1858
was a significant year in the history of Tramore, as the first lifeboat
committee was established, although the first lifeboat in the bay arrived
a year later in 1859. The shipwrecks after this date are already well
documented.
For centuries, Tramore Bay in County Waterford has held an infamous reputation as a graveyard of ships. The most famous of the wrecks being that of the Sea Horse transport, which was driven into the bay and shipwrecked in a storm, almost two hundred years ago, on 30 January 1816.
Chart of Tramore Bay
Saturday 31 October 2015
Neptune, 10 September 1858
Shortly
before four o’clock this evening (Friday), we learned that a vessel was driven
into Tramore Bay about half past two o;clock, the wind blowing fresh from
S.S.W., and we immediately despatched our reporter to ascertain all particulars
about her. On arriving at Tramore he at once, through a telescope, saw a vessel
( a schooner), lying about half a mile or more from a point at Brownstown Head,
in the channel of Rhineshark, on being for nearly an hour on the bar-after
clearing which, a signal gun to anchor, from the coast guard, was fired, which
was instantly attended to, and she lay there comparatively safe when we left
(six o’clock). She never attempted to weather out, and with some trouble put
in= without mainsail, carrying only a topsail, foresail, and jib. She lay in
the channel at 6 o’clock, when our reporter left, and he was informed by an old
naval gentleman that she had every chance if the wind veered round to the east
or north of working her way out of the bay by the channel, she having fortunately
succeeded in getting into the safest point of the bay under Brownstown Head.
So near did she go to the Rhineshark shore
that the crews of two boats there easily boarded her, and up until that time
there was not the slightest danger of a wreck. Her hull is painted black, and
also portions of her masts.
We are informed that she is a Norwegian
schooner, laden with ice, and consigned to Mr. Joseph S. Richardson, of this
city.
Mr.
James, jun., of Tramore, who rode down to the Rabbit Borough, in view of the schooner,
picked up a board, about a foot square, on which were painted in black letters-“Chateau,
St. Julian.” She probably belonged to
some foreign wrecked vessel, during the late tempestuous weather.
Two boats put out from Tramore to board the
schooner, and no doubt, succeeded in doing so, but they had not returned at six
o’clock. The town was quite on the qui
vive during the evening, the storm wall, strand and rabbit borough were thickly
studded with persons of both sexes, in hourly expectation of seeing-to them a
novelty-a “shipwreck.”
The schooner lies within about 600 yards
of where “La Capricieuse” was wrecked, nearly six months ago.[1]
La Capricieuse, 25 January 1858
Wreck
and loss of life at Tramore
On Monday
morning last a wreck, which was
unfortunately attended with loss of life, occurred at Tramore Bay. It appears
from all that can be gathered on the subject, that a French vessel, La Capricieuse, laden with coals from
Llanelly to St, Malo, with a crew of seven men, had been, for some time
previously to the catastrophe, beating outside the bay of Tramore, the sea
running mountains high at the time. Shortly afterwards, the vessel,
waterlogged, drove into the bay and struck on Rhineshark point, remaining there
in a most perilous condition. The coast guards put out in their boat to the
relief of the vessel, but could not approach her; when a yawl, with four brave
fishermen, put out and succeeded in reaching the vessel, the crew of which they
took on board; but on her return, a heavy sea struck the yawl and upset it. At
this time the coastguard boat, which had lain on its oars, came to the rescue,
and, taking six men on board, brought them safely to the shore. She then
returned, and found three men holding on by the keel of the upturned boat whom
she took on board; but three who remained behind after the coastguard boat had
first went to land, viz., John Fitzgerald, and Thomas Crotty, fishermen and
Pierre Dubois, one of the crew, had met a watery grave. Had there been a
life-boat here it is believed that all hands would have been saved. The vessel
is now dry at low water. We are glad to learn that a subscription list is now
in course of signature for the relief of the families of the brave fishermen,
who, to save the lives of others, sacrificed their own.[1]
Wreck Sale – On
Tuesday last Mr. Thomas walsh, Auctioneer, put up for sale the hull, cargo,
spars, rigging, 7c., of the brig “Capriceux,” wrecked on Rhinehark Bank,
Tramore. The hull sold for £5, and the cargo-over one hundred tons of Llanelly
coal-for £13.[2]
Red Deer, 10 January 1858
We perceive it is reported in the Shipping Gazette, that on the 10th
instant a jibboom and a ship’s boat, painted black outside and white within,
has been washed on shore at a place called Tramore, situate between Waterford
and Cork. The report further states that the letters on the stern are nearly
obliterated, but as well as could be distinguished, they appear to be
‘Redbere,’ William Lumsen. We have no doubt, therefore, that she belonged to
the ill fate schooner ‘Red Deer,’ of this port, William Rumson, as she has been
overdue from the Mediterranean, with a cargo of corn, for several weeks. She
had spofen with both off Lisbon and Oporto. The Red Deer is nearly a new
vessel, having been very recently launched from the building yard of Mr. Mayn,
at the Bar.[1]
Hope On, March 1857
A sum of £30 has been awarded by the Admiralty Court to
a boat's crew belonging to the Lady's Cove, Tramore, for preserving the
brig Hope-on, now lying in this port, from becoming a
toial wreck Tramore Bay. It appears that on Sunday evening, March
29, the above-named vessel.[1]
Eliza, December 1856
About
nine o’clock on Wednesday night, the brig Eliza, from Lanelly for Cork, was
driven ashore at Tramore strand. Crew saved. - Waterford Mail.[1]
Ann, December 1852
Waterford,
Dec 29, The Ann, of South Shields, from Odessa, came ashore
in Tramore Bay a heavy gale from SSW, this morning and lies in a very
exposed situation; crew saved. There is every appearance of a bad night[1]
WRECK SALE AT
TRAMORE
TO
BE SOLD BY AUCTION
FOR
ACCOUNT OF HOM IT MAY CONCERN,
On
Tuesday, the 18th January instant,
At
Twelve o’clock,
The
Hull of the Brig ‘Ann,’ of South Shields, 223 ton Register, a she now lies
stranded in Tramore Bay, with all her materials.
This
vessel was well found in every respect, and her materials will be well
deserving the attention of parties who need an Outfit for a vessel of her
dimensions.[2]
Achilles, June 1852
Passage (Waterford), June 26—The barque
Achilles, Varden, for Sunderland, got into Tramore Bay, and was compelled
to be run on shore, but is expected to be got off without much damage.[1]
Sarsfield, October 1849
The
brig Sarsfield was the subject of a salvage case brought before the Court of Admiralty
in December 1849. The cause of salvage was instituted by Henry Harpur, Chief
Officer of the Coast Guards stationed at Ballymacaw and the men under his
command and by Martin Flynn and certain other fishermen:
The
Sarsfield, 136 tons, Healy master, and a crew of five hands, forty seven days
from St. John’s, New Brunswick, with a cargo of timber, arrived off Newtown
Head on the coast of the county Waterford, on 18 October 1849 and being unable
from the state of the wind and current then setting in, to weather that
headland, tacked and coming off the entrance to Tramore Bay, entered it about 6
o’clock in the evening of the same day and was immediately in good holding
ground and a sheltered position brought to anchor in seven fathoms water…[1]
Edgecombe, October 1849
A
vessel, supposed to be an Austrian, about 150 tons burthen, was, we learn,
drive into Tramore Bay this morning, about four o’clock, it blowing very strong
from the S.W., and the sea running so high, that it was found impossible to
board her: therefore no further particulars could be ascertained up to the time
of going to press.[1]
The
Austrian vessel which we stated in our last, had been driven into Tramore Bay,
is named the Edgecombe, and was bound from Richabucto to Fleetwood, lader with
timber. On Saturday last, the Nora Creina, Captain Bartlett, towed her into our
harbour.-Waterford News.[2]
Le Jeune Vincenti, 18 December 1848
More
shipwrecks
Tramore
Bay has, within the last few days, been the scene of a vast destruction of
property. We have again to record the loss of another vessel, in addition to
those mentioned in our last, viz. :-The French luffer, Le Jeune Vincenti, Le
Gaim. Master, laden with Indian corn, from Bordeaux to Cork, was driven on
shore at half past seven o’clock on last Monday morning, near Rhanshark. The
crew were saved, but the cargo is lost; the vessel a total wreck.[1]
D’Artangan, La Jeune Alexandre & Tourville, December 1848
The French
lugger, “Dartangan” Sebastin Gassord master, about 80 tons burthen from Nantes,
was driven ashore at Tramore on the 12th instant. The master and
crew saved. The ship will most likely break up; but the cargo in a damaged
state, will probably be all got out.
On Thursday,
another vessel, a lugger, about the same size or tonnage, called “Jean
Alexandre,” Boga master, came on shore about the same place, laden with wheat,
also for this port. Master and crew saved, but the vessel will most likely go
to pieces. The cargo we hope, will be saved, though in a damaded state.
A third vessel
also on shore; her name if “Le Theodore.”
-Waterford Mail.[1]
Waterford,
December 15- The Tourville, Vlond, of and from Nantes, for Waterford, was
stranded at Tramore yesterday. Crew saved.[2]
Mystery, December 1847
Waterford,
Dec. 16- The Mystery, from Ibraila to Galway, struck between this town and
Rabbit-burrow, this morning and has since become a total wreck. Several deals
and some bags of guano have been picked up in Tramore.[1]
Shipwreck
On
Thursday morning last, a large brig sailed into the bay of Tramore, the Captain
having evidently mistaken his course It was high water at the time the vessel
came in, and about nine o’clock in the n=morning she stranded near the borough.
It appears in the haze of the morning the captain mistook his reckonings and
only discovered his mistake when within a short distance of the shore. The
vessel is named Mystery, of Portmadock, laden with Indian corn, and was
homeward bound to Liverpool, from Ibrailla. The Captain’s name is Williams. We
are glad to be able to state that all the crew were saved. It is quite likely
the greater part of the cargo will be lost, as we find the vessel has gone
entirely to pieces in the storm of Thursday night.[2]
Dove & Sir Edward, December 1846
Shipwreck
On
Monday, the 21 instant, during a heavy in-sea gale, the Dove of Ross was driven
on shore in Tramore was washed on the same strand.
The
Glencoe, wrecked at Ballymacaw, is gone to pieces. But twenty bales of the
cargo have been saved, the rest ruined by the sea. A young country boy was
washed off a rock and drowned before anyone could save him.
The Liske is still in Bonmahon unbroken. A
good deal of the cargo, fruit, has been landed in safety.-Waterford Mirror.[1]
On
Monday, the 21 instant, during a heavy in-sea gale, the Dove of Ross was driven
on shore in Tramore Bay, about half way from the town to the Burrow. On Tuesday
some hopes were entertained of getting her off, but the gale continuing, she
was pitched upon the strand high and dry a wreck. The hull has been purchased
by Mr. Robert Conway. The Dove had on board some crockeryware, which was
landed.[2]
Waterford,
Dec. 26- The Sir Edward, coal laden, from Cardiff for Liverpool, was stranded
in Tramore Bay yesterday, but came off this morning, after throwing part of her
cargo overboard.[3]
Elizabeth, January 1845
Melancholy
Shipwreck.— Tramore, January 11, 1845—About half-past four o'clock this morning
a vessel was driven on shore at the Burrow, in this bay, about half a mile from
the town. An immediate alarm was given, and several of the more respectable
inhabitants were on the instant attendance, with many hardy sons of Erin, ever
ready to lend a helping hand in cases of distress. When nearing the place
where the vessel had struck (within a few perches of the beach) the cries
their fellow-men fell upon the ear in such deep-toned agony that almost
rendered the party incapable of action; however, the spirit of humanity, and
the indomitable spirit of bravery, even to the courting of death, soon set all
in motion for the rescue of a brother from the dark shapeless hulk, then
only discernible by the white foam on the crest of the recoiling mountainous
wave, momentarily teeming its destructive surge over the ill-fated vessel, and
threatening instant annihilation to any who should dare encroach upon the
precincts of so terrific an element.
At this particular moment, a scene the
most agonizing presented itself. The vessel broken up—the shore strewn with
fragments—the hollow shriek of the shipwrecked mariners for succour, still clinging
to the wreck, now almost imperceptible, wound up the feelings of the brave
fellows, who were waiting with breathless anxiety, some of them stripped,
panting for leave to face the tempestuous billow, to rescue the distressed, or
die in the attempt. Two men, Kenny and Sinnot, plunged into the foaming surge
in the teeth of the floating wreck, and succeeded in reaching a portion where
one man was clinging. Their intrepidity and decision of
mind never forsook them, and on the instant handed him to chain of equally
daring men, willing to share in victory. One poor fellow was safely landed.
Kenny and Sinnot, following up their success, with awful effort, boarded the
hulk, and succeeded in like manner in getting on shore the three other survivors;
the delight of all on such a happy consummation of their efforts may be better
imagined than described. The party thus snatched from the jaws of death are
John Travers (captain), Michael Fleming (mate), and Michael Neill and Patrick
Murphy (seaman).
We learn that the ill-fated vessel was
the Elizabeth of Bristol, 150 tons burden, which sailed from Newport at six on
the morning of the 9th. She was laden with coal for Kinsale, and had on board
in addition to the crew saved a fine cabin boy, named James Nugent, aged 16,
who was highly spoken of and much regretted by the captain and crew,
particularly Murphy, who clung to him until the last, the boy literally dying
in his arms from extreme exhaustion; his body has not yet appeared.
Scarcely had the crew been rescued when the Elizabeth was driven up to the very
beach a perfect nonentity, hardly retaining the semblance that she had
ever traversed the vasty deep. On the evening of the 9th she encountered a
desperate gale near the Smalls, which continued with increasing violence to a
perfect hurricane (wind due south), until she was drifted into this beautiful
but dangerous bay, which seldom permits the unwilling visitants ever to escape
when once within its vortex. The Elizabeth was 14 years old, American built,
all deal, of a very inferior quality except the sheeting, which is of
black birch. She must have been for years, one mass of rottenness and the only
wonder is that she kept afloat so long. Scarcely a vestige of the cargo has
been saved. [1]
Wednesday 21 October 2015
William Ladd & De Spiruit, 7 June 1843
Total
Loss of an American Vessel
We
(Dublin Mercantile Advertiser) have received the following melancholy account
in a private letter.
Dunmore
East, Thursday, June 8.
Since
I wrote last evening we have witnessed a very melancholy scene. A large
American barque, laden with cotton, has been wrecked on Brownstown Head. There
were sixteen hands on board and only one saved out of the whole crew. At
present the gale is not eased, only drawn a little more to the west.[1]
Shipwrecks
at Brownstown Head
Wednesday
evening, at about 6 p.m. a large American barque the William Ladd, from Mobile
to Liverpool, laden with cotton went on shore at Horseleap Glen, near
Brownstown Head. The mate swam on shore and says the master (Wyman) and two
blacks were drowned and there were five more hands on board who expected to get
off at the fall of the tide; the bales of cotton were being washed ashore; the
Coast guards were in charge of the property. It is reported that all hands were
lost except the captain and mate, but this does not appear well founded; the
vessel is said to have been knocked to pieces on the rocks near the place where
the Aurore was lost and all hands perished except the captain (Howlan), a most
dangerous part of the coast and one on which a vessel has little chance of
escape.
About
the middle of the same night, the ketch or galliot, De Spiruit, of Te Bult,
from Schiedam, bound to Liverpool, in Ballast, Arrand St. Karsyns, master, was
driven on shore near Rathwhelan Cove, to the westward of Waterford harbour,
where she went to pieces. The Master’s son and two of the crew were lost. The
captain, mate and two men escaped by means of a piece of timber. The captain
did not know where they were; the air was so thick on Wednesday that he could
not take the sun. Mr. Alexander, R. Pope, agent to Lloyd’s and American Consul
was on the spot at an early hour; the Coast Guards rendered most effectual
services[2]
Waterford Chronicle, 17 June 1843.
Waterford Chronicle, 1 July 1843.
Waterford Chronicle, 1 July 1843.
Lavinia, Cardigan, Glencoe & Liske, December 1840
Thursday
morning, a vessel's jolly-boat was thrown empty and broken on
the Tramore Strand at the ladies’ bathing place. On the inner part of
the stern is the name “James Jenning,” and on the outer part are under ends of
letters which seem like " Lavinia," or " Malvinia.
Tuesday evening, a board with a scroll on
which was printed the word ‘Cardigan’ was washed on the same strand.
The Glencoe, wrecked at Ballymacaw, is
gone to pieces. But twenty bales of the cargo have been saved, the rest ruined
by the sea. A young country boy was washed off a rock and drowned before anyone
could save him.
The Liske is still in Bonmahon unbroken. A
good deal of the cargo, fruit, has been landed in safey.-Waterford Mirror.[1]
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Swift, January 1840
Waterford, Jan. 17.— A quantity of wreck
and some plank of a vessels quarter, marked " Swift," were
washed on shore at Tramore a few days since.[1]
Southern
Reporter, 23
January 1840
Prince Regent, June 1839
Loss
of the Prince Regent- This vessel, which sailed from our port last week, after
undergoing a thorough repair, we regret to hear, went ashore in Tramore Bay, on
the night of Sunday last, and is likely to become a total wreck. The lives of
the crew and passengers were saved.[1]
Waterford,
Saturday, June 29.- The Prince Regent, Pines, remains in Tramore Bay. A
considerable part of the cargo has been discharged. Wednesday several hookers
laden with the iron were sent round to Waterford. One of them was near capsizing
and was obliged to throw out some of her cargo. Another was compelled to put
into Rhineshark, whence her cargo was forwarded by cars. Yesterday the hookers
took away a great deal of the iron. Besides, some has been brought on the beach
by means of a raft. In consequence of these exertions the barque is a good deal
lightened, and is now afloat at high water. Her bottom and forefoot are a good
deal damaged. It is expected that she will be brought by a steamer to Waterford,
as soon as the remainder of the cargo is discharged. A. R. pope, Esq., and
Lieut. Scudamore, R. N. are in daily attendance. The country people are behaving
very well. The passengers and most of the crew have been sent back to Newport.[2]
The
Prince Regent, lies still on the beach at Tramore. All hopes of getting her off
seems to be abandoned and she is now a fair way to been a total wreck. The cargo
(railway iron) has all been safely transmitted to Waterford.-Waterford Mail.[3]
Waterford,
August 3. – Wednesday, the hull, materials, and stores of the barque Prince
Regent, lately wrecked on Tramore Strand, were sold there for the benefit of
whom it may concern. The hull was bought by the Captain and the Owner for £105,
and the other articles went off at prices considered tolerably good.4]
Southern Reporter, 10 September 1839.
Benevolence
of the Lord Lieutenant.- During his Excellency’s late visit to Somerville, a
memorial was laid before him on behalf of a coastguard named John Weblin, who
swam out to the Prince Regent, wrecked in Tramore Bay on 22d June and effected
the rescue of the crew and passengers. His Excellency attentively perused the
document, examined the discharged from the several commanders under whom Weblin
had served whilst in the navy, ordered copies of all to be taken, and gave
Weblin £3 on the spot, with a promise that he would recommend him for
promotion at the first vacancy.[5]
On
6 November 1839, two unknown Hookers, bound from Cork to Waterford with cargoes
of potatoes were driven into Tramore Bay by a south west wind. The first with a
burden of 20 tons, ran for the Rhineshark, but did not know the entrance over
the bar. Two lives were lost. The second vessel with a burden of 15 tons ran on
the shore and got off again by throwing overboard the cargo.
[1] Monmouthshire Merlin, 29 June 1839.
[2] Southern Reporter, 2 July 1839.
Letitia, 31 March 1839
Sunday
Morning, about nine o’clock, the Letitia of Cardigan, Titus Rees, Master, a
small smack, was driven into Tramore Bay and after some in effectual struggles
to get out, was driven on the Strand, near the storm wall. The crew are saved.
She sailed first from Swansea, but put into Milford, which port she left on
Friday for Bannow. The cargo, culm, has been taken out. It is expected the
vessel will soon go to pieces.[1]
Le Speculateur, Lord Ebrington, William & Swayne, November 1838
At
nine o’clock on Wednesday night, a small vessel, apparently a brig, called Le Speculateur
of St. Malo, was totally wrecked on Tramore Strand. There is much reason to
feared that the crew were washed overboard before she came in. She went
instantly to pieces and nothing was saved.
A Part
of the wreck of the Lord Ebrington was also driven in. This vessel foundered on
the Cornwall or Welch coast ten days previously, on her way from some English
port tp Swansea, laden with copper ore. The wreck was broken by the violence of
these gales.
Fragments
of a wreck marked as having belonged to a vessel named the William were also
washed in at Tramore.
At
two o’clock on Wednesday, the brig Swaine, for Cork for Newport, in ballast,
was driven ashore at Bonmahon. The crew were saved.[1]
The
Speculation, of St. Maloes, was totally lost in Tramore Bay 28 ult..[2]
Swan & Brothers, October 1838
The
Swan, from Cork to Ross, which was on shore at Tramore Bay, on the 10th
Inst., floated off the following day with little or no damage.[1]
Between
nine and ten o’clock on Tuesday night, the schooner Brothers, David Evans,
master, of and from Newport, for New Ross, laden with coal, was driven ashore
on Tramore Strand, having entered the bay under the impression that it was
Waterford Harbour. A considerable part of her cargo, stores and fittings was landed
next day and Thursday and taken charge of by the Coast Guard, under Lieutenant
Scudamore, R. N. There is little or no expectation that the vessel will be got
off, as she has sunk very much in the sand.[2]
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