See more details.
Sailing vessels are dependent on the wind for propulsion, so a series of "rules of the road" had developed to give priority when a collision was likely. The arrival of steam vessels caused confusion - they were faster and had different ideas about priority. It was only in 1846 that Trinity House pressed Parliament to pass the Steam Navigation Act that prescribed port-to-port passing for steam vessels approaching from ahead. Vessels carried very inadequate (by modern standards) lights at night. Red and green side lights for steamships were only mandatory from 1848. The approaches to ports such as Liverpool were full of vessels - hundreds a day arriving and leaving. There were also vessels anchored in the river, ferries crossing, and small boats taking people to anchored vessels. The tidal current could be as fast as 5 knots. Collisions were inevitable, but often not serious.
One of the earliest
collisions involving steam vessels and large loss of life was in the
Clyde. PS Comet [built Lang, Dumbarton,1821] and PS Ayr collided on 21 October 1825 off Kempock,
Point, Gourock. There were 70 fatalities. The wreck of Comet was raised
and partially re-used, as sloop Ann, in 1826
See more details.
PS Queen of the Isle - PS Irishman 25th March 1835
From Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser, Tuesday 31 March 1835
On Wednesday night [25-3-1835], about 10 o'clock, the Queen of the Isle steamer, outward bound
for the Isle of Man, came into contact with the Irishman steamer, inward bound
from Drogheda. The accident took place about two miles from the Rock-perch
Lighthouse, at the entrance of the Mersey. Both had lights up the time, and the
people on board of both, state that they took the usual precautions to prevent
them from coming in contact. The precautions failed however. A dreadful
concussion ensued. The Queen of the Isle struck the Irishman just before the
paddle-box, carried away the houses on the deck, the paddle-beam and engine, and
caused a deal of damage on board the vessel. The cook-house, which is
immediately before the paddle-box, was smashed to pieces, and the cook,
James Bourne, a boy about of 16 years age, killed on the spot, and the leg and
the thigh of a passenger were broken. The Irishman, though seriously damaged in her
upper works, did not make any water. The Queen of the Isle took her in tow, and
brought her into port in safety.
On Friday an inquest was held on the body the
deceased, James Bourne, before Mr. Bailiff Pownall, one the coroners for this
borough. Captain Heaney, the Irishman, and several of his crew were examined
touching the deceased's death, and the unfortunate cause which
produced it. They were also cross-examined, on the part of Captain Quayle,
the Queen of the Isle, for the purpose that the fatal accident had not been
caused any culpable neglect on his part. Whilst the witnesses maintained that
every thing had been done to keep the Irishman clear of the Queen of the Isle,
they seemed think that the same exertions had not been made to keep the Queen of
the Isle clear of her. Heaney said that, having starboarded his helm, and finding
that his vessel did not get much out of the way of the one of which he had
seen the light, he ordered it to be put hard a-starboard, and immediately
stopped his engines.
Witnesses were then examined on behalf of Captain Quayle. The evidence went to
show that, as soon as the light of the Irishman had been seen, the usual
precautions were taken to keep the two vessels clear of each other, the engines
having been stopped, and the helm put hard a-starboard, in which state she was when
the Queen of the Isle struck the Irishman. The witnesses seemed to think, that if
the Irishman had held on her course when they first saw her, she would have
passed a quarter of a mile from the larboard bow of the Queen of the Isle. Six minutes
might have elapsed from the time the light was decried until the two vessels
struck. When first seen, the Irishman was, according to the steersman of the
Queen of the Isle, about a point on the latter's larboard cathead. As she
neared, Captain Quayle ordered him to port his helm little; and two or three
minutes must have elapsed from the time he ported the helm and the striking of
the steamers. The engineer deposed, that, seeing the Irishman alter her
course, and apprehending danger, he went below, and immediately afterwards
received orders to stop the engine, which had been stopped about a minute and
a half before the vessels struck. He was then ordered to reverse the Queen of the
Isle, but the vessel would not reverse in consequence of his having stopped
her so instantaneously. He was sure the paddle-wheels were not going when the
vessel struck.
Mr. M'Bride, the Master of the Clarence Dock, bore evidence to
the sobriety of Captain Quayle on leaving the dock, and to his skill as
commander.
The Jury retired and, after consulting about 10 minutes, returned
verdict of Accidental Death, and laying deodand [a fine levied when an
inanimate object caused a death] of £10 on the Queen of the Isle.
PS Antelope - Cambrian Cutter 12 December 1836
From: Gore's Liverpool General Advertiser, Thursday 22 December 1836
Vessel downed by a STEAMER - The smack Cambrian Cutter, John
Williams, master, plying between this port and Amlwch, North Wales, was
run down at the mouth of the river, on Monday morning week [12 December
1836], by the Antelope steamer, from Wexford. From the statement of the
captain, it appears that she left dock at half-past one, a.m. with a
cargo of general goods, coals, and flour, a man and a boy on board, and
three passengers, one man and two females, and dropped down the river
with light wind from S.S.W., the night being clear and starlit, that
objects might be clearly distinguished the distance of half a mile. He
sailed round the Rock without accident, but when about mile to the west
of the Rock, the mate, who was at the bow, called out that steamer was
in sight. She was about half a mile distant on the starboard bow. The
smack was then hauled close to the wind to steer clear the steamer, and
a lantern was hoisted at the forestay. The steamer, however, was coming
right down upon them. When very near, he and his crew and passengers
hailed the steamer, but received no answer, and immediately afterwards
the smack was struck on the starboard quarter, and the cabin stove in.
The captain seized hold of the cable chains suspended from the
steamer, which turned out the Antelope, and got on board; the mate, boy, and
two passengers clambered on board the stern rigging, but the mate
immediately went back on board the sloop to save one of the female passengers
who had been left in the cabin. They got into the sloop's boat, which drifted
away with the tide, and about an hour elapsed before the captain of the
steamer sent his boat to pick them up. In the meantime, she was put back to get
clear of the smack, and the latter immediately sank, about five minutes after
she was struck.
Captain Williams, his crew and passengers came to Liverpool in the
steamer. The owner of the steamer offered to render any assistance in his power
to raise the vessel and bring her into port, without being responsible for any
further damage, which Captain Williams declined, as he had not been in fault. The
captain of the steamer alleged that the smack was on the wrong side, and ought
have steered to the right, but Capt. Williams positively says that the smack
was to the right when struck.
Owen Williams, the mate, gives the same
testimony. He states that he was on the look-out, and saw the steamer half mile
a-head when to the east of Wallasey Light, and called the boy to put up the
light, which was done immediately, a quarter hour or twenty minutes before the
accident occurred. About five minutes before the smack was struck, they hailed
the steamer, and received no answer. The boy and male passenger, both of whom
were deck, give the same testimony.
Wm. Dixon, seaman who had taken his passage on board the
Antelope from Wexford to Liverpool, states that about half-past two
o'clock, when nearly abreast of Wallasey, he was sitting on the
paddle-box, with his back towards the bow. There was no-one forward at
the time. On hearing voices hail the steamer, a man jumped on the
paddle-box, and called out to the steersman to port, and, immediately
afterwards, starboard his helm. When the voices were first heard, he
saw the smack about quarter of a mile distant, and distinctly saw a
light in the fore part of her. The engineers ran on deck, and, on the
command being given to stop the vessel, they had to go below again to do
so, in his opinion, the delay thereby occasioned was the cause of the
accident. The wreck of the Cutter is still on the North Bank, near the
Red Buoy.
The Antelope was accident prone: a report in Gore's Advertiser on 5 January 1837, states that a collision took place near the Red Noses [New Brighton beach cliffs] between two steamers: the Antelope from Wexford and the Green Isle (for Drogheda). The Antelope received considerable damage and had to be run on shore. She was later refloated and repaired.
Wooden paddle steamer Kilkenny, built Waterford 1837.
684grt, 377nrt, 174.4 x 242 x 13.5 ft, engines 280hp. Owned Wateford.
Voyage Waterford to London, Captain Price, suffered damage off
Longships February 1838.
Collided with smack Nelson of Rochester which was rendering assistance.
Deck cargo of 700 pigs cleared, rudder damaged, returned to anchor
off Waterford.
Towed into Waterford to discharge.
From Waterford Chronicle - Saturday 24 February 1838:
Monday morning. 4 o'clock.
A steamer was seen in the offing on Sunday [18th February 1838], about 3
o'clock, firing guns, upon which two coast guard boats put off to her
assistance, which were soon followed by several fishing boats. Dunmore
coast guard was the first to near her, and seeing her condition - loss
of rudder and bulwarks - immediately returned and proceeded up the river
for a steamer. The vessel anchored off the Hook, and proved to the
Kilkenney steamer which sailed from this port [Waterford] last Tuesday
[13th February], for London, laden with butter, bacon, and 750 pigs, the
cattle she threw overboard, off the Longships Light House, when she
encountered the violent gale on Wednesday [14th], and lost her rudder.
The Nelson, a fine smack belonging to Rochester, in endeavouring to
render her assistance was run down, and the crew narrowly escaped by
jumping on board the Steamer, we understand some enquiry will called for
on this affair. The vessel is now towing up the river. The pigs fought
hard for their lives, on which the passengers ordered the bulwarks to be
cut away, in order that the pigs might slip overboard, else they would
have carried the vessel, as they did the Killarney.
Note the Kilkenny was put back in service - and is reported as colliding with a collier brig in the Thames on her arrival in April 1838. Her bowsprit and figure-head were damaged.
PS Duchess of Kent - Byron 13 April 1839
From: Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, Thursday 19 December 1839
A court case was brought in December 1839 by the Liverpool owners of a schooner, concerning a quantity of iron [value £700 - 800] shipped on board a vessel called the Byron, which sunk in the harbour at Liverpool in consequence of a collision with the Duchess of Kent steamer, the property of the defendants, the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company.
It appeared that the Byron, schooner of 80 tons burden, laden with iron [for railway tracks], the property of the plaintiffs, who are merchants at Liverpool, had come up [bound for Liverpool], and was at anchor in the Rock Channel in that harbour, near the north-east buoy, on the night of the 13th of April last [1839]. The Duchess of Kent, steamer, left the Clarence Dock about eleven o'clock at night, and proceeded down the Rock Channel about eight miles, when a light was descried from vessel a-head, which after proved to be the Lady Rowley. The captain of the steamer put the helm a-starboard to avoid the Lady Rowley, and just as the steamer came abreast that vessel, the chief mate, who was stationed at the bow, sung out that there was a schooner just under the bows of the steamer, and, before the engines could be stopped, the steamer ran into the schooner, about the midships, and the latter went down almost instantaneously. The crew of the schooner were saved with some difficulty by climbing up the side of tbe steamer, and, after the captain of the Byron had been about ten minutes on board the steamer, he found that one of his crew, a cabin boy, had been left on the sinking vessel when she went down, and perished with her.
Efforts were afterwards made, by the direction of the dock
commissioners, to weigh [raise] the Byron; but in consequence of the
weight of her cargo, these endeavours were ineffectual and a buoy is now
placed over the wreck. Under these circumstances, the plaintiffs sought
by this action to recover the value of the cargo. The defendants
resisted.
A great number of witnesses were examined on both sides, and
much contradictory evidence given to the kind of look-out kept on board
the Byron, and as to the fact whether she had any light hoisted or not
at the moment the accident occurred. In order to satisfy the jury on
these points, the defendants had the vessel examined, after she sunk,
and ascertained that no lantern was suspended on any part of the Byron.
It also appeared that, after the crew of the Byron came on board the
steamer, and were charged with keeping a blind look out, the answer
given was that men could not be on the watch night and day.
Mr. Justice Patteson: Then I am clearly of the opinion about
the claim, on the grounds that when the accident occurred, that the
Byron was lying in the middle of the channel, in the way of the steamer,
instead of lying in the Bight where there was abundant room for
anchorage; and that, although she lay dangerously, her crew kept no
look-out, and had not even a light hoisted; that it became invisible for
the people aboard the steamer on a dark night to discern her until she
was within ship's length of the steamer, when it became too late to
prevent a collision.
The learned bar then summed up the evidence at a late hour of
the evening, and the jury returned a verdict for the defendants.
Postscript. The wreck of the Byron was obstructing the Horse
Channel [Rock Channel] and it was blown up in September 1839.
More detail of dispersing
wreckage using gunpowder set by divers from Henry Abbinet's cutter.
PS Merlin and PS Earl of Bridgewater 5th January 1841
A collision in the Mersey between one of the Admiralty Mail steamers
to Dublin and a river ferry to Eastham.
Builder's model of steam packet Merlin (quoted as 175 x
33ft, 889 tons builder's
old measurement, designed Sir William Symonds):
From Glamorgan, Monmouth, etc Guardian, 9 January 1841
COLLISION BETWEEN H. M. MAIL STEAM SHIP MERLIN AND A RIVER STEAMER.
This morning, about eighteen minutes before seven o'clock, as H.M.
mail steam ship Merlin [wooden paddle steamer, 889 tons bm, built Pembroke Dock 1839] was
coming down the river on her way to Dublin [after leaving Clarence Dock], and
the Earl of Bridgewater [wooden paddle steamer built 1823] steamer was on her
way up from George's Basin to the Duke's Dock, the two vessels came into
collision [opposite the Magazines - near Egremont], and both received
considerable damage. The Bridgewater had at the time just passed under the
stern of the Windermere steamer, then riding at anchor. The precise cause of
the vessels thus coming into contact has not transpired, but from what we can
learn, the collision - the light being imperfect - was in all probability
entirely accidental or unavoidable. The Merlin immediately backed her engines.
The men on board the Earl of Bridgewater, thinking the vessel might sink, made
their way on the board of the Merlin, while they were foul of each other, with
the exception of two, for whom Captain Tudor, the commander of the latter
vessel, immediately sent one of his boats. The Earl of Bridgewater had her
starboard paddle box and wheel completely smashed up. One of the paddle beams
was broken, and there was some slight breakage of the engine. She was,
however, got safely into the Duke's Dock with the same tide, and is there
afloat, though leaky. The Merlin sustained such damage in her head works, that
it was deemed advisable not to proceed to sea until the vessel had been
overhauled, as she was accordingly docked immediately in the Coburg. The mails
were, of course, despatched by another vessel. The prompt assistance given by
Captain Tudor and his officers and crew, the moment the accident occurred,
was, we learn, most praise worthy and seamen like. No one was, in the
slightest degree, hurt in their vessel.
Note previous accident to Earl of Bridgewater.
Collision of PS Royal Victoria and PS Prince of Wales, off
Egremont in Mersey,
30 November 1842. 1 fatality. Neither vessel sank.
Royal Victoria built, wooden, Liverpool 1837, Owned Carlisle and
Liverpool Steam Navigation Co.
ON 14737, 350grt, 316nrt, 147 x 27 x 10ft, engines 200hp by Fawcett &
Preston.
Prince of Wales built of iron by Tod MacGregor 1842, on Liverpool
- Cork service.
ON 7230, 500grt, 313nrt, 160 x 25 x 13.5 ft, 250 hp engine by builders.
Image of Prince of Wales in service
[from Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser - Friday
26 May 1837]:
LAUNCH OF A STEAM SHIP. On Monday last was launched, from the
building-yard of Messrs. W. and T. Wilson, near the Clarence Dock, a
splendid, new steam-ship called the Royal Victoria, in honour of that
princess, who attained her majority on Wednesday. The Royal Victoria
is the property of the Carlisle, Annan, and Liverpool Steam Navigation
Company, and is intended to ply between this port and Carlisle and
Annan. She is a very beautiful vessel, and does great credit to our
spirited townsmen Messrs. Wilson. She is a steamer of the largest
class, measuring 450 tons; and a pair of very powerful engines, made
by those eminent engineers Fawcett and Preston, are nearly ready for
erection. A number of the directors of the company from Carlisle and a
large assemblage of their friends took lunch on board their
steam-packet City of Carlisle, and afterwards adjourned to the Royal
Hotel, where the evening was spent with great conviviality.
[from Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser - Friday
02 December 1842]:
COLLISION OF TWO STEAMERS IN THE RIVER, AND LAMENTABLE LOSS OF LIFE. We
deeply regret to state that a collision took place on the river, between
two of our finest coasting steam-ships, on Wednesday night, and that the
accident (for so we must as yet term it) was attended with loss of life,
at the instant, to one individual, and of serious injury to several
other parties, two of whom are still in a precarious state. We have
taken considerable trouble to ascertain the particulars; and from all we
can learn, both from interested and disinterested parties who witnessed
the occurrence, as well as from the observations of our reporter, who
visited both vessels after their getting (luckily) into dock, the
following are, we believe, the facts: The steamer, Prince of Wales, a
fine iron boat, belonging to the Cork and Liverpool Company, left the
Clarence-dock to proceed on her voyage to the south of Ireland, about
half-past eight o'clock in the evening. She crossed the river, and got
pretty close to the Cheshire shore shortly before nine. A Dublin
steamer was, it is stated, close in her wake. When close to Egremont,
and between that point and the Magazines - within about three-quarters
of a mile southward of the Rock, and at, or nearly, nine o'clock; the
weather hazy - she came in contact with the steamer, Royal Victoria, at
the time inward bound from Carlisle. Capt. M'Neilage, of the Prince of
Wales, seeing an approaching vessel, immediately ordered the helm to be
put hard a-port, which is, we believe, the general "rule of the road" in
these waters, and which was observed. The other vessel (which was
inward bound from Carlisle), it appears, from the statement of the
officers and men of the Prince, did not observe the same regulation; and
though under easy steam, in the hurry and confusion of the moment, and
with a view, no doubt, to escape, starboarded her helm; and before
measures of prevention could be employed by either vessel, the Victoria
fell athwart the hawse of the Prince, and the collision was as frightful
and lamentable, as it was unexpected, on the part of both. A terrific
crash took place; and on board of each vessel the general apprehension
was a sinking. It is stated, on the part of the Victoria, that she was
steaming up at slackened speed; that the captain (as was the commander
of the other ship) was stationed at the top of the paddle-house; that a
number of lights, from vessels along the Cheshire shore, as well as
those of others making downwards, were seen; and that on the approaching
light of the other steamer coming into view, and rapidly approximating,
the most immediate means of preservation were resorted to, the "rule of
the road" not being available in all cases for that purpose. There are,
as may be expected, sayings and surmises for and against the management
of each vessel; but from what our reporter has heard and seen, we are
strongly inclined to the belief that the casualty, when duly
investigated, will resolve itself into one of those accidents, which it
is scarcely possible to foresee, and in which, if blame is to be
attached, it is equally attributable to both parties. It is not for us,
however, to prejudge the matter. It must, on the inquest on the body of
the deceased individual, become a subject of public enquiry and
discussion, and to the forth-coming evidence alone can we look to a
satisfactory solution of the question. Meantime we give the facts, as
stated to us, on board the respective vessels - both of which were
fortunate in not encountering a sea-way after they were struck, and in
reaching the dock, immediately after the concussion, the tide being
still nearly at the full.
The mate of the Royal Victoria stated to our reporter -
We were bound to the port from Carlisle. In running up the Cheshire
shore from the Rock, we saw a great number of lights from vessels at
anchor, and the engine was slowed. We saw the lights of a vessel
nearing us, and called out, but they seemed to take no notice, and in
a short time struck us on the starboard side. After the damage she
reversed from us, and the recoil sent her off. Our engine, which had
been going slow for some time, was stopped. I believe they did not see
us until they came on board of us, and from the violence of the
concussion, she must have been going at great speed. She made a wreck
of us on the starboard side - as you see. The moment the concussion took
place I went on the starboard paddle-box where the captain was
standing, and asked him if he was hurt; and he replied no, but that he
had a narrow escape. I then, by his directions, went down on deck, and
heard some persons groaning under the wreck (pieces of wood). I first
saw a woman (Mrs. Dixon), and, on procuring a light, got her out.
Meantime, search was made for more and a man (Savage) was found under
the rubbish, who was severally hurt in his back. He was carried to the
opposite deck-house. Soon after, another man (John Brown) was found
under the rubbish. A cabin passenger, I believe, a doctor, came up and
requested to feel his pulse. He did so, and said, he is gone, and that
as nothing was laying on the top of him, we might leave him and look
after the others who were hurt, and who might yet be under the ruins.
We found a female (Mrs. Savage), and afterwards a man (Mr. Savage),
both hurt: the latter in particular. Also, another female (Mrs.
Dixon), very much injured. A young man had also his shoulder put out,
but was able to walk. The weather at the time was moderate, and the sea
smooth, but there was a considerable haze.
On visiting the
Victoria we found that she had been struck just before the paddle-box
on the starboard side. The concussion must have been tremendous,
judging from its effect. Her side was regularly cut into, even to the
water's edge, the breach being five or six feet wide at the top, and
tapering down in conformity with the shape of the stem of the iron
steamer. The front part, the rim (or rather platform) of the paddle
house was first struck, and operates as a fender, otherwise the vessel
would probably have been cut in twain, or so much injured as
immediately to sink. The outer beam of the rim, which was of great
dimensions, and of African oak, as well as a stringer under the water
ways, of the same material, and of at least 16 inches in width, and
the timber and planks were smashed through. The deckhouse, for
passengers, erected in front of the paddle-box, and extending 18 or 20
feet, was completely crushed into what may be called match-wood, and
in this were the unfortunate parties who were injured, at the time. It
was filled with seats and other accommodations, and all of them were
enjoying themselves, unconscious of their impending fate. This was all
thrown upon the upper deck. The front of the paddle-house was also
destroyed; and the quantity of timber broken up, and of strong iron
bolts twisted and curved by the concussion is truly astonishing. The
fore rigging on the starboard side was also carried away, and the
bulwarks to an extent of about 20 feet. The figure head of the Prince,
or rather the figure of Britannia, in whose arms had rested the
Prince, was left on the deck. The Prince had disappeared in the
concussion, as well as the heads of the lions, (one on each side,) on
which Britannia rested. It was this figurehead, we learn, that, in
demolishing the deck-house, killed poor Brown.
We also visited the Prince of Wales, iron ship, on which the shock,
if we except the loss of life, was scarcely less destructive. Her
cut-water, figure-head, &c., were completely carried away, and her bows
on both sides broken, or rather crushed and torn inwards - the breadth
of two plates - a little above water-mark, making a clear opening on
each side, of eight to ten feet long, and four to five feet in depth.
Some remarks were made, and much talk was yesterday put afloat with
reference to this vessel, to the effect that the casualty had put iron
to the test, and that it was found wanting. We do not agree with such
premature opinionists. No ship, be she of what materials she may, can
withstand a concussion such as that under review, without serious
injury, and we do not see, in this case, that a wooden vessel would,
under similar circumstances, have come off better. The probability,
indeed, is that she would have fared worse, by being, in addition to
being broken in, shivered and shaken from bow to stern. The wooden ship
was smashed up to a great extent: the iron ship was equally damaged.
But no ship of either material can abide such a shock without incurring
imminent danger of sinking, and had either of them named been in a
sea-way, distant from the land, it is quite clear that they must both
have gone down before they could have availed themselves of the means of
repair. A number of men are now employed on each of them, and in the
course of a fortnight or so they will be again "fit for sea." The
repairs of the iron vessel will, we learn, be more readily accomplished
than those of the other.
On board of the Prince of Wales, happily, only one individual was
injured - the steward, who, while standing in the cabin, was thrown from
his balance by the force of the concussion against the stove, and had
two ribs broken. The Victoria was thrown by the shock nearly on her
beam-ends. The passengers and crew were nearly all on deck at the time.
The sufferers in the Royal Victoria were, immediately on the arrival
of the vessel in the Clarence Dock, conveyed to the Northern Hospital,
where they were attended to with the greatest kindness and assiduity
by Mr. Stubbs and the house-surgeon of that excellent establishment,
and his assistants. To the latter gentleman we are indebted for most
of the following particulars, relative to the unfortunate parties who
were on board the Royal Victoria:-
John Brown, who was killed, was a seaman, He had been paid off a few
days ago, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, after a foreign voyage. He has left
a wife and four children in this town - two of them daughters - fine
looking young women.
William Savage, and Ellen Savage, his wife. They were formerly, we
learn, connected with the Sanspareil Theatre, in this town, and were
on their way from Penrith to Limerick, in the west of Ireland. William
Savage has sustained a fracture of the spine, and his recovery is
doubtful, if not hopeless. His wife suffers under severe contusions
in various parts, but is considered out of danger.
Robert Unsworth, a young man, a draper's assistant, from Newcastle,
on his way to Dublin. Several contusions, but not dangerous.
Margaret Dixon, a married woman, from Newcastle, intending to go by
the England packet-ship to join her husband in the United States. The
husband is by trade a dyer. She is severely and dangerously injured in
the lower part of the body.
Another report [From Cambrian, Saturday 10th December 1842]:
COLLISION ON THE MERSEY.
A collision took place on the Mersey on Wednesday night, in
consequence of which two fine steamers were seriously damaged, one life was
lost, and three individuals seriously injured. The following are the
particulars of the accident: - The Prince of Wales steamer, which belongs to
the Cork and Liverpool Steam-packet Company, was putting out on her voyage to
Cork. She had crossed the river to the Cheshire shore shortly before nine
o'clock, and had arrived within half a mile of the rock, the weather being
rather thick. Captain M'Neilage, her commander, discovering a light a-head
which he conceived to be a steamer inward-bound, he immediately called to the
man at the wheel to port the helm which was promptly obeyed. The inward-bound
vessel was the Royal Victoria, from Carlisle, [wooden paddle steamer built
1837] and it appears that she put her helm to starboard, in consequence of
which she passed a-thwart the bows of the Prince of Wales, and the latter ran
into her just before the paddle-box. The concussion was extremely violent, and
both vessels were cut down within a few feet of the water. The damage to the
Royal Victoria was much more serious than that on board the Prince of Wales,
as the latter drove into the engine-room of the other. No person on board the
Prince of Wales was injured but the concussion caused serious injury to five
individuals in the Victoria. They were taken to the Northern Hospital on
Thursday morning, but one of them, John Brown [at inquest reported as William
Brown, seaman], died on his way thither. On the admission of the other four:
William Savage was found to have sustained a fracture of the spine, and
consequent paralysis of the lower part of his body; his wife Ellen had several
severe contusions on her body; Margaret Dixon, a young woman, sustained severe
injury at the lower part of the spine, with partial paralysis, and Robert
Unsworth, a severe contusion in the side. The three latter are doing as well
as could be anticipated, but William Savage is in a most pitiable situation.
The two vessels were got round, and taken safely into dock.
PS Sea Nymph and PS Rambler Collision 25 May 1846
13-14 people died aboard PS Rambler.
Rambler beached, repaired and put back in service.
From Cardiff Newspaper 30th May 1846
DREADFUL COLLISION ON THE MERSEY. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. LIVERPOOL, MAY 27,
1846.
Yesterday evening [Monday 25 May 1846] , a dreadful collision took place
on the river, between two Irish steamers, the Sea Nymph and the Rambler [both
iron paddle steamers built on the Clyde in 1845], attended with a melancholy
sacrifice of human life. The details of the unfortunate occurrence are as
follows:
The Sea Nymph, Captain Thompson, an iron steamboat,
plying between Liverpool and Newry, left the Clarence dock for the
latter place about ten o'clock at night, with about 50 passengers on board.
The Rambler, from Sligo, also an iron steamboat, was entering the river at the
time, with about 250 passengers, and numerous pigs and cattle on board. When
opposite the Magazines, about a quarter of a mile from the Cheshire shore, the
two vessels came into collision, the Sea Nymph striking the Rambler on the
larboard bow, cutting away her bulwarks and her hull, much below the
water-line, forcing her over almost on her beam ends, and killing and wounding
many of the passengers who were above and below deck in that part of the
vessel. The shrieks of the poor creatures were awful. A general panic seized
the passengers - several jumped overboard, and in attempting to swim
to shore were drowned. A blue light, as a signal of distress, was immediately
hoisted in the vessel, and the life-boat, under the command of Mr. Evans, was
launched, manned, and made for the vessel.
Some of the passengers, however,
impatient of relief, lowered one of the boats, twelve or thirteen jumped into
it, but it upset, and they were all drowned with the exception of one, who was
picked up by the life-boat, clinging to the keel. The life-boat made three
voyages to the vessel, and nothing could exceed the confusion which
prevailed each time on its arrival. The passengers, men and women, leaped from
a great height into it, and some, falling over the side, were drowned. Of
these, one poor woman, with a child in her arms, was particularly noticed but
all attempts to save her life were in vain. The deck being completely covered
with pigs and cattle, caused great confusion, and numbers of these animals
were injured. Some poor children, too, were literally trampled to death. The
captain, who was standing on the paddle-boxes at the time of collision, used
his utmost endeavours to inspire confidence and preserve order, but all his
exertions were ineffectual.
In about ten minutes after the event the vessel
was ran aground. The Elizabeth, a new Brighton steam ferry-boat, came to her
assistance, and took the remaining passengers, who amounted to upwards of one
hundred, to Liverpool, where the wounded, the precise number of whom we have
not yet ascertained, were removed without delay to various hospitals. The Sea
Nymph lost its bowsprit, and was otherwise much damaged; but none of those on
board, we are happy to learn, sustained any injury. At the time of the
collision, the mate of the Rambler jumped on board, and the Sea Nymph
immediately put back to the Clarence Dock. The occurrence took place at about
a quarter before eleven o'clock. There was a fresh breeze from the N.W. the
night was fine and clear. It is said that on seeing the approach of the Sea
Nymph, the alarm was given on board the Rambler; the bell was rung, and loud
shouts were also given, but they had either been disregarded, or unfortunately
misunderstood. No less than 13 dead bodies are at present lying in the
boat-house - those of three men, three women, and seven children; but
their names are not yet known. Some of them are so much mutilated that it is
almost impossible they can be identified. The number of those drowned has not
been ascertained but the relatives or friends of those who are missing are in
a state of the deepest distress and anxiety One poor woman, out of seven
children, has only one left; what has become of the others she cannot tell.
Most of the passengers were coming to Liverpool, for the purpose of emigrating
to America, and were mostly, we believe, from the neighbourhood of Sligo.
Their sea store, etc., has in several cases been injured or destroyed, and they
will probably be considered as proper objects of public benevolence. Those
who were brought on shore by the life-boat were treated with the greatest
kindness by persons living in the locality. Three of the poor men who were
taken to the Northern Hospital, we have just learned, have died.
Image Illustrated London News 30 May 1846;
The sketch by a Liverpool Artist gives a good idea of the injured part
of the Rambler as she lay on the sands on Tuesday when thousands flocked
to witness the wreck
Image from Liverpool Mercury 26 May 1846. Rambler as she now lies
in Clarence Dock basin:
Report from North Wales Chronicle 6th June 1846
THE LATE COLLISION ON THE MERSEY. INQUEST ON THE THIRTEEN BODIES LANDED IN
CHESHIRE. On Tuesday last the adjourned inquest on the thirteen dead bodies,
taken from the Rambler, steam-boat, after the late melancholy collision, and
placed in the Magazines Life-boat House, was resumed before Henry Churton, Esq.
coroner, for the county of Chester, at the Royal Hotel, Liscard, Only six of
the bodies had been identified. These were the bodies of Bridget Fury, Owen
Fury, Margaret Ford, Bridget Ford, Patrick Charles O'Mealey, and James Lally.
The evidence was similar in its tendency to that given at the former inquiry,
before the borough coroner. About four o'clock on Thursday, the examination
of witnesses was concluded, and the jury retired to consider their verdict.
After being shut up nearly an hour, returned with a verdict of "Accidental
death," and a deodand [fine] of £500 against the Sea Nymph.
The jury also begged to
state, that they considered the accident was caused by the want of a proper
look out on board the Sea Nymph, and expressed a wish that the coroner should
communicate with the proper authorities, in order that some rule should be established
for steam-vessels at night navigating the river, so that each might
keep their respective sides of the river, inward bound vessels proceeding up
the Cheshire shore, and outward bound on the Lancashire shore. Some
conversation took place between the coroner and the jury, as to who would be
the proper parties to communicate with on the subject, when it was agreed that
a communication should be made to the Dock Committee, and also to Sir G.
Clerk, who was about bringing in a bill for the regulating of steam-vessels.
Wreck of PS Rambler 14 June 1846
Iron paddle steamer built Napier, Clyde 1845
620 grt, 250 hp engines.
Aground on North Maiden Rock 14 June 1846 on voyage Liverpool to
Sligo.
Crew and passengers saved. Engine removed.
From Sligo Champion, Saturday 20 June 1846:
LOSS OF THE RAMBLER. But a short time ago it was our painful duty record a frightful collision between the Rambler and Sea Nymph steamers, by which a great number of human lives were sacrificed. Indeed the amount of the loss was never properly ascertained. We have now to announce the total wreck of the former vessel. This second disaster, coming immediately after the first one, is very singular, and we trust the master and crew will be able to clear themselves of blame.
The Rambler struck last Sunday [14 June 1846] at 3:50am upon the Maiden Rocks [also described as North Maiden Rock - now known as West Rock - in North Channel off Larne], where she still remains, it having been found impossible to get her off by reversing the engines. The weather was calm but foggy at the time, but the Maidens have a conspicuous lighthouse. The cargo, which was almost totally uninsured is nearly all lost. The bale goods, sugar, tobacco, etc., were in the after hold, and have been under water during the entire week; of course they will utterly useless; that saved would not, we have been informed, be more than to pay salvage. We trust the accounts we have seen, have been over drawn, but if they be true, the loss must be great indeed and it is a really lamentable thing in this period of general depression, to see so much of the property of the people of Sligo thrown, as it were, into the sea. The loss of the Rambler must be thoroughly investigated; the accident may have been perfectly unavoidable, but for the satisfaction of the people of Sligo, it will be right to make the strictest inquiries into the manner in which it occurred.
The St. Columb steamer was at the wreck during the week, and we understand the decks were broken and the machinery removed, so that we will never see anything more of the Rambler, and when we consider the frightful loss of life occasioned by the collision, and the subsequent loss of property, we have no reason to regret that we will have nothing more to do with so ill-fated a vessel. The Rover will be here [Sligo] in a day or two to carry on the trade between Sligo and Liverpool, which is every day increasing, and is certainly likely to increase still more.
Postcript The salvaged engine of the Rambler was subsequently installed in Thistle, built by Napier in 1848. She was, in turn, wrecked approaching Sligo on 9 December 1858.