William Neilson, all crew and all 3 passengers lost
Grecian, 3 lost
THE STORM. - Soon after high-water on Monday [8
October 1832 ] a
sudden gale came on from the north-west, and some of the vessels which
had proceeded to sea that morning were driven on shore in returning to
port. It is now known that the storm has been most destructive to the
shipping on the coast, and that many lives have been lost. Amongst the vessels
which sailed that morning was the William Neilson [full-rigged ship of
427 tons, built Maryport 1813, owned Sherick and co.], Captain S Platt, for
New Orleans, and there
is no doubt she has been totally lost, and all on board perished, as fragments
of her cabin and other parts of the vessel have been washed up near Bootle.
Moreover, the ribs of a vessel which is supposed to be the William Neilson are
be seen at low water on Burbo Bank.
The passengers on board the William Neilson were Mr. Somerville and his two
daughters, who belonged, we understand, to the stage, and were proceeding to
New Orleans, in pursuance of a theatrical engagement. They had taken their
passage by the David Cannon, which sailed about ten days ago, and the whole of
their luggage, including their theatrical dresses and other clothes, were put
on board that vessel. As she sailed suddenly, however, at an early hour in the
morning, they unfortunately missed their passage, and were proceeding by the
William Neilson, which was the next vessel for that port. Mr. Somerville's two
daughters were interesting young ladies about 20 years of age. The letter
bag was picked up on the North Shore, on Tuesday morning, filled with chaff,
for the purpose, it is supposed, of making it buoyant, and this circumstance
is almost conclusive as to the fate of the unfortunate vessel and her crew.
An earlier report, somewhat critical of Captain Platt was later
corrected: the vessel had dropped down with the tide to Bootle Bay on Sunday
evening, two or three hours before several others, with the weather very fine,
and prospects as fair as ever a vessel put to sea with. This vessel was, of
course, not then under Captain Platt's control, but under that of the pilot,
who was the judge as to the propriety of going to sea, or remaining in Port.
This was not Captain Platt's first voyage, he having had the command of several vessels.
The owners have not the slightest blame to find with him, and, as a proof of
this, they have originated a subscription for his widow and children, who have
been left in a rather destitute circumstance. The body of Captain Platt was
picked up on Monday last, near the north buoy.
Other vessels reported ashore or sunk are:
The Grecian[Brigantine, 235 tons, built Whitehaven 1825, owned Bouch and co], for Boston, which was driven on shore on Burbo Bank, near the entrance of the harbour, was got off at night, and anchored, but she had sustained so much damage whilst on shore, that she filled with water before she could be brought into a place of safety, and sunk in Bootle Bay with her three masts showing, in 8 fathoms. It appeared unlikely that the Grecian would be refloated. The crew and passengers, with the exception of the steward, a woman, and a boy, were saved. The bodies of the woman and boy were washed on shore at Bootle on Tuesday forenoon.
The Alonquin for Philadelphia, which was on shore near Mockbeggar, has been got off and brought into port.
The Vigilant, for Savannah, remains on shore near the same place, and it is doubtful whether she will be got off.
The sloop Queen Adelaide, Davies, from Cardiff, is wrecked near Mockbeggar.
Several vessels have also been wrecked on the Lancashire shore, but we are happy to state that the crews have all been saved.
The only man who lost his life through the violence of the storm, in the Mersey, was a man named Crooke, a porter in the employ of Messrs. W.and J. Blown and Co. He had been to the Alonquin previous to her being wrecked, and was intending to cross the river in a steamer. By some means, however, he got entangled in a rope, which carried him overboard, and he sank before the least assistance could be afforded to him. He has left a wife and four orphan children to deplore his untimely fate.
A few days later: On Friday 12 October 1832, Pilot-boat No. 10 was sending two of her pilots with a third man in a boat to provide aid to a vessel, near Hoylake. The sea was so rough that the boat was swamped. The pilots [John Barnes and Daniel Martin] perished although their companion was saved. The news was conveyed by the steamer Vale of Clwyd which was passing.