FOUNDERING OF A FLAT. NARROW ESCAPE OF THE CREW. On Wednesday the weather,
which had been unsettled for some days, became even more stormy, and the sea
in the Dee estuary was presenting a most tempestuous appearance. Fortunately
no little boats were out. In the morning the Flat Adelphi [sic: Adelphia] (Captain Williams,
of Bagillt, and a sailor named Martin on board), left Point of Ayr with a cargo
of coals for the Flint docks. The wind increased in strength until a
terrific storm was raging, and as the flat left Bagillt, she seemed at the
mercy of the waves. This was indeed the case, and the captain and his man took
to the little boat just as the flat was filling, and before she sank.
Considerable anxiety was felt for them in Flint, and, when the flat foundered,
it was believed in the town that both men had perished. With great difficulty,
however, and at great peril, they succeeded in rowing across to the Cheshire
side, and took a train from Hooton, arriving home late in the afternoon.
Great
anxiety was felt at Connah's Quay, where pilots came in with the word that the
flat had foundered with both hands. At Connah's Quay, the full force of the
storm was not felt, and up to late on Wednesday night no damage was reported
to have been done to the shipping. [from Rhyl Record and Advertiser 26th September]
The Chance was a 60nt wooden flat built by John Thompson at Northwich in 1854 and
registered at Liverpool. ON 93752. At time of loss on 24 October 1894, the vessel
was owned by Thomas Robinson of Liverpool and under the command of J
Jones. The flat was carrying a cargo of salt from Flint to Widnes, but
became stranded and was lost in the Bagillt Gutter. She is only listed
until 1894, so was not refloated. No newspaper reports.
More history.
Wooden flat Onward of Chester, built Winsford 1859, 37 tons, ON 96278, owned Robert Edwards, Connah's Quay. Sunk in Dee 24 January 1900. Register closed 1900.
[from Chester Courant - Wednesday 14 February 1900]:
DEE CONSERVANCY BOARD. ANNUAL MEETING. The tenth annual meeting of
the River Dee Conservancy Board was held at Chester Town on Monday....
The flat Onward sunk off Flint in a gale on the 24th January, 1900,
near mid-channel. I immediately took possession on behalf of the Board
and removed what could be got at in the state of the weather and tides.
The wreck is marked, and notices have been sent out.
Wooden flat (ketch) Star of Chester, built Runcorn 1858, 37tons, ON 58208, owned Thomas Bennett, Connah's Quay. Captain J Piercy. Sank 10 May 1903, carrying coal, 4 crew saved. Register closed 1903.
[from Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 12 May 1903]:
Star: Connah's Quay. May 11. - The flat Star, Point of Ayr for
Flint, sank off Flint yesterday.
Wooden flat Mark of Chester, built St Helens 1800, 53 tons, ON 10581,
owned Richard Prince, Liverpool. Sank 3 Nov 1903, off Flint, voyage Mostyn
to Flint with coal. Captain J Ward.
Register closed 1904. Not mentioned in newspapers.
Wooden flat Fiona of Runcorn, built Speakman, Runcorn, 1878, 54 tons, ON 67170, owned Philip Speakman, Runcorn. 63 x 17 x 6.3ft. Shipyards of Upper Mersey gives: stranded off Mostyn and total wreck, 19 December 1884. Not in MNL after 1885. Not found in newspapers or in BOT wreck reports.