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.
Report of raising the flat Sarah:
[from Liverpool Mercury - Friday 10 April 1840]:
RAISING A SUNKEN FLAT. Wilkinson v. Gamon. This was an action brought
by Mr. Thomas Wilkinson, flat owner of this town, to recover from the
defendant, Mr. Charles Gamon, miller and malster of Chester, the
£125 19s. 6d., for the hire of a flat, for wages and other
expenses incurred by the plaintiff, in raising a flat called the
Sarah, belonging to the defendant, which was sunk at the mouth of the
Dee, between Dawpool and Mostyn, during the great gale of January,
1839. On the 14th of that month, a written agreement was entered into
between the parties, according to which the plaintiff was to send a
flat to the sunken vessel with chains and other necessary materials
for raising her, and the defendant was to send his own flat, the
Sisters, with three men to assist - the plaintiff to receive two and a
half guineas per tide from the time of leaving Liverpool pier, until
the return of the plaintiff's flat, and one guinea per day until the
weather would permit operations to begin. The plaintiff not having any
vessel of his own at liberty at the time, hired one, the St. George,
from Mr. Williams, another flat owner, which went round the Rock on
the 17th of January, and remained till the 4th of February,
endeavouring to raise the Sarah. In the first instance, chains from
the St. George and the Sisters were got under the Sarah, but it was
found, when the tide rose, that the Sisters was not sufficiently
buoyant to raise her. Afterwards in consequence of a gale, one vessel
was obliged to run into Liverpool, the other into Flint. When the
weather moderated, they approached her again, and again got her pinned
down, but when the tide rose, one of the chains, which had been
furnished by Mr. Garcon, broke. A stronger chain was afterwards
procured, when the Sisters was found to be sinking, and obliged to be
cast loose. Another flat, called the Woodcock, was afterwards supplied
by Mr. Gamon, in place of the Sisters, and the two vessels floated the
Sarah, and got her about half a mile towards the shore, when she took
the ground. Another flat was afterwards sent by Mr. Garaon, and the
Sarah was ultimately raised on the 4th of February, when the St.
George had been occupied for thirty-six tides. .... discussion about
expenditure ...
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.