Overview
Admiral
John H Elliott
Jane Q Storer 2 lost
Spinner (refloated)
Rubin (also Lytham lighthouse collapse)
Milford
Permelia Flood 12 lost
Medea, Shelah, Arthur White,
Temperance, Barmouth, John & William (refloated)
THE GALE. Liverpool, Tuesday, Jan. 20. Yesterday, a telegram was received in Liverpool, from Admiral Fitzroy, to the effect that dangerous winds might be expected from the southward; but the weather, until the evening, was not more than ordinarily boisterous. When the evening arrived, however, a stiff breeze sprung up, and, gradually increasing, it had almost attained the force of a gale by twelve o'clock. The gale continued with unabated fury, and was at its maximum force from two o'clock in the morning until twelve noon. The cellars of the various dock warehouses were flooded by the tide, which broke over the dock quays, and a considerable amount of property was destroyed. Fortunately, no serious accident happened to the ships moored in the river, a few only dragging their anchors.
Two ships reported to be ashore outside were found to be the "Admiral," bound to Bombay, and the "J. E. Elliott,"[sic: John H Elliott] bound to New York. As soon as word reached Liverpool of these vessels being in distress, two lifeboats were despatched in charge of the steamtug "Reliance" (Captain Sumner.) On reaching the vessels, it was found that the "Admiral" was drifting quickly down the Rock Channel, and as the "J. E. Elliott" was in a more favourable position, attention was more particularly paid to the "Admiral." On reaching the latter it was found that she was sinking rapidly, and with great difficulty and danger the crew, 29 in number, were brought ashore. Mr. Bramham, of the Steamtug Company, who owns the "Reliance," states that when that boat left the "Admiral" she was deeply imbedded in the sand, and would no doubt become a total wreck. The "Admiral" sailed from Liverpool last Saturday, with a large and valuable cargo for Bombay.
As a proof of the strength of the storm outside, we may state that the substantial lifeboat house on Hilbre Island, together with a new lifeboat, carriage, etc, have been washed away. [Lifeboat driven ashore at Hoylake, damaged]
Liverpool, Wednesday, Jan. 21. The ship "Admiral" is now deeply imbedded in the sand and all hopes of saving her are gone. The "J. E. Elliott," which was a large ship belonging to Messrs. Guyon, of Liverpool, with a crew of 30 men and 20 passengers, bound for New York, in putting back to Liverpool owing to the weather, went ashore on the north bank, where she now lies with her back broken. Two of the lifeboats which attended the vessel all night succeeded in rescuing the crew and passengers and landed them here at 9:15 this morning.
A large portion of the Seacombe slip and about 500 tons of coal have been washed away. The immense supports which held up the high-water slip at Egremont are also carried away. The "J. A. Storer," bound from Portland for Kingston (Ireland), with a cargo of deals, was driven out of her course by the fury of the gale, and went ashore at Little Brighton, near Waterloo, early this morning. The vessel is a complete wreck, and her cargo is washing along the coast. The captain and 15 of the crew have been saved, but two men, in endeavouring to sling themselves into the boats, were drowned. There is another vessel ashore, near Waterloo, a complete wreck, and her cargo, which was partly comprised of apples, covers the beach. There is not the slightest vestige of her crew, who are all believed to have been drowned during the night.
Lytham, Wednesday Night, Jan. 21. We have been visited with fearful gales during the last three days but fortunately there is only one instance of shipwreck to record. A vessel was observed aground on the Salthouse Bank, while the wind was blowing very hard and the sea running very high. The lifeboat of the National Lifeboat Institution was immediately got out, mounted on her transporting carriage, and quickly conveyed to windward, a distance of 4 or 5 miles over the sand, which was very soft. On arriving near the scene of the wreck the lifeboat with her crew on board was at once launched and proceeded off to the vessel, which was found to be the barque "Rubin" of Liverpool, with a cargo of timber on board. The jibboom of the ship was carried away and her rudder was gone. She had no boats, the yard tackle hanging in the water. With some difficulty, owing to the heavy seas, the lifeboat succeeded in rescuing the crew of 12 men, and brought them ashore amid the cheering of a large concourse of spectators. It is a singular coincidence that this vessel belongs to the same owners, and was chartered with the same cargo as the barque "Brazil," which was wrecked on this Sandbank on the 26th ult., and whose crew of thirteen men were rescued under similar perilous circumstances by this valuable lifeboat.
Another newspaper report: Gore's Liverpool General Advertiser - Thursday 22 January 1863
Two vessels were wrecked on the Burbo Bank on Tuesday
forenoon from a similar cause. The John H. Elliott, 1148 tons,
belonging to Messrs. Guion and Co. and the Admiral, 745 tons,
belonging to Messrs. W. Hattersby and Co. both sailed hence on
Saturday, respectively for New York and Bombay. Not being able to make
any way down Channel, they were putting back to port on Tuesday
morning. The heavy sea prevented them from being boarded in the usual
manner by pilots, and the new schooner pilot boat (No 7), Lancashire
Witch, endeavoured to pilot them by running before them to the
entrance of the Queen's Channel. The heavy wind and sea, however,
caused the larger vessels to quite overrun the small craft, and
getting of out their proper course, they ran ashore on the Great Burbo
Bank. Intelligence of the disaster was telegraphed from Bidston, and
tugs and life-boats were sent out them. The steam-tug Reliance reached
the Admiral first. The vessel was already sunk very deeply in the
quicksands and the seas breaking over her. With some difficulty her
captain and crew, twenty-nine in all, were taken off and afterwards
brought into port. The other steamers and lifeboats proceeded to the
John H. Elliott, which had twenty passengers besides a crew of twenty.
All were taken off during the evening, and in the night the vessel
broke up and yesterday was a complete wreck.
Yesterday the Lancashire coast between here and Southport presented a sad
scene. The ship Jane G. Storer, from Portland, United States, bound to
Kingstown for orders and principally timber laden, in attempting to make the
port for shelter, during the night, had run on the beach at Little
Brighton, near Waterloo, and soon broke up. The captain and fifteen of
the crew got ashore in the ship's boat, but two of the seamen were
drowned in attempting to sling themselves into the boat. Yesterday the shore was
strewn with wreckage and deals from the cargo, and three masts, and a
broken boat were washed into the river.
A little to the north of Waterloo, the remains of another
ship, name unknown, were found yesterday morning, and apples and other
portions of her cargo were picked up. It is supposed that all hands on
board were lost, as no traces of them had been discovered last
evening.
Comment: Possibly Spinner below, or part of the
wreckage from the Jane Q Storer below.
Also reported: a boat marked "Brothers of Ayr, master Hugh
Hardy" has been picked up in the Mersey - there is a 121 ton brigantine
of that name (ON 36812, built Prince Edward Isand 1860), but it
continues in servce until the 1930s.
See also Liverpool Lifeboat Services for more detail.
Admiral, registered Glasgow from 1850, then Bombay, ON 418, 744 tons.
Voyage Liverpool for Bombay. Cargo: large and valuable; mainly coal.
Unable to obtain pilot, drifted ashore on north side of Rock Channel on 20 January 1863.
Captain Clarke and 29 crew rescued by steam tug Reliance (also
2 lifeboats in attendance).
A quantity of materials has been brought from the Admiral, for
Bombay, sunk in the Rock Channel, by a shrimp boat.[rep 24 Jan]
Wreck sold, as it lies, for £6.
Vessel broke up: MDHB wreck report states "744 tons, Lying on her starboard
bilge with head to northward, removed by MDHB with the aid of powder
between 26.1.1863 and 18.3.1863. Depth 1ft above LBD". Position
(not now charted) as 2 Cables W x N 1/2 N from R5 Black Buoy:
53°26.55N, 3°5.55W.
Packet built William H. Webb, New York, 1856 for Smith and Company Packet, USA,
1077 tons.
Managed Guion Bros., who had started a Liverpool - New Orleans service, but
had to run to New York because of the American Civil War.
Voyage Liverpool to New York. Captain Somers.
Unable to obtain pilot, driven ashore on Burbo Bank, 20 January 1863.
30 crew and 20 passengers saved by lifeboatmen, aided by steam tug United States.
Vessel abandoned and reported as on fire.
Liverpool Mail: 22nd Jan. The J. H. Elliot, ashore on the North
Bank, was not on fire, as reported yesterday. The smoke that was seen
escaping from her was from some soda ash, part of her cargo, getting
wet.
MDHB wreck report: dries 0.8m in charted position 53°27.49N, 3°5.38W.
From Lancaster Gazette - Saturday 24 January 1863
We have been requested to state that on Tuesday afternoon, during
the heaviest part of the gale, some of the boatmen connected with the
Old Magazine lifeboat, namely, Thomas Evans, sen., Thomas Evans, jun., Robert
Dean, John Dixon, and William Evans - in consequence of there being no
lifeboat on the New Brighton station, ventured out in a small boat
belonging to Thomas Evans, sen., and succeeded in reaching a large
American ship that had grounded on the Burbo Bank. They implored the
crew to leave the ship and return with them in the gig, but owing to
the violence of the gale, the crew could not be made to understand what
was said to them. The boatmen were consequently obliged to leave,
not expecting to see the poor fellows again alive. The boatmen agreed
with the captain and crew of the steam-tug United States to meet
them at four o'clock the following morning. This arrangement was
carried out, and on arriving at the scene of the disaster, they
were surprised to find that no lifeboat from Liverpool had gone to
the succour of the crew of the ship. Great praise is due to the
boatmen and the captain and crew of the steam-tug for their conduct on
this occasion. One informant bestows great credit upon Thomas Evans,
sen., who, he states, had the sails and tackling of one of his other
boats washed away whilst he was endeavouring, at the risk of his own
life, to save the lives and property of others.
Thomas Evans was coxswain of the Magazines lifeboat (provided by MDHB) and had been awarded a Silver Medal in 1851. RNLI planned to provide a lifeboat at New Brighton - of a tubular design, inaugurated in late January 1863 - but a few days earlier, Thomas Evans and colleagues had used a shore boat (as decribed above) to give assistance to the stranded John H Elliott.
RNLI Awards: Second Service Clasp amd £2 to Mr. THOMAS EVANS; and the Silver Medal of the Society and £1 each to THOMAS EVANS, Jun., and WILLIAM EVANS; and also £6 to 3 other men, in acknowledgment of their gallant and persevering services on the night of the 20th Jan., in assisting to rescue the crew and passengers of the American ship John H. Elliott, of New York, which, during a terrific squall, accompanied by thunder and lightning, was stranded in Liverpool Bay. With the help of the steam-tug United States, of Liverpool, 55 persons were brought safely to land. The committee voted their thanks, inscribed on vellum, to Mr John Bellis, master of the steamer and £3 10s to his crew, for their highly meritorious conduct on the occasion.
Barque Jane Q Storer of Yarmouth, Maine. 599 tons. Built Yarmouth 1862.
Voyage Portland (or Bangor) Maine to Kingstown [Dun Laoghaire] with
timber. Captain Waite.
Ashore and wrecked on Jordan's bank 21 January 1863. 16 crew saved, 2 lost.
From Liverpool Mercury - Thursday 22 January 1863: The barque Jane G. Storer[sic] of Yarmouth U.S., deal-laden, for Kingstown for orders, was wrecked in the channel on Jordan's Bank. Two men drowned. A portion of the deck driven on shore at Waterloo [near Bootle].
The captain and 15 of the crew have been saved, but two men, in endeavouring to sling themselves into the boats, were drowned.
New York Herald of 24 December 1862: PORTLAND: Bark Jane Q Storer (new, of Yarmouth 599 tons), Waite, Belfast.
Note some newspapers give a garbled account of this loss - of a SS Storer or SS Storey.
Newspaper report: Spinner, from Cuba to Liverpool, with sugar, drove ashore on the sands, below the [Formby] lighthouse, and is being discharged into carts. The upper tiers of sugar are not damaged, but the lower tier have suffered from the water she had in her after taking the ground, crew saved.
From Fleetwood Chronicle - Friday 23 January 1863
WRECK
OFF WALNEY ISLAND - About half-past five o'clock on Tuesday morning, the
brig Milford, Captain Lewis, of and from Chepstow, for Maryport, with a
cargo of oak, was driven ashore on the foul ground on the north side of
Lune, about two miles eastward of Piel lighthouse. Immediately the
vessel struck, the crew abandoned her in one of their boats, and she
soon afterwards beat off the bank, and was seen to go down in deep
water. After drifting in the bay for upwards of six hours at the mercy
of the waves, which filled the boat as fast as they could bale her, they
were washed ashore on Chapel Island, near Ulverstone, in such an
exhausted state that only two out of the six, who comprised the crew,
were able to move; the rest lay in the bottom of the boat completely
helpless, and almost insensible. They were observed by Mr. Barker, and
his brothers, (the only inhabitants of the island), who went to their
assistance, and arrived just in time to save the mate, who, in
attempting to carry a line through the surf, from the boat to land, was
knocked down by a wave, and would have been washed away, but for the
gallant conduct of one of the Barkers, who ran up to his neck into the
water and succeeded in getting hold of the line to which the mate clung,
and was hauled ashore. The boat was then drawn up out of the reach of
the tide, and the poor men, more dead than alive, were conveyed to the
house, where they soon recovered under the kind treatment of Mr. Barker
and his family. One reason for the exhausted state of men was, that
they had been without food for twenty four hours before wreck, having
been fully employed at the pumps during that time. We believe they
returned to their homes at Chepstow yesterday.
From Burnley Gazette - Saturday 31 January 1863
The ship Permelia Flood from New Orleans to this port, foundered at sea on
the 20th inst. All hands, with the exception of the captain,
perished. The Permelia Flood was a fine vessel, and previous to the
American war was a regular trader between Liverpool, Charleston, and
New Orleans. She left New Orleans on the 13th of October last, and
during the latter part of the voyage encountered such severe weather
that her masts were sprung, and she put into Charlestown[sic - Queenstown
in other reports] for repairs.
These having been completed she left Queenstown on the evening of the
19th inst, and encountered the full fury of the gale on the 20th
inst., with the unfortunate result described. She had on board a large
cargo, comprising naval stores, etc, and was consigned to Messrs. H
Prommell and Co., of Liverpool. The telegram announcing the loss of
this vessel was forwarded by Captain Anderson after he had been landed at
Carnarvon.
From Caledonian Mercury - Monday 26 January 1863
THE LOSS OF THE PERMELIA FLOOD. DREADFUL SUFFERINGS OF THE CAPTAIN. On
Saturday, we announced the foundering of the above vessel [New Orleans
to Liverpool], and, with the exception of the captain, the loss of
every soul on board. The unfortunate vessel, under the command of
Captain Anderson, left Queenstown for Liverpool on the 19th instant
with a favourable wind. On the afternoon of the 20th, the wind blew a
perfect hurricane, and the ship became leaky and disabled. Towards
dark, the condition of the ship became very serious, and the water was
gaining rapidly. Everything was being prepared to leave the ship,
when a tremendous sea swept over and engulfed her, washing everything
moveable overboard. This was the last seen of the Permelia Flood.
Captain Anderson, after being knocked about for some time, succeeded
in getting hold of a piece of the poop, as a support, in the hope that
he could keep afloat until he was rescued. When the vessel foundered,
she was bearing E.S.E. twelve miles off Holyhead. This was on the
20th: yet for upwards of twenty long and dreadful hours, during the
height of a storm which has not been equalled in intensity for the
last thirty years, buoyed up by hope and a piece of wreck, did Captain
Anderson struggle for life. But no friendly sail hove in sight; and,
just as hope was fading away with the strength which had for so many
perilous hours supported him, the sea cast him on shore in the
neighbourhood of Carnarvon. After regaining a little strength, the
captain made his way to where he saw some men, who received him
kindly, and gave him some refreshment. As soon as he was sufficiently
recovered he proceeded to Tymawr, where he now lies in a very feeble
state, and under medical care. He is unable to write in consequence of
his hands being severely lacerated and swollen, and he was only able
to dictate a few items of as painful a narrative as is to be found in
the annals of the sea. The cargo of the Permelia Flood comprised 400
tons cotton seedcake, about 200 tons of hides, 30 bales of cotton, and
6000 staves.
Wooden barque Medea, 423 tons, built New Brunswick 1858
ON 41868, 132x28x15ft; captain Bayles, owner Horsfall, registered Liverpool.
Refloated and put back in service until at least 1880.
North Wales Chronicle 24 January 1863.
HOLYHEAD. On Thursday morning last, during a very heavy gale from the
Westward, the British Barque Medea 400 tons, Bayles, master, of
Liverpool, from the West Coast of Africa, for Liverpool, with a
valuable cargo of Palm Oil, Cocoa Nuts and Ivory, made for Holyhead
New Harbour, and succeeded in passing between the Light Ship and the
Breakwater when two anchors were let go, but they would not hold the
vessel, and she immediately commenced dragging until about 10 o'clock,
she was close to the rocks on the East side of the Bay, near the
Valley. The Holyhead Life Boat was manned and proceeded to the
distressed ship, as it was well known that if she remained, even
where she then was, as the tide receded she would strike upon the
rocks. This splendid boat soon reached the ship and one of the crew
having been put on board she was by him piloted on to a sandy beach
called "Penial" where she now remains and we are glad to state, very
slightly damaged. The vessel and cargo belongs to Messrs. Horsfall
and Co., the well-known African Merchants, at Liverpool, and is, we
believe, fully insured. She will be got off when lightened of about
two hundred tons of cargo. The Coast Guard and Customs officials were
soon on the spot to render any assistance required. The former took
out the "Mortar Apparatus." We also saw there Mr. Jones, Lloyd's
Agent, Mr. Jones, Shipbuilder, and Mr. Roberts, Shipbuilder. The
Schooner "Shelah," of Wexford, has been stranded on the East side, but
we do not think there is much damage done to her.
Wooden schooner Shelah, 88 tons, of Wexford, built St Mary's, Nova Scotia, 1845
Refloated and put back in service until at least 1880.
Liverpool Daily Post - Thursday 22 January 1863.
Holyhead. Jan. 21. 8.50 Shelah(schooner), from Wexford to Barrow, in
ballast, parted both chains, and is on shore near Penrhyn; she will be a total
wreck; crew saved.
Wooden barque Arthur White of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, 806 tons
Built Argyle, NS, 1847. ON 25411.
Voyage New York to Dublin with grain.
Ashore on west coast of Walney Island 23 January 1863
Crew of 19 saved, vessel sold and refloated.
Subsequently registered Liverpool to 1867, then Cork.
Preston Herald - Saturday 31 January 1863
Wreck on Walney Island. Friday, between four and five
o'clock in the afternoon, the barque Arthur White, of Yarmouth, N.S.,
bound to Dublin with Indian corn, struck Walney Island. Not being able
to make Dublin, the captain took a Liverpool pilot, on Thursday, and
endeavoured to make that port but was unable to do so in consequence
of the gale then blowing, and next he tried to make Piel harbour. In
this attempt, the vessel struck on the west side of Walney Island.
Great apprehensions were entertained for the safety of the crew (19 in
number all told), but they were got safely ashore. Immediately when
the vessel struck, the crew cut away the main and mizen masts, and it
was expected that the vessel would become a total wreck.
Liverpool Mercury - Friday 13 March 1863
On Monday next, the 16th inst., at 12 o'clock at the Brokers'
Salerooms
Walmer-Buildings, Water-street.
The HULL of the Ship ARTHUR WHITE, - About 850 tons, as she
may
then lie stranded on Walney Island, near Barrow; also two bower
anchors and two chain cables, and about 25 tons (more or less) of
grain, damaged by salt water, and now on board the said vessel.
Immediately after the above, The Stores saved from the above Ship,
consisting of sails, standing and running rigging, chains, blocks etc,
now lying at No. 1 Wreck Depot, Waterloo Dock.
[also hull re-advertised in July 1863]
- Also, at the same time and place, two bower anchors and
about 100 fathoms chain cable, saved from the wreck of the ship John
H. Elliott, lying north end Prince's Dock. Apply to CURRY, KELLOCK, &
CO., Brokers
Ulverston Mirror and Furness Reflector - Saturday 07 March 1863
THE WRECK OF THE "ARTHUR WHITE." The purchasers of the
barque Arthur White,
stranded during the late gales on the west side of the Isle of Walney,
are in great hopes of getting her off shortly if the weather keeps
moderate, as they have about twenty men employed in docking her.
On 9 October 1869, the barque Arthur White of Cork (with timber from Quebec) was involved in a collision with the SS Denmark (outbound to New York) 250 miles west of Ireland. The crew of the Arthur White abandoned her, but as she remained afloat, 10 men from the crew of the Denmark boarded her and she was brought into Cork.
North Wales casualties:
Coasting schooner Temperance [ON 4146, reg Caernarfon 1848, 49
tons],
Captain Jones, of Nevin, with salt, from Liverpool to Menai Bridge, was
swamped off Penmaenmawr on the evening of 18th January, during a heavy
gale from the NW. She is still reported as trading until 1869, so was
repaired.
The same evening the smack John and William [ON 23979, 18t, reg
Caernarfon, built Pwllheli 1839], of Nevin and the smack Barmouth [ON 10196,
23t, reg Caernarfon, built Porthmadoc 1815), of Barmouth were casualties.
The Barmouth is still listed as trading in 1880 [then registered
Beaumaris]; and John and William is also listed as trading in 1880.
THE MARINE SURVEYOR REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES CONNECTED WITH THE SERVICES RENDERED BY THE LIFE-BOATS DURING THE GALES OF THE PAST WEEK. [From Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 31 January 1863]
On the 20th instant, at 2:30 p.m., blowing a gale from W.N.W., a signal was made at Bidston of two ships in distress near the north bank of the Rock Channel. The two Liverpool life-boats were despatched as soon their crews could be assembled. No. 2 life-boat, in tow the steam-tug Enterprise, passed the Rock Lighthouse outward at 3:15, and No. 1 in tow of the Universe, at 3:20, proceeding down the Rock ChanneL On entering the Rock Channel, the two ships were perceived, and one on the high part of the Burbo, the tide falling rapidly, it was believed that she would soon be high and dry; the other in a sinking condition in the deep of the Rock Channel. Both boats proceeded for the latter, which proved to be the Admiral, laden with coals, outward bound and put back, broached to and became unmanageable in rounding Spencer's Spit, struck on the north bank and drifted into the deep. On arriving near her, the steam-tug Reliance was observed to be taking her people off over her stern. No. 1 boat remained by her until all the people were safely on board the Reliance, whilst No. 2 boat proceeded to the westward to endeavour to get through a gutter in the north bank to make for the ship on Burbo, which afterwards proved to be the John E. Elliott. On quitting the Admiral No. 1 boat made for the north bank and put one of her men on the bank to make his way over to the John E. Elliott. While waiting the return of this messenger No. 2 boat, having been unable to get through the bank, returned up the Rock Channel, and, on passing No. 1, the master of the latter, believing that his boat might be found separated from the John Elliott by a gutter, hailed No. 2 to make down the Crosby Channel for the entrance of a gutter which appeared to lead through the bank to the ship. The messenger from No 1 boat returned to his boat at ten minutes past five, p.m., reporting that had reached about halfway to the vessel when he found himself stopped by a gutter through the bank; that had waved to the ship, but, as it was coming on dark, he did not think he was seen, and did not himself see anybody on board. On his return No. 1 boat made up the Rock Channel, and observed No. 2 some little distance down the Crosby Channel, apparently making for the high part of Burbo, and herself returned to her station at 5:45 p.m. No. 2 boat continued to make her way down the Crosby Channel until after dark, when, the flood tide making, it was found impossible to make headway, or to attempt anything by landing on the bank with a rising tide, and at 5:45 she bore up and reached the station at 6:30 p.m.
At 7 30 p.m. the marine surveyor received a report from Crosby Lighthouse that just at dark a vessel dismasted, believed to be at anchor, had been seen near the Crosby Lightship. Orders were sent to the Prince's stage that notice of the fact should be given to any steam-tugs which might be at the stage, and that life-boats should be held in readiness and their crews assembled in time to reach the wreck seen at sunset, by daylight of the following morning.
January 21st, at 4:45 a.m., the life-boat No. 1 was dispatched in tow of the Constitution steam-tug, to communicate with the Crosby Lightship, for intelligence as to the wreck seen near her at sunset, and to look round at daylight for the J. E. Elliott, left the night before on Burbo. Lifeboat No. 2 being kept in hand until it could be seen whether Bidston Telegraph made any fresh report after the night. Nothing fresh being seen, she was despatched at 7:30a.m., in tow of the Universe, with orders to endeavour to make for the J. E. Elliott, where last seen from the Rock Channel; and if she was not there, to look for any wreck that might have beat over the bank during the night. No. 1 boat spoke the Crosby ship, and learnt from her that the dismasted vessel seen near her was on shore on the north part of Burbo; had cut her masts away immediately on grounding; and during the night had disappeared (It subsequently was known that the vessel in question was the Jane D. Storer; that at 9 p.m. she broke in two, and, being timber laden, floated and drove on shore near Waterloo, with the loss of only one of her crew.) On leaving the Crosby ship, No. 1 boat made for the J. E. Elliott, which, during the night had driven high up on the middle of Great Burbo. On reaching the bank, found the steamer United States, with a shore boat, receiving the people from the J. E. Elliott, they having walked over the bank; the whole being saved. The life-boats returned to their station at 9:30 a.m.
On the 21st, 10 a.m., blowing a heavy gale from N.W., signal was made
from the Rock Lighthouse of a brig on shore near Formby Point, and
Bidston signalled a vessel in distress in the Horse Channel. No. 1
Lifeboat was dispatched in tow of the steam-tug Iron King down the
Crosby Channel, and No. 2 boat proceeded in tow of the Scout to the
Horse Channel: the schooner, Pride of Canada, was met by No. 2 boat in
tow of a tug near Spencer's Spit, and the lifeboat returned into port.
The Hoylake Lifeboat was launched to the same vessel, but, on observing
her taken in tow, returned to her station. The brig near Formby proved
to be the Spinner, of Dundee: on nearing her, the steam-tug cast off the
boat, which dropped toward her, but finding her so high on the shore
that she must soon dry, it being falling tide, the boat put back, and
sailed up, reaching her station at 3:20p.m. Meantime, at 12:45, the
Formby Lifeboat had been launched to the assistance of the same vessel.
On reaching her, three of the crew had left in their own boat, two
remaining were taken off by the Formby boat and landed at 1:45pm.
Liverpool Bay:
John 5 lost
De Witt Clinton
Mary 9 lost, refloated
Isabella and Catherine 1 lost
Holyhead:
Westbourn 9 lost
Elizabeth 4 lost
Esperance 3 lost [possibly refloated]
Saint Catherine 1 lost, refloated
Confiance
Pearl
Harmony
Helen Campbell
Industrie [possibly refloated]
Ariel [possibly refloated]
Elizabeth Morrow, refloated
Diamond, refloated
Palermo, refloated
Scottish Lass 1 lost, refloated
Climax, refloated
Hibernia, refloated
R. T. K., refloated
Caernarfon and Porthdinllaen:
Maria
Bardsey 1 lost
Three Susans, Helen, Nelson
Wooden sloop John of Liverpool, 60 tons
Voyage Liverpool to Barrow with 70 tons of coal.
Driven ashore, 4 Dec 1863, near Lytham.
Captain and crew lost (5 men reported in BOT wreck return)
Wreckage advertised for sale - so most probably refloated.
Soulby's Ulverston Advertiser and General Intelligencer - Thursday 10
December 1863:
The sloop John, of Liverpool, from that port to
Barrow, with a cargo of 70 tons of coal has become a complete wreck off
Blackpool. Her distressed condition was observed by the crew of the
Lytham lifeboat, who launched their boat and proceeded to render what
assistance they could. They found the sea washing over the sloop, but
not a soul on board, and the belief is that the crew - perhaps three men
- have perished during the severe gale. She struck about four o'clock
on Friday morning, and now lies a complete wreck some little distance
off Crystal-terrace, in South Shore.
Fleetwood Chronicle - Friday 18 December 1863:
SALE OF THE SLOOP
"JOHN OF LIVERPOOL". TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, on Tuesday next, the 22nd
of December, 1863, at one o'clock in the afternoon, by Mr Worthington,
on the beach, at Lytham, where she now lies, the SLOOP "JOHN," of 60
tons register, and 70 tons burthen, lately stranded at South Shore, with
all the Anchors, Chains, and other tackle etc. The hull of the vessel
has not sustained any damage and she can be made quite seaworthy again
at a low cost.
Wooden ship De Witt Clinton, American, built 1848 New York, 1048
tons.
Voyage St. John (Lepreau), New Brunswick, to Liverpool with timber.
Driven ashore near Formby 3-4 December 1863
Crew rescued by Southport (8) and Formby (11) lifeboats.
Wreck offered for sale - as it lies.
Ship named after De Witt Clinton (1769-1828), mayor of New York and then governor of New York State.
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Wednesday 20 January 1864
Report of Captain Mosher, of the Ship De Witt Clinton, of New York,
1,086 tons, from La Prieux[sic, Lepreau], New Brunswick, to
Liverpool(deals):-
Left La Prieux, Nov. 8. Dec. 3, at 7 a.m., weather cloudy, wind
W N W, to NW, hove to under close-reefed sails, heading NE, Point Lynas
SW, distant two miles, continued on same tack, no pilot boat in sight.
Noon, gale continuing, ship labouring and pitching. At 10 P.M.,
Irwyn[sic] Light WSW 10 miles, sounded, and found 16 fathoms water;
continued to sound. Midnight, 17 fathoms. 4th - 2:30 a.m., 12 fathoms.
2:45 a.m., stood off to ESE, with a view to make the NW Lightship. At
3:45 A.M., ship struck in 5.5 fathoms, no light in sight or object
visible; hauled ship's head to NNE. Judging her to be on the south
shore, immediately found 4.5 fathoms. Ship became unmanageable. Let go
both anchors, with all chain. Cut away foremast. Southport and Formby
lifeboats came off and took part of the crew on shore. Ship held on
until about 1 p.m. of the 5th, when, the chains having cut through, the
windlass parted, and the ship drifted ashore. About 11a.m. the
lifeboat returned to the ship, and took me off. When I left the ship,
the upper-deck hatches were washed off, together with the skylight, and
ship in a wrecked condition. A great portion of the cargo will be
saved.
Lifeboat report: Southport, Friday Night. At daylight this morning (writes Capt. Barton. R.N.), during a strong westerly wind, a large vessel was seen aground on the Mad Wharf Sandbank, near Formby. The coxswain and crew of the lifeboat of the National Life-boat Institution at this place, at once proceeded to Ainsdale, where the boat had been left on the previous evening. The lifeboat was then transported three miles further along the coast, and launched to the assistance of the distressed sailors. On arriving alongside the vessel, it was found that the captain had cut away the foremast, and was in the act of cutting the mainmast away. Eight of the vessel's crew immediately jumped into the lifeboat, but the remainder were prevented from doing so by their captain. As there was great danger of the mainmast being cut away and falling on the lifeboat, she was compelled to cast off and make for the shore, where she safely landed the eight men. The Formby lifeboat was afterwards seen making for the wreck, which had then hoisted signals of distress. She succeeded taking off the remainder of the shipwrecked crew. The vessel proved to be the American ship David White [sic, Dewitt] Clinton, of New York, bound to Liverpool. The coxswain of the lifeboat stated that the captain of the ship was very drunk on the occasion.
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 04 January 1864
SALE: The HULL of the American Ship DE WITT CLINTON, as she may
then lie stranded at Formby, about 2 miles north of the Boat-house,
together with what may then be attached to her. The De Witt Clinton
1079 tons register; was built at New York, 1848. and was classed A1.5
in the American Book; is copper-fastened and sheathed with yellow metal.
There are about 370 standards of Deals on board. The Hull will be sold
with the condition that the purchaser shall receive 82s 6d per standard
freight (less than the usual interest) besides what salvage may allowed
by the average stater on all cargo delivered in Liverpool. Also,
immediately after the above, a Quantity of STORES saved from the Wreck
of said Ship, consisting of Spars, Rigging, Chain Cables, Ropes, Sails,
Oars, Water Casks, lying at Formby.
A second sale of timber salvaged from the wreck was held on 15 November near where she was wrecked. This confirms that the wreck was not refloated.
Wooden schooner Mary of Montrose, ON 27625, built Montrose 1863.
96 tons, 78 x 21 x 10.5 ft
Voyage Sligo to Liverpool with oatmeal.
Driven ashore on New Brighton Beach, 3 December 1863.
Captain James Young, 5 crew and 3 Liverpool pilots all lost.
Wreckage advertised for sale. After 1863, registered at Preston -
so refloated.
Bury Times - Saturday 12 December 1863:
Three Liverpool Pilots Drowned -- The stern of schooner Mary, of
Montrose, was picked about 1.5 miles to the west of Rock lighthouse.
And her loss with three pilots is thus, given:- At four a m. on
Thursday the screw steamer Lotus, bound to Bordeaux, sailed from
Liverpool in charge of Lawrence Woodward[b 1816], a first-class pilot of
No. 10 boat. About the same time the steamer Pelican left the Mersey
in charge of Owen Lloyd [b 1833], first-class pilot of No. 11 boat.
Just before the storm arose, the two pilots were taken off the
respective vessels by No. 8 pilot boat, near the Bell Buoy. No. 8
then boarded the schooner Mary [of Montrose, Capt James Young, from
Sligo], inward bound, and put in charge Mr. Taylor [George A Taylor],
first-class pilot of No. 8. Lloyd and Woodward also went on board the
Mary as passengers, for the purpose of returning to Liverpool without
delay [at 7:30 am]. Directly afterwards the storm broke out and the
schooner and all on board perished.
Montrose Standard - Friday 11 December 1863:
The following is a
list of the names of the crew, with the number of the family of each:
Captain James Young (unmarried); George Duncan, mate, brother-in-law of
the captain (a wife and four of a family); William Johnston, Ferryden (a
wife and seven of a family); John Wood (unmarried); two apprentices,
Alexander Johnston and a lad Hunter.
Montrose, Arbroath and Brechin review. - Friday 18 December 1863:
THE MARY: Further Particulars. This vessel, the loss of which we
reported last week, has been cast ashore near Liverpool, bottom
upwards [on 8 Dec near Leasowe Castle], with much of her deck washed
away and her stern greatly
damaged. Captain Mitchell, who left here Wednesday for the purpose of
making official examination of the vessel, telegraphed to the owners
yesterday afternoon that she would require to be sold a wreck.
Liverpool Mercantile Gazette and Myers's Weekly Advertiser - Monday
21 December 1863:
WRECK SALE. The 22nd instant, at Middleton Building,
Liverpool. The WRECK of the Schooner MARY, of Montrose; About 96 tons
register, at and where she may then lie, stranded on the beach at the
Red Noses, near New Brighton, with her stores and materials, that may
then be attached thereto. Was built at Montrose, in 1859, and classed
at Lloyd's eight years A1; is partly copper fastened. Also at the same
time, a quantity of standing rigging, and one new storm trysail, saved
from the said vessel.
Wooden schooner Isabella and Catherine, of Montrose, built Montrose
1857,
ON 19411, 67 tons,
Voyage Newport[Ireland] to Liverpool, via Belfast Lough, with oatmeal.
Foundered near Hoylake, 3 December 1863.
Captain William Morgan (owner) and all crew but one saved.
Not included in MNL after 1864. BOT wreck return describes vessel
as wrecked.
Montrose Standard - Friday 11 December 1863:
Loss of THE
ISABELLA AND CATHARINE. Information was received here on Saturday night
from Capt. William Morgan, of the Isabella and Catharine, that his
vessel had foundered on Thursday night, at Hoylake, near Liverpool. The
crew had escaped in their boat, but one lad, named James Lindsay (aged
19 years), had been missed at the time they were leaving the ship, and
must have been drowned. The Isabella and Catherine was on her voyage
from Newport[near Westport, Mayo] to Liverpool, with oatmeal, and had
left Belfast Lough in company with the Mary. She was a small schooner,
and wholly owned by Captain Morgan.
Montrose, Arbroath and Brechin review. - Friday 18 December 1863:
The Isabella and Catherine. We understand that a boat,
marked "William Morgan, Montrose" has been picked up in Bootle Bay.
In the storm of early December 1863, Holyhead and Porthdinllaen suffered many losses (recounted below). A comment on the relative losses at Holyhead (which had a breakwater built at great expense, from 1848-1873) and Porthdinllaen:
From North Wales Chronicle 12 December 1863:
HOLYHEAD. THE LATE GALE. A correspondent writes to us to say:-
The following particulars ought to be made public, while Holyhead is
stigmatized as "a place formed for enticing vessels into destruction."
The number of wrecks there (in the bay) amounted to 14, while at
Porthdinllaen "nature's harbour of refuge" - there were 17, and only two
that escaped. At Holyhead 186 were sheltered in the "New Harbour," and
67 large vessels in the "New Roadstead." The value of property thus
secured in safety during the hurricane is estimated at above three
millions. The total casualties amount to 18 men, 1 woman, and 1 boy.
Of 9673 beasts brought over during the stormy weather of the last ten
days not one has been seriously injured.
List of vessels wrecked at Holyhead:
Westbourn 9 lost
Elizabeth 4 lost
Esperance 3 lost [possibly refloated]
Saint Catherine 1 lost, refloated
Confiance
Pearl
Harmony
Helen Campbell
Industrie [possibly refloated]
Ariel [possibly refloated]
Elizabeth Morrow, refloated
Diamond, refloated
Palermo, refloated
Scottish Lass 1 lost, refloated
Climax, refloated
Hibernia, refloated
R. T. K., refloated
North Wales Chronicle 12 December 1863
Report of Commander Priest at the Inquest: It is very sad to
contemplate the loss of life that has occurred here during the recent
hurricane but happily the lifeboat of the National Lifeboat
Institution [at Holyhead] has been the means, under God, of rescuing 48 poor
creatures from an inevitable death. She was compelled to halt for a
short time during the height of the fearful storm. There was no sort
of holding back on the part of the noble fellows who manned her; but
they saw the impossibility of manning the boat in that terrible wind
and sea, and returned with hearts sore at their first failure. I
believe that had the lifeboat entered that cauldron of foaming water
at that time not a soul of her crew would have returned. At two
o'clock in the afternoon the lifeboat went off, and brought ashore the
crew of four men of the schooner Elizabeth, of Carnarvon. Again, at
two o'clock in the morning, she went in the darkness, and rescued 23
men from the barque Confidence [sic, Confiance], of Liverpool; then
again put off, and brought ashore 19 men from the barque Elizabeth
Morton[sic Morrow] of Glasgow; And next proceeded to the schooner
L'Esperance, of Nantes, and saved two men. She afterwards visited
other wrecks, of which there are 16, involving a loss of about 18
lives. I never remember such a fearful storm in this locality. The
captain of one of the wrecked vessels saw the lifeboat running towards
him in the early part of the day, and in the midst of his own distress
was magnanimous enough to utter a hope that she would not came to
them, because, to use his own words, "she would have tumbled over and
over like a cork." I believe that such would have been the fate of any
floating thing in that fearful hurricane.
Glasgow Herald - Monday 07 December 1863
At Holyhead the storm appears to have been felt more severely than
on any other part of the coast. The Elizabeth, of Liverpool, Capt.
Avery [sic, Arey], bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, was driven from her anchorage
early on Thursday, and, after drifting some time, foundered near the
eastern shore of the bay. The coastguards from Holyhead went round and
made an effort to render aid by means of the mortar apparatus, but
were unsuccessfuL The captain, second mate, and four of the crew saved
themselves by clinging to the broken timbers. The Elizabeth Morrow,
from Glasgow for Old Calabar, is stranded. Her crew of 19 were saved
during the night by the lifeboat. It depended upon the weather whether
she and three other ships lying near her, whose names were not
ascertained, would not become total wrecks. The Westbourne[sic, Westbourn], Capt.
Armitage, from Liverpool for Honduras, having lost one of her masts,
came into collision with a barque in the same condition, and sank. The
crew were seen from the ship Confluence [sic, Confiance], against
which the Westbourne ran, to take to the boat, but in a few minutes
the boat swamped, and all were drowned. The body of the captain has
been found. The Hibernia, from Workington for Dublin, came in during
the gale and cast two anchors. Both cables broke and she was driven to
the rocks on the south side of the bay. She yesterday morning had not
broken up. Her crew waded to the shore at low water. The Climax, of
Fowey (?) has run on the Salt Island. The Industry[sic, Industrie],
from Liverpool for Ostend, was abandoned by her crew, but afterwards
some of the men of the mail steamer Connaught boarded her, and brought
her into port. The Pearl, of Fowey (?) is wrecked. The crew were
saved. The fate of the Harmony, from Ayr for Drogheda, and her crew
was remarkable. About 7 o'clock on Thursday night, she was driven
rapidly towards the lee shore. She passed close to the end ot the
Great Eastern jetty, from which the mail steamers take their
departure, and in a moment four of the crew gave a leap for life, and
reached the jetty. One boy only remained on board. About 2 o'clock on
Friday morning, Constables Toohill and Hughes, of the Anglesey police,
were sent by the inspector along the shore to see whether any persons
might be in want of assistance. They heard the poor boy on board the
Harmony hallooing for help. By means of a rope they pulled him ashore
through a tremendous surf, and in about 15 minutes afterwards the ship
broke in a thousand pieces. The mail steamer Leinster delayed her
departure from two pm yesterday till three am, to-day, when she
received the night mail from London. Strenuous and most successful
exertions were made during Thursday night by the lifeboat to save the
lives in jeopardy. The same lifeboat, manned by the same crew,
brought 47 men ashore from the different ships in the course of twelve
hours.
Wooden brigantine Westbourn of Cork, built Cork 1854,
ON 1375, 192 tons, 102 x 20 x 12ft, owned Carmichael, Liverpool
Voyage Liverpool to Belize City, sheltered at Holyhead
Driven ashore on Peniel Beach - crew left in boat which capsized, all 9[or 10] lost
Wreck advertised for sale, vessel not listed in MNL after 1864.
North Wales Chronicle 12 December 1863: The Westbourne[sic, Westbourn], Capt. Armitage, from Liverpool for Honduras, having lost one of her masts, came into collision with a barque in the same condition, and sank. The crew were seen from the ship Confluence [sic, Confiance], against which the Westbourne ran, to take to the boat, but in a few minutes the boat swamped, and all were drowned. The body of the captain has been found.
Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 08 December 1863
SALE WRECK. For the Benefit whom it may Concern. On Thursday next, the
10th instant, at noon, on Peniel beach, in the parish of Llanfwrog, a few miles
distant from Holyhead.
The wreck and materials of the Barque Elizabeth And the brig
Westbourn of Liverpool. The materials, timber, etc., are of a good
description; the former vessel has just been coppered, and the latter
about twelve mouths ago. For further particulars apply R.R. Jones,
Shipbuilder, Holyhead, to Captain Arey, on the Beach for the
Elizabeth; Mr. John Roberts, Shipbuilder, for the Westbourn.
Wooden barque Elizabeth, built Maine 1856, 338nt
Owned Ropes, Liverpool, captain Arey
Voyage Liverpool to Halifax
Sheltered in Holyhead during storm of 3-4 Deceber 1863
Driven ashore, 6 crew saved, 4 lost
Wreck advertised for sale - as it lies on Peniel Beach.
The Elizabeth had come into Holyhead Outer Roads to shelter from a north-northwesterly hurricane (force 12). The force of the wind and heavy seas caused the Elizabeth's anchor to drag. Sixty fathoms of chain were let out to port and 75 fathoms to starboard. The crew set sail in an attempt to reach the increased safety of the old Harbour, but the wind was so strong that the canvas split in setting, the barque became unmanageable and drove ashore at 9 am on a reef two miles from the land. The Elizabeth's fore and main-rigging having been cut away, her foretopmast, maintop gallant-mast, and jib boom went by the board. Shortly afterwards the schooner Saint Catherine, of Cork, drove across the Elizabeth's stern. The schooner was so damaged that it filled and went to pieces. All hands on board the Saint Catherine except the Master jumped on board the Elizabeth, and had to be driven back to their own vessel. All returned except one man who was in a bewildered state. To save lives of the Elizabeth's crew, the ship's longboat was launched but it was immediately staved in. The crew then constructed a raft which immediately capsized, the man from the schooner drowning. The small boat was then launched but also capsized drowning two men.
Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 08 December 1863
SALE WRECK. For the Benefit whom it may Concern. On Thursday next, the
10th instant, at noon, on Peniel beach, in the parish of Llanfwrog, a few miles
distant from Holyhead.
The wreck and materials of the Barque Elizabeth And the brig
Westbourn of Liverpool. The materials, timber, etc., are of a good
description; the former vessel has just been coppered, and the latter
about twelve mouths ago. For further particulars apply R.R. Jones,
Shipbuilder, Holyhead, to Captain Arey, on the Beach for the
Elizabeth; Mr. John Roberts, Shipbuilder, for the Westbourn.
Wooden schooner Esperance, built Bayonne 1851, 79 nt.
Voyage Liverpool to Nantes with sugar and earthenware. Captain André Tittevin.
Dragged anchors in Holyhead Harbour 3-4 December 1863
Crew took to rigging, 2 saved, 3 lost
On the 3rd, the Esperance was caught out by west-northwesterly force 11 gale. The schooner's anchors began to drag and so crew bent the stream hawser to each anchor, and the warp to the kedge anchor. Nevertheless, the schooner continued to drag until it went ashore some 12 hours later. The crew took refuge in the mainmast at 1 pm, but an hour later the cabin boy fell into the sea and drowned. At 4 pm, the schooner fell over on its beam ends. The master and two sailors came down from the mainmast and took refuge in the foremast, but in the attempt one of the men was carried away by a heavy sea into the main hatchway where he drowned. The other man expired through exposure to the cold. At 6 am on 4 December, the Holyhead lifeboat got alongside and rescued the master and last remaining seaman. The loss on the vessel was estimated by Tittevin as £600 and the value of the cargo at £4,000. Both were insured.
Wooden schooner Saint Catherine, of Cork, 107 tons, ON 11365
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Monday 07 December 1863
Cork Constitution - Saturday 05 December 1863
Cork Examiner - Tuesday 29 December 1863
Wooden barque Confiance of Liverpool, 958 tons, ON 33183
Morning Herald (London) - Wednesday 16 December 1863
Wooden schooner Pearl of Fowey, built St Johns New Brunswick 1862, 111 tons
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Friday 18 December 1863:
Wooden schooner Harmony of Drogheda, 71 tons, ON 16828.
Glasgow Herald - Monday 07 December 1863
Wooden barque Helen Campbell of Digby, Nova Scotia, built 1858 Weymouth
NS, 274 tons, ON 42028
Carlisle Journal - Friday 04 December 1863:
Wooden brigantine Industrie of Ostend, built 1834, 130 tons.
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Friday 18 December 1863
Wooden schooner Ariel of Belfast, 79 tons, Captain Owen.
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Friday 18 December 1863
Wooden barque Elzabeth Morrow of Glasgowm built New Brunswick 1857
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Friday 18 December 1863
Wooden brig Diamond of Belfast, 211 tons
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Friday 18 December 1863
Wooden brigantine Palermo of Workington, built Kempt Nova Scotia 1850
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Friday 18 December 1863
Wooden brigantine Scottish Lass of Belfast, ON 4309, 126 tons
Lloyd's List - Friday 04 December 1863
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Wednesday 16 December 1863
Wooden schooner Climax of Fowey, built Prince Edward Island 1850, 71 tons, ON 11443.
Carlisle Journal - Friday 04 December 1863:
Wooden brig Hibernia of Workington, built Kinsale 1824, 178 tons, ON 8750
Glasgow Herald - Monday 07 December 1863
Wooden schooner R. T. K. of Fowey, built Fowey 1863, 75 tons, ON 44900
Liverpool Albion - Monday 07 December 1863
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Saturday 12 December 1863
Wooden brigantine [or schooner] Maria of Amlwch, owned N Treweek, 76
tons.
Life boat report:
In a severe northerly gale on December 2nd and 3rd 1863, about 18
ships that had been sheltering in Porthdinllaen bay, were driven
ashore and wrecked. A Robert Rees of Morfa Nefyn, tied a rope around
his waist and, with the help of 4 other men, succeeded in saving a
total of 28 [23 in another report] lives from the various vessels. For
his gallantry on that occasion, Robert Rees was awarded the Bronze
Medal from the Board of Trade and the Thanks on Vellum by the R.N.L.I.
Aftermath: these events lead to the establishment of an RNLI
lifeboat at Portdinllaen - from 1864.
Wooden sloop Bardsey of Caernarfon, 37 tons, ON 14807.
Wooden sailing vessels driven ashore and wrecked at Porthdinllaen
around 3 December 1863.
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 5 December 1863: Lloyd's (Per MT).
The following vessels are ashore in Nevin Bay [near Porthdinllaen]:-
Three Susans of Bangor for Runcorn with China clay: Elizabeth and
Margaret, for Glasgow, general cargo; Nelson of Carnarvon, slates; Helen
of Carnarvon slates for London; Bardsey, of Carnarvon, slates for
Llanelly; and two small smacks.
First registered and built Jersey 1856, then registered Cork 1863, register closed 1907
Dragged at anchor at Holyhead December 3-4 1863.
Ran foul of barque Elizabeth. Crew saved except one boy.
The St. Catherine, Creenan, from Cork for Liverpool, ashore at Peniel Beach, is in
a safe position, being dry at low water; her main mast has gone and her
hull has been considerably damaged. She fouled the barque Elizabeth
previously to going on shore, and injured that vessel considerably,
Among the vessels wrecked at Holyhead in the late gale was the St.
Catherine, of this port. She sailed from this on Tuesday with a cargo
of gunpowder for Liverpool, and yesterday her owners - Mr. James Bogan, of Warren's
Place, and Mr. James Harley, of Patrick's Quay - received intelligence of her
stranding, with one man lost. She was a first-class vessel, of very
handsome model, 150 tons burthen, and was but partly insured.
Arrived. Dec. 24,
St. Catherine, Coemer, from Holyhead, in ballast, (dismasted) in tow of Rover steam tug.
Confiance
Voyage Quebec to Liverpool, 3-4 December 1863, captain Wright.
Driven ashore at Penrhos Point, Holyhead, all crew (23) saved by
lifeboat
See also Westbourn.
Vessel listed in MNL to 1864, then omitted.
HOLYHEAD, Dec. 14. The Confiance, barque, from Quebec to Liverpool,
which was stranded in this bay on the 3d day of December, is breaking up
gradually every tide. She has been surveyed to-day and condemned, and
it is recommended to be dismasted, discharged, and sold.
Pearl
ON 34464, voyage Runcorn to Ipswich with rock salt, captain Steele.
Anchored at Holyhead on 3 Dec 1863,
Barque fouled her and chains parted - ashore and wrecked
Crew saved by a shore boat.
Not recorded in MNL after 1864.
Report of Captain Steele, of the Brigantine Pearl, of Fowey, 106 tons from Runcorn
for Ipswich (rock salt):-
Left Runcorn Nov. 22, noon. On Dec. 3. 6 A.M.,
weather squally, wind NW, blowing a hurricane, the ship riding at two anchors in
Holyhead New Habour, a Maltese barque came foul of us and parted our chains. Dragged out of the
harbour; ran on the rocks in the entrance. At noon came off, apparently little damaged. Ran for
the Old Harbour. Got inside the wooden jetty, but not having any anchor, and not
getting any assistance, drove out again. We were taken out by a shore boat at great
personal risk. The vessel drove onto the rocks and went to pieces.
Harmony
Voyage Ayr to Dublin/Drogheda.
Ashore Holyhead 3 Dec 1863. Crew of 5 saved.
No MNL listing after 1864.
The fate of the Harmony, from Ayr for Drogheda, and her crew
was remarkable. About 7 o'clock on Thursday night, she was driven
rapidly towards the lee shore. She passed close to the end ot the
Great Eastern jetty, from which the mail steamers take their
departure, and in a moment four of the crew gave a leap for life, and
reached the jetty. One boy only remained on board. About 2 o'clock on
Friday morning, Constables Toohill and Hughes, of the Anglesey police,
were sent by the inspector along the shore to see whether any persons
might be in want of assistance. They heard the poor boy on board the
Harmony hallooing for help. By means of a rope they pulled him ashore
through a tremendous surf, and in about 15 minutes afterwards the ship
broke in a thousand pieces.
Helen Campbell
Voyage Dundalk to Swansea, driven ashore on rocks in Holyhead Bay
Crew saved. Vessel not in MNL after 1865.
The barque Helen Campbell, Captain O'Brien, of Weymouth, Nova Scotia,
bound from Dunkirk to Swansea, drove ashore on Clepera[sic, Clipera] Point, east of
Holyhead, and became a total wreck. The crew were saved.
Industrie
Voyage Liverpool to Ostend with salt.
Sheltering in Holyhead Harbour, was fouled by a drifting barque
3-4 December 1863, driven onto rocks, crew saved.
Status after wrecking is unclear.
Report of captain Jaunsens, Master of the Brigantine Industrie, 130 tons, of and for Ostend, from
Liverpool (rock salt):
Left Liverpool Nov. 12, 1 p.m. On Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m.,
weather squally, wind NNW, blowing a whole gale, the ship at anchor in the roadstead of
Holyhead Refuge Habour, when a barque came foul of us, and we slipped both anchors to avoid
the collision. Tried to make the Old Harbour, but drove on the rocks on the east side of the
south pier head. Left her in two hours. At 2 AM. saw a boat going to her. Asked them where
they were going to; could not hear their reply. Myself, chief mate, and
cook launched the boat and went on board, and found several people there.
Ariel
Voyage Belfast to Porthmadoc in ballast.
3 Dec 1863, driven ashore from anchorage in Holyhead.
Crew saved in own boat.
Status after wrecking is unclear.
Report of Captain Owen, of the Schooner Ariel, of and from Belfast for
Porthmadoc (ballast), 79 tons:-
Left Belfast Dec. 2, 8 A.M., weather rainy, wind NNW, moderate. When
eight miles NW of Holyhead, on the 3d, it commenced blowing a hurricae
from NW. Took in all sails except small peak of mainsail. At 10 a.m.,
bore up for Holyhead. At 12:20 A.M., entering Holyhead Bay and when
inside of llghtship, let go both anchors. At 10:15 A.M., weather
squally, wind NW, blowing a hurricane, best bower chain parted. Vessel
went on the beach at Penail[sic], where she remains full of water.
Crew saved by ship's own boat.
Elizabeth Morrow
ON 35567, 361 tons, 124 x 29 x 16ft,
Voyage Glasgow to Old Calabar, Captain Spurring.
3-4 Decemer 1863, driven ashore at Holyhead.
all 19 crew saved by lifeboat
Vessel refloated.
Report of Capt. Spuring, of the Elizabeth Morrow, 394 tons, of and
from Glasgow for Old Calabar (general):-
Left Glasgow Nov. 7, 9 a.m. Put into Belfast Lough 13th, sailed
Dec. 2. 8 A.M.. wind NNW, fresh, at 4 P.M. wind hauled to SW; midnight
blew hard. Gradually took sail in till 4 a.m. of the 3rd. When under
close reefed topsails, etc., at 6 A.M., wind shifted to NW by W,
blowing a hurricane; all sails blown away; vessel on her beam ends for
three hours, 18 miles from Holyhead SE by S. Threw a portion of cargo
over. Wind changed to NNW. Bore up for Holyhead. At 11 A.M. weather
squally, wind NNW, blowing a hurricane, ship just came round the
lightship off Holyhead New Harbour Breakwater, when both anchors were
let go with 90 fathoms of chain on each. Could not let out more chain
as it had got foul below. Rode till 3 P.M., when the ship drove
rapidly, and in about 30 minutes struck upon Penrhos Sands, east side
of Holyhead Bay, where she now lies full of water. At 5 A.M. of the
4th, we were taken off by Holyhead lifeboat. At 11 A.M. of the 4th -
wind SW - went on board; sounded pumps; found 6 feet water. Placed
all hands at the pumps, but could not decrease the quantity. A tug got
hold of the vessel at 3 P.M., and remained until 5, but only succeeded
in moving her about a ship's length. Left again at 6 P.M., the sea
making a clean breach over her. The ship must be lightened before she
can be got off.
Diamond
Voyage Belfast to Swansea in ballast, captain Curran.
Anchored and driven shore Holyhead, 3 Dec 1863.
Crew saved in own boat and a boat from shore.
Reported sold 16 December. Put back in service.
Report of Captain Robert Curran, Master of Brig Diamond, of and from Belfast for Swansea,
211 tons (ballast):-
Left Belfast Dec. 2, at Noon,, wind WNW, strong, squally, and about
5 a.m, of 3d, the wind increased to a gale, which carried away
foratopsail and foretopmaststaysail. Anchored in Holyhead Roadstead
at 5 P.M., after encountering the whole fury of the hurricane from the
NNW. At 7 P.M., weather squally, wind NW, a hurricane, ship at two
anchors, 9 fathoms on port chain and 75 on starboard, starboard cable
parted. At 9 P.M. port cable parted; drove rapidly towards Penrhos,
and struck reef some distance from the shore. The water soon covered
the ballast. The tug Royal Arch tried to get us off, but could not.
The weather continuing so bad that we left the ship. We were saved by our
own boat and a shore boat.
Palermo
138 tons, ON 33776, captain Wedgwood
Voyage Workington to Dublin with coal.
Driven ashore while anchored at Holyhead. Refloated.
Crew saved by boat from brig Diamond.
Report of Captain Wedgwood, of the Brigantine Palermo, of and from
Workington, 138 tons, for Dublin (coals):-
Left Workington Nov. 28, 10 A.M. On Dec. 3, 7 A.M., weather squally,
wind NNW, blowing a gale, ship off Rock-a-Bill, it bearing W, 15 miles
distant, a squall struck her, and put her on her beam ends. Cut away
mainstaysail and gear when she righted. At noon, anchored in Holyhead
roadstead, with two anchors, 60 fathoms on port and 50 on starboard.
Gale continued. Parted both chnains at 5 p.m., and drove on the rocks
at Penrhos, where she filled and now remains. The master of the brig
Diamond, of Belfast, took us out of the rigging in his boat.
Scottish Lass
Voyage Liverpool to Dublin with coal, captain Ferguson
Ashore Holyhead on 3 Dec 1863, one crew member lost
Vessel sold, as is, and in 1866-9 registered at Beaumaris, owned Holyhead.
HOLYHEAD, Dec.4:
The Scottish Lass (brgtn.), of Belfast, Ferguson, from
Liverpool to Dublin. with coals is on shore on Peniel sands, one man lost.
Holyhead, Dec. 14: The Scottish Lass [of Belfast], Ferguson, from Liverpool for Dublin, which
was stranded on the Teniel[sic, Peniel] Beach Dec. 3, has been sold by public
auction to-day, together with materials and cargo (coals).
Climax
Driven ashore Holyhead 3 Dec 1863, crew saved.
Vessel refloated - owned Holyhead and registered Runcorn.
The schooner Clemise [sic], of Fowey, went ashore near the Salt Rocks, and
became a total wreck. The crew are reported to be saved.
Hibernia
Voyage Workington to Dublin with coal.
Ashore Holyhead 3 Dec 1863. Crew saved.
Still in MNL until 1878.
The Hibernia, [of and] from Workington for Dublin, came in during
the gale and cast two anchors. Both cables broke and she was driven to
the rocks on the south side of the bay. She yesterday morning had not
broken up. Her crew waded to the shore at low water.
R. T. K.
Voyage Rouen to Runcorn
Stranded Holyhead 3-4 December 1863, but refloated. Crew rescued.
The schooner R.T.K. stranded in Holyhead Bay; crews saved.
The R.T.K., Batton, from Rouen for Runcorn
has got off the beach into the harbour, with little damage.
Maria
[another Anglesey wreck]
ON 8771, Captain Richard Jones.
Voyage London to Amlwch with grain.
3 Dec. 1863, driven ashore near Llanddwyn Island.
Crew of 4 saved by lifeboat manned by Llanddwyn pilots.
She was expected to be refloated, however, MNL omits this vessel
from 1865 on.
Carnarvon, Dec. 4. "The life-boat at Llandwyn, near this place,
rescued yesterday," writes Mr. J. JACKSON, "during a hurricane, 4 men
from the schooner Maria, of Amlwch, from London to that port.
The wreck had got on a sandbank in Carnarvon Bay. As soon as this was
observed the life-boat was manned and launched. On nearing the vessel
the anchor was dropped to windward, and the boat veered down to her.
The life-boat was then made fast to the wreck, and the crew taken off
and safely landed through the surf."
Porthdinllaen losses
Bardsey
Built 1826 Porthdinllaen, 43 x 15 x 9ft, owned Peter Ellis Caernarfon.
Voyage to Llanelly with slates, ashore Nevin Bay 3 Dec 1863.
Crew of 3 - one lost. MNL lists her until 1864 only.
The other vessels ashore are not listed in BOT wreck return -
possibly since only vessels with loss of life were recorded.
Three Susans, Helen, Nelson
With crew saved. Reported in MNL up to 1864, then absent.
Three Susans, ON 25385, 97 tons, of Beaumaris.
Helen, ON 41411, 104 tons, of Caernarfon, built 1857 Pictou, Nova Scotia.
Nelson, ON 1667, 95 tons, of Caernarfon, first registered Liverpool.
Other vessels driven ashore are listed as back in service: Hephzibah
ON 14935, Elizabeth and Margaret ON 4181