Sea Horse, 30 January 1816

The Seahorse took on board at Ramsgate, on the 24^th Jan. 16 Officers, 287 men, 33 women, and 38 children- crew 17 in number; she sailed on the 25^th, and the evening falling calm, she anchored in the Downs. About 11 o’clock in the morning of the 26^th weighed anchor, with the wind at N. N. W. light breeze- about midnight off Dungeness. On the 27^th in the morning Beachy-Head bearing about north-about seven in the evening off Dunnose, Isle of Wight- about midnight Portland lights N. E. On Sunday the 28^th off the Start in the morning at daylight, with a fine breeze at N. N. E.- about 5 in the afternoon passed the Lizard lights- at 11 passed the Longships 1 ½ mile distant- at 12 it bore N.N.E., 8 miles distant. 

       The 29^th in the morning a fine strong breeze at S.S.E.; at noon freshening very much- about 4 p. m. saw the land about 12 miles distant; observed that it was Ballycotton Island. The Mate, John Sullivan, going up the forerigging to look at the land fell down on the forecastle, broke both his legs and arms, and never spoke more-died almost three hours afterwards. Hauled our wind for Kinsale light, blowing a strong gale, and coming on very hazy and dark, intending when we saw the light, to run down along the land for the entrance of Cork.; but having run two hours, and not seeing the light, the Captain began to get doubtful to proceed any further, the weather being so thick and hazy, and a most tremendous sea running, so we close reefed our topsails, and hauled close to the wind, lying W.S.W.

    About 8 o’clock she fell off- wore around on the other tack- most of the night lying, about S.E.- wind about S.S.W.; but owing to the flood tide setting strong on the shore, and a heavy sea running, she drifted very fast inshore. About 5 in the morning saw the land on our lee beam, which was Minehead, and which forms the southern part of Dungarvan Bay- drifting very fast to leeward. At six let a reef out of the topsails and set the mainsail- blowing very hard. About half past 10 a. m., the foretopmast went over the side, and a seaman who was in the foretop had his back and thigh broken. About 11, just after the wreck was cleared, the mainsail split all to ribbons- drifting to leeward very fast-saw the Hook light-house under our lee bow, but the sea sending us so fast to leeward we could not weather Browns-town-head. Clewed up the sails, and brought up under the head in seven fathoms, with both anchors, and near 300 fathoms of cable a-head- the sea making breaches right over us from stern to stern.

About 12 the anchors dragged, the wind and sea still increasing.- At ten minutes past 12 she struck; we then cut away the mizzen and main masts; the rudder went off the second strike, the sea breaking most tremendously over us; in one hour the ship parted by the main hatchway; all the boats had been washed away before. It was a most awful scene- 394 souls on board, all clinging to different parts of the wreck! One Officer’s wife and two children in her arms met their fate in the great cabin; a Serjeant’s wife, with her three children clasped to her breast, resigned herself to her fate between decks; women were heard encouraging their husbands to die with them! There was not the least disturbance among them, most of them ejaculating prayers! After she parted we were all washed off, but about 30 that were left clinging to the forerigging. About 60 in all reached the shore, but for the want of assistance only 4 officers, 25 soldiers, (two of whom are since dead) Capt. Gibbs, and two seamen were saved. Mr Hunt, of Tramore, and his man, Mr. Duckett, jun. and two countrymen, one named Kirwan, were the persons who contributed most to save the lives of the unfortunate people. To the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Hunt, in getting us up to the cottage at the Rabbit-burrow, and sending for spirits to his own house, and lighting large fires for our accommodation, we are principally indebted for our lives.[1]

For a more comprehensive history, see my blog: http://theseahorseshipwreck.blogspot.ie/

[1] Waterford Mirror, 5 January 1816.