Hurricane of 7th January 1839
As well as the tragic losses to trans-atlantic passenger ships in Liverpool
Bay (see E-Book here ); there were
significant losses to inshore shipping all along the coast from North Wales to
Lancashire. Here I focus on the Dee Estuary. Since the strongest winds were
from the west, vessels moored, or at anchor, on the Welsh (Flintshire) coast
were at danger of being driven offshore onto the mid-river banks (Salisbury
Bank) or across to the Wirral (Cheshire then) shore at Lime Wharf (bank west
of West Kirby). See here for a 1840 sketch chart (not north up;
sandbank to left should be labelled West [not East] Hoyle Bank):
From contemporary newspapers: only three wrecks were reported that involved loss of life (all wrecks occurred on 7 January 1839 unless noted):
Dee Flat of Chester, sunk in the channel between Salisbury Bank and the Flintshire shore [Mostyn Deep] with about two yards of her mast to be seen at low water, with the loss of all but her captain.
Sarah (Leigh) Flat Sarah, Captain Leigh, laden with salt, driven onto the Cheshire shore on the bank above Hilbre Island [so Limewharf off West Kirby], crew lost; a mother and her child found dead in the cabin.
Sarah (Owens) Flat Sarah, Captain Robert Owens, of Chester, sunk in the channel between Hilbre Island and Salisbury Bank [Dawpool Deep], about two yards of her mast to be seen at low water, crew lost.
Other vessels reported as wrecked or driven ashore (many of these will have been put back in service):
Adelphi(a) Flat driven ashore on Limewharf, crew saved.
Barmouth The sloop (Captain Evans) was driven ashore on Limewharf, keel damaged, crew saved.
She was on a voyage from Barmouth, Merionethshire to Mostyn, Flintshire.
Brothers Driven ashore in the River Dee. Her crew were rescued.
Conservative The flat Conservative (Captain Leigh) was driven ashore on
Limewharf, her crew were rescued.
John Driven ashore in the River Dee. Her crew were rescued.
Fletcher Flat Fletcher (Captain Jones) driven on Limewharf, crew saved.
Griffiths Driven ashore in the River Dee. Her crew were rescued.
Margaret The flat Margaret (Captain Darrow) was driven ashore on
Limewharf. Her crew were rescued.
Pheasant The schooner Pheasant (Captain Ellis; 91 tons, built
1815 Plymouth, owned Parnett, Fowey) was driven ashore on Limewharf
(listed as on 8 January 1839). Her crew were rescued.