Chart of Tramore Bay

Chart of Tramore Bay

Saturday 31 October 2015

Lifeboat Committee

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.

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]



[1] Waterford Mail, 11 September 1858.

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]




[1] Waterford News, 29 January 1858.
[2] Waterford Chronicle, 6 February 1858.

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]



[1] Lake’s Falmouth Packet, 23 January 1858.

Neptune, December 1857




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]



[1] Freeman’s Journal, 27 April 1857.

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]




[1] Saunder’s Newsletter, 20 December 1856.

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]






[1] London Evening Standard, 31 December 1852.
[2] Waterford News, 14 January 1852.

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]



[1] Newcastle Guardian, 3 July 1852.

Ann Gales, December 1849

 The Ann Gales is included here as she fought her way out of Tramore Bay, shortly before being wrecked off Credan Head.


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]



[1] Dublin Evening Mail, 10 December 1849.

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]



[1] Waterford News, 19 October 1849.
[2] Limerick & Clare Examiner, 31 October 1849.

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]




[1] Dublin Weekly Register, 23 December 1848.

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]




[1] Cork Examiner, 18 December 1848.
[2] Liverpool Mail, 23 December 1848.

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]





[1] London Evening Standard, 20 December 1847.
[2] Waterford Chronicle, 18 December 1847.

Simpson, November 1847


Southern Reporter, 16 November 1847.

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]



[1] Clonmel Herald, 16 December 1843.
[2] London Standard, 1 January 1847.
[3] Liverpool Mercury, 1 January 1847

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]



[1] Waterford Chronicle,  17 January 1845. 

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.



[1] Dublin Weekly Register, 10 June, 1843.
[2] Waterford Chronicle, 10 June, 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]




[1] Clonmel Herald, 16 December 1840.

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



[1] Morning Post , 22 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.
[3] Wexford Independent, 24 July 1839.
[4] Southern Reporter, 3 August 1839.
[5] Dublin Morning Register, 28 October 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]



[1] Waterford Mail, 3 April 1839.

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]




[1]Southern Reporter, 1 December 1838.
[2] The Times. 5 December 1838.

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]
Waterford Chronicle 10 November 1838

[1] The Times, 17 October 1838.
[2] Leinster Express, 3 November 1838.