The
ship Trusty, a West Indiaman, Master
James White from Bristol to Tobago was totally wrecked on 17 January 1809 on
the Brazen Head Rock, off Brownstown Head, at the entrance to Tramore Bay. Only
7 people out of 23 on board were saved:
We regret to state that on Tuesday
evening between two and three o’clock, the ship Trusting, of about 350 tons,
James White, master, of and from Bristol, for Cork to join convoy, and from
thence to proceed to Tobago, struck on a rock called the Brazen head, near the
signal tower, off Brownstown, where she went to pieces in less than half an
hour, and out of her crew of 21, and two passengers, only seven persons were
saved, viz.-John Liston, first mate, William Gardner, second mate, Mathew
Engleholm, carpenter, William Lewis, cook, John Gleeson, seaman, George Wesley,
apprentice, and Peter Savage, seaman. The two passengers were Master and Miss
Smith, of Tobago, who had been sent to England for the purpose of being
educated, and were on their return to their parents.
Great praise is justly due to Michael
Kennedy Esq. for his humanity to the survivors and his unremitting endeavours
to save as much of the cargo as possible, which consisted of dry goods,
earthenware, &c. Nor should the promptitude with which Lieutenant E
Thraskon, of the single tower, lent his assistance, go unnoticed.[1]
The
Trusty was actually registered as a
ship of 306 tons burden, with a draught of water of 17 ft., when loaded. Built
in 1790 in Bristol, she was owned by a Mr Daniel and held an E1 classification
in 1809. Captain White, born c 1766, was an experienced mariner,
having captained the ship since 1800, when he was aged 34; he made several
journeys to Demerara and Barbados, in the ensuing years. In his obituary,
written in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, the cause of the wreck was said to be
as a consequence of the pilot in the dark, mistaking Tramore Bay for the
entrance to Cork Harbour:
During
the whole time of impending destruction, Mr White remained perfectly calm,
employed in encouraging the crew, and preparing means for their preservation.
Though an excellent swimmer, he would not attempt to escape by himself, nor
quit a boy, who was a passenger, and clung closely to him. He was a man of
great integrity and firmness of mind, united with the kindest affections, and
with a strong sense of religion, of the rational and cheerful kind; qualities
that rendered him respected by all who knew him.
Aged
43 at the time of the wreck, White was buried in Drumcannon graveyard, the
funeral service being performed by Reverend John Cooke on 22 January. The
burials of the other victims were not recorded in the Drumcannon parish
register.
The
sloop, Appledore, of Barnstable was stranded in Tramore Bay on the same
evening, but was later salvaged.
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