Iron screw steamer [steam flat] Ada, built Adamson, Grangemouth, 1868, 65grt, 54nrt, 66.3 x 16.8 x 8.0ft, 20 hp engine, 1 screw, ON 62765. Owned Crosfield, Warrington [manufacturers of soap and chemicals with premises straddling the Mersey at Bank Quay]. Sank 20 August 1891 near New Brighton, with a cargo of slates, by collision with SS West Indian of Liverpool. Crew of 4 saved, but Captain Marks/Monks had broken legs. Vessel raised by Liverpool Salvage Association, beached, then put back in service. Register closed 1912.
[from Manchester Evening News - Friday 21 August 1891]:
A COASTING STEAMER SUNK. Last evening about nine o'clock a disastrous
collision occurred in the Mersey, opposite New Brighton, resulting in
the sinking of the coasting steamer Ada. The Ada, which belongs to
Messrs. Crosfield and Sons, soap manufacturers, Warrington, was inward
bound from Carnarvon with a cargo of slates, and was proceeding up the
Rock Channel. There was a slight haze at the time, and when a little to
the north of the Perch Rock Lighthouse, a large three masted steamer,
which had evidently just come up the Crosby Channel, was observed by the
crew of the Ada close in shore apparently heading round. Somehow the
vessels failed to clear each other, and the large steamer, the name of
which could not be ascertained, struck the Ada on her quarter, cutting
her clean in two. The force of the impact was so terrific that the
captain of the Ada, David Monks [sic, Marks in some reports], and the
engineer, Richard Sudlow, were knocked overboard. The Ada immediately
began to settle down, and William Roberts, the mate, and another hand
named James Ward, launched the small boat, which was on deck. On
casting off from the sinking vessel they noticed the captain in the
water hanging on to a life buoy. They got him into the boat, and then
pulled towards Sudlow, who is a good swimmer, and was supporting
himself. Having got him on board Roberts and Ward headed the boat
towards the north end of the New Brighton stage, which they reached
safely. On getting Captain Monks on to the stage it was seen that he
was very seriously injured. He was conveyed on the ambulance stretcher
to the top of the pier, and a messenger was despatched for a medical man.
Police-constable Schofield, certified member of the St. John Ambulance
Association, in the meantime set to work to render first aid to the
injured man. Dr. Ross arrived shortly afterwards, and by his
directions Monks was removed to the Seacombe Cottage Hospital, when it
was found that he had been dreadfully injured, both legs being broken
and thigh fractured. He was also severely bruised about the head.
Sudlow was much more fortunate, escaping with only a severe shaking, but
he suffered severely from the shock of the immersion. Monks resides in
Priestly-street, Warrington; Sudlow the engineer, at Selby-street,
Warrington; Roberts, the mate, Runcorn; and Ward at Liverpool Road,
Warrington. Ward and Roberts subsequently proceeded to Warrington to
acquaint the relatives of the injured man of the disaster. The steamer
which sank the Ada afterwards proceeded into one of the Liverpool docks.
[other steamer named as West India of Liverpool]
[from Liverpool Journal of Commerce - Thursday 27 August 1891]:
ADA (s), from Carnarvon to Liverpool; sunk at the entrance to the
Mersey, on the evening of the 20th August, after collision with the
steamer West Indian. This vessel lies broadside to the tide in about 4
fathoms at low water, and is reported to be cut down to the bottom,
the opening being 8 feet wide at top. A contract has been made to
raise the vessel and place her on the "hard " at Egremont. (Liverpool
Salvage Association, Aug 26.)
[from Liverpool Shipping Telegraph and Daily Commercial Advertiser - Saturday 29 August
1891]:
Ada (steam flat), sunk in Rock Channel, has been raised and placed
on New Brighton beach (Liverpool, Aug. 28.)