat at
that station was manned and went to the stranded vessel's assistance. The
lifeboatmen had a long pull in the teeth of the wind, and on her arrival at
the wreck, the Elgin was already commencing to break up. Her crew had taken to
the rigging, but one had already been washed away, whilst another had been
carried away, adrift in one of the boats, and was undoubtedly drowned.
The Elgin has since gone to pieces.
WRECK OF THE JAMES STONARD OF BANGOR. Since the receipt of the sad
intelligence at Bangor that this schooner had ran aground on the West Hoyle
Bank, North Wales, gloom has been cast over the town, and deep sympathy is
felt for the relatives of the missing hands. It now transpires that the ship
sank as reported, and the captain, James Eddis, of Bangor; Robert Duncan
[Dunnon or Donnon in other reports, describing a subscription for his family],
able seaman; and Samuel Vint are missing. The following is the account given
of the unfortunate occurrence by the mate of the vessel, George Taylor: -
At six o'clock on Thursday morning, we left the Liverpool river [from
Garston with coal] for Donaghadee. When about twenty-four miles off the Bar
Lightship, it came on to blow with full force, and part of our canvas was
carried away: viz., the main topmast staysail and topgallant, also one of the
back stays. That night we sighted Douglas Light and Point of Ayre. A strong
gale was then blowing from the nor-west, which increased to a hurricane. Next
morning, we lost the jib, the fore-top staysail yards broke, and the top
mainsail went by the board. This left us without canvas, but we tried to keep
away [heading] for Liverpool, but could not make the river. Night was coming
on and a heavy sea running, then kept away for Chester, but, having lost our
canvas, could do nothing with the ship. The sea was like mountains, and the
wind blowing a hurricane.
At seven o'clock on Friday night [7 November 1890], struck West Hoyle
Bank; we were then drawing 12 feet of water. We launched the small boat, but
she filled and carried the cook and boy down with her. Robert Taylor was
thrown out, but swam aboard. A heavy sea carried the captain off the deck, and
we saw him no more. Robert Taylor and myself, the only hands left, now took to
the rigging. I took the fore-rigging and he got into the main gaff. The
foremast fell, lifting the deck clean out. I went over the side with it, and
was badly knocked about with the broken topsail yards while in the water. I
managed to creep up the broken mast hand-over-hand, and was assisted over the
rail by Robert Taylor. We then waited until the tide ebbed, and got out on the
sand to see if could get to the mainland. We were foiled, and had to take to
the wreck again. A small bit of the deck only was left, on which we stood side
by side until next morning. We had nothing to hold on by but a spike nail, and
the water was up our shoulders, and the sea roaring like thunder.
When the tide again receded, we were seen from the telegraph station at the
Point of Ayr, and the lifeboat was launched and came off to us. At this time
Robert Taylor was clean out of his mind through drinking the salt water. The
lifeboat took us off at ten o'clock on Saturday morning. I afterwards learned
it was manned by a volunteer crew of miners and quarrymen [the lifeboat had
already made 2 rescues the previous day]. We were taken in by
Mr. Hughes, of the Granton[sic: Gronant] Inn, where we received every attention, change of
clothes, and food. We had eaten nothing since Thursday, and were nearly
famished. In fact, all the people were kind to us, especially a farmer named
Mr. Jones, who spared neither time nor expense to make us comfortable. When we
were launching the small boat, my thumb was cut clean off, but I did not feel
it till Sunday morning, when the doctor came and fixed it. Indeed, I felt no
pain from any of the bruises until I was rested a bit. I could not describe
what I suffered; it was terrible. Before we were two hours on the bank, the
ship was three-parts broken up, although I will say she was as strong a ship
as ever sailed from the port. Mr. Neill [owner] arrived on Sunday afternoon,
but by that time the ship was completely broken up, and there is no trace of
her now.
The wind shifted about 1 a-m., Friday, 7th
instant, when off the Point of Ayr [off Isle of Man]. We then drifted in a southerly direction
till ten o'clock a.m., when we sighted a Liverpool vessel going in the direction
of Belfast Lough. As soon saw her, we hoisted the British ensign, union down
(being a sign of distress), making fast to the after-shrouds of the main
rigging. Our masts at this time were all standing, but the square yards were
smashed to atoms. We were carrying a close-reefed mainsail, so that our disabled
appearance must have been quite apparent. The steamer passed within 100 yards
of us, going round our stem. We could distinctly see the head of a man above
the canvas on the bridge of the steamer, and could occasionally sea her forefoot
rising and falling in the water, so that, they were so distinctly visible to
us, we must have been equally visible to them, if they were keeping look-out
at all. They passed on, taking no notice of us in any way. There was heavy sea
running, but we all felt certain that they could have rescued us, or rendered
such assistance as would have saved our lives. After the steamer had passed,
and we had given up hope of receiving any assistance from her, our captain
indignantly exclaimed, "if I ever reach the shore alive, I will report that
fellow". I could not make out the steamer's name, but that she was a
vessel trading between Belfast and Liverpool, and that she passed within 100
yards of us, I am prepared to swear.
Blanche sank on the East Hoyle Bank during the storm on 7th
November 1890, location also reported later as obstructing navigation in Hilbre Swash.
Contemporary newspapers state that no tidings had been received of the crew. The
Blanche ceases to be recorded after 1890.
The BOT wreck return states that the 4 crew were all lost.
An inquest [reported in Liverpool Mercury of 19 and 27 November
1890] held at Dee Hotel, West Kirby, states that a body washed up at Hilbre
Island on 14th November was identified as the Captain, Charles Curtis, of the
Blanche. Questions were raised about the lack of assistance from the Hoylake
lifeboat. The signalman on Hilbre observed the Blanche drifting off the West
Hoyle at noon on 7th November. He signalled to alert the lifeboat. The Hoylake
lifeboat with 13 men under Henry Bird was launched from Hilbre at 1pm,
intending to attend another wreck, after determining that no-one was alive on
the deck of the Blanche. However, the boisterous sea was too deemed much for
the lifeboat and she did not proceed further out to sea. The Blanche
subsequently came ashore on the East Hoyle. The boat of the Blanche was
subsequently also found on the banks. There were no survivors.