Full text of "A circumstantial narrative of the wreck of the Rothsay Castle steam packet : on her passage from Liverpool to Beaumaris, August 17, 1831 : comprising interesting and, for ther most part, original personal details of the survivors, and other particulars never before published : the whole corrected and rendered as indisputably authentic as possible, under the inspection of some of the individuals who were unhappily involved in the calamity"

LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY Of
CALIFORNIA
SANDIMO

550

RirS

CIRCUMSTANTIAL NARRATIVE

THE WRECK

OF THE

ROTHSAY CASTLE

STEAM PACKET,

On her Passage from Liverpool to Beaumaris, Auguat 17, 1831 ;

COMPRISING
INTERESTING AND, FOR THE MOST PART, ORIGINAL PERSONAL

DETAILS OF THE SURVIVORS ;
AND OTHER PARTICULARS NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED ;

THE WHOLE CORRECTED AND RENDERED

AS INDISPUTABLY AUTHENTIC AS POSSIBLE,
Under the inspection of some of the Individuals who were unhappily involved in the calamity*

ILLUSTRATED BY ENGRAVINGS, COPIOUS NOTES, ETC.
BY JOSEPH ADSHEAD.

THIRD THOUSAND.

The wind hath broken thee : and all thy company fell into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.

Ezekkvii.26,27.
Lo, these are parts of His ways ; but the thunder of His power who can understand ? Job nvi. 14.

LONDON;
HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO.

D. MARPLES AND CO. LIVERPOOL.
1834.

D. MARFLES AND CO., PRINTERS, LIVERPOOL

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS

THE DUCHESS OF KENT,

COMMEMORATION OF THE LATE VISIT OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS
AND HER ILLUSTRIOUS DAUGHTER,

THE PRINCESS VICTORIA,

TO THE SCENE OF THE

. JFiLlmfc ot t!)r KoUjsan Castle,

THE FOLLOWING NARRATIVE IS, WITH ESPECIAL PERMISSION,
MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,

BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS'S

OBEDIENT, HUMBLE SERVANT,

THE AUTHOR.

INTRODUCTION.

IT may, perhaps, be necessary that I should give some
reason for the appearance of such a publication as the
present, at a period so far removed from the melancholy
event of which it professes to afford a " Circumstantial
Narrative." In the first place, then, I am of opinion that
it will at once be obvious to those who feel sufficiently
interested in the subject to peruse the following pages,
that their contents are of a description which could not be
obtained until the lapse of time and the occurrence of
opportunity had conspired to furnish matter. In the next
place, the continued accession of materials, while it swelled
the magnitude of the work far beyond my original inten-
tion, involved also frequent modification in the arrange-
ment. Many, however, will think that 1 have been more
elaborate than the subject warranted; but, at the same
time, the great number of those who suffered the conse-
quently extensive ramifications of the misery which such

VI. INTRODUCTION.

fatal havoc occasioned the " links of love," the ties of
kindred and of friendship, which were

" That morn,
By Death's rude hand asunder torn ! "

together with the deep commiseration which was so univer-
sally felt by those to whom the sufferers were strangers;
taking all this into consideration, I cannot reject the con-
viction that many also agree with me in the belief that
a full relation of a catastrophe which produced such effects
is desirable; and as my own information on the subject
enables me to know that most of the accounts hitherto
published combine much of error with inadequacy of detail,
I am induced to submit the following humble attempt to
supply a more authentic as well as a more " Circumstan-
tial Narrative;" though I am very far from assuming
either exemption from error, or that I have not, in too
many instances, become tedious in my anxiety to be " cir-
cumstantial."

To those gentlemen who have kindly assisted me by
contributing information, or by permitting me to profit by
their publications, I beg to return my best thanks. With
reference to the latter, however, I may add, that I am not
conscious of having made use of a single line without due
acknowledgment.

March 1, 183:).

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THE arrangement of the present edition is somewhat
different from the first. Those parts not exactly connected
with the details of the wreck, &c., and which may have
appeared to break in upon the attention of the reader, are
placed at the end of the work.

The accoxmt of the " Public Meetings on the loss of the
Rothsay Castle," and the " Biographical Notices of some
of those who perished," are omitted ; the former compris-
ing information chiefly of a local nature, the latter being
more particularly matter of interest to the relatives and
friends of the deceased. Several new incidents have been
introduced, and every effort has been made to render this
edition acceptable to the general reader.

Manchester,
January 1, 1834.

CONTENTS.

DEDICATION iii.

INTRODUCTION v.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION . . . vii-

CHAPTER 1.

STATE or THE VESSEL, PREPARATION FOR THE VOYAGE,
DEPARTURE, AND PROGRESS 1

CHAPTER II.
THE WRECK . .30

CHAPTER III.
THE MORNING AFTER THE WRECK .... 85

CHAPTER IV.

BEAUMARIS ARRIVAL OF THE SURVIVORS LANDING OF
THE DEAD THE SHIRE HALL 110

CHAPTER V.
BEAUMARIS CHURCH YARD INTERMENT OF THE BODIES. 129

CHAPTER VI.

OBSERVATIONS AND ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS . . 141

Beaumaris Bay ....... 142

Penmon Church Mrs. Charles Faulkner Mrs.

Frances Payne 143

Passage to Liverpool 144

Retrospect of Events 14**

X. CONTENTS.

Page
Sunday at Bangor ....... 147

Beaumaris ........ 148

Remarkable agreement of improbabilities . . 149

Singular circumstance ...... 150

Visit to the Wreck . . . . . . .152

Influence of the detention of the Vessel . . . 155
Public Meetings on the occasion of the Wreck of the

Rothsay Castle Amount subscribed . . . 157
The Regatta dispensed with in consequence of the Wreck 159
Dr. Howard's Sermon at Beaumaris .... 159
Llanfaes Church-yard The Rev. Owen Owen The

Misses Owen and Mr. John Lloyd . . .160
Mr. John Batley The Dead When and were found. 164
Boats' crews entitled to reward for saving life . . 171
Sales by Auction of the Remains of the Wreck . . 172
General impression as to the condition of the Rothsay

Castle, previous to her loss 173

First Anniversary Sermon to some of the survivors . 174
Visit of their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent

and Princess Victoria to the scene of the Wreck . 175
Prize Poems on " The Wreck of the Rothsay Castle,"

at the Eisteddfod 176

CHAPTER VII.

PERSONAL NARRATIVES OP THE SURVIVORS . . . 177

Mr. William Broad hurst 178

Mr. John Coxhead 189

Mr. John Duckworth 203

Mr. Lawrence Duckworth 206

Mr. George Hammond 218

Mr. Henry Hammond 227

Mr. Edward Jones 228

Mr. S. J. Marsden 231

Mr. James Martin 238

Mr. John Nuttall 245

Mrs. Frances Payne 252

CONTENTS. XI.

Page

Mr. Elliot Rudland 258

Mr. John A. Tinne 260

Miss Mary Whittaker 260

Mr. Robert Whittaker 264

Mr. Henry Wilson 271

CHAPTER VIII.

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE LOSS OF THE
ROTHSAY CASTLE ........

Examination of John Coxhead, Esq.
Depositions at the Coroners' Inquests .... 292

GENERAL LIST of those who are known to have been on
board the Rothsay Castle at the period of her wreck,
forming a complete Index ...... 299

ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES 307

ENGRAVINGS.

FRONTISPIECE. The Wreck.

VIGNETTE. The Raft, with the situation of nine indi-
viduals to whom it proved the means of preservation.

A Chart, shewing the proper course from Liverpool to
Beaumaris, place of wreck, &c., faces ... 1

The Rev. Owen Owen and his sisters as they were last
seen 65

Appalling situation of Mrs. F. Payne . . . . 83

BEAUMARIS CHURCH YARD, shewing the graves of those
who suffered in the wreck of the Rothsay Castle . 134

NARRATIVE.

CHAPTER I.

STATE OF THE VESSEL PREPARATIONS FOR THE VOYAGE
DEPARTURE AND PROGRESS.

" What a powerful illustration does the case before us present of the oft-repeated
and solemn truth ' In the midst of life we are in death!' Full of life and cheerfulness
did the numerous passengers embark on their little-dreaded excursion ; the animating
sounds of music cheered their departure) which, wafted on the wings of the breeze,
returned in lively tones to the ears of numerous spectators assembled on the quays
many of whom, perhaps, in short-sighted ignorance, envied their imagined privilege,
and would gladly have joined in their risks, for the barter of their contemplated
enjoyments ! But how brief and uncertain are the moments of pleasure !" Sorrow on
Vie Sea, a Sermon, by the Rev. W. Scoresby.

IN order that the melancholy event described in the fol-
lowing sheets may be the better understood, it is necessary
briefly to refer to the equipments and general condition
of the vessel, as they have by universal agreement been
numbered at least amongst the causes which led to her
calamitous destruction. In doing this, however, I shall
adhere strictly to alleged facts, without applying censure to
any one indirectly concerned ; for I am decidedly of opinion
that, assuming the allegations in question, respecting the
state and management of the vessel, to be established
beyond doubt, many contributory circumstances press for
consideration in a more extended view of the case, all
constituting links in the great and mysterious chain, with-

2 THE WRECK OF

out one of which, perhaps, a different result must have
been produced.

The Rothsay Castle steam-packet was built on the banks
of the Clyde as far back as the year 1816, with the intention,
it is understood, of employing her exclusively in the navigation
of that river: the comparative slightness of her construction,
therefore, which might be considered even preferable for
such a limited scale of operations, might surely render her
fitness for the encounter of boisterous weather, upon a shel-
terless waste of sea, somewhat questionable. She was, how-
ever, it appears, purchased by one Mr. Watson, of Liverpool,
and placed under the command of a Lieutenant Atkinson,
for the conveyance of passengers between Liverpool, Beau-
maris, and Bangor. Much has been said of the eminence
of the builder of this vessel, the excellence of her finish,
and the additional strength given to her by recent patch-
ings, which latter made her, we are assured by the parties
concerned, " stronger than she was when new !" But it
is not my business to enter into such matters : I repeat
what in effect I have just now observed, that I shall neither
become the apologist nor the accuser of any one who was
not actually on board the vessel at the time of the wreck,
feeling as I do that motives may be misjudged, but that
actions speak for themselves.

First, then, it is averred that the Rothsay Castle was
not built for sea-worthiness. Secondly, she was upwards
of fourteen years old, during which long period her fragile
structure was exposed to the racking wear and tear of a
steam-engine of fifty horses' power. Thirdly, in the
account of the Rothsay Castle given by Lieutenant Mor-
rison, of the Royal Navy, we are told that "her upper
timbers measured only four inches, which, for a vessel of
about two hundred tons, is altogether below that which
would entitle her to be entrusted in a difficult navigation.
It is known that many vessels in his Majesty's navy,

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 3

although built of the very best materials, and constructed
with first rate skill, are considered unfit to go to sea after
ten or twelve years ; it is not too much to assume, then, that
the Rothsay Castle was in a state to be condemned, and
that she was sold because she was, in plain English, worn
out." Fourthly, it is admitted, in the certificate published
by the owner, in justification, that " all the timbers which
were broken " had been taken out and " replaced with new,"
which certainly seems to imply defectiveness of condition.
Indeed, I have a portion of one of her principal timbers
now by me, which might with ease be crumbled to pieces
with the fingers, such is its state of rottenness ! Fifthly,
she was, it is asserted, inadequately manned, and entrusted
to a Commander who was too inveterately obstinate, as
well as grossly deficient in professional skill, to adopt the
commonest means of preservation ; or else that he was
reduced to such a state of miserable helplessness by intox-
ication, which would amount to the same thing. Sixthly,
all accounts agree in the statement that she was unpro-
vided with any resource in the event of peril from wreck,
or any of the countless accidents to which steam-packets
in particular are liable. No signal of distress could be
made : not a gun, not a rocket, not a blue-light, not even
a signal-lantern was on board! And seventhly, at a public
meeting held at Beaumaris, subsequent to the terrible
catastrophe under review, the chairman, Sir Richard
Bulkeley, declared that "the Rothsay Castle was known
and acknowledged by the inhabitants of Beaumaris and
Liverpool to have been an unsound vessel." To this may
be added the opinion of Jones, the late steward, who had
frequently said, long before his last fatal voyage, that the
Rothsay Castle would " prove the grave of her passengers
and crew before the season was over;" and it is not a
little remarkable that, on the late Commission of Lunacy
held in Manchester, in the case of Mr. Joseph Fletcher,

4 THE WRECK OF

one amongst the proofs which induced a verdict in favour
of the soundness of that gentleman's intellect was, that,
when a passenger in the Rothsay Castle a few days before
her loss, he " observed upon the craziness of that vessel,
and expressed reasonable fears in consequence."

The above summary, I once more emphatically declare,
is submitted as mere matter of history, without inferring
in the slightest degree a wilful recklessness on the part of
any one to the hazard of human life, with which that
consequently precious argosy, the Rothsay Castle, was
destined to be freighted.

The weather, in the early part of the morning of the
disastrously memorable 17th of August, was boisterous in
the exreme. So much apprehension was justified, indeed,
by the heavy sea and scowling aspect of the storm, on a
coast presenting so many difficulties to navigation, that
the commander of an American ship, which had been
towed out into the offing by a steam-boat at five o'clock in
the morning, with the intention of putting to sea, con-
sidered it prudent to return to the shelter afforded by her
former anchorage in the Mersey. The violence of the
wind, however, subsided as the day advanced ; and at the
time fixed for the departure of the Rothsay Castle (which
was, according to custom, ten o'clock), though the waters
still retained a portion of the roughness into which they had
been lashed by the recent gale, there was nothing in their
appearance to alarm even female timidity. The passen-
gers accordingly crowded on board ; and the continued
accession of numbers, involving of course the prospect of
increased profit by the voyage, induced the captain to
linger for some time beyond the hour specified. When
delay had in this manner been protracted to a very cen-
surable extent, an application was made for the convey-
ance of a lady and gentleman, their carriage, and servant,
to Beaumaris; and this, unhappily, added about three

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 5

quarters of an hour to the period of detention. I. say
unhappily, for there can be no doubt of the fatal influence
which these delays exercised over succeeding circumstances.
There was nothing at the moment observable in all this,
calculated to excite more than pettish impatience on the
part of the many who were, as they imagined, withheld
from anticipated enjoyments for the convenience of the
few ; but in the mean time the tide, which " waits for no
man," had approached so much the nearer to its flow,
which, running in the same direction with a directly con-
trary wind, would inevitably retard the progress of the
vessel, and she would thus, at the next turn of tide, be in
a situation pregnant with imminent peril, from the suc-
ceeding low- water shallowness on the sand-banks which
skirted her track,* even if the utmost skill and vigilance
had been employed : as, however, it will appear that the
vessel was considerably to lee ward f of her proper course
soon after she left the river, this danger was proportionately
increased.

In the several accounts that have been published, the
causes of this detention, which I shall be enabled to shew
was instrumentally productive of such calamitous conse-

* This will be seen by reference to a Chart of the Coast pre-
fixed to this narrative.

f As it is almost impossible to describe nautical subjects with-
out the use of nautical terms, it may be as well to accompany
them when they occur with a brief explanation. To leeward
means that the wind blows from the quarter in which the spe-
cified object is situated to that which is occupied by the thing
referred to, being the opposite of to windward. For instance, if
the wind obliquely cross the vessel's " proper course " from the
N.N. W. (see the chart), any thing to the southward of that
line would be said to be to leeward of it, though S. S. E., the
opposite point of the compass, would be the direct lee bearing.

6 THE WRECK OF

quences, have been variously ascribed. The gentleman
just referred to W. M. Forster, Esq. of Regent's Park,
London, who, together with his lady and servant, and
carriage, was taken on board at nearly eleven o'clock, is
said by son e to have been the innocent cause of the delay
in question ; but I have now no doubt, if other passengers
had not previously arrived, the vessel would have been far
on her way before Mr. Forster could have reached the
pier ; so that the intervention of other circumstances was
necessary, to which the unfortunate embarkation of that
gentleman was subservient. The Rev. J. H. Stewart,
however, in his truly excellent " Letters, to which is affixed
a Sermon on the Loss of the Rothsay Castle," denies that
Mr. Forster had any share in detaining the vessel ; but
the passage in which this declaration is made contains
so many interesting particulars, having singularly strong
tendency to establish the belief that an overruling Power
was manifested in the impending fate of the amiable indi-
viduals referred to, that I take the liberty of transcribing
it ; not only, however, because it serves my purpose, but
because, also, I feel great pleasure in affording so affecting
a proof of the merits of the work from which it is extracted,
and of the pure friendship and Christian feeling which it
so abundantly exhibits :

" As soon as I arose and saw the state of the weather, I
said to my dearest wife ' It is impossible that our friends
can go to-day.' She felt this so sensibly, that she went to
our beloved sister, and requested her not to think of leaving
us. She then came to me, desiring me to intreat Mr.
Forster to remain. He did not give a decisive answer.
However, when we assembled for breakfast, and found that
their plans were so arranged that they could not conve-
niently stay over another day, we insisted upon their not
thinking of going by the steam-packet. The kind friend
who had been with them on the preceding Saturday had

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 7

mentioned that Wednesday was the most unfavourable tide
that they could have. We reminded him of this, and our
brother said, ' Now it is decided ; we shall go by land :'
for not having engaged their passage, they were perfectly
free to choose. Accordingly, the horse ivldch was to have
drawn down the empty carriage to the shore was sent back, and
the coach in which they intended to go to the pier was also
counter-ordered, and a pair of horses were directed to be sent ;
our dear brother saying, that as they were only to cross over
to Birkenhead, or Parkgate, and then proceed by land,
they might take their own time, and go down to the water-
side in their own carriage. So fixed was their determination
not to go by sea. They remained, therefore, and break-
fasted with us, without the haste that would otherwise
have been required. When this repast was taken, we had
our family worship; and then, for the last time on earth,
we united together in praising God. * * * * After
this I read the 12 1st Psalm, to which the name of the
traveller's psalm has frequently been given, as being so
appropriate to one setting out on a journey. We had
ourselves very frequently before read this psalm in different
parts of England and Scotland, and on the Continent,
when the state of my health obliged us to travel, and had
found it like the ' pillar of the cloud,' a token of the
Lord's presence. For we had passed, though strangers,
thousands of miles, and not met with one casualty. But
the Lord has different ways of dealing with his people.
He ' preserves their souls,' as this psalm promises, by
taking them to himself, whilst He separates them from
their present tabernacle, in fulfilment of his own designs ;
still making good the closing verse of the psalm ' The
Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from
this time forth, and even for evermore.' After a few ob-
servations upon this portion of scripture, we then intreated
God's blessing and gracious protection of our beloved friends.

8 THE WRECK OF

Whilst the arrangements were making for their departure,
their faithful man servant, having by his exemplary beha-
viour merited our esteem, I wrote his name in one of our
hymn-books, marking it as a 'memorial* of his master's
visit to Liverpool.' This he received with many thanks ;
and, as if that memorial of his good conduct was not to
be lost, it was afterwards washed on shore, and now
remains as a small consolation to his friends. Every thing
was now ready; but so determined were our beloved
friends not to go by the steam-packet, that they did not
drive off from our door till after the hour that was appointed
for its departure. But, my dear friend, as I mentioned in
my first letter, when the Lord intends any particular event
to come to pass, the intervening links, though apparently
very unlikely to unite, fall into their places. The number
of passengers who had and were embarking on board the Rothsay
Castle steamer caused her to delay her departure till much
after her appointed time ; and our beloved friends were, alas !
there too soon. For seeing so many on board, and also
seeing that the waters of the Mersey were smooth, they
were induced to embark. Notwithstanding, it has been
erroneously reported, that receiving their carriage was the cause
of the detention of the vessel. So far was this from being
the fact, that, when they arrived at the pier, the Rothsay
Castle was still at anchor ; and so quickly did they embark,

* The memorial in question came under my notice in the
Shire Hall of Beaumaris, amongst other remains of the property
saved from the wreck. Upon the fly-leaf preceding the title was
the following inscription ; " Robert Mullett ; presented by J. H.
Stewart, in remembrance of his master's visit to Liverpool, Au-
gust 17, 1831." The task of deciphering a portion of this was
attended with some difficulty, the action of the water to which it
had been exposed having produced the usual effect upon recent
writing. Thus the date of the gift was destined to be coupled
with " remembrances" which must prove afflictingly durable.

THE ROTHSAy CASTLE. 9

that the person who accompanied them positively declares that
twenty minutes did not elapse between their arrival on the
pier and every thing being on board. They, alas ! occasioned
no delay. He ' who numbers our months, and has ap-
pointed our bounds that we cannot pass,' had fixed the
time. ******"

The above version, it will be seen, is somewhat at variance
with the Personal Narratives of the survivors, but both parties
were no doubt partially misled by circumstances ; the quali-
fication, therefore, which I have before hazarded, appears
to approach nearest to the real state of the case, namely,
that previous delay must be taken into the fatal account.

There was, it seems, one hundred individuals booked at
the packet-office ; and the total number on board, which
would have been considerably augmented if the weather
had been more inviting, was greater by far than on any
other occasion during the season. Amongst the many who
purposed going on this morning to Beaumaris, but were
diverted from their intention either by accident or the
falling out of some providential occurrence, I may place
myself. I do this, however, with much diffidence, and am
solely induced to name " myself" by the desire of establish-
ing my claim to some knowledge of the incidents I shall
attempt to describe.

On the Monday preceding the 17th of August, two
friends from Nottingham visited me in Manchester, and
requested me to accompany them on an excursion to Liver-
pool and Beaumaris, as they were entirely unacquainted
with the route ; and it was soon arranged that we should
proceed to Liverpool on the Tuesday morning, spend the
remainder of the day in viewing that town, which my
friends had not seen, and depart on Wednesday morn-
ing by the Rothsay Castle for Beaumaris. We accordingly
left Manchester by the Railway carriages on the Tuesday
morning, but reached Liverpool so early by that extraordi-

10 THE WRECK OF

narily rapid conveyance, that we found we had sufficient
time for breakfast, and also to secure our passage by the
Llewellyn packet, which started at ten o'clock. After a
short debate, therefore, we determined on proceeding at
once to our destination, my friends purposing to devote a
day to Liverpool on their return. This we put into execu-
tion, and I was consequently at Beaumaris when the living
and the dead, so recently constituting portions of a nume-
rous and cheerful company on board the Rothsay Castle,
were landed ; and I had been walking tranquilly out in the
night, as will be seen hereafter, at the very hour in which
they were engaged in mortal struggle with the wind and
waves when I must have distinctly seen or heard a signal
of distress, if any calculated for that purpose had been
made and when such ample means of affording the most
prompt and efficient assistance were so near ! But

" The ways of heaven are dark and intricate ;
Puzzled in mazes, and perplex'd with error,
Our understanding traces them in vain."

The following is another instance of the kind. The
mother and sister of Mr. Charles Faulkner, of Manchester,
whose lady, two children, and female servant, all
perished, accompanied Mrs. Charles Faulkner to the pier
at Liverpool, with the full intention of going also on board
the vessel ; but the roughness of the water induced the
elder lady to decline the voyage. Mrs. Charles Faulkner,
in the cheerful buoyancy of the moment, strongly persuaded
her to go, and enforced her arguments against so sudden
and unexpected a change of mind by observing that there
Avas nothing to apprehend but a little sea-sickness. Mrs.
Faulkner was, however, inexorable, and intimated that, if
even that were all, it was sufficient to deter her from going,
as at her time of life the consequences of such indisposition
would be too seriously distressing to be voluntarily incurred ;

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 11

she would, therefore, she said, prefer going at once to
Southport, there to await the arrival of Mr. Faulkner, who
was to proceed to that place with his family, after joining
them at Beaumaris, which he had purposed doing on the
ensuing Saturday. But, alas, they were doomed never to
meet each other alive again! Miss Faulkner, of course,
staid with her mother, and thus two individuals were pre-
served, and their connexions spared the additional agony of
more extended loss.

A great number of cases, of which the foregoing may
suffice as specimens, occurred on this memorable occasion ;
and the indescribable horror which a suspense so dreadful
was calculated to excite prevailed in many families, until
sufficient time elapsed for the truth to transpire. Amongst
those whose relatives and friends were placed in this
melancholy situation were Mr. Goldsmid and family, of
London; Mr. Alderman Wright, of Liverpool and Beau-
maris ; Captain Colquitt ; Mr. Fisher, broker, of Liverpool ;
Mr. Shaw, watch-spring maker, of Crosshall-street, Liver-
pool; Mrs. Thornley, formerly of the Royal Oak public-
house, Oak-street, Manchester ; the Rev. E. Jones, master
of the Bangor Free Grammar School ; Mr. Rogers, of the
White Lion Inn, Wrexham ; Mr. Richard Fisher, jeweller,
of St. Anne's-street, Manchester; and Sir John Hilton,
R.N., of Chester. A friend of the latter gentleman, named
Walmsley, landed on Puffin Island the morning of the
wreck, and gave the first information on the subject to
Lieutenant Watson, superintendent of the telegraph ; anxi-
ously requesting, in return, that enquiry might be immedi-
ately made at the King's Arms Hotel, in Liverpool, as
to whether Sir John had embarked in the Rothsay Castle
or not. This was rapidly communicated by signal, and
a reply as soon obtained from Liverpool by similar means,
conveying the gratifying intelligence that Sir John was safe.
He also had been prevented, by some providential circum-

12 THE WRECK OF

stance, from prosecuting his intention of going by that
vessel. In contemplating all this, surely the conviction
cannot he repressed that

" There 's a DIVINITY that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will."

The time at which the Rothsay Castle commenced her
voyage is variously stated. My informants differ on the
subject to the extent of about three-quarters of an hour;
and Mr. Tinne affirms in his account that it was nearly
twelve o'clock : but, there can be no doubt, it was past
eleven, instead of ten; and, according to another of the
passengers (Mr. William Broadhurst), the delay would
have been still farther prolonged if it had not been for the
interference of Mr. James Leigh, of Liverpool (eventually
one of the victims), who threatened to report the captain if
he did not instantly proceed. The vessel was at this time
lying to for a boat containing a gentleman desirous of
getting on board; and that gentleman consequently,
humanly speaking, ow r es his life to the sharp remonstrance
of Mr. Leigh. The captain sullenly yielded ; the Rothsay
Castle was put into motion, the band joyously playing
" Cheer up, cheer up ; " and the crowds of friends, who
lingered upon George's Pier, were soon unable to distin-
guish the fluttering handkerchief or waving hand, conveying
the last farewell of those whom they were destined never to
greet again !

" Oh slippery state of things ! What sudden turns,

What strange vicissitudes in

Man's sad history ! To-day most happy ;

And ere to-morrow's sun has set most abject.

How scant the space between these vast extremes ! "

They proceeded steadily on their course for some time,
and all on board exhibited the highest spirits. Mr. Forster
and his lady were particularly noticed for the cheerfulness

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 13

and affability with which they conversed with those about
them. As the vessel, however, approached the mouth of
the river, the wind freshened from the N. N. W., and the
waters assumed a more turbulent aspect. On rounding the
Black Rock, only five miles from Liverpool, the tide began
to flow, which, as it ran nearly in the same direction with
a head-wind, that was fast settling into a strong gale, pre-
sented a most formidable obstacle. She now laboured
heavily ; and the frequent shock of opposing waves, which
her structure seemed quite unequal to sustain, created
serious alarm in the minds of many of the passengers,
even at this early period of the voyage. The enlivening
tones of music were no longer heard. The dash of waves,
and the heavy throbbing of the engine, which had been
heretofore unheeded, became painfully audible ; and a
gloom, like that which was gathering around, weighed
upon the dejected spirits of most present. The less timid
amongst them, however, rallied their companions ; and
apprehension was attributed rather to the want of knowing
what really constitutes danger on the sea, than to any cause
potent enough to render it justifiable. But the usual attendant
upon adventures of the kind, sickness, soon produced its
subduing effects upon the greater number, who passively
crowded the cabins while the vessel reeled and struggled
on with tardy pace, until she arrived off the Floating
Light, situated about fifteen miles from Liverpool. Here
the expansive wildness of the troubled deep, the violent
straining of the vessel, and that apparent separation from
all human aid which can scarcely fail to oppress those who
are unused "to go down to the sea in ships," began to
exert their usual influence on the mind, either inducing
feelings allied to the sublime, or fear in all its variety
of modification. Like contagious diseases, such moods
" infect unseen," but their characteristics are speedily de-
veloped: anxiety was expressed by the frequent enquiry

14 THE WRECK OF

loss of confidence was observable in the desponding reply.
The engrossing subject now was, " When shall we reach
Beaumaris?" and, of course, those who had the greatest
stakes at hazard, those who looked upon the pallid coun-
tenance of a wife or child, a parent, a brother or sister, and
deemed all ^//"-consideration as nothing when compared
with the frantic thought of losing an object so pricelessly
estimable, those so circumstanced betrayed most solici-
tude ; and of that number was Mr. Tarrey, of Bury, whose
wife, five children, and female servant, were on board.

The afternoon at this juncture was far advanced ; and
the captain still lingered over his dinner, which had been
served up in the cabin at three o'clock. He had devoted
so much time, however, to this protracted meal, that Mr.
Tarrey justly concluded that he might be unacquainted with
the state of the weather at that period ; and he was conse-
quently induced to call to him from the deck " Captain,
there seems to be a great deal of danger: I wish you

would turn back." The coarse reply was " There's a

deal of /ear, but no danger." He then jocosely observed to
those about him upon the folly of turning back, as they
" would have the same ground to go over again ; " and
several present, in the thoughtlessness of the moment,
joined in his laugh of derision at the supposed causeless
terror of the landsmen on deck. Indeed, this unfortunate
man appears to have manifested all that want of courtesy
for which naval officers were once so broadly distinguished
from those of the military. Rudeness of manners was,
even in the times of " Nelson, Howe, and Jervis," thought
to be almost a necessary qualification for nautical men,
especially those who proudly aspired to be " The King's
Own ; " but such strangely erroneous notions have since
yielded to more enlightened views ; the conduct of the
gentleman is not only considered to be perfectly compatible
with the character of an officer attached to the highly

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 15

honourable branch of service to which I allude, but is
an essential no longer to be dispensed with ; and the
literature of the day is not a little indebted for its excel-
lence to officers of the navy. In speaking of Lieutenant
Atkinson, however, I am very desirous of exercising as
little severity as possible. The man has gone to his great
account, and I am in no way anxious to judge him ; but
truth imperatively requires the relation of facts, which
necessarily involve some allusion to his behaviour. Pre-
vious to his sitting down to dinner, he seems to have
abstained at any rate from positive insult; but he spent
upwards of two hours in the cabin over that repast, and
the accompanying beverage had the effect of rendering
him less scrupulous. He became insolent to the passen-
gers, and abusive to his men ; and Mr. Tinne observes, in
his narrative, that on one occasion, when peril was extreme,
and the wish to know its extent was correspondingly acute,
he " was not inclined to speak to him [the captain], as
he had heard him a few minutes before answering some
passengers rudely : " and the Rev. J. H. Stewart, speaking
of Mr. and Mrs. Forster, in the work before quoted, says
" Another survivor saw them both together in the cabin.
The master of the vessel having used some profane ex-
pressions, Mr. Forster turned to his beloved wife, and
observed how exceedingly distressing such language was.
It was probably these profane oaths which caused that
solemnity of countenance which was noticed when he
[Mr. Forster] came on deck. His remark, however, was
particularly gratifying to another survivor who overheard
it : it led him at once to discern that our beloved friends
were persons of real religion. This sentiment was con-
firmed by the conversation they held together, which he
could not avoid hearing; and which struck him, as he
said, ' as particularly endearing.' So much had the spirit
of our friends interested him, that, when the danger was at

16 THE WRECK OF

its height, his mind reverted with great satisfaction to this,
as he termed them, ' happy pair.' " I have extended the
extract beyond the passage immediately relating to the
conduct of the captain, in order to show, in the character
and feelings of the excellent individuals referred to, how
" distressing " indeed it must have proved to the many
similarly disposed persons who were on board. Several
ladies, it seems, remained in the gentleman's cabin after
dinner; but their presence appears to have imposed no
restraint upon the captain : the Misses Owen, for instance,
of whom Mr. Tinne, without knowing them, speaks as
follows; "The captain talked a great deal after the
meal. He was complimenting two young ladies upon their
good seamanship, and I was so struck with the sweet tones
of their voices, and their pure diction, as well as the sensi-
ble nature of their remarks, that I made an effort to see
them, notwithstanding the augmentation of sickness by the
slightest movement. They were both interesting looking
persons, had on black silk dresses, and I think straw
bonnets." Of course, these young ladies, whose " sweet
tones," alas ! were so soon to become mute in death, these
accomplished young ladies, in common with Mrs. Forster,
and others of the same high order of Christian piety and
intellectual refinement, were subjected to the same gross
annoyances of which Mr. Forster had so justly complained ;
but the captain was then, it may be supposed, only in the
first stage of excess.

The mate also, William Vavasour, appears by the state-
ments of the survivors to have been even more incapacitated
by intoxication than his superior; so that, as two of the
crew out of four (her usual complement) had been left at
Bangor on the preceding voyuge, there must have been
a miserable lack of efficiency in working the vessel. The
passengers were not, probably, aware of this at the time, to
its full extent; but still, those who were upon deck, felt

THE ROTHSAV CASTLE. 17

increasing; uneasiness at the inattention of the captain,
and Mr. Tarrey was at length deputed to go down to him,
for the purpose of endeavouring to impress upon him the
propriety of no longer persevering in what appeared to
them so hazardous an attempt, but to return to Liverpool
while the power remained so to do. He at once refused,
however, to accede to such a proposition ; and surlily
remarked, " If we were to turn back with passengers it
would never do; we should have no profit." They ac-
cordingly proceeded, but the vessel still made little way, in
consequence of the utter inadequacy of the propelling
power afforded by her single engine to breast so heavy
a sea.

While off the Floating Light, the western bank of the
Hoyle Sands being at the time close under his lee, the
Prince Llewellyn steamer (Captain Wright) passed to
windward, on her voyage from Beaumaris to Liverpool;
and so far was the Rothsay Castle then to leeward of her
course, that it occasioned much surprise on board the
Llewellyn, several of her passengers and crew expressing
an opinion that " something was the matter ; " for, with an
adverse wind and tide, a heavy sea, and a lee shore, it was
the duty of the captain to keep much farther from the land,
even than the Llewellyn, in order to attain a more com-
manding situation for weathering* the Great Ormshead.
He would then have been enabled to steer about W. S. W.
for the Menai Strait (see the chart), which would have

* To weather an object is to pass to windward of it; and, under
the above circumstances, it was desirable to give the formidable
promontory in question as " wide a berth," as a sailor would term
it, as possible : that is to say, it should have been kept at as great
a distance as the intended destination of the vessel would allow,
especially as in the present case great advantage, in addition to
immediate safety, would have resulted from such a proceeding,
c 2

18 THE WRECK OF

brought the wind fairly upon his beam,* and then the sails
would have come into effective operation, in aid of the nag-
ging steam, and in counteraction to the tide, which set upon
his weather bow f from about W. N. W., checking and
turning the vessel's head from her course. But the cap-
tain was at dinner, and whatever was " the matter," unfor-
tunately, as no intimation of it was given, the vessels
severally held on their way, without communicating with
each other the one to land her passengers in safety, and
ride in the quiet of a sheltered port; the other to bear
her victims to the sacrifice, and furnish at once the altar
of immolation and a grave.

When the Captain revisited the deck, at a little after five
o'clock, a number of the passengers renewed their importu-
nities, and entreated him to put back, declaring that all on
board would most willingly relinquish their claim to the
fare, some even offering the inducement of further pecuniary
reward ; but he evinced much irritation in consequence, and
some of his observations were certainly characterised by the
grossest brutality. To one gentleman he tauntingly said,
" What, I suppose you have committed murder, that you
are so frightened ! " and he generally boasted that " he was

* That is, it would have blowu full upon the vessel's side,
directly crossing her course.

f The meauiug both of windward and leeward has already
been explained ; but it may be necessary to add, that weather is
applied to any thing to windward, and lee to that which is to
leeward. Thus the weather bow is that side of the head of a
vessel directly or obliquely opposed to the wind. For instance,
if a vessel's head be to the westward, and the wind northerly, such
wind would be said to be on the starboard (or right) side, which
then would also be termed the weather side; and the larboard
(or left) side, under such circumstances, would be called the lee
side. By the same rule, the land off the lee side would be
designated a lee shore.

THE UOTHSAY CASTLE. 19

not one that turned back," and that " if they knew him
they would not make such a request," &c. This insulting
disregard to the wishes of the passengers (for with courage
it had nothing to do) was maintained with sottish stub-
bornness, under circumstances which rendered it truly
amazing that no spirit of resistance was excited in the
company present. The water had, during most of the day>
been forcing its way through the axles of the paddles ; and
the shattered vessel had everywhere

" Sucked through loosened planks the rushing sea,"

until the cabin floors were inundated, and the fires belong-
ing to the engine were partially extinguished ; which latter
misfortune increased, until it produced the final catastrophe.
In addition to all this, a lee shore was hugged* with
maniacal indifference, no timely effort having been made to
escape from it, no due sense of its danger having been
evinced ; and, in short, such was the state of extraordinary
quiescence which prevailed, that investigation is baffled at
every turn in pursuit of a natural cause : for, that so many
intelligent persons should suffer themselves, either in these
or subsequent instances, to be overawed by the vulgar
blustering of such a man, cannot be accounted for by any
thing short of fatality itself. What was he, virtually, but
the servant of those on board ? Nearly one hundred and
fifty persons had conjointly, as it were, hired both vessel
and crew; and if, in the prosecution of their intended
voyage, a very large majority of so great a number, more
than nine tenths, I may confidently state, were of opinion
that their lives were endangered, and that it was advisable
to adopt immediate means for preservation ; if this were the
case, even admitting that the seamanship (save the mark !)
of Captain Atkinson would have excited his scorn and con-

* A vessel is said to hug the shore when she is kept close to it.

20 THE WRECK OF

tempt for such pusillanimous conduct, it was his duty to
have conceded so much to the strenuous wishes, or fears, if
he liked the term better, of his passengers. They might
then have been saved, though that safety might have
incurred the captain's ridicule ; but that would have rested
far, far lighter upon the living, than the earth or the
waters now lie upon the lamented dead ! He should have
been placed under restraint, together with his mate, if
necessary: a promise of remuneration would easily have
procured compliance on the part of the rest of the scanty
crew. Had such measures been adopted, at the period of
which I now speak, there would have been, so far as human
foresight extends, no probability of the " Wreck of the
Rothsay Castle."

Between six and seven o'clock the ebb tide made, and
hopes were entertained that this circumstance would con-
tribute greatly to assist their progress : but, as Mr. Scoresby
judiciously observes, in the work before quoted, " whilst it
helped them on the one hand by its north-westerly influ-
ence, it rendered their progress more critical on the other,
by the disturbance excited through its windward action on
the previously turbulent sea." The effect of this was soon
observable. The vessel laboured on with increasing diffi-
culty, at a rate averaging little more than two miles an
hour, the engine becoming more powerless in proportion to
the waning of the fires, consequent upon the additional
quantity of water admitted by the opening seams and the
continued breaking of heavy seas upon the deck. The
captain was, for the most part, below ; and his replies
to the many anxious inquiries as to the progress they were
making, and the probable time at which they might expect
to arrive at Beaumaris, were either triflingly evasive or
contradictory in the extreme. On one occasion, while
on deck, he acknowledged that " it was the heaviest sea he
had ever witnessed in those parts ; " but, with the uncer-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 21

tainty which characterizes insanity, or that confusion of
intellect which arises from intoxication, he the next
moment spoke slightingly on the subject, declaring that it
was only the " tail of a storm " which had passed away,
and that there was " no danger ; " and then again, after a
very short interval of time, he would betray great anxiety,

and exclaim, " I wish to 1 could get somewhere to ride

out the storm." Those who wish to put a favourable con-
struction upon all this would contend that it was to allay
the fears of his passengers that he was induced to deny the
existence of danger, while his solicitude for their safety
wrung from him occasionally an unconscious admission of
the fact ; but on dispassionately reviewing his entire con-
duct, from the first scene to the last of this eventful tragedy,
such infirmity of purpose, want of feeling, and general un-
fitness for his situation will become apparent, that the most
charitable will scarcely withhold expressions of measureless
reprehension.

The land from the western extremity of the Hoyle
sands, which stretch out in that direction, nearly collate-
rally with the Welsh coast, from the mouth of the Dee,
winds with " deep intent " until it reaches the Great
Ormshead; and it appears that the Rothsay Castle was
suffered to be embayed by that perilous lee shore for many
hours. It may be urged here, that I am blaming the
captain for that which was attributable to stress of
weather, and other circumstances over which he had no
control ; but it must be recollected, that though he could
not command the winds and waves, he might have turned
back when he found his vessel unable to combat their
hostility; and that if his drifting into this bay were
inevitable, it was high time to make signals of distress.
There can be no doubt that she " dragged her slow length
along" the entire indentation referred to, close to the
land ; for otherwise the making of the Little Ormshead

22 THE WRECK OF

could never have produced the effect which is apparent in
all the narratives given by the survivors. They universally
agree in stating, that " they were long in getting from the
Little to the Great Ormshead ; " some say " between three
and four hours ; " and such an impression could only have
been made by the vessel's creeping round in the way just
mentioned, so as eventually to bring \hefront of the Little
Ormshead directly on a line parallel with her, which would
reduce the helmsman to the necessity of steering exactly
against the wind, in order to clear the Great Ormshead ;
that constituting one point of the segment of the circle
which she so laboriously performed. This, however, can
only be properly elucidated by reference to a plan of that
part of the coast which my sketchy chart does not em-
brace ; but as the statements which have been published
are for the most part singularly wanting in that regularity
of detail which would enable the reader clearly to under-
stand the " progress of the vessel," which was so impor-
tantly connected with her ultimate fate, I shall endeavour,
by the following simple outline, to establish my view of the
case, which will sufficiently account for the great length of
time occupied by the passage from the one Ormshead to
the other.

The letter A, in the above, represents the western
extremity of the Hoyle Sands ; letter B, Little Ormshead ;
letter C, Great Ormshead ; the portion of a circle describes
the bay, deprived, of course, of the inequalities which it

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 23

really exhibits ; the figure within denotes the conjectured
situation of the Rothsay Castle, with her head towards C ;
and the line at the bottom, running nearly east and west,
marks the relative positions of the Hoyle Sands and the
Great Ormshead. Now, if the vessel stood across this bay,
far outside the line, as she ought to have done, would
those who were on board talk of the time in which they
were " going from the Little to the Great Ormshead ? "
Certainly not. The former could only have been passed
obliquely could only have formed the back ground of the
view, and the distance between the two rocks in question,
were it four miles or a thousand, would have no possible
reference to the passage of the Rothsay Castle, if she had
maintained her proper course. Taking it for granted,
therefore, that the vessel was situated as I have assumed,
which is unquestionably the only way to reconcile the
various statements of the surviving passengers with hydro-
graphical and geographical matters of fact, I return
to the more immediate thread of my narrative.

After toiling round the bay in the manner I have
described, it was not until past eight o'clock that they
arrived off the Little Ormshead; and the passage from
that point to the Great Ormshead (which occupied nearly
two hours, though the extreme distance is only four miles)
so tried the vessel, that the leakage increased with alarm-
ing rapidity. During this portion of the voyage, another
opportunity for extrication from peril presented itself,
which, alas ! with the same unaccountable infatuation
which had uniformly lured them to destruction, was neg-
lected ! At the period of which I speak, when the horrors
of night under such circumstances were about to be added
to those which already encompassed them, and the pro-
gress they were making must have convinced the most
inexperienced in nautical affairs that many hours must
wear away before they could hope to reach their place of

24 THE WRECK OF

destination ; at a period when all this was palpahle, and
the vessel was absolutely in a sinking state, a sloop passed
within a short distance ; and such was the singular delusion
which prevailed, that no one on board the Rothsay Castle
attempted to enforce the wish which imist, it is reasonable
to imagine, have been so general, to make her condition
known. If they had communicated with that vessel, and
induced her commander to accompany them to a place of
safety, all mischief would have been prevented. He would
most likely, however, have advised them to repair to
anchorage-ground directly to leeward of them* which they
* I am indebted to a nautical friend for this and some other
hints of the kind, in aid of my own observation on the spot; and
I also have pleasure in again acknowledging obligation to
the " Narrative " published by Lieutenant Morrison, of the
Royal Navy, who says "Between the two Ormsheads, and
directly to leeward of him [the captain of the Rothsay Castle],
there was, at about two miles off, anchorage-ground in about
three or four fathoms, not a mile from the shore. Here he
should have anchored, kept the steam up, if he found her drift-
ing on shore, and sent the women and children on shore by a
dozen at a time, in his boat; have got other boats, if necessary,
from the shore; and, if there were no boats, and as a last
resource, they had empty casks, ladders, planks, and spars on
board, of which they should have made a raft, and saved as many
lives as possible, in the event of the vessel going on shore in spite
of his endeavours." It may be observed here, however, that
although Captain Atkinson had a boat, he was totally unprovided
with oars .' and it is due to Lieutenant Morrison to state, that the
public have been much benefited by his remarks on the imper-
fect equipments of steam-packets ; for a gentleman informs me
that in a recent passage by the Llewellyn, he found two signal-
guns planted upon the poop, rockets secured in the cabin, and
two excellent boats, completely furnished for service, were ready
for lowering into the water at a moment's notice. But this
praiseworthy caution was not observable until Lieutenant Mor-
rison so warmly contended for its necessity.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 25

could have reached with ease ; and if he thought his own
vessel would have been eventually endangered by going
along with them, he might have supplied a boat to facili-
tate their landing. Something would undoubtedly have
been done, very contrary to that which unhappily was
done ; for, rather than proceed in such a condition, it would
have been better to have crowded all sail and run her at
once on shore in that place, as it was more favourable for
such a dreadful alternative than any other he was then
likely to reach : but, as I have observed, the opportunity
was neglected ; the strange vessel, as in the case of the
Llewellyn, was suffered to pass on; and the Rothsay
Castle was soon left in her helplessness to the desolation
of a tempestuous sea on one hand, and a lee shore on the
other the former driving her towards the latter with a
fearful celerity. Darkness, too, was now closing around
them ; for, though the moon was up, the sky was wild and
cloudy, which paled her light into sickly feebleness, and
sometimes hid it altogether.

The entire passage from Liverpool to Beaumaris extends
over about fifty miles, which generally occupies a steam-
packet from six to seven hours ; but in the present instance
it was ten o'clock when they arrived off the Great Orms-
head, thus performing a distance of thirty-six miles in
about eleven hours ! The captain still maintained his
extravagant inconsistency ; but the state of the vessel was
now too alarmingly obvious to need either question or
reply. The water in the hold had so much increased, that
it overflowed into the cabins, to which all but three or
four passengers had for some time retired, to avoid the
drenching effect of the seas which were constantly ship-
ped ; * besides which, the frequent heavy lurches to which

* A sea is the general name given by sailors to a single wave
or billow ; hence, when a wave bursts over the deck, the vessel
is said to have shipped a sea.

26 THE WRECK OF

the vessel was subjected, rendered it not a little hazardous
for a landsman to remain on deck ; but those who reclined
in the lassitude of sickness, as well as those who had thus
sought shelter and safety below, were now called upon
to make an effort for life. It was no longer matter of
opinion, left to the mockery of such an arbiter as Captain
Atkinson ;

"The lab'ring vessel, through unnumber'd chinks,
Above, below, th' invading water drinks ; "

and the pumps were necessarily set going, the passengers
relieving each other at short intervals. This, at such an
hour, and in such a scene, was dreary work and the
more so from its utter hopelessness ; for the leaks gained
upon them, and many who had hitherto clung to the cheer-
ing conviction that " The Lord maketh a way in the sea,
and a path in the mighty waters," for those whom his
wisdom selects for preservation, now shrunk aghast at the
prospect of the doom which opened to them, and gave
themselves up for lost. But their situation was at this
critical period more desperate than was generally known ;
for so much water had found its way into the engine-room,
the floor of which, at the commencement of the voyage,
was overflowed,* that the coal was rendered useless, and
the fires could not be fed without water rushing in with the
wet fuel ; so that the steam could not be kept up, and con-
sequently the vessel made for the most part less way than
ever. The captain, however, even under these distressing
circumstances, made no effort to surmount the difficulties
opposed to him. He might, in all human probability, by
making sail, have reached anchorage-ground off Penmon
(see the chart), under the shelter afforded by the Anglesea

* This fact, which is highly important iu estimating the " state
of the vessel," I give on the respectable authority of Mr. Henry
Wilson, of Manchester.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 27

coast within the Menai Strait, where the water would have
been smooth, and where the pilot-establishment provided
by the late Lord Bulkeley, expressly for such exigencies,
would have promptly supplied every facility to ensure the
safety of the passengers and crew. He had passed the
Great Ormshead, having previously made the wind fair, by
running close to a lee shore, and then having almost
miraculously escaped by making the wind directly foul, for
which there would otherwise have been no occasion; he
had weathered the Great Ormshead, however, and from
that point he should have taken a fresh departure, and
regulated his conduct accordingly. The chart will show
that the direct course of the vessel from the Great Onus-
head 1 (considering that, under such circumstances, she
passed so dangerously close to that stupendous rock) was
about due west ; though Mr. Broadhurst says, in the excel-
lent narrative with which he has favoured me, that her
head was for some time as close to the wind as W. N. W.,
notwithstanding which she "continued to drift;"* but
such necessity would not have existed if she had acquired
a greater degree of speed. Taking her course, therefore, to

* To drift, in this sense, is to make lee way i. e., the move-
ment of a vessel to leeward when driven by the wind. But a
vessel may drift by the influence of currents when the wind is
fair, in which case the term lee way does not apply. Allowance
is made in navigation for these disadvantages, which deduct
largely from the nominal progress of the vessel, when a current
sets unfavourably, or the wind directly or obliquely crosses her
course. So Falconer, in his well-known "Shipwreck;"

" The different traverses, since twilight made,

He on the hydrographic circle laid ;

Then the broad angle of lee way explored,

As swept across the graduated chord.

Her place discovered by the rules of art,

Unusual terrors shook the master's heart,

When Falconera's rugged isle he found

Within her drift, with shelves and breakers bound."

28 THE WRECK OF

have been due west, she would have the wind, which was
still blowing from the N. N. W., only two points before the
beam, which would have enabled her, with the use of sails,
in addition to the little steam-power which remained, to
make tolerable way through the water, especially as the
tide then exercised a favourable influence. And all this,
too, might have been accomplished long before the final
declension of the moon, whose friendly light, obscure and
partial though it was, from the black masses which rolled
in stormy succession before it, would have proved a most
welcome auxiliary. No expedient of the kind, however,
was resorted to ; and this, and similar instances of serious
neglect become the more astonishing when the fact is
mentioned that a Liverpool Branch Pilot, of course, a
practised seaman and well acquainted with the coast, was
amongst the passengers ! That this man should, if he
were in his senses, look tamely on, without making one
observation calculated to apprize those who surrounded
him of such fatal error, seems perfectly incredible. But
so it was ; and the passengers did not know, until after the
vessel had struck, that such a person was on board.

It will also be seen by the chart, that, after passing the
Great Ormshead, the approach to Conway River opens on
the left, directly to leeward of the vessel's course ; and the
growing imminence of the danger induced several of the
passengers to intreat the captain, as all possibility of
returning to Liverpool was then cut off by distance and the
ebb tide, to put into Conway ; but his answer was, " God
keep me from attempting it ; it would be certain destruc-
tion." And, for once, he was right, as the plan of the coast
will demonstrate. With the tide running out, a lee shore,
and so difficult a navigation, nothing, indeed, but " de-
struction " could have been expected.

Eleven o'clock came: the pumps were still going the
leaks increasing and the apprehension of the passengers

TUB ROTHSAY CASTLE. 29

augmented to dreadful intensity. The females, generally
speaking, were with difficulty soothed into anything like
composure, those who attempted the task but too plainly
betraying an anxiety which was at variance with the com-
fort they administered. Mr. Robert Whittaker, about this
this time, asked the captain to hoist a lighted lantern, or
fire a gun as a signal of distress ; but he simply replied,
that he had neither the one nor the other ! He had,
indeed, no customary means of making a night-signal ; but
any other person, in the same situation, would very quickly
have devised a substitute. If the end of a tarred rope had
been set on fire, and the blaze exposed from the poop,
twenty boats would have come to their assistance in less
than twenty minutes !

At about a quarter to twelve o'clock, land duskily
appeared on the starboard bow, the sinking moon just
sufficing to show that it was Puffin Island, 2 at the entrance
of the Menai Strait; and, to adopt the words of Mr.
Scoresby, " a cry of joy from the anxious passengers on
deck proclaimed throughout the vessel the cheering tidings!"
But, alas ! the revival of gladdened feelings for a few short
minutes only served to render the horrors which succeeded
more terrible.

CHAPTER II.

THE WRECK.

" Fathers beheld the hastening doom, with (tern, delirious eye ;
Wildly they looked around for help no help, alas, was nighl
Mothers stood trembling with their babes, uttering complaints in
No arm but the Almighty arm might stem the dreadful main I
Jesu, it was a fearful hour the elemental strife
Howling above the shrieks of death, the struggling groans for life

I NOW come to a portion of my narrative in which, as it
defies all power of description, I must necessarily leave
much for the reader to supply. I shall endeavour to relate
the incidents with scrupulous fidelity ; but who could hope
to pourtray the husband and the wife, the parent and the
child, plunged in anguish which must ever remain " unut-

* The above Hues were chosen, not only for their singular appli-
cability to the melancholy incidents which they are intended to
illustrate, but also on account of a circumstance which properly
associates them with this work. They are extracted from a little
poem entitled " The Village of Scheveniugen," by Charles Swain,
a young author whose productions have deservedly obtained con-
siderable popularity ; and a manuscript copy of that poem which
eloquently describes the horrors of a scene when

" Storm was upon the lonely sea, storm on the midnight sky I "

was found in the pocket-book of one of the Misses Broadhurst, in
a trunk belonging to those young ladies, which was recovered from
the wreck. See the affecting Narrative of the bereaved father.

THE ROTHSAY CAST I.E. 31

tered and unutterable ! " Indeed, the affecting expedient
of the painter of antiquity, who drew a mantle over the face
of the father who sacrificed his child, despairing to give it
suitable expression, might with me be deemed advisable
with respect to the greater part of the coming scene, as
I have so much more reason to distrust my ability to afford
even the faintest sketch of a calamity so extensively fatal
of sufferings so protracted and severe.

It was verging upon midnight, but the near approach of
the vessel to the Menai Strait, even under the circumstances
I have described, really seemed to justify expectations
of safety : time, however, every moment of which was
so incalculably precious, was, as heretofore, wretchedly
trifled with, and consequently the short-lived hopes of the
devoted voyagers quickly yielded to despair proportionably
aggravated. It was verging upon midnight, and the two
fires on the lee side of the engine-room were quite ex-
tinguished, and those on the opposite side nearly so .
besides which, the pumps were choked with ashes washed
from the furnaces, and therefore all hope of remedy in that
respect was cut off. One of the passengers, indeed (Mr.
John Duckworth), asked for buckets to bale out the water ;
and, with the aid of so many persons, some effect might
have been produced in that way ; but there was nothing of
the kind on board ! The only bucket with which the vessel
had been provided had just before fallen over the side,
through the carelessness or drunkenness of one of the crew ;
so that if they had been threatened by the opposite element
fire, there was a sorry chance of their being enabled
to check its progress. Mr. Duckworth next endeavoured to
persuade the gentlemen to bale with their hats ; and such
a recommendation speaks with awful eloquence of the
greatness of the danger that suggested it : but it was either
considered inadequate to the extremity of the moment, or
was unattended to in the distraction which so generally

32 THE WRECK OF

prevailed. But, in the midst of all this, is it not most
astonishing that the captain should have remained inactive ?
The tide had just turned flood was succeeding to ehb ; hut
he was now arriving at the most critical part of his voyage,
with shallows on every side, which it was madness to
attempt to pass at low water, and in the night, without
keeping his lead going,* that he might know exactly, by the
depth of water, where he was. It is no less surprising
that, in the next place, he continued to depend upon steam
for the completion of his passage, when, as I have shown,
provided his proper course had been adhered to, his sails
could have been successfully employed ; and, further, if he
were again to leeward of his course (which I have no doubt
was the case, notwithstanding the statements of the seamen
to the contrary), it is equally strange that he did not
come to an anchor and make signals of distress. Of the
captain, however, at this eventful period, we hear nothing.
He had again retired to the cabin, as if some spell of power
had chained down his faculties, and withheld him from all
exertion, until the time at which it might have been
available was irrecoverably passed !

A frequent reference to the chart will be essentially
necessary in the course of the details under immediate
notice, especially with those who are strangers to the coast
aimed to. It will be found that the noble bay of Beaumaris
presents its ample mouth to the north, its entrance being
marked by the Great Ormshead on the east, and by the
eastern shore of Anglesea 3 on the west, the distance between
these two points amounting to about ten miles. It then
stretches out into a sort of minor bay, of which the com-
mencement is denned by

" The rude rocks
Of Penmaenmawr,* heaped hideous to the sky,"

* That is, he should have continued to use the sounding-line,
to which a lead is attached, for the purpose of ascertaining the
depth of water.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 33

which, nevertheless, form a magnificent back ground ; and
the other horn may be said to terminate at Bangor Ferry.
At flood-tide, the wide expanse of waters here gives splendid
effect to the scene ; but even at half-ebb, the Lavan Sands
deform the beauty of the picture, and reveal the really
narrow limits of the Menai Strait, 5 which leads successively
to Beaumaris, Bangor, the celebrated Menai Bridge, Car-
narvon, and eventually to the Irish Sea. At Bangor Ferry
however, a more elevated portion of the Carnarvonshire
coast winds towards Anglesea, as I have before inferred ;
and about two miles higher up, the Strait is crossed by
that most astonishing monument of human skill and
industry, the suspension bridge. 6 It will also be seen by
the chart that the north-east point of the sands before
mentioned is distinguished by the name of the Dutchman's
Bank, between which and another bank, called the " Spit,''
there is a channel of deep water, but only a few yards in
width, designated the " Swash," from which the Spit ex-
tends in a north-easterly direction to within about half
a mile of Puffin Island ; the eastern entrance to the Strait
is marked by a dotted line ; and the Spit-buoy, to the left
of the line in question, shows that a nearer approach to
the sands off which it is moored would be dangerous.
Having thus put the reader in possession of the localities
connected with the events that follow, I may proceed with-
out the embarrassment which frequent interruption to
explain would inevitably occasion.

There is much difficulty in arriving at a correct know-
ledge of the fatal spot upon which the vessel first struck.
The statements of the seamen, and the accounts given by
some of the passengers, differ very materially. Indeed,
the overwhelming horror of the moment seems, in the cases
of most on board, to have produced a complete paralysis of
the mind, while it threw the powers of the body into more
vigorous action. Mr. Tinne, who was labouring under
severe indisposition from sea-sickness, says, (in the narra-

34 THE WRECK OF

tive before quoted, published with Mr. Scoresby's " Sorrow
on the Sea,") " On waking from a temporary doze, I felt a
shock as if the vessel had grounded : I immediately sprung
up, and with the other passengers hurried on deck. All
seemed a scene of confusion, and there was no obtaining any
information about what had happened to .?." And Mr. Cox-
head observes, in the able narrative with which he has
obligingly furnished me, " It [the striking of the vessel]
seemed to have an electrifying effect upon many of those
unhappy sufferers from sea-sickness who, under any other
circumstances, it would have been impossible to rouse from
their nearly lifeless condition."

Such were the natural consequences of so frightful a
transition from the repose of fancied security to danger of
the most appalling kind. But many quickly recovered self-
possession ; and some of the survivors have evinced really
remarkable precision and acuteness of observation, in their
description of the terrible scenes which ensued. For
instance, the following passage from the narrative of Mr.
Tinne has rarely been surpassed in graphic power, and
that simplicity of expression which constitutes the poetry
of feeling. The reader is particularly referred to the lines
distinguished by italics. Having described the " shock "
occasioned by grounding, Mr. Tinne proceeds to say

" The vessel, with her head towards Puffin Island, con-
tinued to beat; but, as appeared to me, only forward.
Shortly, however, she began to strike both fore and aft, and
at last we were completely aground, and almost incapable
of advancing. The concussions continued, as if warnings
of our impending fate, and our alarm kept pace with these
dismal forebodings. I was going into the cabin, but found
the way stopped by ladies sitting on the steps. I therefore
returned to one of the benches on the poop, two or three
ladies being beside me much agitated. The gentlemen
were then ordered forward, with a view to lighten the

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 35

vessel astern, while the engine was kept working; each
stroke of the wheels, however, seemed like the expiring ticking
of a watch, and we made no way. I succeeded a person in
ringing the bell. This station I occupied for twenty
minutes or more. The individual who succeeded me,
however, lost the tongue, and they were then obliged to take
a piece of wood instead of it : the feelings of despair which I
thought actuated this, sunk deeply into my soul ; and, low as
each rap was, it sounded like the death-knell of us all. They
were labouring hard at the pumps, and calling to relieve
them. I went several times forward, and once in the hurry
fell down the trap-door of the engine-room, but saved
myself from going through. The anxiety of the moment
did not allow me to think of pain. The captain was
mostly, I believe, in the bow of the vessel. I heard him
grumbling about the man at the helm, who, he said, never
knew how to steer. The last time I noticed him, he was
standing, perfectly motionless, with one hand on the
windlass, and he appeared looking out a-head : he had an
oil-skin cap on, and his coat was tight buttoned. * * *
The water was now washing strongly over us, and I had
some difficulty in regaining a place in the larboard corner
of the poop. One individual, on a bench near me, was engaged
loudly in prayer ; but all the others were silent. There was a
rush at this time towards the boat ; but those who had got
into her came out again, (except a poor woman with a
child in her arms, who sat firmly fixed in the bow,) for
they were told she could not live in such a sea, that she had
a hole in her bottom, and that there were no oars. After
a while, the stern fastening gave way, and the boat hung
suspended at the bow by the painter. / assisted in dragging
out the woman, reflecting at the moment on the idea that the first
being which had perished was the innocent at her breast ; but I
was in error, a strong tie held it there, and they were both got on
board. I was then engaged trying to loose the painter, but

36 THE WRECK OF

to no purpose. Soon, however, the hoat was carried away,
with the davit to which it was attached, and it immediately
swamped. I now threw off more of my clothes, leaving on
me only my waistcoat, shirt, stockings, and drawers ; and
of these latter, also, 1 soon afterwards divested myself.
Shivering, however, with cold, I took shelter under a
friend's cloak, which, wet as it was, still afforded me some
warmth. My friend asked me the time. I looked at my
watch, and found it within a quarter of two. ' It is pos-
sible,' he said, ' we may hold together till morning, and
then we may be seen from the land.' We were also con-
jecturing how far Puffin Island, the land lying a-head
of us, might be distant, and were calculating upon the
possibility of reaching it by swimming. I expressed my
surprise that the moon was not visible ; but Mr. Leigh
remarked that it had gone down long since. It was dark ;
thick black clouds were flying about the sky and only one
bright star could be seen, refected on the troubled sea. Whilst
these remarks and observations were passing, the danger
was thickening around us. But the conduct of Mr. Leigh
was firm and composed throughout the whole of our awful
trial ; so remarkably so, indeed, that the impression it has
left on my mind will never be effaced. To his example
do I ascribe, in no inconsiderable degree, my own presence
of mind; which, through the blessing and help of my Almighty
Preserver, never once failed me."

In the preceding extract, the correct and striking com-
parison of the wheels of the engine to the " expiring ticking
of a watch," the sensitive participation in the " feelings of
despair" which induced the impotent attempt to supply the
loss of the tongue of the bell, the "individual engaged
loudly in prayer," amidst the awful dash and howl of wave
and storm, while all his fellow-sufferers " were silent," the
" strong tie " which bound, as it were, the infant to its
mother's bosom, though terror and death assailed her

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 37

in their most ghastly forms, the wildness of the scene,
with " only one bright star reflected on the troubled sea,"
together with the writer's pious dependence upon his
" Almighty Preserver," all these are really unlaboured
specimens of no common order ; and I cannot forego the
satisfaction of acknowledging how much I admire them.
The passage, however, is not only valuable on account of
the life-like picture which it affords of events that possess
great and lasting interest; it also supplies the materiel,
in connexion with other matter, for arriving at a tolerably
certain conclusion as to the situation of the vessel at the
moment of striking ; and I trust I shall not prematurely
incur the charge of trifling, if, in the endeavour to establish
a point so importantly involved with a train of calamitous
consequences, I cite facts which may probably, at the first
glance, seem to bear too lightly on the case.

It would appear from Mr. Tinne's statement that, when
the vessel struck, her head was "towards Puffin Island;"
while Mr. Whittaker, in his account, affirms that her head
was " pointing betwixt Puffin Island and Beaumaris ;"
and either of these may be correct, if the vessel were to
leeward of the buoy off the north-east point of the Spit, for
then, in the effort to recover her course, she would have
been steered from N.N.W. to N.W., which would have
brought her head either in the direction described by
Mr. Tinne or that by Mr. Whittaker ; and the supposition
that she was thereabouts is strengthened by those of the
survivors who contend that she first grounded aft that is,
that the stern, or hinder part of the vessel, first touched
the sand. The reader will readily understand this by
referring to the chart. It will there be found that, as the
tide was running up the Strait, and the wind N. N.W.,
the former would carry her to the westward, while the
latter would drive her southerly; and thus she would
obliquely retrograde until she reached the fatal bank,
E

38 THE WRECK OF

nearly stern foremost. The evidence of Evans, the sailor,
at the coroner's inquest, tends to establish this view of the
case. He says that the vessel first struck on the " weather
edge of the bank" about the N. N.W. point of the Spit ;
and I have no doubt such was the fact, though I do not
think it possible that she could ever have been to windward
of the buoy, as Hughes, another of the crew, has asserted ;
he must have been mistaken; if she had been so situated,
her head could not have been " towards Puffin Island ;"
and she would, besides, have been in so advantageous a
position, that even such a commander as Lieutenant
Atkinson could not have failed to profit by it. But it is
the opinion of some nautical men that she was much far-
ther to leeward than I have alleged, and that she sub-
sequently dragged along the eastern edge of the Dutch-
man's Bank, in the endeavour to recover her course, until
the flood tide (which sets strongly there in three several
directions in consequence of the powerful diversions by
which it is influenced) forced her on the Spit. The
conclusion I have come to, however, seems most worthy
of reception; namely, that the vessel was some distance
to leeward of the Spit buoy, when the fires became
so low, in consequence of the increased leakage, that the
engine performed its office too languidly to have any effect,
and she was accordingly driven by the N. N.W. wind to
the northward of the Spit : she was there exposed to the
full action of the currents I have described ; and a com-
bination of those hostile agents, wind and tide, eventually
cast her upon the fatal bank. Mr. Broadhurst says, in
alluding to this awful period, " The helmsman touched me
on the shoulder, and pointed out the breakers on our
larboard, to all appearance not more than about one
hundred yards from us. * * * * I do not suppose
more than five or ten minutes elapsed before she grounded
astern." This seems at first to imply that the vessel was

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 39

not in the situation I have described; but larboard is a
very indefinite term, and embraces a wide range, the
various points of which can only be accurately marked by
a seaman. The vessel, however, might have struck on
the larboard quarter, which would justify Mr. Broadhurst's
remark, as he might no doubt then see breakers on the
" larboard." It will presently be seen that the singular
conduct of the captain, under these circumstances, was in
perfect keeping with what has already been related of him ;
and in order to show the apparent influence of that conduct
upon the fate of the vessel, as a cautionary lesson to future
voyagers and others whom it may concern, I have been
compelled to be more circumstantial at the outset than
would otherwise be necessary.

It was a little past midnight when the vessel first struck,
and but few of the passengers were on deck at the time.
The shock was not violent, but quite sufficient to excite
painful apprehension. The faultering question as to " what
could be the matter," and the evasion of that which all
knew, but dared not acknowledge, filled up the dreadful
period of suspense, which, though comprised but of a few
minutes, seemed lengthened misery. She struck a second
time, and the force of the concussion was accompanied by
a heavy crash, which threatened to break up the vessel,
and make at once

" A fearful gap
Into the wasteful deep."

The effect was terrible ; so much so, indeed, that language
fails in the endeavour to describe it. A shriek from the
women, a long and piercing shriek, a simultaneous rush
to the door, and a struggle, as for life, to reach the deck,
were the first indications of frightful extremity. Indeed,
Mr. Wilson, the gentleman to whom I have before referred,
informs me that at this dreadful moment he observed the

40 THE WRECK OF

nails with which the vessel was held together, instead of
the bolts and pins usually employed for such purpose,
were partially drawn from the timbers by the shock ; and
he concluded accordingly that she must shortly either go
to pieces or founder. Doubtless many, who did not survive
to tell the melancholy story, saw also the imminence of the
danger, for the utmost degree of excitement generally pre-
vailed; but in this respect Mr. Tarrey was again an object
of particular notice. The stake he had on board, as I
before remarked, was great indeed, and his solicitude
was thereby heightened to almost delirious intensity. He
sprang from amidst his family and pressed wildly forward,
entirely regardless of who it might be that impeded his
progress, until he got upon deck, where he distractedly
inquired as to the state and situation of the vessel ; but
little could be gathered, from the confusion that reigned,
until Jones, the Liverpool Branch pilot before alluded to,
who had been asleep in some hole forward, came amongst
them, exclaiming, " We are all lost."* This declaration,

* I have before expressed an opinion as to the singular apathy
of this man during the voyage; but he had been taking " some
refreshment" with the steward early in the afternoon, which
probably had the effect of producing drowsy indifference or
temporary insensibility. In a " Narrative of the Wreck," by
the Rev. J. H. Bransby, of Carnarvon, we are informed, on the
authority of the pilot himself, that " in the course of conversation,
a very strong opinion was given by the steward that Lieutenant
Atkinson never intended to reach Beaumaris, and that the voyage
he was theu making would be his last. By 'intended' was
meant, according to the steward's interpretation, ' expected ;'
and the result proved his opinion to be too fatally correct.
Fatigued by the labour he had undergone before entering the
packet, the pilot had lain tioivn in the forecastle to 'deep. He was
roused by a sensation beyond all others dreadful to mariners
he felt the vessel strike, and his experience told him that all was

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 41

by a man in the garb of a seaman, attracted the notice of
all present ; and when it was ascertained that he was a
pilot, and consequently fully competent to form an opinion
on such a subject, the panic was increased, with the
unhappy females especially, to absolute frenzy. Some of
the passengers and crew, however, said it was only the
paddle-wheel which had broke, and that all would soon be
well ; others affirmed, with the pilot, that the vessel was
on shore, and that they should all be inevitably lost ; while
the captain was heard giving as confused and contradictory
orders. He first directed the helm to be put " hard
a-starboard," or to the extreme right hand, which would
give the vessel's head an inclination to the left, or south-
west; and that would, of course, drive her further upon
the Spit, supposing that she first struck upon its N. N.W.
point, as will be plainly seen by consulting the chart.
The seaman at the helm, however, who appears to have

over." So much for the "experience" of William Jones, a
Liverpool Branch pilot! But let us now consult the opinion of
a sailor as to the conduct of Jones. Lieutenant Morrison says,
in his narrative, " This was sadly imprudent, and little like what
I should have expected from such a man. He ought to have set
an example of preparing something in the nature of a raft to
save what lives could be saved ; and as he must have known that
it was low water, and that the whole of the Dutchman's Bank was
dry within a few yards of them, and the tide just setting on to
it, there can be no reason to doubt that he might have been by
this means instrumental in saving many of the unhappy victims,
as well as himself. A pilot ought to be a man possessed of
coolness, courage, and determination in the hour of peril. I
have been accustomed to see British seamen in the moment of
danger ; and I shall ever believe that it is by presence of mind
to conceive, combined with skill to accomplish, means of safety
in such cases, that they can lay claim to respect as useful mem-
bers of society."

E 2

THE WRECK OF

been quite aware of the consequence of obeying such an
order, thought proper to port the helm ; that is, to put it to
the extreme left, and thereby swing the vessel's head round
to the right, or offshore; but the captain, who was forward
at the time, repeated with much asperity the direction he
had given, and seuL the mate aft to enforce iis fulfilment.
The seaman persisted in keeping the helm as it was, alleg-
ing that the contrary mode would drive the vessel among
the shoals ; but the mate took the wheel out of his hand
and put it a-starboard, in accordance with the captain's
wish. The gentlemen-passengers were next ordered to go
forward, and then aft, in the endeavour to float the vessel :
the paddles were ordered to be reversed; and when it
became apparent that no assistance was derived from the
engine, the captain vociferously demanded of the fireman
how it was that the steam was so low ; when he was for
the first time informed that the leakage of the vessel, which
had been on the increase during the whole of the voyage,
had at length so far extinguished the fires that it was im-
possible to keep the steam up, and the pumps had been
choked with ashes for some time ! The captain appeared
to be as much astonished and infuriated by this piece of
intelligence, as if the progress of the vessel, during the
last few hours especially, had not been sufficient to apprize
him of so important a matter! He had, indeed, been
told in the course of the afternoon that " the fires had not
been kept up" on which he became very angry, and went
towards ihe engine-room, uttering imprecations and threats
against the fireman; but what passed between them at
that time is not known : it now appeared that he had been
totally unconscious of the real state of the vessel, which
admission struck to the souls of those who heard it. They
had previously sustained themselves with the hope that
they were mistaken, notwithstanding what the pilot had
said; that the captain must know best; and that their

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 43

situation was not so bad as their fears imagined; but
when this amazing instance of neglect stood forth, as it
were, in appalling relief before their senses when its
awful consequences seemed to encompass them as with a
shroud they felt the desolation of utter abandonment,
and that they should " behold man no more with the
inhabitants of the world." The vessel, in the mean time,
laboured excessively; the sea broke furiously over her;
and she was rapidly filling with water. Some of the pas-
sengers entreated the captain to let go the anchor, which
would have kept the vessel from driving ; and, as the tide
was flowing, deep water would soon have covered that part
of the sands, where she might have rode until assistance
could be procured ; but his answer was, " Hold your
bother, there is no danger ;" and to one who, in the agony
of despair, exclaimed, " We shall all go to the bottom !"

he deridingly said, " The bottom be , we 're at the

bottom already!" At length, however, she once more
floated, but had scarcely cleared the sand before she struck
again ; and thus she dragged along the bank, (the greatest
length of which is from north-east to south-west) rolling
and pitching in a terrific manner, with frequent concus-
sions which threatened immediate destruction, until within
two hundred yards of the Swash, a distance of about a
mile from the place at which she first grounded. This
was the limit of her fearful career : she struck again, with
tremendous force, and her fragile shell-work, which had
previously given way through the insufficiency of its fasten-
ings, was torn asunder by this mightier shock, leaving
ample space for the fierce gush of waters in every direction ;
and she soon lay a helpless wreck, clogged by the fatal
indraught, " staked by the weight of her engine and appa-
ratus to the sand," and surrendering human victims to
almost every wave that shattered her.
A number of ladies had either been prevailed upon to

44 THE WRECK OF

remain in the cabins up to this dreadful juncture, or had
retired to them during the period of sickening anxiety,
which extended from the first striking of the vessel to the
time under review ; hut now their shrieks were renewed
with frantic violence, and they rushed from below with all
the horror and distraction of which the most agonizing
extreme of feminine terror is capable. Some few there
were, indeed, who yielded to fear only in the first moments
of the awful conviction that the hand of death lay heavily
upon them ; and these might be seen hurriedly changing
their places in search of safety, in common with their
wretched commpanions: but religion, at that moment of
trial, came to their aid ; GOD, with whom they had held
frequent communion, and with whom their hearts were
confidingly familiar as with a friend, was with them ; they
felt and gratefully acknowledged the presence of his sus-
taining spirit, and were blessed with the boundless bless-
ing which enabled them to utter, not in the language of the
lips only, but of the heart and soul " Thy will be done."
The greater number, however, lost all self-possession, until
exhaustion reduced them to a state of quiescence, and
a happy susceptibility to the prayers and the sympathizing
Christian advice of those whom the DIVINE BEING appears,
in his infinite mercy, to have sent in this time of solemn
extremity to shake them from their dreamy rest, and lead
them to a due consideration of the vast account they were
so soon to render. Before these feelings were excited,
their cries to heaven were those of anguish and despair, not
of supplication, and of humble reliance upon the saving
power to which they appealed ; and wild delirium gave an
awful character to their lamentable condition. Some of the
females rushed into each other's arms, and remained for a
time locked in an embrace of painful vehemence; some
madly tore their garments, and threw away their caps and
bonnets; and some dashed themselves upon the deck, reck-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 45

less of injury. Others hugged their children, with passionate
exclamations of endearment and of anticipated separation ;
while husbands and wives, with affecting earnestness, were
taking leave of each other, and mutually avowing their de-
termination to die together : and those who were latest in
swelling the number so situated, those who were called up
from the cabins by the anxious solicitude of a husband,
brother, or friend, and by an awful summons to prepare for
the worst, were compelled, in their agony for self-preserva-
tion, to trample upon the prostrate bodies of the many that
encumbered the deck, either in the helplessness of insensi-
bility or the more fearful apathy of despair. Sisters clung
to brothers, daughters to parents ; and the loud sob, and
groan, and wail of heart-rending sorrow, which were audible
amidst the raving of the storm and the clamour of many
anxious voices, seemed to afford all the completion to which
a scene of accumulated misery could attain : but it was not
yet complete. Horror had yet to achieve its " great
masterpiece " of the night, and the work of death was
to be done.

Endeavours were again made, by trimming the vessel, to
get her afloat; that is, the passengers were requested to
change their situation, heavy materials were removed from
one place to another, and the jib* was hoisted with the
view, it is conjectured, of wearing the vessel's head round
to the southward, to get her through the Swash into the
Menai Strait ; but this seems scarcely feasible. If, how-
ever, such were the intention of the captain, it was of a
piece with the rest of his conduct; for, if he had suc-
ceeded, he would have been so much the nearer to a
lee shore, from which escape would then have been next
to impossible. If any chance of the kind existed at this
period, it was in crossing to the northwest side of the

* A triangular sail, extending from the foremast over the
bowsprit.

46 THE WKECK OF

Spit ; but that could not be effected without steam, which,
as I have already shown from Mr. Tinne's statement, could
not be obtained ; and besides, she was in no condition ever
to move from the place she occupied, except it were in
fragments, when her destruction was accomplished.

The captain upheld his confident tone to the last. He
still maintained that there was " no danger ; " that it was
" only sand " upon which the vessel had struck, and
consequently that she would soon " float again." To one
of the passengers he insultingly said, " If you 're afraid,
why don't you go to prayers ?" And when every effort to
float the vessel had failed, he declared she was " all right,"
and that they were " on their way to Beaumaris," though
it was evident to all that she was immoveably fixed upon
the bank. Thus did this unhappy man fatally persist in a
course which some have been charitable enough to impute
to his wish to preserve the passengers, by concealing from
them the extent of their danger ; but, it must be recollected,
his denial of the existence of danger involved the equally
strange refusal to make signals of distress, which completely
and at once cut off all aid, though it was so near, and so
efficient, and so easy to be obtained !

Here I take up a portion of the narrative which has in
part been anticipated by an extract from the interesting
relation of Mr. Tinne ; but though

" 'T is mine th' unravel'd prospect to display,
And chain th' events in regular array,"

I shall endeavour to be guilty of no repetition that is not
absolutely necessary for that purpose, with reference both
to extracts and to the " personal narratives."

It was now conjectured by many of the passengers, that
the weight of Mr. Forster's carriage might have considerable
effect upon the vessel, and the steward was desired to ask
that gentleman's permission for it to be thrown overboard,

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 47

which he immediately granted ; and begged, if the remotest
expectation of relief was grounded upon the request, that
it might be promptly complied with. While, however,
some property of value was about to be taken out of the
carriage, preparatory to its sacrifice, the captain interfered,
and ordered it to be retained, as its removal, he said,
would be attended with no benefit ; and in this opinion he
was no doubt correct. The vessel was a wreck, and addi-
tional weight would rather tend to withstand the fury of the
sea than occasion further injury ; but, under such a convic-
tion, what must be thought of his conduct !

Amongst other suggestions, the captain was urgently
requested to order the bell to be rung, but even this he
objected to. At length, however, he said, " if they wanted
it rung they might ring it themselves;" and the bell was
rung accordingly with great violence, for a considerable
time, until the tongue was lost, as Mr. Tinne describes. It
has been asserted that the sound was heard at Beaumaris,
and on board Mr. Williamson's yacht, the Campeadora,
lying off the Green ; but this has never been authenticated,
nor is it at all likely ; for admitting that the fatal omission
of any display of light, to mark the situation of the vessel,
prevented those who heard this midnight alarum from
coming to their assistance, still it would have induced
anxious solicitude, and at break of day, if not before, every
scrutiny would have been exercised to discover whence
it came, especially as it was so generally known that the
Rothsay Castle had not arrived. Nothing of the kind, how-
ever, was manifested, and therefore the dismal vibrations
of the bell, like the unavailing shouts of despair which
succeeded, were no doubt lost in the uproar of the storm
and the melancholy waste of sands and water by which
they were surrounded.

But, perhaps, one of the most extraordinary events of
this eventful night remains to be told ; and I accordingly

48 THE WRECK OF

insert it here, in the order of its occurrence, though it will
be found in the extended personal narrative of Mr. Coxhead,
in another page. That gentleman says, " The bell had
been rung until it was broken no light was hoisted and
just then a singular circumstance attracted my observation.
One of the seamen came to the binnacle,* deliberately took
out the lamp which afforded light to the helmsman, and
threw it with much force upon the deck, breaking it into
many pieces, and of course extinguishing the light. I can-
not bring my mind to any other conclusion than that this
was purposely done, although he immediately lamented
that the only chance of making a signal was now destroyed:
for what purpose it was done I cannot say ; he instantly
disappeared, and I saw no more of him." To comment
upon this would be in vain ; conjecture itself would be lost
in the endeavour to account rationally for such an act;
while the respectability of the source whence my informa-
tion is derived forbids any doubt on the subject. In the
first place, however, the binnacle lamp would be unfit for
hoisting as a signal ; but then it might have been placed
in a lantern, and it is said there was one on board, which
the man carried who gathered the checks from the pas-
sengers ; or, at any rate, the light would have answered
every purpose, as by its means combustibles of any de-
scription might have been set on fire to alarm the coast.
The conclusion then is, that the captain ordered it to be
extinguished, as I have the authority of Mr. Hammond,
of Leeds, for stating, that he (the captain) had previously
declared that he " would never consent to hoist a signal
of the kind." But Mr. Coxhead also says, in his evidence
before the " Select Committee on Steam Navigation," f

* A fixture which contains the compass.

f See Examination of John Coxhead, Esq. before the Par-
liamentary Committee.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 49

that " there was a light on the binnacle," before the " light
at the binnacle " was . extinguished by the sailor; and, he
adds, with reference to the former, "I thought the ship
had been set fire to; in fact, "/ am confident it was; the
light set fire to the wood, and was put out again by the great
violence of the sea" I cannot, I confess, comprehend what
is meant by this. That, in such a night, a light should
be on the binnacle long enough to set it on fire, and that
the " violence of the sea" should have no effect upon such
light, while burning in feeble singleness, but that it was
at once extinguished after it had communicated to the
wood and thereby gained accession of strength, these
constitute an anomaly which I am unable to explain. It
may, indeed, mean that the light " on the binnacle " was a
reflection only from the part of the vessel which was on
fire ; but, I repeat, I cannot arrive with any degree of
certainty at what is intended, as none of the other survivors
appear to know any thing of the matter; and I should
imagine, judging from the general perspicuity of Mr. Cox-
head's narrative, that this portion of his evidence has not
been correctly reported.

Most of the women and children formed at this period
one miserable group upon deck. They were passively
huddled together, lying as if they were inanimate bodies,
which lightning, or some other sudden and tremendous
visitation, had deprived of life. A few had again retired to
the cabins, but the encroaching water was fast expelling
them from that retreat, and the stairs were crowded with
wretched, weeping females. Every moment, however, was
too heavily charged with direful events, to permit of long
repose from new and increasingly terrible calamity.

The captain, as I have shown, was actively engaged,

from the time of the vessel's striking, in employing various

expedients to save her, though he unhappily omitted all

the rational means that offered themselves for the preser-

50 THE WRECK OF

vation of human life ; and he was now seen trying the depth
of water alongside with a pole. Mr. Lawrence Duckworth,
it seems, observed this with some anxiety, and the captain
informed him that there were above seven feet of water.*
The vessel was now dashed from side to side with frightful
precipitancy,

" While o'er the quiv'ring deck, from van to rear,

Broad surges roll'd in terrible career j"

and it was momentarily expected that she would go to
pieces. The effect was soon apparent. The stays of the

* This appears to establish the fact, that the flood tide was
more advanced at this period than Lieutenant Morrison supposes,
in the extract I have given from his work in page 41. There
can be no doubt, however, that the water must have been very
shallow at no great distance from the vessel; indeed, a large
portion of the Dutchman's Bank and the Lavan Sands must have
been actually dry. Mr. Broadhurst saw breakers close to the
vessel just before she struck, which plainly demonstrated the
shallowness of the water in that direction ; and Mr. Wilson
informs me that he saw dry sands after the vessel had settled
down in the place of her destruction. This impressed him with
the practicability of escaping : " I attempted to descend," he
observes in his narrative, " with my wife in my arms, thinking
that I could find the bottom ;" but the great depth of water
quickly convinced him of his danger. Still, if those who had
charge of the vessel had at all profited by their knowledge of the
coast, the fears of the passengers would have been allayed by
the prospect of safety which might have been opened to them,
and many valuable lives might have been saved. But, after all,
this is mere speculation : all might have been saved, if any one
of the untoward circumstances which I have related had not
occurred, or any one of the numerous expedients I have men-
tioned had been adopted. Is not, then, the admission forced
upon us, that Providence had decreed otherwise ? " Lo, these
are parts of His waysj but the thunder of His power who can
understand!"

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 51

ponderous chimney gave way ; and though they were again
secured by the exertions of the passengers and crew, they
soon again yielded to the straining violence of the labour-
ing vessel. The loosened chimney then swung to and fro,
threatening destruction to the numbers of helpless beings
around; and at length down it came, tearing away the
mainmast in its sweeping descent. They fell in an oblique
direction across the poop and starboard quarter, with a
hideous crash, which struck terror into the firmest hearts,
and which Mr. Marsden, in his narrative, emphatically
compares to the "breaking up of a mighty sheet of ice."
The bulwarks, and such portion of the deck as was imme-
diately exposed to the fall of these heavy materials, were
shattered into fragments, and cast, as the first offering of
wreck and disaster, upon the foaming sea. The starboard
was the weather side of the vessel at the time, and, conse-
quently, the highest out of the water ; but the force and
weight of the stroke thus given dragged her over, and
plunged her so deeply amidst the waves which then rolled
in upon her defenceless decks, that it was matter of wonder
that she ever righted again, and that she did not then
shake off her living freightage, and yield up her structure
to premature destruction : but such was not the case ; the
wind and the assailing waters forced her back, and she
again rocked upon her fatal bed, with an inclination to
leeward, however, which afforded a comparative shelter
from the seas which broke upon her weather side. It is
not known whether any one suffered by this accident or not,
but it is quite possible that many might have been mor-
tally hurt, and hurried into the remorseless deep at that
moment, without being perceived; indeed, many might
have witnessed the tragical scene who did not live to des-
cribe it. The captain and mate were not seen upon deck
after the fall of the mast, by any of the survivors ; and it
has been confidently asserted that they perished at that

52 THE WRECK OF

early period, the first victims of a calamity which they had
been so largely instrumental in producing ; but a circum-
stance referred to in the deeply interesting narrative of Mrs.
Payne, implies that the captain must have been washed
overboard amongst those who latest suffered ; and Jones,
the fireman, has assured me that the body of the mate was
eventually found in the cabin. " Decay's effacing fingers,"
had rendered the identification of feature utterly out of the
question ; but a list of the crew was, my informant added,
found in his pocket, a document with which no one but the
mate would be provided, as he paid the men.

All had now given themselves up for lost, and several
devout individuals engaged earnestly in prayer, and en-
couraged those about them to use the short time that might
be spared to them in humbly commending their souls to
Almighty God, and imploring His gracious pardon and
acceptance. Aud I have here great pleasure in again re-
ferring incidentally to Mr. and Mrs. Forster ; for the former,
in particular, was favoured by having the opportunity
afforded to him, " even in the eleventh hour," of promoting
the great cause to which he had mainly devoted his valu-
able life. The Rev. J. H. Stewart states that they (Mr.
and Mrs. Forster) were seen " withdrawing themselves from
the other passengers, and remaining together in fervent
prayer for almost a quarter of an hour. When they had
thus obtained fresh confidence and strength from the Lord,
they joined the other passengers. At this moment some of
the persons who were at the bow of the vessel were dread-
fully alarmed, and crying out in the bitterness of despair.
Our beloved brother was seen, by the same person who had
observed them thus together in prayer, going, as we might
well say, like an angel of mercy amongst them, and telling
them ' not to be in such terrible dismay ; that it was not yet
too late to apply to the Lord Jesus ; that He was still able
and willing to save ; ' and therefore desiring them, ' whilst

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 53

there was one moment left, to cast themselves upon Him.'
The Lord seemed to have blessed this message, for there
teas an immediate stillness, and some were Jieard devoutly calling
upon His name. Oh, how consoling it is to think that the
Lord was thus honouring our beloved brother in his dying
hour ! At the very time that he was about to sink into the
deep waters, using him as an instrument to pluck from the
burning some whose spirits seemed just descending into a
far deeper gulph! * * * * Their names are not
known to us now, but we shall, I trust, hereafter know, from
their songs of praise, why our beloved friends went on board."
The feeling thus happily created had the effect, no doubt,
of calming the minds of many, and of disposing them to
that fitness for devotion which is so admirably calculated to
produce faith in its efficacy and ultimate triumph in its
success.

The Rev. Thomas Selkirk, of Bury, in his truly valuable
little work, entitled " A Local Record of the loss of the
Rothsay Castle," (having reference more particularly to
"the twenty-six persons* on board" from his own town

* It has been erroneously asserted that Mr. Nuttall and Miss
Whittaker were instrumental in persuading this formidable num-
ber of persons to set out upon an excursion which proved so
fatal to twenty-one of them, only five being saved ! The fact is,
however, that they left Bury in six different parties, and at six
different periods of time ; and Mr. Selkirk observes, in the work
above quoted, that " with one single exception, they were wholly
ignorant of each other's intention with respect to the voyage to
Wales, until they met on board the packet. Their several
parties are distinguished by Mr. Selkirk, and I subjoin a list so
classed, as constituting matter of peculiar interest to their nu-
merous connexions: 1st. Mr. William Tarrey, of Bury; Mrs.
Tarrey; Betsy Tarrey and Thomas Tarrey, Mr. Tarrey's sur-
viving children by a former wife ; John Tarrey, Mr. Tarrey's only
child by the wife who perished with him; Thomas Appleton

54 THE WRECK OF

and neighbourhood, doubtless adverts to a period of this
night of horrors corresponding with, or subsequent to,
that which I have just described, when he says "Loud
and fervent were the petitions of the lips, as occasion
permitted the use of words ; and many were the devout
breathings of the soul, when the raging of the waves would
not permit the lips to express what the heart felt. The
hand of the Lord was recognized in the affliction, and his
help and protection were sought. Those who were most
vigorous and anxious in their efforts to save themselves
confessed, by their prayers, ' Our help standeth in the
name of the Lord.'" The comparative calmness of this
frame of mind would of course enable those who enjoyed
it to devote a portion of their thoughts to the best means
of preservation. The most collected amongst the passen-
gers, therefore, narrowly watched the conduct of the crew,
as it was natural to conclude that their experience would
dictate the best modes of ensuring safety under such cir-
cumstances ; but, alas ! it was soon found that they were
as much at a loss as the veriest landsman. Various plans

and Maiy Appleton, Mrs. Tarrey's only children by a former
husband; Rachel Howarth, Mr. Tarrey's servant. 2d. Mr. W.
Walmsley, of Seedfield; Mrs. Walmsley ; Henry Walmsley, their
child; Miss Margaret Walmsley, daughter of Mr. W. Walmsley,
of Boor Edge ; Mr. James Fitton, of Seedfield ; Miss Selina
Lamb, of Bury. 3d. Mr. Robert Wbittaker, of Bury; James
Wbittaker, his only child ; Miss Mary Whittaker, sister to Mr.
R. Whittaker; Thomas Whiltaker, her son ; Mr. John Wilkinson,
of Bury. 4th. Mr. John Nuttall, of Bury. 5th. Mr. Thomas
Charles, of Bury. 6th. Mr. John Duckworth, of Shuttlewortb ;
Mrs. Duckworth, his wife ; Mr. Lawrence Duckworth, of Edenfield;
Mrs. Duckworth, his wife ; Mr. Thomas Entwistle, of Edenfield.
A more particular description, distinguishing those who perished,
will be found in the complete list given in another part of this
work ; by which it appears that not one of the first and second
parties, making together fourteen individuals, was saved !

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 55

were projected. Three of the crew climbed the foremast,
and firmly lashed themselves to the top of that spar ; some
stripped and prepared for swimming; some selected one
thing, and some another, of which to form a raft; some
determined to keep to the vessel as long as possible ; and
two individuals, one of whom was Mr. Dyson, made choice
of a drum,* in the hope that it would keep them buoyant :
others, whose expectations were less sanguine, husbands
and wives, subdued by affectionate concern for each other,
tied themselves together, in the despairing anticipation of
perishing in each other's arms ! A most affecting instance
of this is forcibly told by Mr. Coxhead, with reference to
the steward and his wife ; but it will be sufficient to refer
the reader to the passage; I will not detract from its

* This instrument, which eventually proved fatal to the two
unfortunate persons who depended upon it for preservation, might,
nevertheless, have been made the happy means, under provi-
dence, of saving the whole of the passengers and crew. Mr.
Robert Whittaker says, in his narrative, " A young man came to
me with a large drum, and said it would save both of us if 1 held
on one side and he on the other. Some females came and clung
round us, but the young man told them to get hold of the first
piece of timber they could," &c. Now, here we have a number of
hapless beings struggling for the possession of this drum, and yet
not one of them thought of beating it, in the endeavour to alarm
the nearest part of the coast. The bell was struck, after the
clapper was lost, even with bits of wood, and coal ; but this
drum was neglected, though it would, I have little doubt, have
emitted a more effective sound than the tinkling of such a bell
as that of the Rothsay Castle, with all the advantage of its iron
tongue. Mr. Whittaker subsequently declined to adventure with
the " young man," who, I believe, was poor West, the musician,
fearing that their inequality of size might destroy the balance, and
Mr. Dyson took his place. Mr. Whittaker saw them both perish ;
and Mr. Nuttall afterwards observed the drum, burst and aban-
doned to the waves.

56 THE WRECK OF

effect by giving an inferior version. Such were the pre-
parations of some, while other portions of the devoted
company were moving with restless excitement from place
to place, in all the impotence of irresolution and terror.
The conduct of poor Cooke, of Bangor, was in this respect
distressingly conspicuous.* He was the person alluded
to by Mr. Tinne, when he speaks (in the extract I have
given from his Narrative) of the "feelings of despair"
which actuated the attempt to ring the bell " with a piece
of wood," or, as some say, coal. It was this unfortunate
man who gave those unavailing strokes, which " sounded
like the death knell" of all on board.

Mr. Tarrey, whose painfully excited feelings on behalf of
his family have been before adverted to, was as remarkable for
resignation and fortitude, when all was pronounced hope-

* The case of this poor man affords a sad example to those
who unthinkingly tempt Providence to abandon them, by wishing
for death. Too often do men call for death, on occasions utterly
inadequate to justify so awful an invocation : but, when he
comes indeed, when his terrors are developed and his chilling
approach is felt, how few there are who do not recoil from his
embrace ! Cooke, a few days before the loss of the Rothsay
Castle, observed, in a conversation with his wife, " I should be
glad, if it were the will of the Lord, to rest from my labours."
His wife replied, " Would you like to leave your family?" He
then said, " I have no doubt God will provide for them." He
left home on the Monday morning, with 22 in cash, for the
purchase of fruit at Liverpool; and his lifeless body was found
near the Great Ormshead on the subsequent Wednesday week.
On a recent visit to Bangor, I called upon the widow of Cooke,
and she related to me the above particulars of her unfortunate
husband ; and added, " I have found God faithful to his promise:
he has indeed been the friend of the widow and the father of the
fatherless!" In the midst of the horrors of the above scene, the
last words Cooke was heard to utter were " May the Lord look
to my wife and five children."

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 57

less, as he was previously for agitation and terror. He is
said to have given utterance to the most affecting expres-
sions of tenderness with respect to his wife and children :
" I brought out my family," he once exclaimed, " and
how shall I return without them ? Oh, it would be more
intolerable than death ; I will die with them ! " He was
mostly with Mr. W. Walmsley, also of Bury ; and the Rev.
T. Selkirk, in his " Local Record," speaks of the two friends
and their families in the following terms : " There is some
little difficulty in ascertaining when Mr. Tarrey and Mr.
W. Walmsley were last seen ; but it is most probable that
they met their untimely fate at the same moment with
their wives and children. Mrs. Tarrey and Mrs. Walms-
ley had suffered severely from sickness during the voyage,
and were in the after cabin with their children when the
packet struck. Some time after this, Mr. Tarrey and Mr.
Walmsley are recollected to have been on deck, when they
affectionately shook hands with their friends. They were
much distressed, and expressed their conviction that all
hands must perish. What agony they must have experi-
enced, let a husband and a father judge. The one had on
board his wife and all his children ; the other his wife and
one child, and had left two helpless babes at home, uncon-
scious of their parents' perilous situation. Both kind and
tender-hearted men ; both devotedly attached to their wives
and children! Independent, then, of any anxiety about
themselves, what must they have felt for the safety of those
on whose preservation the happiness and comfort of their
future life so materially rested! Thus circumstanced,
could it be matter of surprise if they were unmanned and
overwhelmed by the awful situation in which they were
placed ? After conversing with their friends on deck, they
proceeded to join their respective families below, to console
by their presence and their prayers those dear ones whom
they could not otherwise succour." They soon returned to

58 THE WRECK OF

the deck, however, together with their unhappy wives and
children, in the anxiety to profit by any favourable circum-
stance, or driven forth by the fear of inundation below.

I have said that the cabins were at this period rapidly
filling with water ; but several of the passengers, ladies in
particular, remained below until it was no longer possible,
choosing rather to encounter in such comparative retire-
ment the danger to which they were exposed, than await it
on deck, amidst the boisterous conflict of elements, and the
more palpable terrors of disastrous shipwreck and ap-
proaching death. An interesting group was that of which
I speak, interesting both on account of the high claims to
respect of the individuals who composed it, and of the awful
character of the business which occupied the few minutes
they had yet to be together in this world, for one only only
one of their sad number survives ! Mrs. Charles Faulkner,
Mrs. Payne, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. George Hammond, the
Misses Owen, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Dyson, and two or three
others, were there ; and one of this little company (Mrs.
Payne) exclaimed, with solemn emphasis, " O, who can
pray ? " Immediately the affecting cry spontaneously
arose from all present, " Lord, have mercy upon us ! " and
they addressed themselves to fervent prayer. Mrs. Payne
knelt down in the water, the depth of which had then
increased to several inches ; and Mrs. Faulkner left her
seat and knelt also, holding at the same time an unconsci-
ous infant to her bosom. The elder daughter and the
maid-servant of Mrs. Faulkner were on the sofa behind
her; and the rest of the company were sitting around,
having their feet upon the couch to protect them from the
water with which the cabin was inundated ; and thus did
they continue in devotion, until Mrs. Payne, Mrs. Wilson,
and Mrs. Hammond were called upon deck by their
alarmed husbands, and the rising water compelled the rest
to retreat, as already described.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 59

The horror of the scene, like a descending torrent, now
gathered force and accumulation with every moment ; and
the tremendous fiat, involving the eternal " weal or woe" of
upwards of a hundred immortal souls, was upon the verge
of awful fulfilment. Youth and beauty, and mature
strength, and the healthful action of all the various func-
tions tributary to life long and vigorous life, were there ;
but these were of no avail : the fearful wrench which sun-
dered them from their possessor would only be the more
acute in proportion to their tenacity ; while the shrunken
energies of age would derive advantage from feebleness,
and escape from torture in the inability to contend.

The storm was evidently increasing ; the moon had sunk
beneath the now undefined horizon; and the firmament
seemed in the " thick night," like the arch of a mighty
sepulchre, with a single lamp hung in its obscure depth
a solitary star, which, with the phosphoric gleam emit-
ted from a turbulent sea,6 constituted " not light, but rather
darkness visible," and

" Serv'd only to discover sights of woe."

In the midst of this dismal scene, the wretched passengers
were scattered some on one part of the deck and some on
another ; and were, with very few exceptions, earnestly en-
gaged in prayer. Mr. and Mrs. Forster had taken their
station close to the weather paddle-box, the starboard side of
the vessel ; and the Rev. J. H. Stewart says " After this,
the waves beating over the vessel with still greater violence,
their faithful servant descended to the cabin for their
cloaks, and gave them to his master. Our dear friend then
taking one of them, and drawing his beloved wife to his
bosom, wrapped it round them both, covering her head so
as to shelter her from the waves, and to keep her from see-
ing the dreadful scenes then surrounding them. Thus
embracing each other, they remained in humble confidence
and silent prayer. The swell still increasing, and the

60 THE WRECK OF

waves beating with still more fury, as the vessel rolled
from side to side, a kind fellow-sufferer asked him if he
would not change his station ; but, having chosen that
which appeared the place of the greatest safety, he said,
' No, we will remain together where we are.' " He was
subsequently heard to utter expressions of the tenderest
concern for Mrs. Forster. " My dear, dear wife ! " he fre-
quently exclaimed, with an emphasis painfully indicative
of the feelings by which he was agitated. The Rev. J. M.
M'Carthy was kneeling near the paddle-box, on the oppo-
site side, together with his friend, Mr. Fox; and Mr.
Dyson was heard to address the former gentleman in the
anguish of the moment " Oh, sir, cannot you save us ? "
The worthy priest* answered him in terms suitable to the
occasion. He said that lie could not save him, and advised
him to have recourse to prayer. Mr. Alexander Raphael
was also observed in fervent supplication, near Mr. M'Car-
thy and Mr. Fox. Mr. Raphael had been reduced to a
state of extreme exhaustion by sickness; and Jones, the
fireman, had kindly supplied him with such restoratives as
his helpless condition required, by which he was now
enabled to employ his energies in that devotion befitting
his awful situation. Mr. and Mrs. Payne had placed
themselves on the top of the paddle-box, at the foot of
which Mr. M'Carthy was kneeling. They were lashed
together, and the rope which encircled them was fastened
to an iron pin which projected from one of the planks.
Mr. Shaw subsequently climbed up, and took his station
near Mr. and Mrs. Payne, but had not the advantage of so
firm a holdfast as that which they had been fortunate
enough to secure, and he was consequently exposed to

* The biographical sketch of Mr. M'Carthy, which appears
under its proper head, will show the very high estimation in
which he was held, by Protestants as well as those of his own
communion, in the immediate sphere of his labours.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 61

more imminent hazard from every lurch of the vessel and
every wave that rolled over her. A great number of other
persons crowded about and upon the paddle-boxes, and
along the plank which extended from one paddle-box to
the other. Mr. Martin and Mr. Metcalf were for some
time at the bow of the vessel, where, together with a num-
ber of females, they joined in prayer with Mr. George
Hammond, who is the " gentleman from Leeds " referred
to by Mr. Martin, in his narrative. Mr. Martin and his
friend, Mr. Metcalf, afterwards sought for a place of greater
security, and the former at length succeeded in getting
upon the plank which crossed the vessel, in the way just
mentioned ; but Mr. Metcalf bad not sufficient strength to
reach it, and he could only grasp what his friend describes
as " the iron* under the plank," to which, he informs us,
" a great number of persons " also clung, in the endeavour
to preserve themselves from the violence of the waves, and
from being thrown overboard by the motion of the vessel.
Amongst these, Elliot Rudland, one of the musicians,
remained for some time, until the ravage of the waters,
as will hereafter be seen, compelled him to change his
situation. Mr. Tarrey and family, the Walmsleys, the
Whittakers, the Duckworths, Messrs. Nuttall, Entwistle,
Wilkinson, Fitton, and Charles, were, for the most part,
about the quarter deck, or the paddle-boxes, though some
of them, a short time afterwards, moved farther forward.
The Rev. 0. Owen, the Misses Owen, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas,
Miss Lucas, and the Misses Broadhurst and their father,
were also on the quarter-deck. The windlass and belfry ,f
the foremast, every thing that promised support against the
impetuous rush of overwhelming waters, was seized with

* This was a stout rod, which steadied the uprights attached
on either side to the paddle-boxes.

f The belfry of the Rothsay Castle was directly over the windlass.

62 THE WRECK OF

avidity. Evans and Hughes, seamen, and Jones, the fire-
man, were the individuals who climbed the foremast, at an
earlier period of these calamitous proceedings ; and some
two or three of the more adventurous passengers sought
refuge on the bowsprit ; but, with reference to Hughes, I
cannot help adverting to a circumstance which does not
reflect great credit upon his feeling, whatever it may upon
his prudence. The hand of his child (a fine boy about
twelve years of age) was in his grasp, just as he was going
to ascend the mast. To take him up was impossible, and
therefore what was he to do ? A moment's hesitation suf-
ficed ; he let go the boy, who strove in vain to cling to him ;
he let go the boy, whose cries of " Father ! oh, father, save
me !" were not powerful enough to weigh against the desire of
self-preservation ; and if he could have looked down through
the murk of night, from his place of temporary safety, he
might have seen that wretched child sobbing in his heart-
broken abandonment, or shrieking for aid in the agony of
terror, while driven from place to place by the remorseless
waves ! On the poop, a great many of the passengers had
congregated ; and Mr. and Mrs. Selwyn, of Bath, attracted
particular notice. The reader will recollect that Mr. Tinne
mentions " an individual " who was " engaged loudly in
prayer," amidst the silent attention of those who sur-
rounded him ; and Mr. Coxhead refers to an " elderly gen-
tleman," who sat on a bench upon the poop in a peculiar
attitude, with a view to prevent sea-sickness : in both these
instances, Mr. Selwyn is the gentleman in question. " His
wife," Mr. Coxhead observes, " knelt at his feet, and he
was, perhaps, the most fervent of any of the passengers in
his prayers : " and again, speaking of Mrs. Selwyn, Mr.
Coxhead further says, " she was much taller than himself,
and of very lady-like appearance." Mr. Wheeler, of Bir-
mingham, and his friend, Mr. Bottomly, of Rochdale, were
also upon the poop at this period ; together with Mr. and

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 63

Mrs. Thompson, of Bradford, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Mr.
and Mrs. George Hammond, and Messrs. Tinne, Leigh,
Souza, Coxhead, Marsden, and Day. The steward, Jones,
and his wife, and the carpenter's wife and child, were also
there. Thus, as nearly as I can ascertain, I have given
the disposition of the various persons who are best known,
at a period closely verging upon the dreadful moment when
so large a portion of them was swallowed by the heaving
grave which yawned around, and which so few on board
were ever to pass with life. I have taken considerable
pains to render the picture correct, in order that what
follows may be the more readily understood ; and I am of
opinion that it may generally be relied upon.

The incidents described in the extract already given
from Mr. Tinne's statement were, of course, spread over
the period to which I have been alluding, since I mentioned
the taking up of that portion of the narrative ; and, to ren-
der the chain of events continuous, I have now shortly to
revert to the attempt of the carpenter's wife (Jane Griffiths)
to secure a place in the vessel's boat, into which she went
with Mr. Henry Hammond (of Liverpool), who had kindly
afforded her occasional aid, her husband being for the
most part engaged elsewhere. This poor woman was
remarkable for the painful extreme of maternal affection
which she evinced towards her infant. It has been seen
that she hugged it to her breast, and held it there in
safety, when the boat had broken away at one end, and
was suspended only by the other, and consequently when
every effort she could make would scarcely suffice to keep
her from falling into the awful abyss beneath; and now,
when the shouts of the passengers were raised in the hope
of being heard on shore, Mr. Tinne observes, that the cry
of " the poor woman, in whose temporary rescue he had
assisted, was above all others." She returned the farewell
embraces of her husband with the agony which so melan-

64 THE WRECK OF

choly an occasion might be expected to produce ; but it
was her infant that seemed to absorb her tenderest
regard : and when amidst descending seas, with the pros-
pect of immediate destruction before her, she anxiously in-
treated Mr. Henry Hammond to " wrap her shawl more
closely around her neck, that it might prevent the water from
touching the child" it will be seen that this ruling passion
was indeed " strong in death."

Mr. Selwyn was at this time engaged in audible prayer,
and numbers knelt about him, and joined in the devotion
to which he had strenuously invited them, when a circum-
stance occurred which is strikingly illustrative of human
love of life, even in moments of seeming abstraction from
every thing earthly. Some one exclaimed, that there was
" a light on Puffin Island," and the worshippers sprang
up from their solemn communion : all, at once, sprang up,
and eagerly strained their eyes in the direction described
by them ; and many were of opinion that they could
discern the friendly beacon. They then, as if by previous
consent, joined in a shout which seemed like one voice,
so simultaneously did they lift up their melancholy cries ;
but the despair of being heard, and exhaustion, and the
apparent unreality of the ray of hope which had seemed to
glance upon them, soon oppressed them with additional
languor of mind and body; and some wept, with heart-
broken bitterness some again addressed themselves to
prayer and some agonized each other with mutual accu-
sations, having reference to the individual who might have
advised the ill-fated voyage, and thereby exposed them to
such peril. Of the latter, a most afflicting instance is
recorded by Mr. Coxhead, in the case of the Lucas family.
The Misses Broadhurst hid their faces in the bosom of
their unhappy father, to avoid the sight of so many dis-
tracting objects ; and the Misses Owen and their brother
formed another melancholy group, of which Mr. Coxhead

LAST

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> / ' ' S

... /,, > '/'fry//.

/"' <' , //,

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 65

gives also a truly affecting description. Mr. Owen was
seated upon one of the benches on the starboard side of
the deck, and his two sisters knelt before him, and covered
their faces with their hands, which rested upon his knees.
The younger lady (Miss Mary) seemed perfectly resigned,
and absorbed in prayer; the elder (Miss Margaret) appeared
to cling with fonder tenacity to life, and was consequently
less composed. She frequently raised herself from her
brother's knee, and with uplifted hands implored the aid
of Heaven, exclaiming from time to time, " Must we all
perish? Oh, it cannot be!" &c. Mr. Owen maintained
considerable firmness. His look was that of solemn acqui-
escence in the will of Providence, and would have accorded
well with the utterance of the beautiful prayer given by
Falconer to " the master," in his "Shipwreck:"

" O, Source of Life ! our refuge and our stay,
Whose voice the warring elements obey,
On thy supreme assistance we rely ;
Thy mercy supplicate, if doom'd to die ;
Perhaps this storm is sent, with healing breath,
From neighb'ring shores to scourge disease and death!
'Tis ours on thine unerring laws to trust :
With thee, great LORD ! 'whatever is, is just.' "

Mr. Coxhead's moving anecdote of " a poor little black
boy " belonging to the vessel, is not the least interesting
of his narrative. The wretched child felt he had no
one there that " cared" for him; and when Mr. Coxhead
kindly spoke words of comfort to him, he became half
delirious with joy, and seized his fondly anticipated pro-
tector round the neck, in a manner that would no doubt
have soon after been fatal to both, had he not been pre*
vailed npon to relinquish his hold, by representations
which the extremity of the danger suggested. This was
just before the ravages of death began; and about the
G 2

66 THE WRECK OF

same time Mrs. Payne, from her station on the paddle-
box, observed the Rev. Mr. M'Carthy, in an apparently
exhausted state, crawling across the deck, in the endeavour
to join some persons who were praying at a little distance
from him ; but the waves which broke in furious succession
over the devoted vessel, together with her violent rolling,
baffled and retarded the unfortunate gentleman, and she
lost sight of him in the wilder confusion which shortly
ensued, the leading horrors of which are powerfully deve-
loped by the following extract from Mr. Tinne's description
of the scene :

" I observed the vessel parting the bow, with its
quivering mast, leaning one way the stern, the other. I
pointed out our situation to Mr. Leigh, who seemed sur-
prised it should take place so soon. There was a bench on
the starboard side, which I was strongly tempted to seize
hold of, but it was secured by another passenger,* who
hung it over the side ready to avail himself of it on the
first occasion. The two parts of the wreck were separating
more and more, and seemed only to be held together by
the loose tackle. Our portion of it had now heeled over to
leeward, or towards the larboard side of the vessel. This
induced Mr. Leigh, Mr. Souza, and myself to move over to
windward, which was the highest part of the deck. Here
they held on by the stanchions and the railing, whilst
I grasped the spokes of the wheel on one side, and the end
of the maintop-mast on the other the latter having fallen
obliquely across the poop. We were hardly fixed, when a
wave, larger than any that had preceded it, came rolling
over us, and passing onward to leeward, swept away a
whole line of victims together, along with the railing,
stanchions, and benches: among those were most of the

* This was Mr. Marsdeu, of Wakefield, who, with his friend, Mr.
Day, determined upon trying such mode of preservation.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 67

ladies and their friends. Even in this tremendous event,
/ only heard one person shriek, who I believed to be the poor wo-
man with the child ;* ivhilst the others passed away without cry
or groan, except what my imagination now fancies to itself, as
a deep draum sigh from the whole mass at once. Their minds,
previously, seemed absorbed in deep devotion, and probably
they were well nigh dead to suffering and pain. The scene
now before me was desolate indeed ; a bare deck, a num-
ber of dark objects, struggling and writhing in the water,
as at their last gasp ; but it was needless, and indeed im-
possible, for me to extend a helping hand, when it could
only have afforded them a temporary respite, with aggra-
vated suffering; and when my own approaching doom, un-
less [averted] by some striking exhibition of providence, was
impressively pictured before me, hi their vain struggles.
One individual, however, was assisted up again on the
wreck : and a solitary body was seen lying across the deck,
which seemed to me to be lifeless ; but it has since occurred
to me that it was that of the pilot, who, with several others,
was saved on a large raft. Every wave now told against
the shattered hull, and the water which filled it heaved up
the deck, whilst the planks were rapidly giving way under

* Jane Griffiths, the carpenter's wife, to whom I have before
referred. Her cry was loudest, her efforts superhuman, and all
as it appears, on account of her child ! The Rev. W. H. Bransby,
in his " Narrative," gives the following pathetic notice of the last
moments of this devotedly affectionate creature : " When she
could no longer straggle against the waves, it was easy, and it was
wonderful, to perceive the workings of nature in her bosom.
With a last effort, she raised her hands above the water, and
held up her infant, as if to supplicate in its behalf the pitying eye
of Heaven !

'O, there is no fount

Of deep, strong, deathless love, like that within

A mother's heart ! ' "

68 THE WRECK OF

us. The side plank next the railing first split and yawned
asunder, and then we sunk with the deck to a level with
the sea. Another wave sent the loose pieces asunder, and
immediately I found myself afloat. I first caught hold of
the extremity of the mast, my feet resting on what I sup-
posed to be an iron stanchion, accidentally attached to it.
Pressing close against me were Jones, the steward, and his
wife, and I think I heard the cries of a child. On looking
about, I saw Mr. Souza and Mr. Leigh close to me. I
spoke to them, and was answered by the latter that they
were on some loose pieces of timber. They were sitting on
them, leaning on one hand. At this moment I perceived
the steward's wife struggling to keep her hold, and nearly
exhausted; whilst her husband was encouraging her to
keep up her spirits. Fearing lest they might catch hold of
me, and finding that I had not enough of the mast to rest
upon, I relinquished it altogether, and after swimming a
few strokes, scrambled up some pieces of timber. There
were two persons on the same fragments of the wreck,
whom I supposed to be Mr. Leigh and Mr. Souza, but
I did not speak to them. I could perceive eight or nine
persons on a large raft a little before us, but there was no
time to look about, as I had continually to prepare myself
for the waves, which were frequently dashing over me, and
to ward off loose pieces of the wreck. A blow on the head,
from one of these masses, had already stunned me for
a moment, which warned me of this additional danger.
Afraid of a repetition, I crawled to the end of my raft, and
clung to a spar. My sight became dim with the spray ;
but I could perceive a large wave rolling towards me, bear-
ing on its top what I thought an overwhelming piece of
wreck. I expected momentarily to be struck by it ; but the
water passed harmless over my head. I then looked
behind me, and found I was alone. The same piece,
perhaps, which passed over me without harm, had swept

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 69

my companions from their places. So long as I retained
my recollection and consciousness distinctly, I was in like
manner buffeting the waves."

Mr. Tinne dived, or rather suffered himself to sink, in
order to escape the mass of ruin which approached him in
the way above described, having previously called to the
individuals whom he supposed to be Mr. Leigh and Mr.
Souza, briefly advising them to use similar precaution;
but if they did, it was unhappily of no avail : when Mr.
Tinne arose, he was, as he emphatically observes, "alone .'"
A condensed retrospect of these fearful calamities, as given
by the Rev. W. Scoresby, in the sermon (Sorrow on the
Sea) which he preached on the occasion in the Mariners'
Church, Liverpool, is so beautifully illustrative of the sub-
ject, that I make no apology for its transcription :

" Whilst most of us," he observes, " unconsciously slept,
or were calmly courting the refreshment of the pillow,
more than a hundred of our countrymen and neighbours
were wrestling with death, with all its horrors, 'mid be-
wildering night and a rising storm with the terrific light,
indeed, of shining breakers, serving only to mark with
more fearful distinctness and certainty the path now open-
ing to a watery grave ! The shriek of despair was carried
far and wide on the midnight blast, till the piercing sound,
mingling with the rushing- and increasing gale, was lost ;
whilst no other heart beat with sympathy, nor other eye
kindled with the tear of compassion, but those who sus-
tained in common the mighty peril ! It was not the
struggle of men accustomed to adventures; but men of
domestic habits, and females not knowing perils, called
together to engage in the masculine and tremendous exer-
cise of wrestling with shipwreck and premature death !
Fearful and heart-rending was the unequal conflict. The
young man was cut off in his strength ; the maiden, in the
flower of her age ; the matron perished with the child, and

70 THE WRECK OF

the veteran with the youth ; the rich fell under the stroke
which cut down the poor; the priestly character suffered
with the men of the world all, all were swept away
in indiscriminate union, and found, in one mingled mass,
a common grave ! And whilst fathers were taken away
from weeping orphans, and mothers from sorrowing chil-
dren, whilst wives perished from the emhrace of their
husbands, and sisters from the grasp of their wrestling
brothers, whole families together, at one fearful sweep,
were cut off from the face of the earth ! "

The reverend gentleman then proceeds more particularly
to describe the fatal moment when

" A giant wave down rushes from on high,
And fore and aft dissever'd ruins lie ; "

and though a portion of the same scene is represented
which has just been so ably depicted by Mr. Tinne, it will
be found to exhibit new features, and bring out into bold
relief incidents and feelings which could scarcely be so dis-
tinctly marked in a general picture :

" Whilst the work of destruction was yet in progress, and
whilst each portion of the writhing, diminishing wreck
became alternately the area of desolation and death, the
quarter-deck, in its turn, became the scene of such a tre-
mendous measure of simultaneous woe, as requires but brief
description at once to arrest our earnest attention and
awaken our tenderest sensibilities. The ladies, with some
of their male friends, where in a considerable mass collected
there. They had long been bearing the repeated surges washing
fiercely over them ivith an affecting silence and composure.
of exquisite fear ; but the timid exclamation had ceased>
Perceptible among them, indeed, was the nervous agitation
and the cry of dismay was no longer heard. At length an
unexpected surge, more tremendous than any preceding it,
struck the shivering vessel, and, hurling its mighty waters

THE ROTHSAV CASTLE. 71

with irresistible force across the deck, swept away benches,
bulwark, and every individual of the devoted group, at one
fell swoop, into the abyss beyond ! Yet even at that dreadful
moment, no cry escaped these tender females, but only a kind of
spasmodic gasp, as of the last unmixed breath of air they were
appointed to draw the next was an indraught of the deadly
flood, which quickly expelled the feeble flickerings of life,
and hurried the many spirits of the many interesting suf-
ferers at once into the mysterious regions beyond the
grave."

Mr. Coxhead, speaking of this dreadful period, is appal-
ingly true to circumstance. His description must not be
omitted here. " A tremendous sea," he observes, " struck
the vessel, and she seemed to split from one end to the
other. The sensation was dreadful. I naturally thought
that the next wave would seal the doom of all that now
remained, and it truly did so. A death-like silence prevailed,
for all could not but be conscious that now they must pre-
pare to meet their Maker. It came ! The vessel lurched
so much, that she was upon her side in almost a perpen-
dicular position. We clung to one another, or to the side
of the vessel, and this was indeed an awful moment ! The
sea did not immediately wash us over ; it had spent its
fury, and we remained, for a very brief space, with our
heads inclining with the inclination of the vessel, so as
nearly to touch the water, when our collective weight
carried away the bulwark, and we were all at once pre-
cipitated into the foaming element ! When I arose, a
dreadful cry reached my ear it was the cry of death;
but all was soon hushed ! " This is singularly correspondent
with the preceding accounts, excepting only, perhaps, the
last sentence ; but as Mr. Coxhead was involved in the
sweeping calamity, the single cry of the poor woman of
whom Mr. Tinne speaks would seem, in the hiss and whirl
of a tumultuous sea, " dreadful " indeed.

72 THE WRECK OF

But here it is perhaps necessary that the reader should
understand, that my object is not only to afford all the
information which I can possibly obtain, with reference to
my subject, but to give it in the most forcible and accept-
able manner; and, therefore, when I have met with any
thing in the publications of others (notwithstanding I might
have a thorough previous knowledge of the fact), which
was so ably described that I could entertain no hope of
improving, I have at once availed myself of the advantage,
having, with one exception, the fullest license from the
several authors; and this, I trust, will be a sufficient plea
for the copious extracts I have made. Proceeding, then,
in the same course, I give the following from the Rev. T.
Selkirk's " Local Record," as it relates to several persons
who were allotted parts of melancholy distinction in this
awful tragedy :

" It cannot be stated at what precise period of the
calamity particular persons perished. Every one was too
closely encompassed with danger to be capable of making
observation with respect to others. As friends and ac-
quaintances clung together, it is probable that they met
their fate in parties. Selina Lamb, Margaret Walmsley,
James Fitton, the little boys (Thomas and James Whitta-
ker), and several other persons, were precipitated into the
sea at the same with Mr. John Nuttall and Mary Whittaker.
They had been previously sitting and kneeling together in
prayer for mercy, and met their fate in a happy spirit of
resignation. They were observed to be particularly devout
and fervent in their supplications ; indeed it appears, from
the account of the survivors, that in most of the cases the
prayers offered up were more for salvation than preserva-
tion, and regarded the soul more than the body ; so fully
was every one impressed with the idea that death and
eternity were at hand. Thomas Charles had been very
sick during the passage, and, being previously in delicate

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 73

health, he was much exhausted, and it is believed was
among the first that was washed overboard. John Wil-
kinson had been very active during the voyage, and had
made himself very useful to his sick and helpless friends,
and endeavoured to cheer them with the hopes of final
safety. When the vessel began to go to pieces, he and
Mr. Robert Whittaker were clinging to one place, exposed
to the fury of the waves. His friend was soon dashed from
his hold into the sea, and it was impossible that he himself
could long retain his place. When his voice was last heard,
he was uttering earnest cries for mercy through the merits
of the Redeemer. He was less fortunate than his com-
panion, and perished. * * * * Mr. Lawrence Duckworth
and his wife were repeatedly thrown off their feet by the
waves that broke over the deck. Mrs. Duckworth, like
most of the females on board, had already lost her bonnet
and cap ; and such was the violence of the sea, that her
husband could afford her no effectual succour. In his
attempts to elevate her to a place of safety, with Mr.
Entwistle's assistance, a ruthless wave swept her away,
and he saw her no more. She had been married to Mr.
Duckworth several years, but had no family. Mr. John
Duckworth and his wife were parted in much the same
way. They had suffered, in common with others, from the
fury of the waves, and had retired together for prayer;
after which he looked round for some place to which they
might cling, and having fixed upon the spot on which he
was eventually saved, he looked for Mrs. Duckworth, but,
lo ! she was missing; she had stepped, as he conjectures, a
few paces, to speak to some other friends, and before sha
could return to him, the whole of them were swept into the
sea. It appears that while she was struggling in the
water, she recognized Lawrence Duckworth, and called to
him by name for help, but ere he could stretch out his
hand for her relief, a mighty wave overwhelmed her, and

74 THE WRECK OF

she perished. Mrs. Duckworth has left no children. There
is no doubt that Mr. Entwistle was swept off at the same
moment as the two Mrs. Duckworths, as he was standing
near them when last seen, and was about to assist Mrs. L.
Duckworth in getting upon the cook's room. Mr. Entwistle
was unmarried."

I content myself here with giving Mr. Selkirk's account,
which, so far as it goes, is correct; but the peculiarly
dreadful situation of Mr. Lawrence Duckworth, whose wife,
there is reason to believe, was a corpse in his arms before
the waves hurled her from the deck, is more fully described
in his " Personal Narrative," which appears exclusively in
this work.

Several circumstances, possessing deep and painful inte-
rest, occurred consequentially upon the bulwarks giving way,
and. plunging a whole line of victims into the waste of
waters. Mr. Tarrey and his family, it is supposed, were
swept away at that fearful moment, with the exception of
one of his daughters, who had then no protector, and of
whose fate Lieutenant Morrison gives the following heart-
rending account, on the authority of Mr. Lawrence Duck-
worth: " One of his little girls was seen afterwards in a
state of pitiable helplessness. Mr. Lawrence Duckworth
says that, while sustaining his wife, he saw her on the
quarter-deck : she was about ten years old. Each wave
that broke down on one side of the vessel hurled her along
with impetuous force, and dashed her against the gunwale
on the other side ; and then it would recede, and draw her
back again, a ready victim for a similar shock. The poor
innocent, bruised and half choked with the waves, sent
forth the most piteous cries for her father and mother,
between each rush of the waters. Her shrieks were piercing
beyond conception, and she screamed, ' Oh, won't you come
to me, father? Oh, mamma! ' &c. Mr. Duckworth adds,
that his heart yearned to save her; and, as he could not

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 75

quit his wife, he called to Mr. Entwistle to make the
attempt ; but she was washed away soon after, while Mr.
Entwistle was helping Mr. Duckworth to get his wife upon
the caboose." The weather paddle-box, against which
Mr. and Mrs. Forster had sought shelter from the waves,
was shattered about this time, and those amiable indi-
viduals were seen no more alive. Mr. Coxhead reasonably
conjectures that, when the casing of the wheel was driven
in, Mr. Forster fell into the vacuum, and so was swept
beneath the vessel, where his body was found. Mrs.
Forster, on the contrary, was no doubt carried far away
by the shock ; and, it is to be presumed, the struggle she
could oppose to such a sea must have been mercifully
brief in consequence, while that of her beloved husband
must have been of still shorter duration. Their " faithful
servant," as the Rev. J. H. Stewart observes, "who was
standing by them when this tremendous wave came over
the vessel, was, like them, swept into the deep;" but his
hour had not yet arrived ; his sufferings were more pro-
tracted. Mr. Nuttall was amongst the struggling mass of
human life which had been cast into the sea. Exhausted
by previous suffering, and oppressed with that consequent
sickness of the heart which takes away even the desire to
live, he says that he " reclined his head upon the water, in
the hope that he should immediately sink;" but the calm
resolve to which he thus surrendered himself gave room for
other feelings, and he thought of those whom he. had left
at home, and of the agony which his loss would inflict
upon them, and aroused himself to fresh exertion. The
side of the packet which had been torn away in the manner
before described was floating near him, and he at length
succeeded in getting upon it. He rested from the effort,
upon his knees; but before he could recover himself, the
poor boy of whom I have spoken, the son of Hughes, the
seaman, who deserted him, and sought his own safety by

76 THE WRECK OF

ascending the foremast, this poor child, who had mira-
culously escaped the ruin which involved so many, sud-
denly caught hold of Mr. Nuttall, and mounted upon his
back. He (Mr. Nuttall) remonstrated, for he had no power
to disengage himself by force, if he felt inclined so to do ;
but the boy threw his arms round the neck of his constrain-
ed preserver, without attempting to speak, and clung with
a determination which no persuasion could shake. Mr.
Nuttall was heavily clothed ; he had on a great coat, in
addition to his customary habiliments ; and these, with the
weight of the boy, and his total ignorance of the art of
swimming, induced the belief that he must inevitably be
lost. He, however, renewed his efforts ; and, with the pro-
vidential aid of a rope which was thrown in his way by the
dashing of the sea, he contrived to reach the poop, and
place the boy in a position enabling him to grasp the
wheel which regulates the rudder, and thereby to resist the
force of the waves. And here Mr. Nuttall was again
fortunate in becoming the instrument of saving life. He
heard a piteous cry, and, on looking over the side of the
wreck, he saw a female clinging to it, in the attempt to
climb up, but who appeared just about to drop again into
the sea. He caught her by the hair, which was loose to
the wind, her bonnet having been forced off, though it
was still hanging by the strings to the back of her neck ;
and he soon got a firmer hold, and at length succeeded,
with much difficulty, in placing her also on the poop, when
he was gratified by discovering that it was his neighbour,
Miss Whittaker ; but he was by this time so much exhausted,
that he feared the next wave would again consign him to
the deep ; he, therefore, was compelled to leave her, and
crawl towards the wheel for safety. This would, in all
human probability, have proved fatal to Miss Whittaker ;
but, most providentially, Mr. Wilson, who had reached the
poop a short time previously, was near her ; and, on her ex

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 77

claiming, "Will you help me, sir?" he promptly raised
her, and broke the strings that confined her bonnet, which
relieved her greatly ; for the quantity of water it contained,
and the hold it took of the wind, had nearly occasioned
strangulation. Mr. Wilson then assisted her to the wheel,
by holding which she maintained the advantage which had
been thus bestowed upon her, and was soon after, in her
turn, the means of rendering timely assistance to a fellow-
sufferer. Mr. Coxhead, when plunged into the sea, had
a rope round his arm, by the help of which, after a long
and exhausting struggle, he threw himself amongst some
ropes and netting hanging from the stern. He remained
there upwards of a quarter of an hour, dashed against the
vessel with every sea, and totally unable to raise himself to
a level with the poop ; but at length he made a last effort,
and called for assistance, which, he observes, " he had very
small hopes of obtaining, from the very critical situation of
those to whom he appealed." Miss Whittaker and Mr.
Wilson, however, heard the cry ; and Mr. Coxhead says, in
continuation, " Two persons very kindly came forward, and
each gave me a hand, supporting themselves with the other
by the wheel. I then let go the ropes, with the chance of
gaining a footing or sinking for ever, and I happily suc-
ceeded, but was immediately compelled from exhaustion to
throw myself upon the deck. I caught hold, however, of
the rudder-wheel, and remained there during the whole of
the night, but was for some time in a state which rendered
me incapable of knowing to whom I was indebted for such
generous aid: Miss Whittaker I afterwards knew to be
one." I am happy in being enabled to furnish the name
of the other ; and it is due to Mr. Wilson and Miss Whit-
taker to add, that subsequently they kindly supported the
head of Mr. Coxhead when it must otherwise have fallen
into the water, with which the raft was covered, sometimes
knee-deep. They both thought, indeed, that he was dying.
H 2

78 THE WRECK OF

His eyes were glazed and motionless, and Mr. Nuttall
informs me that every symptom of lock-jaw was apparent.
At this period, though the vessel had parted in the centre,
as hefore described, there were many persons yet upon
the poop. Amongst these was the steward, who had lashed
himself and his wife to the mainmast, which was still
attached to this part of the vessel. Jones, the pilot, had
kept his position from the first, by clinging to the wheel ;
and Mr. Henry Hammond, of Liverpool, who had been
washed off, had contrived to reach again this place of
comparative safety; but every wave now did fatal execution,
and the poop also was soon left nearly bare, though some
were fortunate enough to regain it; and, as the wreck
laboured and broke up, the platform upon which they were
relying for deliverance sunk from the gaping sides until it
reached the water, and it was soon only bound to the
remains of the vessel by the cordage which crossed it from
the fallen mast and chimney. This was quickly sundered
by the Liverpool pilot, who was one of those who had
secured a place upon this welcome raft, the extent of
which, however, was barely three square yards; and it
soon after floated clear of the fatal wreck, with seven indi-
viduals; namely, Mr. Coxhead, Mr. Wilson, Mr. John
Nuttall, Mr. Henry Hammond, Miss Whittaker, William
Jones (pilot), and the boy Hughes.

While all this was passing at the stern, other parts of
the vessel presented scenes of no less interest. Mr. Forster's
carriage withstood for a long period the tremendous shocks
to which it was subjected, and remained firmly lushed to
the deck; and Mr. Jones, of Bangor, and Rudland, the
musician, were seated on the dickey, where they were
eventually joined by Mr. George Hammond, who had been
washed off the poop with his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson,
and many others, but had not yet regained it, as his friend
Mr. Wilson had done. Mr. Hammond says, " They (Mr.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 79

Jones and Rudland) at first opposed my getting up ; how-
ever, I took my seat, but had not been there one minute
before the coach was carried into the sea, with great
violence, throwing myself and companions into the mer-
ciless waves." He, however, after numerous escapes from
floating pieces of the wreck, which menaced him every
moment with destruction, got hold of a plank, by resting
on which he recovered sufficient strength to get astride
upon it ; but scarcely had he effected this, when a poor
struggling creature was flung by the waves close to his
little float, which was of course seized with the proverbial
eagerness of a drowning man. Mr. Hammond was thrown
off by the action, and the efforts both made to emerge from
the waters and obtain the relief which a seat upon the
plank would afford, were distressingly protracted, as the
one was unfortunately the means of baffling the other.
At length they both succeeded ; but the labour of accom-
plishing their object, and the continued exertion required
in keeping their seats, had wasting effect upon their
strength : they sustained together this conflict with the
elements, however, for about half an hour, neither of them
speaking a word.

This silent midnight struggle, in which each must have
regarded the other with feelings which may not be defined,
has more of the terrible in its character than any thing
which individual suffering can produce. Let the reader
refer to the darker pages of the history of human nature,
and then reflect with compassion upon the horrid thoughts
to which situations like that which I am endeavouring to
describe have given rise. The gloomy shadowings of such
thoughts may indeed be frequently traced in the course
of this narrative, though they are too fearful either for
open acknowledgment or unequivocal comment.

But, to return ; the stranger at length fainted, and fell
off the plank ; and Mr. Hammond says, " he saw him 110

80 THE WRECK OF

more." He (Mr. H.) was plunged into the water by the
fall of the unhappy man, but he regained his seat with
much less difficulty than when the plank was encumbered
by another ; and he continued to float upon it at random
until day-light. Rudland, the musician, who was also
thrown into the sea from the carriage, was fortunate
enough soon after to get upon the raft formed by the poop-
deck, which increased the number upon it to eight. Mr.
John Duckworth was at this time standing on the windlass,
and holding by the frame to which the bell was suspended,
the place he had selected before his wife was snatched
from him ; and Mr. Lawrence Duckworth, who had been
washed overboard with the top of the caboose, or cook's
room, on which he was about to place his wife, had
managed to get on his knees upon the float in question,
which was about the length of a common door, but not
quite so wide. Being a young man, and possessing extra-
ordinary muscular power, he was very successful for some
time in so directing this fragile means of support as to
avoid the breakings of the surge, when Mr. Jones, of
Bangor, who was washed over with the carriage, struggled
to him, having been compelled to abandon a keg with
which he had previously kept himself up. He asked Mr.
Duckworth's permission to share his float, which he at
once granted, and instructed him how to act, in accordance
with his own experience, in order to render it most ser-
viceable. Mr. Jones got upon the little raft, and contrived
to maintain his place in a sitting posture, but he was too
much exhausted to make the required efforts in conjunction
with Mr. Duckworth, to whom it was soon apparent that
destruction to both must ensue if they kept together. He
felt, however, that he had the greatest right to the float, and
the disposition to enforce that claim jn-essed horribly upon his
mind. But he contemplated the helplessness of his com-
panion humanity prevailed and he looked anxiously for

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 81

daylight, by which some other mode of preservation might
be discovered. Mr. Marsden and his friend Mr Day were
amongst those who were swept off with the bulwarks, and
they underwent a series of horrors which are fully described
in the personal narrative of the former gentleman, who
survived. Mr. Marsden being an excellent swimmer, Mr.
Day (who had been deterred from learning the art by a
superstitious dread of water, induced by the prediction of
a fortuneteller,) clung to his friend, but had the rare gene-
rosity to seek other means of safety, on Mr. Marsden telling
him that it would but drown both. The friends were thus
separated, never to meet again in human association.
They spoke with each other, however, about an hour after-
wards ; but a dreadful barrier was between them. Before
they were washed from the wreck, they had attached a cord
to a form, in the hope that it would prove sufficient to keep
them afloat ; but alas, the violence of the waves set all such
arrangements at nought ! The form was torn from their
hold, but Mr. Marsden met with it again after Mr. Day
had left him ; and having fastened to it a small ladder with
which he fortunately came in contact, a tolerable raft was
thereby constructed. He was now alone, floating at the
mercy of the wind and waves, when he heard the voice of
Mr. Day at some distance, alternately calling for help and
addressing his Maker in prayer. He next called to ask if
Mr. Marsden was safe, who assured him he was, and en-
deavoured to cheer him and persuade him to keep his
mouth closed : but he continued to call out and pray aloud,
until articulation yielded to the " bubbling cry " sent up by
expiring humanity, which soon ceased altogether. Mr.
Marsden was struck with horror by the dreadful conviction
that his friend had sunk. He called wildly upon his name,
and listened with agonized intensity for any sound beto-
kening life ; nothing was to be heard, however, but the rush
of waters, and the melancholy wail of the wind by which

82 THE WRECK OF

they were agitated ; and he thought, in the darkness which
surrounded him, that he was " the only living remnant of
the wreck."

Mr. Broadhurst was torn from his beloved daughters by
a heavy sea, which broke over the deck a little subsequent
to that which hurried so many victims into eternity ; but
this gentleman has favoured me with so copious a personal
narrative, that little more will here be necessary than to
point out his situation. He was dashed from the wreck of
the mainmast into the sea, amidst a struggling heap which
had just before been swept from beside him ; and he felt
the dying hands which were powerlessly extended for aid,
and the thrust of convulsed limbs, and the fearful contact
of sinking bodies ; and when he arose from beneath the
floating timbers which held him down in that horrible
gulph, he endeavoured in vain to reach the vessel, but his
anxious eyes were strained to look through mist and foam
for his dear children, and he "beheld them," he says, " still
holding by the mast." He could afford them no assistance,
however; he had the anguish of hearing them shriek, " Oh,
my father ! my father ! he is gone ! " and then the waves
broke upon him, and he was hurried away ; and he closes
the relation of this period of his sufferings with the truly
affecting observation " These were the last words I ever
heard them utter ! " The parent will best understand the
bitterness of grief in which this sentence was written. Mr.
Broadhurst, on rising to the surface of the water, had se-
cured a little raft, consisting of " three boards nailed to
four small spars," the whole about three feet square; and
after he was swept from the wreck, by a Providence who
tempered this dispensation with mercy, and would not let
him see his children perish, after he had been thus carried
to some distance from the wreck, he found that the spars
projected from beneath the boards at one end, which
afforded a resting-place ; and though he was subjected to

OF Jfrp* j>
"

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'/, /,.,,>,/ ,,,,,/,/, f, ,-,;,,/

///r /\,,/,,, c\\x, I; XXX .4

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 83

many accidents, he was enabled to keep possession of his
float throughout that dreadful night. Mr. Robert Whitta-
ker was also placed in the afflicting situation of hearing
the cry of his child for help which it was not in human
power to afford. He had clung to the iron rod which
crossed the vessel as before described, together with his
friend Mr. Wilkinson ; and while there, he lost sight of his
sister and the two little boys, his own and his sister's child.
" Father, father, save me ! " rung upon his ear with ago-
nizing distinctness, amidst the crashing of timbers and the
howling of the storm ; but he himself was helpless as his
child ! He was soon afterwards " driven through the casing
of the paddle-box and the shattered wheel itself into the
sea." His personal narrative is full of interest with regard
to himself, and of valuable information as respects a general
view of the subject ; and a full description will there be
found of the mode in which he managed to construct the
raft which was eventually the instrument of his preservation,
and upon which he floated during the night, as he observes,
"praying for daylight and deliverance." Mr. and Mrs.
Payne were washed from the paddle-box after the vessel
parted, together with the plank to which Mr. Payne had
fastened the rope with which they were attached to each
other. They still retained their hold of the iron pin which
projected from this plank, as before described; and each
had one arm round the waist of the other. Mr. Payne had
been much enfeebled by sea-sickness during the day, in
addition to which he had laboured for a considerable time
at the pumps; he was now, therefore, incapable of any
effort: but the plank sufficed to keep them afloat; and,
though gradually yielding to exhaustion, he continued to
cheer Mrs. Payne amidst the darkness of night, and the
terrors of the storm, with hopes of speedy rescue, and to
pray earnestly to that Being by whom alone those hopes
could be realized. Mr. James Martin, and his friend

84 THE -WRECK OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE.

Mr. Metcalf, occupied, at this period of my narrative, the
same places on the wreck as when I last referred to them ;
namely, Mr. Martin was upon the plank which crossed the
vessel, and Mr. Metcalf had hold of the iron rod under it:
and the same may he said of the three men who had
ascended the foremast; they were still there. Another
seaman was on board, a passenger, named Owen Morris ;
but, although he was ultimately saved, I have been unable
to procure any account respecting either where he was
situated or the means by which his preservation was
effected.

The rest of the particulars under this head are so
minutely related by the survivors, in connexion with their
individual sufferings, that I should but deduct from the
great interest which is contained in the " Personal Nar-
ratives," if I entered into further description. I may now
apply to the wretched vessel, one of the general mottos
prefixed to this work ;

" TJie wind hath broken thee ; and all thy company fell into
tfte midst of the sea in the day of thy ruin."

Nor will a repetition of the other, the sublime language
of Job, be out of pla.ce ;

" Lo, these are parts of his ways ; but the thunder of His
power who can understand ?"

CHAPTER III.

THE MORNING AFTEE THE WRECK.

- At last, from tenfold darkness born,

Forth issues o'er the wave the weeping :

***** The dismal prospect opens round,

The wreck, the shores, the dying, and the drown'd."

FALC

THE morning broke tempestuously, but still with cheering
aspect to the few who had any hope of eventual preserva-
tion. Some, however, to whom the mercy of Providence
was in the end wonderfully extended, were feebly strug-
gling in blindness with the rushing seas, deeming that
it was yet night, but with an awful consciousness super-
added, that the darkness by which they were encompassed
was deeper than that which morning could ever dissipate,
and that it must be the shadow of death that was upon
them.

The wreck now presented a sight truly dismal. Mr.
John Duckworth, who had maintained the situation he
occupied when his unhappy wife was forced overboard,
was yet standing upon the windlass, which enabled him to
take firm hold of a semi-circular frame constituting the
belfry ; and by this he supported himself amidst the almost
incessant bursts of heavy seas during many hours. The
station thus described was situated a little before the fore-
mast, which was still standing; and Mr. Duckworth, in

86 THE WRECK OF

looking towards the stern, could see nothing beyond the
paddle-boxes, part of the frame-work of which yet remained.
The vessel had separated thereabout, and the after-part
had completely gone to pieces. Mr. Duckworth,* speaking
of this period in his narrative, says " At daylight, about
fifty people remained on board. On the plank which
crossed the vessel from the paddle-boxes, and the tops of
those boxes, there were about twenty persons ; about ten
were clinging to the shrouds; six or seven were at the
bottom of the mast; and three were at the mast head,
lashed fast to it." Mr. Forster's servant (Robert Mullett)
had obtained footing upon the same place as Mr. Duck-
worth, together with an elderly man, whose name I could
not learn ; but the stature of Mr. Duckworth, which is
above six feet, with a frame of no ordinary dimensions,
gave him an advantage over these persons which would
account in a great degree for his preservation and their
destruction. The sea, when it overwhelmed them, would
but slowly recede ; and so little time was there to get
breath, that the superior height of Mr. Duckworth fre-
quently enabled him to respire for a moment, while his
wretched companions were yet under water ; and perhaps
another and another wave woidd roll in speedy succession
over them, neither of which would subside in time for them
to breathe before the next came. But Mr. Duckworth
suffered much from their struggles. Each of them had a
firm grasp of his clothes with one hand, while holding by

* It cannot be too clearly understood, that it is of Mr. John
Duckworth I speak throughout this paragraph, and not of Mr.
Lawrence Duckworth. The confusion of those names and persons
has occasioned much obscurity in many of the accounts that have
been published. Almost every degree of relationship has also
been bestowed upon them j but no such ties existed at the time,
though now they are remotely connected by marriage.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 87

the belfry with the other, which of course called for more
exertion on the part of Mr. Duckworth, and tended to
hasten the approach of exhaustion. Poor Mullett appeared
in an agony of despair. He groaned aloud, at the intervals
which left him power to breathe; and Mr. Duckworth
occasionally told him to keep his mouth shut, and that
nothing could be hoped for if he did not assume more firm-
ness ; but he was either unable to follow the advice thus
given, or was absorbed by weightier considerations. There
was also a man immediately above the belfry, clinging to
a rope which extended from the foremast to the bowsprit ;
and every time he was carried to leeward by the waves as
far as the sweep of rope would admit, he swung back, his
legs striking Mr. Duckworth (who was most exposed by
being most elevated) with more or less force in proportion
to the magnitude of the wave from which the rebound pro-
ceeded. But one by one died and dropped away. " The
old man," Mr. Duckworth says, " was bald-headed and of
low stature, lower than Mr. Forster's servant ; but he strove
hard for life, and was firmly collected to the last." Mr.
Duckworth had all the horror of witnessing their final
struggles ; and his ear grew so familiar with the awful
indications of death under such circumstances, that he
knew when the fatal moment was approaching. " There
was," he observes, " a hissing sound made by their length-
ened gasps, which became more and more laborious, and
ended in a short convulsion. The body quickly became
rigid, and the clutch of the hands was more unyielding
than in life." The old man died first, and the waves took
him off his feet, but his hold of the belfry and of Mr. Duck-
worth was as tenacious as ever. This threatened to involve
Mr. Duckworth in the fate of the dead man, for the addi-
tional distress which such a burthen occasioned was very
severe; and it was not without great difficulty that he
at length shook him off; or rather, tore him away ; for the

00 THE WRECK OF

portion of Mr. Duckworth's clothes by which he held when
living, was retained in his lifeless grasp. Mr. Forster's
servant was the next victim, and Mr. Duckworth was
reduced to the painful necessity of using similar means to
disencumber himself of the body. The man above him,
too, after a struggle of amazing duration, considering the
ceaseless exertion which his trying situation required, died
in the same horrible manner as the unhappy beings just
described; and, as with them, his hands retained the
grapple which had been strongly put forth in the pangs of
death, and it was some time before the waves tore him
from the rope, and freed Mr. Duckworth from the horror
and danger of frequent and violent contact with the body.
He has no doubt, however, but that he must have perished
long before this period, from the rising of the tide, if Provi-
dence had not so ordered it that the fore-part of the vessel
was forced correspondingly higher up the bank, while the
stern was proportionally depressed. To this also he attri-
butes the parting of the vessel in the centre ; but, by the
same means, the poop-deck was freed from its connexion
with the wreck, where it must shortly have been dashed to
pieces, and converted into a raft by which nine lives were
preserved. He felt the heaving of the vessel upon the
sands, and was from time to time relieved by the tempo-
rary elevation which it gave him above the water. He next
remarks that " the people kept decreasing, until all were
gone except myself and the three men at the top of the
mast;" and, fearing that the rising tide would shortly
overwhelm him, he called to them to throw him a rope, by
which he might raise himself; but they refused, and in
a few minutes an immense sea broke over the wreck, with
a force which threatened at once to shatter it to atoms. On
partially recovering from this terrible shock, Mr. Duckworth
saw that the mast was gone ; it had been swept away

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 89

to some distance from the wreck, to which, however, it was
attached by some ropes, and the three men were still
fastened to the places they occupied when the spar was
erect. The frightful desolation to which Mr. Duckworth
now seemed utterly abandoned was certainly enough to
destroy all hope in connexion with this world; but he
assures me that such was not the case. His mind misgave
him only on two or three occasions ; and, as far as his own
safety was conserned, the depression was of very brief con-
tinuance. When his wife was torn from him, he yielded
to despair ; " I then prepared to die," he says in his narra-
tive, " in the place T was at ; " in this and another instance
or two of extremity, he gave up all expectation of deliver-
ance ; but the prevailing impression upon his mind during
so many hours of trial was, that he should eventually be
saved ; and this impression, it seems, which no doubt
instrumentally contributed to save him, had been made by
a dream. The night before he embarked in the Rothsay
Castle, he dreamt, he says, that he was walking over some
fields with his wife and a great many people, and that
suddenly the ground became unfirm, and rocked and undu-
lated beneath them in a fearful manner ; and he saw his
wife and the rest that were about him sink into the crum-
bling earth, which yielded to the tread, and threatened every
moment to receive him in its unsolid depths. At length,
the whole mass around him appeared to descend, until
a gulph was formed from which it appeared impossible to
escape ; but he struggled onward, and awoke in an agony
of terror and exhaustion, just as he seemed to have achieved
his safety. " This dream," says Mr. Duckworth, in the
additional narrative of his* sufferings with which he has
recently favoured me, " This dream, which I thought
nothing of when I arose from the slumber in which it was
presented, occurred to me from time to time while I was
i 2

90 THE WRECK OF

upon the wreck : it forced itself upon my recollection, when
my companions were dropping on every side of me into the
sea:

' Methought the billows spoke, and told me of it j
The winds did sing it to me : '

It was with me when I was alone when I seemed, indeed,
shut out from the living, and ingulphed by surrounding
waters : I thought still of my dream, and gave it literal
interpretation, believing it sent by Providence to afford me
a sustaining assurance of protection and ultimate deliver-
ance from peril." Nearly half an hour had now elapsed
since the falling of the foremast, when Mr. Duckworth ob-
served a boat under sail, near Penmon Point (see the chart);
but his sight was dim, and it was some time before he
could distinctly tell which course she was steering. He
thought at first that she was standing for the sound, a
direction immediately opposed to that in which the wreck
was situated; but at length he rejoiced in the conviction
that she was certainly advancing towards him. " At last I
saw the boat," says Mr. Duckworth, " with three shoulder-
of-mutton sails,* coming directly down upon me, and then
I felt that all would soon be right; and I shouted to the
men upon the mast to keep up their spirits, for that deliver-
ance was at hand." The boat, indeed, approached rapidly,
for those by whom it was conducted were by this time fully
aware that shipwreck, with all its dreadful consequences,
had befallen a vessel of no inconsiderable dimensions,
and they had crowded all sail accordingly. It afterwards
appeared that, a little before five o'clock in the morning,
one of the pilots stationed at Penmon Point saw what he at
first thought to be (to use the words imputed to him) " a

* I give here the very words used by Mr. Duckworth ; but it
may not be generally known that " shoulder-of-mutton sails" are
common enough, and are so called from their peculiar shape.

THE UOTHSAY CASTLE. 91

vessel trolling over the Dutchman's Bank towards Conway
Bay." There was something, nevertheless, in the appear-
ance which induced more particular inspection, and he
viewed it again with a glass, when he at once hecame
acquainted with the calamitous truth, that it was the
remains of a vessel, with men clinging to the mast head.
It will be noticed here, with reference especially to the
saving of Mr. Duckworth, how providentially well-timed
this discovery was. The mast was carried away a few
minutes after the pilot saw it, with its miserable burthen ;
and had that event occurred a few minutes earlier, had the
pilot delayed his " look out " only for a few minutes, the
wreck could scarcely have been seen, as little of it was for
any length of time visible above the breakers. At the junc-
ture of which I am speaking, two other pilots belonging
to the establishment fortunately joined the man who had
made the discovery, and they immediately launched their
boat and bore down for the wreck, which was hardly two
miles distant. They were quickly on the spot, and found
Mr. Duckworth at his perilous station ; and when they
saw, by the condition of the wreck, that he must have been
exposed for a considerable time to the dreadful struggle
in which he was then engaged, it was matter of perfect
astonishment to them that he yet survived. One of the
men, on finding him not only alive, but capable of answering,
and even of making the exertion required of him in getting
into the boat, exclaimed " I never before saw a man who
could live so long under water : " for, indeed, his head was
by that time so little above the surface, and the sea broke
so continually over him, that he seemed to have made
it his proper element. His deliverers, however, were
exposed to great danger in approaching him, from the pro-
bability of the boat swamping through the inequalities
of depth over the sunken wreck ; and they had also much
difficulty in getting him into the boat, on account of his

92 THE WRECK OF

great weight : he was instructed, however, to catch a firm
hold of her side, when the swell threw her into a favourable
position ; and when she was cleared from the wreck, which
clearance the crew were in the meantime employed in
effecting, they managed to cast ropes about his legs, and
by degrees, and exercising due caution, at length got him
safely on board.*

Evans, Hughes, and Jones the fireman, were still lashed
to the head of the foremast; and Mr. Duckworth now
directed the attention of his preservers to the wretched
condition of those poor men. They were found together
in a knot, as it were, their arms encircling each other
in such a way as to impart mutual warmth, as well as
to resist more effectually the action of the sea. They were
speedily secured, and the pilots then inquired whether any
chance existed of their being enabled to save any more;
but it was then the opinion of Mr. Duckworth and his fel-
low-sufferers that all besides themselves had perished, and
consequently the sails were hoisted, and the course of the
boat shaped for Beaumaris.

When Mr. Tinne was last noticed, he was " buffeting the
waves " in solitary darkness. He clung through the night
to a small fragment of the wreck, but was unable to meet
with anything substantial enough to afford sufficient rest
for the recovery of his strength; and daylight brought
no relief from suffering. " Once or twice," he says, " I
raised myself to look for the land ; but it seemed far from
me, and my sight was fast leaving me, until I fell into
a sort of stupor." While in this alarming state, the boat

* Scarcely anything contained in the foregoing circumstantial
account of Mr. John Duckworth's extraordinary escape from death
has ever before been published ; and it will be found to interfere
in a very trifling degree with the "personal narrative" which
appears in another part of this work.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 93

which had picked up Mr. John Duckworth and the remnant
of the crew most providentially passed near him, and
rescued him from impending death. He was to all appear-
ance insensible, though holding tightly by the spar which
supported him; but when he was lifted into the boat he
caught an oar, which was with some difficulty released from
his grasp, and he was laid at the bottom of the boat, the
men kindly wrapping him in some of their dry clothes.
The effort of Mr. Tinne, however, seemed quite mechanical;
that is, it seemed produced by the unconscious workings of
that universally inherent principle which extends its opera-
tions beyond the temporary eclipse of mind, and which is
thus exemplified by the pious bard who so awfully describes
the approach of man to the "house appointed for all
living;"

" Eager he catches hold

Of what comes next to hand, and grasps it hard,
Just like a creature drowning."

The raft formed of the poop-deck had by the break of
day drifted to some distance from the wreck, and, as the
morning advanced, that distance was considerably in-
creased. The raft in question, as before stated, was much
crowded for its size, and the water sometimes flowed over
it so deeply, that apprehensions were entertained of its
sinking under the weight that was upon it ; but, all com-
fortless as it then seemed to the eight individuals who had
committed themselves to it for safety, it afforded accommo-
dation of a much superior description to that which any of
their fellow -sufferers had been enabled to obtain. But few
words were spoken by that melancholy company : each had
serious matter for contemplation, either in the loss of
kindred or of friends, or the uncertainty of their own fate,
or the dismal scene by which they were surrounded. Mr.
Coxhead, having struggled into consciousness, had sad

94 THE WRECK OF

leisure in his helpless state for observation ; and he says
" Many who had caught hold of pieces of the wreck were
not able to keep them, and I saw them sink apparently
from exhaustion. Eight or nine were clinging to the main-
mast; and, with one exception, I saw them all drop off,
one after another. In fact, my eyes grew dim with horror
at the scene that was passing before me." Mr. Wilson
had the painful recollection of the last struggles of an
affectionate wife to feed the anguish of his mind ; and he
thought, too, of the friends (Mr. and Mrs. George Ham-
mond) with whom he came out on that disastrous journey,
which had already been attended with such fatal conse-
quences, and the end of which could not be foreseen.
Himself and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Hammond, were
sitting on the very deck upon which he was now afloat,
" only a few short hours ago ! " and a particular wish
expressed by Mr. Hammond, just before they were all
washed away together, now presented itself amongst the
many things which

" Busy, meddling mem'ry
In barbarous succession musters up,"

when we think of those to whom we may go, but who
cannot come to us ! Mr. Hammond was talking to his wife
at the period in question, in the dreadful anticipation that
they should all perish; and Mr. Wilson heard him say,
with reference to his family at home "Oh, if I had but
a few minutes, to write to Mr. Houson (a gentleman of
Leeds, since deceased), to tell him how to dispose of my
affairs ! " The letter, he added, might be found upon him;
and he referred to several matters respecting which he was
desirous of communicating with his friend. While this
affecting conversation was yet in progress, the wave came
which swept the whole party into the sea! All these
melancholy circumstances recurred to the mind of Mr.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 95

Wilson, and he was just mentally exclaiming " Well, if
it please God to save my life, I'll go immediately to Leeds,
and fulfil the latest known wish of my friend," when he
turned round, and what was his astonishment on seeing
that very friend, of whom he had just been thinking, and
whom he had numbered with the dead, standing before
him ! During the abstraction of mind occasioned by the
reflections just noticed, Mr. Wilson had been unconscious
of all around him ; but in the mean time a man, astride
on a piece of timber, who had been labouring for some
time with hands and feet to paddle towards them, ap-
proached the raft, and begged to be received upon it,
declaring that he must otherwise be lost, as he felt it
would be impossible for him to sustain himself in that
condition much longer. Some objection was at first made
to his coming upon the raft, as it was already overbur-
thened; but one of the party eventually helped him on.
This forlorn supplicant proved to be Mr. George Ham-
mond, and the unexpected meeting of the two friends was
affectingly productive of mutual gratification. The im-
pression upon Mr. Hammond's mind was, on finding his
friend almost on the same spot which they had occupied
together a few hours before, upon the deck which consti-
tuted a portion of the ROW demolished vessel, that he
(Mr. Wilson) had never been washed off; and speaking of
the poor boy Hughes, in his narrative, he says, " I found
him sitting exactly in the same place where I last saw him
on board, when he was crying for his father"

It was now about five o'clock, and no prospect of relief
could be descried. The sea was covered with fragments of
the wreck ; and upon one of the largest of them, at some
distance from the raft, was a spaniel dog, 6 which Mr. Fors-
ter had with him on board the vessel. The poor animal
seemed to be looking anxiously about, with that " quick
desolate cry " which is peculiarly expressive of the distress

96 THE WRECK OF

of a dog for the loss of its master. The, dejected occupants
of the raft continued to look around with restless solicitude ;
but, as far as the eye could reach, no boat, no vessel, no
living thing appeared upon the waters, to cheer them with
expectation of deliverance ; and their situation had become
additionally critical by the recent accession of one to their
number. Presently, however, a boat under sail was seen
standing out from Penmon Point, and much excitement
prevailed in the hopes and fears which its dubious course
awakened ; but it was soon apparent that it was not coming
in their direction ; it was indeed, the boat which picked up
Mr. John Duckworth, three of the crew, and Mr. Tinne, as
before related. Mr. Nuttall now produced a handkerchief,
the only one possessed by any of the party, and it was held
up as a signal ; but the boat continued her course towards
the Carnarvonshire shore, and seemed to the anxious
persons on the raft to disappear behind a point of land.
This supposition was most likely occasioned by the lower-
ing of her sails on arriving at the wreck ; though the foot
of Penmaenmawr, which stretches out in that direction,
might seem to conceal her, if the raft were deeply in the
bay (see chart) to the southward, which was no doubt the
case. No vestige of the wreck could at this period be
seen from the raft. The handkerchief was still held up ;
but they had the mortification to see the boat return, and
proceed up the Menai Strait, without appearing to notice
them ; and they began to despair of receiving timely aid.
Mr. Henry Hammond then suggested that they should
endeavour to propel the raft by using such pieces of the
wreck as they might be enabled to procure as paddles,
which suggestion was immediately acted upon ; and as the
wind and ebb tide were drifting them towards Conway, the
pilot advised every exertion to be made to reach that point;
and their progress, he added, would be materially assisted
if something could be devised as a substitute for a sail.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 97

Miss Whittaker, whose outer garments had been torn off
in her struggles, had wrapped the remains of a petticoat
about her head ; and the pilot observing this, said it would
not only answer the required purpose, but, from its being
white, would attract more notice as a signal than Mr.
Nuttall's handkerchief. Mr. Wilson humanely opposed
the taking of such poor means of shelter from a female,
but she spiritedly insisted upon its appropriation to the use
in question.* This little sail was accordingly held up by
Mr. Wilson and Mr. George Hammond (see vignette) ; and
subsequently it was fastened to two peices of wood, to give
it greater elevation, and thereby render it more conspicuous
as a signal. While Mr. Wilson and Mr. G. Hammond
were thus engaged, the other four effective hands of their
little crew (Mr. Coxhead, Miss Whittaker, and the boy
Hughes, constituting the remainder) worked at the paddles,
with which floating pieces of the wreck supplied them, and
they began to make some little way through the water, in
the direction of Conway. Still, however, no prospect of
help was discoverable. They could now see afar off the
smoke arising from habitations, in which their fellow-men
were peacefully preparing for their avocations of the day ;
whilst they (the sufferers from shipwreck) were drenched
with water, and shivering in the " eager air," which
seemed to penetrate and chill the very spring of life. As
the morning advanced, they could even see people walking
in the fields, on the Carnarvonshire shore ; but no human
eye seemed to be cast upon them ; no human interest
seemed awakened by their calamity. At length, however,

* It is, I must confess, not a little surprising to me, that a
female should have been deprived in this way of any portion of
her clothing, when already reduced to such pitiable destitution,
unless an equivalent at least were given by those who had so
much more to spare.

98 THE WRECK OF

another boat was observed, which appeared to be rapidly
approaching them from Beaumaris. They had been so
grievously disappointed on the former occasion, that they
feared at first to indulge the hope that it was for their
rescue it was sent out ; but the fact soon became evident,
and in a very short space of time a life-boat, which had
been manned by the praiseworthy exertions of Mr. W. L.
Walker, a young collegian, was alongside the raft. The
following letter, with which Mr. Walker obligingly favoured
me on the subject, will supply the leading circumstances
which have reference to this interesting event :

Cichle, 1st November, 1831.

Sir: Your letter of the 29th ultimo calls my mind back to
one of the most distressing scenes of my life, and which will never
be effaced from my memory. At your request I send you an
account of the state of the unfortunate sufferers at the time we
rescued them. Happening to walk on Beaumaris Green a little
before six o'clock, on the morning of the 18th August, I observed
something like a boat in a sinking state, drifting towards Pen-
maenmawr. I immediately, with seven men, proceeded in the
life- boat towards it; and, on our arrival, it proved to be the
poop of the ill-fated Rothsay Castle, with nine persons upon it,
in a state of great exhaustion, having drifted several miles from
the wreck. They were all standing up, except a gentleman named
Coxhead, of Size-Lane, London ; and a little boy, the son of
one of the crew. The former was in a very weak state, leaning
against the wheel by which the vessel was steered. The names
of the others were Miss Mary Whittaker and Mr. John Nuttall,
of Bury, Lancashire; Mr. Wilson, of Manchester; Mr. George
Hammond, of Leeds; Mr. Henry Hammond, Elliot Rudland
(musician), and William Jones (pilot), of Liverpool.
I am, sir, yours very respectfully,

WM. LEWIS WALKER.

Mr. Joseph Adshead, Manchester.

As the boat approached the raft, part of the crew threw
in their oars to be in readiness to assist the distressed

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 99

beings whom they came to rescue, when those who still
pulled called out, with the characteristic gallantry of the
sailor, " Help the lady first ; " and Miss Whittaker was
accordingly placed in the boat. But their kindness was
not confined to this complimentary deference to her sex ;
as soon as they saw her wretched condition, they at once
took off their jackets and wrapped them round her to
protect her from the cold. The rest were all enabled to
get into the boat, except Mr. Coxhead, who had for some
time been getting worse. He had been lying in the water
in the way before described, his head being supported
either by Miss Whittaker or Mr. Wilson, during nearly
the whole of the time he had been on the raft ; and cramps
had now seized him in every part of his body, so that little
hope was entertained of his surviving; every one considered
him struck with death. Mr. Wilson assisted the sailors to
lift him into the boat. One of the men observed, on ascer-
taining what vessel it was that had been wrecked, " I knew
this would be the end of her : I left her last week on that
account." Here, then, was a seaman, necessarily well ac-
quainted with the condition of the vessel, who declared
that he quitted her under the apprehension that she was
unfit for the service to which she had been appointed!
Jones, the Liverpool pilot, was confessedly ignorant of that
part of the coast ; and had his advice of proceeding in the
direction of Conway Bay been followed much longer, with
an ebb tide setting about E. S. E. (see chart), a strong
breeze from the N. N. W., and a heavy sea, the boat which
picked them up (according to the declaration of the crew)
would have been unable to follow them, and all might
have perished amongst the shoals which they were unwit-
tingly using every exertion to reach !

Mr. Marsden, who had supported himself upon the float
to which I have before alluded, saw the approach of day-
light with great satisfaction ; but hour after hour dragged

100 THE WRECK OF

tediously away, and still no means of deliverance appeared.
Whilst drifting thus, he passed four unhappy beings who,
like himself, were severally clinging to fragments of the
wreck ; but no word was uttered ; neither had any greeting
to offer that could interest the other, and all were languid
with exhaustion, and oppressed by the fear of perishing
miserably. At length, after he had drifted to some distance
from his fellow-sufferers, he was cheered by the sight of a
boat, which rowed towards them and picked them up ; but
he remained unnoticed, though he used every effort, by
shouting and holding up one hand when raised by a wave :
the boat took another course, and he was again abandoned
to suspense, and the awful solitude of a waste of waters.
It seemed a considerable time before his hopes were
renewed by the appearance of another boat; but he then
had the happiness to find that his cries attracted notice ;
the crew pulled towards him with generous alacrity, and he
was soon taken on board, together with a bottle of brandy,
which, singularly enough, was floating near him. This
was a most welcome cordial at such a moment, and the
sailors did not fail to try its efficacy, both in ministering
warmth to the chilled frame of Mr. Marsden, and renewing
their own vigour at the oar.

Mr. Broadhurst suffered much throughout the night,
from the frequent lacerations occasioned by the nails which
projected from his raft ; but to this he was glad to submit,
rather than hazard the separation of the planks by attempt-
ing to remove any of the causes of his torment. At break
of day he found himself surrounded by heavy masses of the
wreck, which kept him in continual alarm ; but, most pro-
videntially, though many of them were dashed threaten-
ingly near to him, he escaped a contact which must have
been fatal, and his raft was only once subjected to slight
injury. He was relieved from this state of suffering at
about half-past eight o'clock, by a boat from Beaumaris,

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 101

after he had been " full six hours and a half" in the sea,
struggling for life.

Mr. and Mrs. Payne were still lashed together, and the
friendly plank, with its projecting iron bolt as a holdfast,
still supported them ; but, as before noticed, Mr. Payne's
previous exertions had unfitted him for the severe trial
which he had now to undergo, and exhaustion began to
take awful effect upon him. The dreadful scene which
ensued may be imagined, but cannot be described. The
unhappy husband felt his dissolution approaching, un-
cheered by any prospect of his children having even a
mother left to protect them; and the wretched wife was
aroused from the stupor which pressed upon her, by the
appalling conviction that her husband was dying. This
melancholy event took place about six o'clock in the morn-
ing. Mr. Payne struggled with delirious wildness for a few
minutes, during which he caught hold of his wife in a
manner that threatened destruction to both, by rendering
the plank useless. She extricated herself with difficulty,
and by the time she had again emerged from the water,
and recovered sight and breath enough to seek her husband,
she found he had got to the opposite side of the plank.
But the terrible moment had arrived. He threw up his
hands above his head, gasping at the same time with
frightful vehemency, and then sank : he seemed to expire,
however, in the act of raising his hands. Fatigue, anxiety
of mind, and the horror consequent upon the fatal ravage
which he felt these had made upon him, with reference
more particularly to considerations for a beloved wife and
family, these had overwhelmed him like another sea ; and
he died, and sank beneath the waters ; but Mrs. Payne, in
her distraction, by a sudden effort reached across the plank
in time to seize a portion of his clothes, by which she held
for some time, though her strength was insufficient to raise
him to the surface. At length her grasp was relaxed by
K 2

102 THE WRECK OF

increasing weakness, and he sank as far as the rope would
extend, which still bound the lifeless body to the living.
Mrs. Payne thinks that she passed about two hours in this
dreadful state. She could feel the weight of the suspended
body, which had swung under the plank ; but she could not
see it, in consequence either of the roughness of the sea or
the dimness of her sight. She could not see it, though she
frequently and anxiously endeavoured so to do ; and it was
well she could not, for the contemplation of the features of
her husband, swollen with water and distorted by convul-
sion, would surely have been too horrible for the senses
to bear. There was enough, as it was, to produce madness,
if the greatest fortitude had not been exercised. It was
now nearly nine o'clock ; she had been about seven hours
in the water ; and she again felt a growing stupor oppress
her, like that from which an excitement so terrible had
awakened her. She now thought that it was death, and
cried aloud in her despair " Lord, have mercy on my soul !
If Thou be not with me, I perish ! " The next moment she
heard the stroke of oars, and in a very few minutes a boat
came to her assistance. It seems that the crew, in search-
ing for sufferers from the wreck, perceived a hat at some
distance ; and, on pulling towards it, the head of a human
being was seen a long way farther in advance, which proved
to be Mrs. Payne. Had it not been for the hat, they were
of opinion that they should never have discovered her,
as they were about to proceed in a contrary direction.
When the sailors were lifting her into the boat, they ex-
pressed surprise as to what it could be that was attached to
her, when she exclaimed, " My husband, my husband ! "
An honest tar, in his good-natured zeal, said " Never
mind ; we '11 save you both : " to which she feebly rejoined,
" That 's impossible ; he has been dead these two hours."
The body was taken up and placed at the bottom of the
boat; and Mrs. Payne, notwithstanding all the humane

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 103

efforts made to rouse her, sunk into insensibility, and in
that state was rowed towards Beaumaris, supported by one
of the crew.

Mr. Jones, of Bangor, and Mr. Lawrence Duckworth
were upon a little float together when last under review ;
and, soon after day appeared, Mr. Duckworth told his com-
panion that the time had arrived when they must separate,
or both be lost. Mr. Jones having previously told him that
he could not swim, Mr. Duckworth at once generously
offered to relinquish the plank in his favour, and endeavour
himself to reach the nearest shore by swimming. Mr.
Jones frankly assured him that he would be drowned if he
made the attempt; but Mr. Duckworth persisted in his re-
solution, as it was impossible for him, he said, to support
any longer the sole labour of steadying the raft for both.
He (Mr. Jones) might very well contrive to manage it
for himself, particularly as he had then the advantage
of daylight. Mr. Duckworth then divested himself of all
his clothes but his shirt and stockings ; and, bidding Mr.
Jones a friendly farewell, as it appeared to both, never
to meet again in this world, he launched boldly forth to
breast the surge, unaided (humanly speaking) and alone.
Mr. Jones now endeavoured to turn his acquisition to the
best account. He put his feet through an aperture which
he discovered in the centre of the raft, and remained in
that situation until he was for the most part unconscious of
every thing around him, so benumbed was every faculty of
mind and body. He was at length picked up by a boat be-
longing to Ralph Williamson, Esq., which approached within
a few yards of him before he was at all aware that deliver-
ance was at hand. But Mr. Lawrence Duckworth was
subjected to a more arduous struggle. His personal narra-
tive, however, which has never before been published, is so
interestingly circumstantial, that I need only record here
that he was found about three hours after he had quitted

104 THE WRECK OF

Mr. Jones, supporting himself by the chin to a small spar,
in the last stage of exhaustion ; and, just as the boat which
rescued him came up, he was about to give up the effort,
his arms having been for some time utterly powerless.

Mr. Martin was one of those who, after the break of day,
were clinging to the plank which crossed the vessel, and to
which I have had frequent occasion to allude. This place
of refuge, however, was at length torn away by the violence
of the waves, and all that were upon it were plunged head-
long into the sea. Mr. Martin and some others succeeded,
after a struggle of some duration, in securing the plank in
question, by which they supported themselves for some
time ; but they dropped away, one by one, until, as Mr.
Martin observes, he " was left alone with the plank." He
was picked up at about eight o'clock ; but the full particu-
lars of his perilous adventures, in his own sensible and
energetic diction, will be found highly worthy of perusal.
See " Personal narratives."

Mr. Robert Whittaker gives a fearful recital of the
horrors of his situation. Day brought no light to him.
He was stone blind, floating about upon two planks which
he had placed in the form of an irregular cross ; and the
time appeared so long to him, that he says " I seemed as
if I had been in the water many days ! " and his confused
recollection of the close of his sufferings he compares to the
" traces of a horrible dream." He heard, however, the
sound of the first human voice that addressed him : he
heard and replied, as it were from the grave, in which he
seemed strangely to resume the consciousness of existence.
His rescue also was effected by Ralph Williamson, Esq.,
whose yacht (the Campeadora) was lying at anchor before
Beaumaris Green. The moment that gentleman was ac-
quainted with the calamity, he manned his boats, and came
out in aid of the sufferers. Mr. Whittaker speaks in the-
most grateful terms of his preservers. " Mr. Williamson

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 105

and the boat's crew," he says, " were most kind to me : one
of the sailors took off my shirt and flannel waistcoat, and
gave me his own." After finding Mr. Whittaker, further
search proving fruitless, Mr. Williamson took him on board
the Campeadora, where every possible means which bene-
volence could suggest was promptly and successfully em-
ployed to restore him. While on their way to the vessel,
Mr. Whittaker enquired when it would be daylight, and
was horror-struck on being informed that it had been light
many hours, and that it was about ten o'clock in the fore-
noon. It was then he first knew that his sight was gone.

Owen Morris, a seaman, not belonging to the vessel, was
also one of the TWENTY-THREE* that were saved ; but, as
before stated, I have been unable to obtain any particulars
respecting him.

Having now placed upon record (with the single exception
above acknowledged) the various ways in which the whole
of the survivors were in the first place preserved upon the
waters, and eventually rescued from a state of peril and of
suffering perhaps never surpassed, and certainly but rarely
equalled, in the annals of calamity, it will be apparent that
the wonder is, not that so few were saved, but that any
were saved at all. The Rev. W. Scoresby, in taking a
similar view of the question, observes " It was marvellous
that any escaped. Buffeted, as were the surviving few, by
a turbulent and, at first, a broken sea ; tossed, as many of
them were, now over the wreck by which agonizingly they
clung, and then submerged amid the rolling waves; ex-

* In the former edition of this work, it is stated that only
twenty-two were rescued from the wreck; but Alderman Wright
informs me there was one other also saved. It appears an Irish-
man, a cattle- drover, was among the survivors; and on his land-
ing, after obtaining some refreshment and clothes, proceeded, it
is supposed, to Holyhead. The man did not come under my own
notice, but I give it on the above respectable authority.

106 THE WRECK OF

posed as they were, not only to the deluge of waters, but
also to mortal blows from the heaving wreck around them,
it was a wondrous providence that any lived till the dawn,
or escaped to tell the calamitous tale ! "

By about nine o'clock on this sadly-memorable morning,
the sands on the Carnarvonshire shore, to the southward
of the wreck, were strewed with fragments of the awful
ruin which had been made. Pieces of timber, trunks, hats,
bonnets, torn articles of male and female apparel of every
kind, all indicating the dreadful violence to which so
many had been subjected, were scattered in every direction ;
and amongst them was the body of a female, which after-
wards proved to be that of Mrs. John Duckworth. Her head
rested upon a plank, to which she seemed to have clung
until it reached the land ; but then, unequal to the effort
of escaping from the surf, she was no doubt kept down in
her helplessness, and could offer but feeble opposition to
the element with which she had to contend. Her features
were, consequently, but little disturbed, and the warmth
of life still lingered about the heart, as if the ebbing tide
had very recently left her there. The Rev. Mr. Vincent,
of Aber,* was soon informed of these mournful events, and
humanely hastened down to the beach. He met some
poor people bearing the body, to which every respect had

* The Strait which separates Anglesea from the Carnarvonshire
coast, opposite to the town of Beaumaris, is at ebb tide scarcely
half a mile in breadth; and (to adopt a note from the "Nar-
rative of the Wreck" by Mr. J. H. Brausby) " after it is passed,
the distance over the sands to Aber is four miles. In hazy
weather the passage is unsafe ; and not a few persons, from time
to time, in crossing, ' have wandered from their way, and perished
miserably.' Through the affecting humanity of the late Viscount
Bulkeley, a large bell has been placed in the tower of the church
at Aber, to be rung during a fog, that the traveller, being guided
by it, may pursue his journey without danger."

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 107

been paid. The clothes had been secured in decent folds
by a cord, and the face was covered with a handkerchief.
Mr. Vincent, on ascertaining that some faint signs of re-
maining life were discoverable, had the body immediately
conveyed to his own house, where Mrs. Vincent promptly
adopted the most vigorous means recommended in cases
of suspended animation ; but they were unfortunately of
no avail, though hopes were at one time entertained, from
a faint flush appearing in one of the cheeks. It was then
removed to the church of Uanfairfechen, in which parish it
was found, to await an inquisition. The body of Mr. Lucas,
of Liverpool, was soon after discovered near the same spot,
tied to a form with a back to it. In this case death had
evidently not been so recent as in that of Mrs. Duckworth;
the body was much swollen. It was deposited also in
Uanfairfechen church. The remains of the two other suf-
ferers were picked up in the bay, in the direction of Con-
way, and taken to a place called Dwygyfytche. It is a
melancholy fact, with reference especially to Mrs. John
Duckworth, that at the time her husband was picked up,
which was before six o'clock in the morning, she was most
probably drifting about at no great distance from the wreck,
supported by the plank upon which she was reclining when
dead! It has been before stated, that the pilots who took
Mr. John Duckworth and three of the crew from the wreck,
particularly enquired of them as to the chance which
existed of saving any more ; and they all unhappily agreed
in pronouncing the attempt useless, being persuaded at the
time that all had perished but themselves. If, however,
strict search had been made at that early period, in all
human probability, both Mrs. Duckworth and Mr. Lucas,
as well as many others, would have been saved !

Mr. Vincent despatched persons along the sands, upon
whose integrity he could rely, to secure any property that
might be washed on shore, as well as to search for either

108 THE WRECK OF

the living or the dead that might yet be drifted in that direc-
tion. Sir Richard Bulkeley, and his agent, Mr. Thomas Wil-
liams, had crossed the Strait from Beaumaris for the same
benevolent purpose ; and Sir Richard enjoined his tenantry
in that neighbourhood, with a zeal amounting to anything
which even personal interest could elicit, to restore to the
rightful owners all that might fall into their hands in con-
sequence of so terrible a calamity.

The following is an extract from a statement furnished
at the time by Mr. Harris (since deceased), then Lloyd's
agent at Beaumaris. It refers principally to the facts just
related, of which, however, it affords an authentic corro-
boration : " About seven o'clock on Thursday morning, I
was informed that the Rothsay Castle, steamer, had been
driven on shore during the night under Penmaenmawr, on
the Carnarvonshire side of the bay, and that the life-boat
had gone to the wreck, as some people could be distinctly
seen upon it. Finding that the tide had ebbed too much
to follow in another boat, I immediately, with my son,
went round by Bangor, and was on the strand near the
place to which it was supposed the vessel had drifted at
about half-past eight o'clock. I immediately engaged some
carts, in expectation that at low water most of the bodies
would have been found, after the tide had receded sufficiently.
I then discovered that what was supposed to be the hull
was only the poop, off which the boat alluded to had taken
nine individuals, one of whom was so exhausted, that he
could not have survived much longer on the raft. Had the
boat been but a few minutes later, all on it must have
perished, as it was drifting fast amidst the breakers. The
boat was from three to four hours from the time it left
Beaumaris until it got back. A short time after I got on
the sand, the Rev. James Vincent, who resides in the
neighbourhood, came down ; about an hour afterwards, Sir
Richard Bulkeley landed from a boat in which he had

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 109

been out in the bay. Mr. Thomas Williams, Sir Richard's
agent, was also on the sand on horseback. Too much
cannot be said in praise of these gentlemen, whose activity
was very great."

In the course of the morning, the fragment of the wreck
upon which Mr. Forster's spaniel had contrived to place
himself, was washed upon the beach ; and the poor animal,
which had received no other injury than such a long expo-
sure to cold would necessarily involve, was carried to Mr.
Vincent, who took charge of it until he could ascertain
to whom it belonged, and whether the individual who
owned it was one of the survivors, or numbered with those
whose worldly claims were now transferred to others.

CHAPTER IV.

BE A UMARIS.7 ARRIVAL OF THE SURVIVORS LANDING OF THE DEAD
THE SHIRE HALL.

1 Now prepare thee for another scene."

MILTON.
' A scene of sorrow mix'd with fear."

remember well

Hours dreadful and things strange ; but this
Hath trifled former knowledge."

SHAKSPEARE.

ON the Wednesday evening, about the time at which the
packets generally arrive, a number of persons had as usual
congregated upon Beaumaris Green ; some from motives of
curiosity, or induced by the chance of meeting an acquaint-
ance amongst the passengers expected by the Rothsay
Castle ; but with many it was by especial appointment that
they came down to " Menai's shelly margin," to meet
friends, or dearer relatives : and as the shades of evening
drew near, many an impatient look was directed to the
points at which Puffin Island " shows its oval steep " on
the one hand, and the Great Ormshead, in remoter dis-
tance, rears its dark bulk on the other. But still she came
not: many an anxious thought, however, was devoted to
her ; and midnight passed before her arrival was given up
as hopeless.

For my own part, I was certainly surprised that the
uneasiness caused by the non-arrival of the vessel appeared
to be so limited : for without affecting any presentiment on

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. Ill

the occasion, I really could not divest myself of the fear
that something serious must have happened. Added to
this, I was extremely solicitous about leaving Beaumaris
for Liverpool, in the morning, of which there now seemed
very little chance. Under these circumstances, when ten
o'clock had passed without bringing any tidings of the
Rothsay Castle, I mentioned the apprehensions I felt
respecting her to a gentleman who had put up at the same
inn (the Bull's Head) ; but he also treated the matter with
perfect indifference. " You need not be alarmed, sir," he
observed, " that packet has frequently been very late ; it is
no unusual occurrence." Still, however, I felt restless on the
subject ; and after supper, at about eleven o'clock, I went
down to the Green, 8 in the fervent wish that I might be
gratified by the knowledge that all was right before I retired
to rest. I found all was solitariness there ; even the boat-
men were gone ; not an individual was in attendance to
land the passengers, if the vessel had arrived; and I looked
around and saw that I was alone that no other eye was
searching for the vessel ; and I could not repel a feeling of
depression in consequence. I looked out towards the Great
Ormshead, but nothing was to be discovered in the misty
distance, though the moon gleamed fitfully from the clouds
that passed her disk in hurried succession; but she cast
her pale light upon the distant mountains, while the agi-
tated sea beneath was " darkened by the shadow " of inter-
vening blackness. The wind, which swept in fierce gusts
across the open space around me, the sullen dash of waters
upon the beach, and the stormy wildness of the sky, con-
veyed together, indeed, a sense of melancholy and of deso-
lation which I have no recollection of ever experiencing
before ; and I felt grateful that I was enabled to turn from
such contemplation to the comfort which awaited me in
my temporary home. Alas, when I took a farewell look of
the cheerless expanse before me, how little did I think

112 THE WRECK OF

that at that very moment nearly one hundred and fifty of
my fellow-creatures were in such awful extremity ! and at
so short a distance, too, that I must have seen the slightest
indication of distress in the way of signal ; and, in my state
of mind, I should have taken alarm at that which at another
time, perhaps, would have passed unheeded ; nor should I
have rested until the cause were ascertained ; and my
delight would have been unspeakably great if my humble
efforts had been crowned with success. But, to adopt a
sentiment of the pious Atterbury, " We should contemplate
reverently the inscrutable ways of Providence, and all the
wonderful methods of God's dealing with men."

I returned to my inn, and soon after proceeded to my
chamber ; and had scarcely sunk into repose at the period
when the " silver cord," the mysterious connecting link
between the immortal and the perishable of about one
hundred and thirty human beings, was broken !

A disturbed night induced a later slumber in the morn-
ing than my anxiety would otherwise have permitted ; but
I again hurried towards the Green at about half-past eight
o'clock, and had not proceeded far before the intelligence
of what had happened afforded fatal confirmation to my
fears. I was soon accosted with " Have you heard of
this dreadful affair, sir ? " and the reply to my consequent
negative was, " Why, the Rothsay Castle steamer has
gone down, and every soul perished ! " The shock thus
communicated will depart from my memory only with the
life with which it co-exists. Prepared as I had been by
vague misgivings, this terrible announcement seemed for a
moment to paralyze me, and I beheld in fearful anticipa-
tion the scenes of horror which ensued. Hundreds were in
the meantime hurrying from all parts of the town in the
direction of the Green ; and anxious faces were to be seen
amongst the various groups of persons, who hastily gathered
and separated as the melancholy intelligence was given
and received.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 113

I was soon in some degree relieved, by finding that my
informant had at any rate exaggerated ; and I entertained
the hope that the event would prove much less fatal than
it had been represented. Four survivors of the calamity, I
learned, had been landed at an early hour, and several
more had now arrived, but most of them in such a state of
exhaustion as to warrant the worst fears for the result;
while the distraction which prevailed amongst those who
were still uncertain as to the fate of their relations and
friends, and who pressed upon the boatmen for intelligence
from the scene of death, was truly dreadful. The utmost
consternation, indeed, was every where observable; a
solemn gloom was depicted upon every countenance ; the
most hardened and the most indifferent were subdued
to sorrow or aroused to interest by the painful scene ; and
there appeared but one feeling of deep commiseration and
regret. Wives were wringing their hands in agony for
husbands that had perished, husbands for the loss of wives ;
parents wept for children, children for parents ; and rela-
tives and friends swelled the wild lament with unavailing
expressions of grief for the dead, or fear for those of whom
they had yet no certain account ; for,

" Alas, what links of love that morn
Had Death's rude hand asunder torn !
Thou canst not name one tender tie,
But there dissolved its relics lie j"

there, amidst the ocean in which earthly union was broken,
or mouldering where " ashes to ashes" and " dust to dust"
are consecrate !

Every fresh arrival of survivors, or of the bodies of those
who had been the victims of this awful sacrifice, was pro-
ductive of a most distressing renewal of the horrors which
I have just attempted to describe. As the boats approached,

114 THE WRECK OF

the suspense of the trembling expectants was agonizingly
depicted in their ghastly looks ;

" And no one to his neighbour uttered word,
But in an alter'd voice j with breath restrain'd,
Like those who speak at midnight, near the dead!"

And scarcely had the keel grated upon the shore, when
a rush took place, and the anxious gaze of those who were
nearly concerned in the sad spectacle took rapid survey of
all that the boat contained. Then the shriek of woe, con-
sequent upon fatal conviction; of delirious exultation
on the recovery of some one supposed lost

" Eyes with bright tears surcharged, and parted lips
Quiv'ring to utter joy which hath no words ; "

and the groan of protracted suffering, arising from " hope
deferred," these opposite expressions of feeling were
fearfully mingled; constituting a scene, compared with
which the most highly-wrought effort of fiction would ap-
pear tame and common place.

The remains of the first six of the sufferers that were
landed, namely, the Rev. Simon M'Carthy, Mr. Tarrey,
Mrs. Hammond, Miss Lucas, with Robert, Thomas and
James Whittaker, children, were stretched, a piteous
spectacle, upon the Green, until it was determined how to
dispose of them; but as more continued to arrive, they
were removed to the Shire Hall, where they were laid side
by side upon the floor. When Mrs. Payne reached the
shore, with the lifeless body of her husband, she was
enabled to articulate faintly, but retained no consciousness
of anything that passed, from the time she was taken out of
the water until she found herself in a room at the Bull's
Head Inn. The body of Mr. Payne was placed upon a
board, on being removed from the boat, and the men who
bore it were proceeding to the Shire Hall ; but Mr. Snow,

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 115

the Surgeon (who attended most of the survivors), happen-
ing to meet them, he placed his hand upon the breast of the
corpse, and finding some trifling degree of warmth which
had not been discoverable in the other bodies, he ordered
it to be immediately taken to the warm bath, expressing at
the same time his conviction that it was a hopeless case,
but that he was desirous there should be no pretence for
anything like a charge of neglect. The body was accord-
ingly stripped, and the usual means employed, but without
producing the slightest favourable symptom. This circum-
stance, however, gave rise to a report, which obtained
authority by finding its way into the newspapers, that Mr.
Payne was alive when brought on shore; but, as it has
already been shown, he was absolutely under water for
about two hours, and therefore the groundlessness of such a
supposition is apparent. As I was peculiarly struck by the
truly appalling situation in which Mrs. Payne was dis^
covered, by the boat's crew that rescued her, I was in fre-
quent attendance upon her, and indeed took her under my
charge until she was restored to her afflicted family ; I
had, therefore, ample opportunity of learning the melan-
choly particulars of the last moments of her husband, and
I can safely affirm that the account I have furnished, how-
ever horrible it may appear, is so far from being exagger-
ated, that I am conscious of its inadequacy to convey a full
conception of the fearful trial which she underwent.

Mr. Owen, of Beaumaris, younger brother to the Rev.
Owen Owen and the Misses Owen,* who were all lost, was

* The younger lady (Miss Mary) had never before, I under-
stand, been beyond the confines of Wales, and was consequently
indulging on the night previous to the projected voyage in some
lively sallies about her " first visit to England." Before leaving
Beaumaris, they were strongly advised neither to go nor return by
the Rothsay Castle ; but Miss Margaret observed, in effect, that their
lives were not more valuable than others, and she could, therefore?

116 THE WRECK OF

on his way to the beach amongst the crowds that hastened
thither, as soon as the fatal news became known; but he
sickened with dread on approaching the Green ; and seeing
Mr. Erasmus Griffiths, also a resident of Beaumaris, he
begged him to make the inquiry, whether any proof had
been obtained as to his brother and sisters being on board
the vessel at the time of the wreck, by the discovery of any
of their luggage, or other means. Mr. Griffiths complied
with his request, and was soon furnished with sad evidence
of their fate. In the meantime, however, a maid-servant
of the family in which such ravage had been made, by the
timeless removal of three of its members at one fearful
stroke, applied at the inn to which Mrs. Payne had been
taken, for intelligence respecting her master and the young
ladies ; and I took her to Mrs. Payne, who was then suffi-
ciently recovered to be enabled to speak to her on the sub-
ject. Mr. Owen and his sisters, she said, were most cer-
tainly involved in the wreck ; and she described him more
particularly by a singular family ring which, during the
voyage, he had submitted for inspection at the request of
some of the passengers, whose notice it had attracted. The
poor girl, who was much excited when she commenced her
inquiry, appeared overwhelmed by this dreadful avowal.
She burst into an agony of tears, and departed with her
melancholy tale, to afflict with heavier sorrow those who
had already a foretaste of its bitterness. Indeed, from the
interest which I could not refrain from taking in the welfare
of all the surviving sufferers, I witnessed many trying scenes
of the kind, and was, in consequence, painfully subjected to

see no reason why they should object. The young ladies accom-
panied their brother to Liverpool to assist him in the selection of
some furniture, which he was about to purchase previous to his
assuming the mastership of the Free Grammar School at Ruthin,
to which he had been recently appointed.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 117

frequent and numerous applications from those who were
still ignorant as to the fate of their friends.

Before twelve o'clock at noon, all the survivors had been
landed all the survivors of that company which embarked
on the previous day, full of joyous anticipations, and
amounting in number to about one hundred and fifty per-
sons, were landed before noon; and their diminished
numerical strength was found to consist of twenty-three !
Alas, this should possess controlling power in our estimate
of human existence ! It awfully reminds us of the de-
nouncement of the prophet " Thy life shall hang in doubt
before thee : thou shalt have no assurance of thy life !"

It would be difficult to speak too highly of the many ladies
and gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood of Beau-
maris, who humanely exerted themselves on this occasion,
and it is perhaps invidious to particularize ; but the con-
duct of the Misses Williams, of the Friary, having come
more immediately under my own observation, especially in
the case of Mrs. Payne, I cannot withhold my tribute of
praise. Miss A. S. Williams has since, with kind soli-
citude, called upon Mrs. Payne at her residence in Salford,
to inquire after her welfare. Sir Richard Bulkeley, also,
whom I have before had occasion to mention, was most
indefatigable both on this and several succeeding days,
not only in concerting arrangements for the comfort of the
living, but in recovering the dead from the waves that had
ingulphed them, and in preserving the property of the pas-
sengers which was disgorged by the sea. And the Rev.
Dr. Howard, with his characteristic, dignified solemnity,
was seen going from bed to bed, pouring into the wounded
spirit the balm of Christian consolation : and there were
those whose mental anguish at this time exceeded by far
that of the body, and who, therefore, were in great need of
that " sweet antidote" which may so healingly be "minis-
tered to a mind diseased." It is also due to the medical

118 THE WRECK OF

gentlemen to say, that no means appeared to be left untried
where the remotest chance existed of restoring animation,
or where extreme exhaustion required a judiciousness of
treatment which only professional skill could regulate.

The following is the mode in which "twenty-two" so
favoured by Providence, were disposed of, which may not
be uninteresting to such of their friends as may hereafter
visit Beaumaris : Mr. Henry Wilson, Mr. George Ham-
mond, Mr. John Nuttall, Mr. Edward Jones, Mrs. Payne,
and Miss Whittaker, were taken to the BulVs Head Inn.
Mr. Tinne (afterwards removed to the Bull's Head), Mr.
Henry Hammond, Mr. John Duckworth, Elliot Rudland,
William Jones (pilot), and William Jones (fireman), to the
Royal Oak. Mr. Martin, to the Bulkeley Anns. Mr. Mars-
den, to the Liverpool Anns. Mr. Broadhurst, Mr. Coxhead,
Mr. Lawrence Duckworth (subsequently removed to the
Bull's Head), and Owen Morris (seaman), to the White

Lion. Evan Evans, William Hughes, and Hughes

(boy), to the George and Dragon. Mr. Robert Whittaker
(afterwards removed to the Bull's Head), to the Campeadora
yacht.

In the performance of the melancholy task of visiting the
several survivors, to ascertain their condition, and to satisfy
myself as far as possible that nothing was neglected which
might contribute to their restoration, I was gratified by
witnessing the meeting of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Hammond,
for the first time since they were enabled duly to appreciate
the wonderful preservation which they had experienced.
Each had been deprived of an affectionate wife ; but, while
the tribute of sorrow was paid to the departed, they did not
forget the great mercy which had been extended to them,
in the grant of lengthened days in which to " set their house
in order," preparatory to the awful change to which, sooner
or later, all must submit.

Mr. John Nuttall was much exhausted when first brought

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 119

up, but soon recovered by the attention which he promptly
received. He was bruised in several places ; he had, how-
ever, experienced no serious injury.

Mr. Edward Jones, of Bangor, was for a considerable
time unconscious of all around him ; and it was with ex-
treme difficulty that he could be undressed and placed in
bed, for his struggles for life were renewed with frightful
violence when the death-like stupor which had absorbed his
faculties was partially shaken off. His limbs were rapidly
contracted and extended, with a force which all the efforts
that could be employed were unequal to restrain. He
seemed still oppressed by the terrible necessity of continu-
ing his conflict with overwhelming waters. At length he
became more composed, and was gradually restored. In
the course of the day some of his friends came from Bangor
to cheer him with their presence ; and they of course re-
mained in attendance upon him until he was in a condition
to be removed.

Mr. Lawrence Duckworth, who had adventured so much
in order to give up to Mr. Jones the plank which was
eventually the means of his preservation, was, to all appear-
ance, lifeless when brought up. He was immediately rubbed
with hot cloths, however, and after great exertions had been
used, he began to show signs of returning animation, and
was then warmly covered up, and left to repose. This had
the desired effect, and in the evening he was in a state to
walk from the inn to which he had been taken to the Bull's
Head, where Mr. Edward Jones was stopping. It has been
stated that neither of them knew of the other's safety
until after Mr. Jones had returned home, but that is not
the fact. They met and congratulated each other on the
evening of the same day which commenced so inauspiciously
to both. They still correspond ; and, on the part of Mr.
Jones, there can be few stronger incentives to pure and
lasting friendship than those by which he must be actuated.

120 THE WRECK OF

Mary Whittaker was happily soon restored to a state of
recovery, but her anxiety was feelingly great to know who
were saved of the many with whom she was personally
acquainted ; and she was sensibly affected on learning that
five only of the twenty-six who came from the same neigh-
bourhood were numbered with the survivors ! Her child,
and the child of her brother, had both perished. She was
in a state of utter destitution, but the ladies who were so
humanely active on the occasion promptly supplied her
with clothes, and evinced the kindest sympathy for her
sufferings.

Of Mrs. Payne I have before spoken. On account of the
peculiarly distressing character of her extraordinary case, it
excited an interest proportionally great, and the attention
she received was affectingly assiduous.

Mr. Tinne, who had been removed from the Royal Oak
to the Bull's Head, for the purpose of procuring better
accommodation, gives the following account of his reaching
Beaumaris, and of the hospitality of his reception : " On
landing I was able, supported on both sides, to walk up the
beach ; but my strength failed me, and I was carried into
the house. I drank freely of the spirits and water they
offered to me, but was almost deprived of power and sensa-
tion. They stripped me of my wet garments, and hurried
me into a bed, where I was rapidly restored by the judicious
means adopted by the good people about me. They put
jars of hot water to my feet and body, and covered me up
with the clothes. At first, an uncontrollable shivering came
over me, but I soon fell asleep. An hour afterwards I
awoke, considerably refreshed, though my eyesight was still
very dim. An unexpected acquaintance afforded me further
assistance, and by his kind aid I got better accommodation.
Here again, also, a benevolent lady took me in charge. To
both I shall ever be grateful for their attentions to me.
The meeting with another friend, whose party I originally

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 121

designed to join, was affecting in the extreme. His emo-
tions may be easily conceived, for he had been walking for
hours along the strand, expecting only to pick up my life-
less body. The following day I was able to walk, though
my legs were somewhat stiff from the effect of slight
bruises; and within a week afterwards, scarcely a trace
remained of the bruises I had received. Long may the
impression last on my soul, to remind me of God's saving
grace and tender mercy in the hour of peril and need !"

On visiting the Royal Oak, at a late period of the day, I
was glad to find Mr. Henry Hammond, Elliot Rudland,
Jones the pilot, and Jones the fireman, sitting very com-
fortably round a large fire, seemingly little the worse for
the perils and hardships to which they had been so recently
subjected.

Mr. John Duckworth, who had been also taken to the
Royal Oak, was painfully conspicuous during the day. He
would not allow his wet clothes to be taken off, nor would
he retire to rest, or submit to any treatment which was re-
commended to him. He went from inn to inn, and wan-
dered into all the rooms to which he could obtain access,
inquiring everywhere for his wife, and refusing to be com-
forted because " she was not." " Where is my wife, where
is my poor wife ?" he continually asked ; and then he would
go down to the beach, and express the most frantic impa-
tience respecting the object of his inquiries ; and it was
dreadful to witness his agony, on the arrival of any of the
survivors or of the bodies of the dead, to ascertain whether
the wife he lamented was one of the number.

Mr. Martin was much reduced by the great efforts which
he had been called upon to make, in clinging so many
hours to the wreck ; and when in some measure restored,
he was deeply affected by the fate of his friend, Mr. Met-
calf. He obligingly communicated to me many of the par-
ticulars which are incorporated with this narrative.

122 THE WRECK OF

Mr. Marsden, also, evinced much feeling on a similar
account the loss of a friend for whom he entertained the
highest regard. He seemed, however, to have suffered less
bodily injury than any of the survivors, except Mr. John
Duckworth, and was enabled to leave Beaumaris on the
following morning.

On visiting Mr. Broadhurst, it was most agonizing to
hear his exclamations, consequent upon the great calamity
which had befallen him in the fate of his beloved daughters.
" Oh, my dear children ! They are lost, they are lost !" he
repeated from time to time ; mingling, however, with such
betrayal of mental anguish, a suitable resignation to the
decrees of Almighty wisdom. He was much bruised, and
the back of one of his hands was severely cut.

Mr. Coxhead was still exceedingly ill, though much
better than when he was brought up. He had now, how-
ever, after the lapse of several hours, scarcely strength
enough to give his name and place of abode.

Owen Morris was in a promising state of recovery.

I found Evan Evans and William Hughes still in bed,
but much better. The son of the latter was sitting upon a
chest by the bedside. The Rev. J. H. Stewart, in the
work before quoted, notices the preservation of this poor
boy in the following impressive terms ; " Amidst these
almost overwhelming distresses, involving in one general
calamity men, women, children, and even tender infants,
it is a rest to the heart to turn for a moment to some
special marks of Divine mercy. I am sure, my very dear
friend, the following incident, related to me by the father
of the boy, will deeply affect you. He was near the helm
with his child, grasping his hand, till, the waves rolling
over the quarter-deck, and taking with them several per-
sons who were standing near them, it was no longer safe to
remain there. The father took his child in his hand, and
ran towards the shrouds, but the boy could not mount with

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 123

him. He cried out, therefore, 'Father! father! do not
leave me !' But finding that his son could not climb with
him, and that his own life was in danger, he withdrew his
hand. When the morning came, the father was conveyed
on shore, with some other passengers who were preserved ;
and, as he was landing, he said within himself, ' How can
I see my wife, without having our boy with me ?' When,
however, the child's earthly parent let go his hand, his Heavenly
Father did not leave him. He was washed off the deck, but
happily clung to a part of the wreck on which some others
of the passengers w ere floating. With them he was almost
miraculously preserved. When he was landing, not know-
ing of his father's safety, he said, ' It is of no use to take
me on shore, now I have lost my father.' He was, how-
ever, carried much exhausted to the same house where his
father had been sent, and actually placed in the same bed,
unknown to either, till they were clasped in each other's
arms. When you read this interesting fact, regarding this
poor ship-boy, you will remember the words of David;
'When my father and my mother forsake me, then the
Lord taketh me up.' "

Mr. Robert Whittaker, as I before observed, was taken
every care of on board Mr. Williamson's yacht. I went on
board the vessel in the evening, to assure myself of that
fact, when the weather was so boisterous that I had much
difficulty in prevailing upon a boatman to take me ; and I
feel great pleasure in acknowledging that my motive was
more than appreciated: I was received with the utmost
kindness, and strong persuasions were used to induce me
to stay, rather than risk a return that night ; but I could
not divest myself of anxiety for those whom I had left on
shore, and consequently declined an invitation which in
other respects was very acceptable. The next morning,
Mr. Whittaker was enabled to join his sister (Mary Whit-
taker) at the Bull's Head. The meeting was truly affect-

124 THE WRECK OF

ing, their joy being dashed with awakened feelings for the
heavy loss which both had unhappily experienced.

It was observed to me by some well-informed persons,
who were engaged in various offices of humanity about the
survivors of this dreadful calamity, that in most instances
the sufferer appeared for a time absorbed by his own suf-
fering;

" Men forgot their feelings in the dread

Of this their desolation ; and their hearts
Were chill'd into a selfish prayer for life ;"

and until that were secured until the horror even of scenes
such as they had witnessed had partially subsided, they
were like the man who receives a grievous wound in the
heat of conflict, yet scarcely feels that he is stricken until
that conflict be passed. I have before slightly glanced at
similar manifestations of human infirmity, which occur in
various portions of this narrative ; but now the time for
calmer views had returned. The mind was now again
softened to emotions of tenderness and regard ; and that
affection, which had heretofore raised the object of it much
higher in esteem than life itself, re-assumed the mastery,
and afflicted those who had suffered bereavement with the
most poignant grief.

The Shire Hall will now claim attention ; where the
bodies of the dead were ranged side by side with mournful
irregularity. Age, and youth, and childhood were lying
in appalling fellowship; and hands which so lately greeted
each other in life lay cold and stark, never to yield such
kindly pressure more ! And lips, so lately curled with
merriment, and addressed to utterance of joyous import,
were fixed in ghastly lividness : the breath which gave
them voice the " delighted spirit" which made that voice
its instrument, bidding it " discourse most eloquent music,"
both had fled, and the temple which they made glorious
was becoming a hideous ruin.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 125

There were now seventeen bodies, of all ages and both
sexes. The following list comprises their names and de-
scriptions ;

The Rev. J. S. M'Carthy, a Catholic ecclesiastic. It was
immediately discovered who this gentleman was by his
card " J. S. M'Carthy, Charlemont, Rathmines."

Mr. William Tarrey, of Bury, land-agent to the Earl of
Derby. The whole of this gentleman's family, consisting
of his wife, five children, and female servant, perished.

Robert Thomas, a child two years and nine months old.
His mother perished, but her body was never found. His
father was a sailor, and arrived from a voyage only just in
time to hear of what had happened, and to identify the
body of his child.

James Whittaker, about six years old, the only child of
Mr. Robert Whittaker, of Bury, who was saved.

Mrs. George Hammond. This lady refused to be fastened
to her husband, lest she should render his efforts useless.
He being a good swimmer, she strenuously advised him to
abandon her and seek his own safety. A heavy sea, how-
ever, cut short the affecting, dispute by sweeping her away,
and he saw her no more alive.

Miss Margaret Lucas, of Liverpool, about twenty-two
years of age. Her father and mother were also amongst
those who suffered fatally.* The name of this interesting

* Mr. Bransby, in his " Narrative," &c., which I have before
quoted, says " A gentleman of Liverpool, a friend of the Lu-
cases, has informed me that they were a most united and happy
family. The young lady, in particular, appears to have been a
universal favourite. It is remarkable that as they were leaving
home for the packet, and she was on the threshold, she turned
round to her blind aunt, and said, playfully, " If any thing bad
should happen in this voyage, remember I must bear all the
blame." Two days after the sad catastrophe, I visited Beaumaris,
and in the Shire Hall a spectacle presented itself, which, I think,
M9

126 THE WRECK OF

young lady was discovered by its being engraved upon the
clasp of her necklace.

Mrs. Jones and her husband, the steward. The great
exertions made by this unfortunate man to save his wife,
are more than once referred to elsewhere. He would most
probably have been able to save himself, as he was an
expert swimmer, and had on several occasions distinguished
himself while in the Liverpool trade, as a sailor, by hazard-
ing his life to preserve a drowning fellow-creature. This
affectionate couple were found lashed together. The sun-
dered cord was round his body as he lay in the Hall.

Mr. Simon Fox, of Dublin, the friend and companion of
Mr. M'Carthy, who was placed just above him.

Mr. John Parry, of Manchester. Bangor being his
native place, which he left forty-eight years before, he
had determined on visiting it once more, together with his
wife, in the hope of recruiting his health. They were both

drowned. Their bodies were found near to each other

the male had reached the sand, the female was floating
very near it; and it is remarkable that their luggage was
all found at a very little distance from the bodies.

was more calculated to inspire feelings of awe than any that I
had ever witnessed. No fewer than eleven coffins, containing the
remains of as many individuals who had perished in the wreck,
were ranged upon the floor.

< Side by side

Slumbering they lay, a mournful company,
AU in their shrouds.'

Poor Miss Lucas's coffin was among them; and the attendant
removed the lid. Her long auburn tresses hung over her neck,
a smile seemed to be playing upon her lips, and she was indeed
beautiful in death. The two coffins next to hers were those of
Mr. Whittaker's son and nephew, the one seven, the other eight
years old. While I was in the Hall, I saw Mr. Whittaker and
his sister shedding over these lovely children tears of the bitter-
est anguish."

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 127

Mrs. Henry Wilson, of Manchester. There was a sin-
gular coincidence of conduct on the part of this lady with
that of her friend, Mrs. George Hammond. Mrs. Wilson
also earnestly entreated her hushand to save himself for
the sake of their children, and they were separated in a
similar manner.

Mrs. Elizabeth Lucas, mother of Miss Lucas.
Mrs. Parry, wife of Mr. John Parry.
Male, unknown : had on a dark brown coat and waist-
coat, drab trowsers, and brown stockings ; gilt watch,
makers, " Smith and Co., Dublin ;" watch-paper, " W.
Hoyle, Rochdale." The watch still remains for inspection
in the hands of Mr. H. Roberts, of Beaumaris.
Female, unknown ; supposed name, Ellen Hughes.
Mr. Payne. This body was wrapped in a sheet, in con-
sequence of its having been subjected to the warm bath.

Mr. John Leech, in the confidential employ of Messrs.
Royle and Co., of Chester.

It was a dismal sight to witness, when the trunks, and
tattered clothes, and various other descriptions of property,
were brought up, with what horror they were recognized
by those who eagerly turned them over for the purpose of
ascertaining the fate of relatives or friends. All that could
be recovered during the day were placed in the Grand Jury
Room, for the examination of those concerned. I was
particularly struck with the case of one unhappy female,
who, after looking for some time amongst the relics of the
dead, for something which she might identify, suddenly
uttered a loud cry, and then hysterically exclaimed, holding
up a hat, " It is my dear husband's !"

Amongst the things so recovered was the pocket-book of
Miss Mary Owen. It was found floating near the spot on
which the vessel struck, and furnished the first sad proof of
her fate, as it was not previously known that she was on
board, though fears were entertained that such was the case.

128 THE WRECK OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE.

The following lines, addressed to her " dearest mother,"
were written with a pencil upon one of the leaves ;

" Dearest ! weep not o'er my early grave ;

It brings a vision sweet of joy and love :
Nor wish that thou hadst power to save

My youth and beauty from the realms above."

The wonderful composure which could dictate such sen-
timents, in such a form, and under such circumstances,
leaves indeed nothing to " wish " for. How must the phi-
losophy of the hoary stoics of antiquity, whose purpose was
determined by " pride ashamed to yield, or obstinacy de-
lighting to contend," sink hi comparison with the Christian
fortitude of this young female !

In another instance, a gentleman, whose name I forbear
to mention, having earnestly requested me to ascertain
whether or not his wife was amongst the dead, he gave me
a description of the lady, and I soon found that she was
indeed there. The coroner permitted me to take the rings
from her finger, with which sad tokens of his loss I re-
turned. The emotion of the husband on receiving them
may be imagined, but not described.

CHAPTER V.

BEAUMAKIS CHURCH YARD. 9

Thou must render up thy dead

And with high interest too ! They are not thine,
But only in thy keeping for a season,
Till loud diffusive sound from brazen trump
Shall rouse the long, long sleepers into life."

BLAIR.

HAVING shown the manner in which the passengers of the
Rothsay Castle were severally disposed of, from the time
at which they embarked until the landing of the living
and the dead, I refer to the " Parliamentary Papers, " in a
more advanced portion of the work, for authentic details
of the inquisitions held on those who perished, and pro-
ceed to acquaint the reader with the final dispositions of
the mortal remains of such as were brought to Beau-
maris.

The bodies recovered on the Thursday, and placed in
the Shire Hall, have been already described; but more
continued to be found on the subsequent days : as intel-
ligence of the wreck spread throughout the country, num-
bers of the unhappy relatives and friends of the deceased
hastened to the spot, and the identification of the sad
remains, which now presented a hideous spectacle, was in
many instances attended with circumstances of the most
heart-rending description. But several there were that lay

130 THE WRECK OF

unowned and unknown ; for whom no enquiry was made,
and who seemed to have no kindred with the world. There
must have been many similarly neglected, amongst the
number that perished without a name, and were never
heard of more ; but it appears really astonishing, in a
country like this, that so many individuals could quit the
great stage of life without being missed that so many
could slip, as it were, from the places they occupied in
society, and leave no gap, no palpable vacuity, to induce
a question as to their whereabout !

As soon as the decision of the coroners' inquests had
been declared, preparations were made for the burial of
the dead; and the performance of those mournful obsequies
produced a distressing renewal of the scenes of anguish
which had preceded them. In order, however, that the
survivors of the catastrophe, and the friends of the deceased,
may hereafter be enabled to point with certainty to the
spot in which each " narrow bed " is made, I have bestowed
considerable pains upon the endeavour to show the exact
situation of the tomb or grave of every individual who was
buried on that melancholy occasion, in this venerable de-
pository. Even the stranger, who may visit these " gloomy
mansions of death," may pay the tribute of a sympathiz-
ing tear to the memory of those who were so tunelessly
consigned to them; and profit by contemplating the so-
lemn lesson which such fate affords, of the uncertainty
of human enjoyment of the transient nature of human
existence.

The first series of interments, which took place on the
Sunday following the fatal night of shipwreck, consisted
of such of those who were owned as had not been previ-
ously removed by their friends. I purpose first, however,
to give the order in which the whole were committed to the
earth, and then refer to their respective graves.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 131

BURIED ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 1831.

William Jones, steward 32
Ellen Jones, his wife... 33

Mr. John Tarrey* 55

Thomas Appleton, his

son-in-law 13

Mrs. John Duckworth 43
Thomas Whittaker... . 6

AI.FII

Mr. John Leach 22

Mr. Joseph Lucas 47

Mrs. Elizabeth Lucas... 54
Miss Margaret Lucas... 24

Robert Thomas 3

Mrs. Henry Wilson ...
Rev. S. M'Carthy

* This unfortunate gentleman, who had held so respectable a
station in society, was buried in a parish coffin, and has no stone
to mark his grave, except a small one at the head, which a stranger
has placed there for that purpose ! His funeral, however, was
attended by Mr. Thomas Horrocks, his brother-in-law, and Mr.
John Woolner, a friend of the deceased. The remains of his
ill-fated family were sadly scattered. Mr. J.' H. Bransby, in his
"Narrative," has the following notice of the finding of the body
of Mrs. Tarrey : " Mr. Evans, of the cottage, Llanrwst, has
favoured me with a letter, dated September 8, 1831, in which he
says, ' While a friend and myself were at Llaududno, on Sunday
last, the body of a female, one of the unfortunate passengers in
the Rothsay Castle, was brought on shore. I had the person
examined, and found in the pocket a gentleman's gold watch,
with chain and seals, a brown silk purse, three thimbles of different
sizes, and some articles for children. On her finger were two
gold wedding rings and a guard ring ; and she had two gold ear-
drops. Upon my opening the watch-case, the watch-paper led
me to conclude that she must have been from Bury, There were
no other means of identifying her. I wrote a letter to Mr. Duck-
worth, of Bury, and yesterday the lady's brother came over. She
proved to be Mrs. Tarrey. On Monday, her poor remains were
decently interred at Llandudno church. My party and several
other friends, from feelings of respect, followed the corpse to its
last earthly home, and contributed as much as it was in our
power to increase the solemnity of the affecting scene." Llan-

132 THE WRECK OF

AUGUST 22.

AGED

Mr. Simon Fox ... 57

Male, unkno wn*

Dittof 52

Male, unkno wnj 50

Female, do

Ditto ||

AUGUST 23.

Joseph , a boy

of colour 14

Mrs. H.C. Selwyn 38

Mr. John Overens 22

James Whittaker 8

Rachel Howarth 16

AUGUST 24.

Mr. Thomas Entwistle 45
A Lady, unknown H

E. A. Williams 21

Jane Griffiths 27

dudno is in Carnarvonshire, and comprises within its boundaries
the Great Ormshead." The son of Mrs. Tarrey, by a former
husband, lies in the same grave with Mr. Tarrey; the body of his
infant son (John) was found a few days after the wreck, near
Llansaintffraid, Glan Conway ; and his maid-servant, Rachel
Howarth, was interred at no great distance from his own place of
rest; but three of his children were, I believe, never found.

* See " Male unknown," in Shire Hall, page 127.

f Description. Light hair, long face, blue coat and yellow
waistcoat, blue trousers, woollen stockings, and about the age
above specified. He was apparently a mechanic.

J Round face, black hair, nankeen trousers, Wellington boots,
grey worsted stockings, and about the age mentioned above.

Dressed in a dark blue print, and black worsted stockings ;
supposed to be one Ellen Hughes.

|| Dress black silk gown, ditto bonnet, black worsted stockings,
dimity pocket, marked R.

^| In the "Narrative" by Lieutenant Morrison, who visited
Beaumaris subsequent to the wreck, this lady is referred to in the
following passage: "In the church-yard, a heart-rending scene
was to be witnessed. There was a long string of graves, five of
which were open, and the last minister of earthly services was
busily engaged, with an assistant, in completing a sixth. Twenty-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 133

AUGUST 24.
Male, unknown*

AUGUST 25.
Mr. Humphrey Dyson.

AUGUST 27.
Male unknown.f

four bodies had been already interred ; and by way of saving
room, the coffins of two females, or young persons, were placed
on one side, ready to be deposited in the same grave with three
others. All had been done with decorum ; and I must express
my gratification at the solemn and serious manner in which the
Rev. Dr. Howard, the rector, read that beautiful portion of scrip-
ture appropriated to the funeral service. The two bodies whom
I followed to the grave were that of Mr. Entwistle, whose brother-
in-law attended him to the last resort of all living, and, alas !
that of a LADV UNKNOWN. The body of this poor creature had
been picked up near Conway, and, to the great credit of the
people, she was immediately brought to Beaumaris. She had
been one of fortune's favourites when living, though destined to
so cruel a death. She was elegantty and fashionably attired, with
pink silk stockings and handsome shoes. On her fingers were
three handsome rings, besides the wedding-ring; and she had
rich ear-rings, and a gold chain round her neck, with a locket,
and, I believe, a miniature attached. I could not avoid reflecting
on the lesson this was for vanity. Here was one nursed in the
lap of luxury, who had never dreamt but of being carried to the
house appointed for all living amidst the gaudy trappings of woe,
and the tears of friends and relations, and to have her name and
virtues perpetuated on the sculptured monument, buried in a
common deal shell, followed to the grave by strangers, and with-
out even a name !"

* Dress black coat and waistcoat, blue trousers, striped calico
shirt, and black worsted stockings. Two sovereigns and five
shillings and sixpence in silver ; a silver watch, &c.

f Dress check shirt, black frock coat, fustian trousers, and
grey woollen hose.

134 THE WRECK OF

AVGUST 30.
Mrs. Harriet Thompson.

SEPTEMBER 3.
Mr. Henry Selwyn.

The following numbers have reference to corresponding 1
figures in the annexed plate.

1. Tomb. Inscription: "Here lieth the remains of Jane,
wife of Michael Griffiths, ship-carpenter on board the
Rothsay Castle steamer, who perished along with her hus-
band and child* on the 17th August, 1831, in the 27th
year of her age, when the above packet was wrecked on
the Dutchman's Bank, near this town.

Fair, young, and happy, loving and beloved,

A daughter cherished, and a wife approved ;

Such was dear Jane : ah, where could life display

A fairer promise of a prosperous day!

Not fond Affection's grasping hand could save

The fleeting victim from her watery grave.

Heaven calls, Hope leads, and Faith triumphant saves,

Through the dear might of Him who walked the waves."

2. Tomb. Inscription : " Sacred to the memory of
Harriet Thompson, younger daughter of Samuel Skelton,
Esq., of Bradford, Yorkshire, who, together with her hus-
band, John Thompson, Esq., solicitor, of that place, un-
happily perished in the wreck of the Rothsay Castle steam-
packet, near Puffin Island, on the 18th August, 1831. Her
relations, who can never cease to lament her kindness of

* The bodies of her husband and child were, I believe, not
found. Her astonishing exertions for the preservation of the
infant have been described in another page. Twin orphans were
left by this unfortunate couple, totally destitute. The children,
of course, found au asylum in the poor-ho^se.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 135

disposition and amiable qualities of heart, had the mourn-
ful consolation of attending her remains to the grave, and
of paying the same tribute of earthly regard to those of
her husband, which were found on the Lancashire coast,
and interred at Formby, in that county."

3. Grave. E. A. Williams, Mrs. Faulkner's maid-ser-
vant,* and a female unknown.

4. Tomb. Inscription : " Here lieth interred the remains
of Henry Selwyn, Esq., of Church-street, Bathwick, Bath,
and Harriette Catharine, his wife. They unhappily per-
ished amongst the sufferers on board the Rothsay Castle,
lost near this place, on the 18th August, 1831."f The
same grave also contains the remains of Robert Thomas,
an infant, aged two years and nine months, whose mother
perished. The father, it will be recollected, was a sailor,

* This grave, in common with the rest which have not been in
any way distinguished by the friends of those who lie interred in
them, has a small head-stone, with the name of the deceased, and
the letters " R. C.," to denote that they were sufferers by the
wreck" of the Rothsay Castle. Should any one interested in their
fate, therefore, visit Beaumaris Church-yard with this book, he
will be enabled, by he help of the annexed plate, to trace at once
the sixteen places of burial in which the remains of thirty of the
victims of that calamity are deposited, two of the bodies, as will
be seen, having been removed for interment elsewhere. It has
certainly surprised me, in some of the instances, that no me-
morial should exist of the dead but such as a STRANGER has
supplied.

f A chaste mural monument, executed by Mr. Harris, of Bath,
has recently been placed in Beaumaris Church. It is inscribed as
follows : " To the memory of Henry and Harriette Selwyn, who
were passengers on board the Rothsay Castle, and perished during
the night of the 17th August, 1831. Their earthly remains rest
together in the adjoining Church-yard. ' And they shall be mine,
saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day that I make up my jewels:' 1 for
' Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.' "

136 THE WRECK OF

and arrived from a voyage after the accident, just in time
to identify the corpse of his child.

5. Grave. William Jones, the steward, aged 32, and
Ellen, his wife,* aged 33 years.

6. Grave. Mr. John Leach, of Chester, aged 22.

7. Tomb. Inscription : " Sacred to the memory of four
of the unhappy sufferers who lost their lives by the wreck
of the Rothsay Castle steamer, August 18th, 1831. Betty ,t

* I have been informed that such was the continued apprehen-
sion of this poor woman, in consequence of the defective state
of the vessel, that she frequently threw herself upon her knees
on reaching the shore, in thankfulness for her safe arrival, as it
was the declared opinion of her husband that the packet would
eventually be lost. In a little work just published, entitled
" Hours of Leisure," the author makes honourable mention of
Jones, who, it seems, was on board the St. George, steamer, when
she was driven from her anchorage in Douglas Bay, Isle of Man,
and totally lost. The captain and crew were saved with great
difficulty by the life-boat, in which Sir William Hilary and others
went out to their assistance. After this accident, which had so
nearly proved fatal, " Jones remained for some months without
obtaining employ. At length he was engaged by the proprietors
of the Rothsay Castle, and his wife was retained as stewardess.
They had been but a few weeks iu their new situation when the
vessel was wrecked."

f Mr. J. H. Bransby (before quoted) says " On my way to
Beaumaris, two days after the Rothsay Castle was wrecked, I
could perceive, when I was about a mile from the town, a group
of eight or ten persons coming slowly over the Lavan Sands (for
it happened to be low-water) from the Carnarvonshire coast. A
boat was at the same time crossing the channel, evidently for the
purpose of meeting them ; and in about three quarters of an
hour a coffin was brought on shore, covered with a neat black
cloth, and followed by a deeply afflicted and downcast mourner.
The procession advanced along the pier and across the Green
with great solemnity, amidst a crowd of silent and weeping spec-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 137

wife of John Duckworth, of Shuttleworth, near Bury,
Lancashire, aged 43 years. Thomas, son of Lawrence
Entwistle, of the same place, aged 38 years. James, son
of Robert Whittaker, brazier and tin-plate worker, of Bury,
Lancashire, aged 8 years. Thomas, son of Mary Whittaker,
of Bury, Lancashire, aged six years.

Ere sin could blight, or sorrow fade,
Death came, with friendly care ;

The opening buds to heaven conveyed,
And bade them blossom there."

8. Grave. Mr. Humphrey Dyson and Mrs. Henry Wil-
son, both of Manchester. The latter was subsequently
removed by her bereaved husband, and deposited in the
burial-ground attached to the New Jerusalem Church,
Salford.

9. Grave. A person unknown. Whether male or female
could not be ascertained with certainty, in consequence of
the shifting of the coffins of those who were not owned,
previous to interment. The same observation applies to
several others simply described as " unknown."*

10. Grave. Mr. William Tarrey, of Bury, aged 53, and
his son-in-law, aged 18.

11. Grave. John Overens, of Oldham, aged 22, and a
person unknown.

tators. The coffin enclosed the remains of Mrs. Duckworth,
which had been washed upon the beach not far from Penmaen-
mawr, on the preceding day ; and the mourner was her disconso-
late husband."

* Rachel Haworth, Mr. Tarrey's unfortunate maid-servant,
was also, I believe, placed amongst the " unknown," in conse-
quence of an inadvertent change in the situation of the coffins ;
for the clerk (Mr. Pearce, to whom I am indebted for many ci-
vilities,) was unable to point out her particular grave. It is the
only one, however, so circumstanced, of those which contain the
remains of persons who were identified.

138 THE WRECK OF

12. Grave. Three persons unknown.

13. Grave. Mr. Joseph Lucas, of Liverpool, aged 47;
Mrs. Elizabeth Lucas, his wife, aged 54 ; and Miss Mar-
garet Lucas, their daughter, aged 24. This unfortunate
family was at first divided, each individual having been
placed in a separate grave ; but they were eventually, with
great propriety of feeling, buried together. A stone has
recently been placed upon the spot, bearing the following
inscription : " Here lie the remains of Joseph Lucas, of
Liverpool, aged 47 years; Elizabeth, his wife, aged 54;
and Margaret, their daughter, aged 24, who perished in
the wreck of the Rothsay Castle, in the night of the 17th
August, 1831."

14. Grave. Two persons unknown.

15. Tomb. Inscription: "Sacred to the Memory of
Mr. Simon Fox,* [here a cross is inserted, emblematical
of the catholic persuasion,] of Milltown, near Dublin, who
perished in the wreck of the Rothsay Castle Steam-packet,
in Beaumaris Bay, on the night of the 17th August, 1831,
in the 57th year of his age, leaving a widow and a large
family to deplore his loss. The parishioners of Rathmiues,
Dublin, have erected this monument as a token of their
esteem for his memory." The Rev. S. M'Carthy was in-
terred also in this grave, with the remains of his friend,

* Master Thomas Fox, the son of the deceased, having read
descriptions of the sufferers in the public papers, immediately
set out for Beaumaris, to assure himself of the melancholy fact,
that his father was one of them. He had provided himself with
a letter from the Rev. W. Stafford, of Rathmines, near Dublin,
which certified the nearness of his relationship to the unfortu-
nate gentleman, and consequently the Rev. Dr. Howard imme-
diately consented to the re-opening of the grave to which his
parent had been consigned ; and the young man had the mourn-
ful satisfaction of seeing the body.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 139

but was shortly after removed to Rathmines, near Dublin,
with every observance of respect.*

* The following extract from the Dublin Freeman's Journal, of
September 24, 1831, will shew the great respect evinced for the
deceased by all ranks of society in Dublin, as well as in the im-
mediate neighbourhood which had been the scene of his labours :
" The Custom-house Quay was thronged the entire of Thurs-
day," says the paper alluded to, " in expectation of the arrival
of the steam-packet that was to convey the remains of this la-
mented gentleman from Liverpool to Dublin, for interment at
Rathmines, where, as parish priest, he had resided, dearly beloved
and venerated by those to whose spiritual wants he had so long
ministered with zealous piety and solicitude. The body, how-
ever, did not arrive until about ten o'clock yesterday morning,
notice of which was immediately despatched in every quarter,
and the funeral procession from the quay did not take place
until after five o'clock that all those who wished to participate
in this last mournful solemnity might have an opportunity of
paying the melancholy tribute of unaffected sorrow to departed
worth." Time having thus been given for the necessary arrange-
ments, at about the period named by the Journal just quoted,
the funeral procession moved onward. It consisted of the chil-
dren of a school founded by Mr. M'Carthy at Rathmines, with
those of the city parochial schools, all wearing white scarfs, and
carrying wands surmounted with white ribbon ; a long train of
carriages; the parishioners and friends of the deceased, upwards
of eight hundred of whom wore scarfs and hat-bands ; the ves-
sels in the bay had, in the meantime, their colours half-mast
down. The mournful cavalcade proceeded slowly from the Cus-
tom-house Quay to Rathmines Chapel, where the body was in-
terred by torch-light, with all due solemnity. Indeed the sur-
rounding gloom of night the number of afflicted mourners
and the peculiarly awful circumstances under which they had
been called together, gave an effect to the scene which will long
be impressed upon the minds of those who were subjected to its
imposing influence."

140 THE WRECK OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE.

16. Grave. Joseph , a boy of colour. This was

the unfortunate child who clung to Mr. Coxhead for pro-
tection, from whom, however, he was separated when both
were plunged amongst the waves. [See page 65.] He
ran away from the vessel a few days before she was
wrecked, but was unhappily captured, and kept a prisoner
on board until released by the fatal termination of his last
voyage.

CHAPTER VI.

OBSERVATIONS AND ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

K Business, and pleasures, and enjoyments, seem great things to us whilst we think of
nothing else; but when we add death to them, they all sink into an equal littleness."

LAW.

" The lot is cast into the lap ; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord."

PROVERBS xvi. 33.

THE following matters could not, from their miscellaneous
character, be classed under any of the preceding heads,
without disturbing the progress of the narrative ; I have,
therefore, brought them together, with the observance of
as much regularity in their succession as circumstances
will allow.

On the evening of Thursday, the 18th of August, by
which time seventeen of the drowned had been deposited
in the Shire Hall, there were still numbers of anxious en-
quirers after relations and friends ; and of course it was
apparent that many of the sufferers were yet unfound. I
had also heard that several bodies could be seen about the
wreck, some of them horribly mutilated by the pressure of
the steam-apparatus, which kept them down. The painful
considerations which a knowledge of these facts produced
determined me to attempt the recovery of some of the
unfortunates, in order that the last rites of religious duty
might be extended to them; and, accordingly, I hired a
boat at an early hour the next morning (Friday), and went

142 THE WRECK OF

out into the bay. The boatman had, the day before, picked
up the boat of the Rothsay ; and, I suppose, with the view
of securing his expected reward for her recovery, he kept
possession, and took her out with him, in tow ; for his own
being a large fishing-boat, but little inconvenience was
occasioned by so slight an encumbrance : she was scarcely,
indeed, so strongly built as the small boats which ply in
the Menai Strait between Beaumaris and Bangor, and was
evidently unequal to the service for which she was in-
tended.

The morning was cold and boisterous, but we soon
reached the scene of the late disaster. Not a vestige of
the wreck, however, could then be seen; the fatal bank
was deeply covered with water, which was too much agi-
tated to admit of that inspection which its remarkable clear-
ness would otherwise have rendered practicable ; nor was
there any thing discoverable indicative of the terrible ca-
tastrophe which had so recently occurred. We then sailed
along the coast, making enquiries respecting the object we
had in view ; and we were at length informed that the
body of a lady had been found, and taken to Penmon
Church. 10 We accordingly proceeded to the nearest point
at which a landing could be affected, off Penmon ; and, as
our melancholy errand was known as soon as we were
perceived by those on shore, we soon saw a sad group
winding down the steep descent (from the distant church),
bearing a bier. As I was apprehensive that we should
interfere with the jurisdiction of another coroner if I re-
moved the body to Beaumaris, I only intended to learn, if
possible, who it was, and therefore I conveyed to them by
signs that they should return, which they immediately
did. A number of persons had assembled; and as we
neared the shore I contemplated the awful change which
so brief a period had wrought in the lifeless burthen they
were carrying. But a few hours before, she might have

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 143

been in the full enjoyment of every natural and acquired
charm which constitutes female attraction ; and now, the
very clowns that bent for a moment over her cold remains,
as they were slowly borne along, shrunk back appal-
led by the sight, and readily yielded place to the next
beholder !

On landing, I proceeded to the church, where I ascer-
tained that some portions of the dress of the deceased were
marked " F." It eventually proved to be the body of that
highly-esteemed lady, Mrs. Charles Faulkner, of Manches-
ter. In her pocket was found a copy of Doddridge's " Rise
and Progress of Religion in the Soul." She was subse-
quently removed by her friends, and interred in Newton
church-yard, near Manchester.*

We arrived at Beaumaris about nine o'clock ; and finding
Mrs. Payne much better, I advised her to prepare to set
out for Liverpool (by the Llewellyn, steam-packet, which
started at twelve o'clock), her object being to return to
Manchester as soon as possible, with the body of her un-
fortunate husband. Mr. Nuttall was also so far recovered,
that it was arranged he should go with us. I then at-
tended the coroner's inquest, which was held that morning,
after which we embarked on board the vessel just named,
where we found Mr. Martin, of Liverpool. It is here due
to Captain Wright, and the proprietary of that tine packet,
to state, that on being informed of the peculiarly distress-
ing circumstances of Mrs. Payne's case, they at once waived
all claim to remuneration for the conveyance of the coffin

* The body of Miss Amelia Faulkner, aged about five years,
was subsequently found ; but as the hope was entertained that
Mrs. Faulkner's infant would also be recovered, the burial of this
child was deferred by her afflicted father for the space of six
weeks, when the remains were placed in the same grave with
those of Mrs. Faulkner.

144 THE WRECK OF

'which contained the remains of her husband.* We pro-
ceeded on our voyage at the time before stated, with a
strong breeze in our favour, and soon arrived off the fatal
spot upon which the shattered hull of the Rothsay Castle
was occasionally visible above the waves which beat over it.
A strong sensation was produced on board the Llewellyn,
on viewing the remains of this devoted bark, which had
recently yielded so many victims tp a watery grave. The
weather now began to assume a threatening aspect, and the
sea ran very high. The gale increased as we crossed the
bay ; and the late calamity, perhaps, acting upon the minds
of the passengers (many of whom were soon oppressed with
the additional discomfort of sickness), considerable alarm
began to prevail, though the fullest confidence was reposed
in the active and unremitting attention of the captain to
his duties, and in the excellence of the vessel. As the
sea opened to us, the motion of the packet became more
violent, the waves frequently breaking over her with great
force ; and Captain Wright observed, that if he had thought
the weather would have proved so boisterous, he would not
have ventured out. This was far from cheering ; but we

* A distressing doubt having been expressed by some friends
of Mr. Payne, with respect to the identity of his remains, as it
was not considered prudent to open the coffin after its arrival in
Manchester, I feel called upon to assure them that no possibility
of such an error existed. I saw the body taken from the boat
to the warm bath, and subsequently took charge of the watch,
the brooch, and the breast pin, which were taken from his person.
This clearly establishes the fact, that down to that period no mis-
take could have occurred. From the bath I accompanied the
body to the Shire Hall, where it was particularly distinguished
from the rest see page 127, I afterwards saw it placed in the
coffin in which it was brought home saw the lid secured and
gave orders for its removal to the vessel, which orders were im-
mediately executed in my presence.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 145

made rapid progress, and consoled ourselves with the con-
sequent prospect of a speedy arrival at our place of des-
tination, in which we were happily not disappointed. Some
narrow escapes, however, were experienced by several of
the passengers, from the shipping of heavy seas and the
rolling of the vessel ; and a pony which was upon deck was
actually washed overboard and lost, which fact will be
sufficient to show that I am neither creating nor exaggerat-
ing the danger to which we were exposed.

We reached Liverpool at about eight o'clock in the even-
ing, and found a great number of spectators assembled on
the pier, it being the first packet that had left Beaumaris
since the wreck ; and such had been the prevailing opinion
as to the state of the weather, that the Llewellyn had been
expected with considerable anxiety. Many of the relatives
and friends of those who had been passengers in the Roth-
say were there, in the hope of obtaining information on a
subject which so nearly concerned them; and as soon as
the packet lay within a practicable distance of the pier, a
general rush took place, and numbers leaped on board.

Poor Mrs. Payne, whose weak state was ill calculated for
so rough a passage, was quite overcome, and could scarcely
exert strength enough to stand; but the Misses Colquit,
and part of the family of Wm. Rathbone, Esq., who were
on board, were very kind in their attention to the unhappy
invalid. Mr. Rathbone humanely supplied his carriage to
convey her to the Adelphi Hotel, and sent a servant from
his establishment to sit up with her during the night.
Miss Rathbone, also, personally attended upon Mrs. Payne ;
and Lord and Lady Grey (of Dunham), who were at that
time staying at the Adelphi, liberally offered pecuniary
assistance if required. I was much gratified by meeting
with Mr. Marsden, of Wakefield, at this hotel : he had
reached Liverpool, by land-conveyance, about the same
time at which I arrived by water,
o

146 THE WRECK OF

The next day (Saturday) I accompanied Mrs. Payne to
Manchester, by the rail-way, and the meeting with her
family was truly affecting. The remains of Mr. Payne,
having heen inclosed in a second coffin, were interred on
the following Tuesday : I followed them to the grave. He
was a most affectionate husband and parent was highly
esteemed by all who knew him and has left a widow with
five children to mourn over the melancholy consequences
of that disastrous journey to which this narrative refers.

The following are extracts from the Rev. J. H. Stewart's
work, to which I have before referred. They take up the
period of time at which I quitted the neighbourhood of the
wreck, and furnish interesting facts derived from personal
observation. Mr. Stewart having lingered in agonizing
suspense at his residence in Liverpool until the Friday
morning, without receiving any certain intelligence respect-
ing the fate of his friends and late visitors, Mr. and Mrs.
Forster, he says " Knowing how much distress there
would be should one have been taken, and also knowing that
a very near and dear relation* of our sister, and her daughter
[the daughter of the relation alluded to], were waiting their
arrival at Bangor, who [referring to the relations], far from
their friends, would be plunged in the deepest sorrow, I set
off for the fatal spot." He heard the melancholy truth be-
fore he reached Bangor. " I was gradually," he observes,
" made acquainted with our loss to its full extent, and thus
the better prepared to meet, and to endeavour to comfort,
their deeply afflicted relations." He subsequently proceeds
to say " I arrived on Friday night at Bangor. There
indeed was a scene never to be forgotten. On the one

* This was Mrs. Forster's sister, who is since deceased, occa-
sioned by excessive grief for the loss of her beloved relatives, Mr.
and Mrs. Forster.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 147

hand, a crowded inn, full of company ; on the other, deeply
afflicted relatives, almost overcome with sorrow. The
mournful catastrophe seemed to affect every heart; the
sympathy was universal ; and the many kind attentions of
entire strangers, quite in a Christian spirit. After occupy-
ing the next day (Saturday) in writing letters to several of
Mr. and Mrs. Forster's near relatives, 11 on Sunday I at-
tended divine service at Bangor cathedral, where there w r as
a large congregation. Before the thanksgiving-prayer, the
clergyman read from a paper that an individual, whose
name was mentioned, desired to return thanks to Almighty
God for his preservation in the wreck of the Rothsay Castle.
It was gratifying to hear that this gentleman had remained
at Bangor with his friends for this very purpose. I doubt
not that, although a stranger, you will feel a particular in-
terest in him ; and, like those fellow sufferers in the storm,
who, giving vent to their feelings, prayed for each other, you
will intreat that the Lord, who has thus spared him as a
monument of mercy, may make him as eminent a Christian
as our departed brother. This part of the service was
followed by that sublime anthem, ' I heard a voice from
heaven saying, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord
from henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit, for they rest from
their labours.' The tones of the organ seemed so much in
unison with the feelings of the worshippers, that in the soft
and slow movements, so profound was the stillness, that
there was scarcely even a breath heard. The Bishop of
Bangor then preached a very powerful sermon, from James
iv. 13, 14; ' Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow
we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and
buy and sell, and get gain; whereas ye know not what
shall be on the morrow. For what is your life ? It is even
a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanish-
eth away.' This discourse seemed particularly to impress
the congregation. It was so suitable to the occasion, that

148 THE WRECK OF

I could have wished that many of our merchants, and
others who buy and sell, and get gain, had been present.
In the evening, the Rev. Dr. Cotton, one of the vicars of
the cathedral, took a consolatory view of the subject, raising
the minds of his hearers to the worship of Heaven, by a
discourse from Rev. v. 13; ' And every creature which is in
heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as
are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,
Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him
that sitteth upon ,the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever
and ever.' After these services, I retired to the quiet
habitation which had been provided for us. Far different
was the close of this mournful Sabbath to the joyful termi-
nation of the last. The one concluding with songs of
praise with our beloved friends and our happy children ;
the other, with those who, like myself, had then only to
mourn over their loss. Both, however, were equally the
appointment of our Heavenly Father, and both intended to
bring us nearer to that Sabbath when the promise shall be
fulfilled, ' The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and
the days of thy mourning shall be ended.' On the follow-
ing morning I crossed to Beaumaris, to enquire if there
were any tidings from the wreck, and more particularly of
the remains of our beloved friends. Here a new scene of
distress presented itself. Among the passengers on board
the Rothsay Castle had been a much respected 'clergyman,
and his two sisters, belonging to Beaumaris, who, previously
to the vessel going down, were engaged in earnest prayer.
Their loss had cast a general gloom over the town, which
was much increased by the numerous relatives of other
passengers who were flocking to this place to hear of their
friends. It was not only the nearest town to the wreck,
but the place to which the remains of most of the sufferers
were brought, and where many of them were interred. At
that time no intelligence of our friends could be obtained.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 149

* * * * "phe fi rs { reflection which this sad calamity
has produced is, the remarkable proof it affords of a powerful
superintending Providence; fulfilling that word of Scripture,
' A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his
steps.' If you refer to the circumstances, you will see a
long series of improbable and independent occurrences, all
uniting to bring this event to pass. How improbable, for
instance, that our friends should come to us at that time.
How improbable, also, that after coming, and after deter-
mining to proceed by land, they should, in such changeable
weather, decide on going by sea. How improbable, again,
that, not leaving us till after the hour appointed for the de-
parture of the packet, they should arrive at the shore in
time to form such a determination. How improbable, also,
that amongst so many steady masters of vessels as belong
to Liverpool, such a man should have the command on that
morning. How improbable, that there should have been
such a worn-out vessel ; and that, when she had struck, there
should be neither bucket, nor gun, nor any proper boat, or
other ordinary means of safety on board. How impro-
bable, that when so many lives were at stake, any person
should refuse to hoist a signal of distress. How improbable,
that the passengers should submit to such treatment ; and
still more, that wise and intelligent persons should volun-
tarily place themselves in circumstances where they were
constrained to submit, never exercising the least foresight
more than others. These things some may call unlucky
accidents ; but to ascribe to chance the concurrence of so
many independent events, when a difference in any one of
them would have sufficed to have prevented the whole ca-
lamity, is a species of credulity which it is difficult to
conceive any person in his sound mind can have. The
more I regard the event, the more I see the hand of the
Lord permitting it; and permitting it to teach a lesson
which every man, sooner or later, must learn, that ' God
o2

150 THE WRECK OF

has determined his days, that the number of his months is
with him; and that he has appointed his bounds that he
cannot pass.' When, therefore, that hour has arrived,
some instrument is selected; either gradual decay, or
acute disease, or untoward calamity. The darts of death
vary, but they all come from His quiver. The Lord
openeth his armoury, and the appointed weapon takes its
course. I mention this, not to palliate the misconduct of
those who may have been led on by their own unlawful
desires, whilst they have been fulfilling the purposes of
God, nor to prevent the proper exercise of wisdom in the
management of our affairs ; but to fix the truth in the
heart, that we are in the hands of God, and that he does
with us as seemeth good in his sight. This reflection
seems to be uttered by a hundred voices at one moment ;
the very persons who were struggling for life, and in the
last hour calling upon God for mercy, seem now to be
sounding in every ear, ' Prepare to meet your God.' "

The following contains the relation of a singular circum-
stance : " When the news of this melancholy wreck
reached Bury," observes the Rev. Thomas Selkirk, in his
Local Record, " on Friday, August 19th, it created a sensa-
tion in the town, among all ranks of people, such as has
been seldom witnessed on any former occasion, and such
as will be long remembered. The fate of the sufferers
called forth the tenderest and most sincere expressions of
sympathy from every class of inhabitants ; while the sur-
vivors received the most hearty congratulations from all
around them. The numerous congregations, and the
tearful eyes that were seen, in those places of worship
where the sufferers had been in the habit of attending, and
where it was known allusion would be made to this sad
providence, did equal honour to the feelings of the Hying

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 151

and to the memory of the dead. More substantial mani-
festations of feeling have not been wanting : I record with
peculiar satisfaction that subscriptions have been promoted
for the widows and orphans of some of the sufferers. [J.
Wilkinson and T. Charles.] There is, however, a class of
wretches, whose conduct forms a painful contrast with that
just recorded. There is reason to believe that those exe-
crable beings residing on the coast, known by the appella-
tion of wreckers, have violated the principles of humanity
and honesty, in their conduct towards those unfortunate
persons who had been cast lifeless upon their shores. Sir
R. B. Williams Bulkeley, and other respectable individuals,
were indefatigable in their efforts to prevent plunder on
the Welsh coast, and there is no doubt they were in some
degree successful ; at the same time, there is strong reason
for suspecting that various acts of spoliation were perpe-
trated, both upon the persons of the dead, and upon those
articles of property that were washed upon the beach or
picked up at sea. Persons who were known to have gold
upon them to some amount, have been represented as
possessing, when found, only a few shillings or a few half-
pence. I regret, however, to observe, that one of the most
flagrant instances of plunder connected with this wreck has
occurred on our own shores, and was committed on the
body of Mr. W. Walmsley, of Bury, who was found near
Southport.* He was represented as having in his pocket,
when found, only 4s. lOfd. What amount of money Mr.
Walmsley had about him is uncertain. His family know

* The body of this gentleman was found about two or three
miles from Southport, in this county, August 31st, not much
less than one hundred miles from the place where the wreck
happened, and was interred at the Independent chapel there,
on the 2d of September, attended by Mr. James Walmsley, his
brother, and by Mr. John Kay, of Bury, shopkeeper. He has left
two orphans, to lament the untimely end of both their parents.

152 THE WRECK OF

of ten sovereigns, but it is very probable he had more. On
examining his coat, it was found that the pocket inside
the breast, where he usually carried his pocket-book, was
buttoned at the top, but it had been torn open at the
bottom, and the book abstracted ; but nobody knew any-
thing about it. Mr. Walmsley's friends were assured that
every thing was laid before them precisely as it was found.
It is an old saying, however, that ' murder will out ; ' and
a singular circumstance, illustrative of this proverb, oc-
curred while Mr. James Walmsley was paying the men
who, as finders and carriers, had been employed about his
brother's person. The men had to give him some change
out of the money he paid them ; and on looking over the
silver which they placed in his hand for this purpose, he
discovered among it a sixpenny-piece, which he instantly
recognized as his late brother's property. This coin was
peculiarly marked, and Mr. W. Walmsley had carried it
about him as a pocket-piece for years. It was well known
to his intimate friends that he had such a coin ; and it has
been recognised by many to whom it has been shewn since.
I record this transaction on the best authority, and just as it
was related to me."

Lieutenant Morrison, R. N., in his narrative, gives the
following account of a visit to the wreck. He broadly
differs with Mr. Selkirk on the subject referred to at the
close of the preceding extracts :

" I left Liverpool on Tuesday morning, August 23d, in
the Llewellyn packet, with a view of learning, from my
own observation, particulars of sufferings which have never
been surpassed, perhaps never equalled, either for their
suddenness or intensity. * * * * After a pleasant
voyage, we arrived safe at the end of the fatal sand-bank,
where the remains of the ill-fated vessel were still visible.
It was low water, and we could plainly perceive the paddle-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 153

wheel, and what appeared to be the stump of the mast, a
few feet above the sands, into which the wreck had settled
down. A few ribs were also visible ; but much less of the
vessel remained in existence than is generally the case,
after a lapse of four or five days, where a strong sea-worthy
vessel is thrown upon a bank. The Llewellyn having stop-
ped off Puffin Island, a boat came on board from the wreck,
with Captain Gait, of the Eclipse steamer, which vessel
was lying on the bank, with two other vessels, to assist in
raising the engine, &c. It was stated that a body, having
300 sovereigns about it, supposed to be that of Mr. Forster,
of No. 2, Cumberland Terrace, Regent's Park, London, was
found under part of the wreck. The body could not be
removed, but the linen being marked W. M. F., it was con-
sidered to be that unfortunate gentleman. Several bodies
were declared to be lying about the wreck half buried in
the sand, and which could not at present be removed,
owing to heavy pieces of timber and other substances being
in the way. I cannot help noticing a scandalous report,
which was also brought from the wreck, that several bodies
had been found by the Penmon people, and secretly buried,
with a view to be subsequently plundered. This, I believe,
to have originated in a pure love of scandal ; for, so far
from being able to trace it to any foundation whatever, I
learned in all directions, both in Bangor and Beaumaris,
that the conduct of the people had been marked with the
strongest stamp of propriety. The meritorious efforts
made by Sir Richard Bulkeley, and other gentlemen of
the neighbourhood, to insure respect to the remains of the
unfortunate sufferers, I believe to have been attended with
perfect success. Indeed, I subsequently saw numerous
valuable and portable articles which had been saved, and
lodged in the hands of the authorities of Beaumaris, and
which might have been very readily abstracted by the
finders, to whom they offered great temptation. I never

154 THE WRECK OF

was among the inhabitants of North Wales before, and I
must observe, that the very excellent conduct of the lower
orders on this occasion forms a strong contrast to that I
have witnessed on the coasts of Devonshire, and the south
of Ireland, where I have observed the most cruel treatment
of unfortunate creatures who were cast ashore from wrecks.
I feel much pleasure in testifying to the superior humanity
of the poor people near Beaumaris,* which, I believe, may
be attributed to the excellent endeavours to distribute the
seed of education among the children, some years since, by
the late Lord Bulkeley. The fruit of his exertions is now
shewing itself in their good conduct as men and Christians.
Proceeding from the Menai Bridge to Carnarvon, I found
every one's conversation almost exclusively bent upon this
unhappy circumstance. At Bangor, I found a still stronger
feeling of gloom and sorrow. In the burying ground at-
tached to the ancient church in this town, I saw the first
palpable evidence of the mortality occasioned by the
calamity. There were two new graves together, ornamented
with laurel leaves, flowers, and herbs, in the Welsh fashion.
I learned that the bodies of John Parry and his wife, from
Manchester, were in one, and that William Cook, a dealer
in oranges, was the inhabitant of the other. On arriving in
Beaumaris, I found one solemn feeling prevalent through-
out the town. It was evident in every face. Sorrow and
dejection sat upon every brow ; and never did I witness
such a general expression of melancholy since the fatal

* I entirely concur with the sentiments here expressed. I felt,
indeed, a melancholy interest in witnessing the scrupulous care
with which the poor people brought up everything they could
save from the wreck, and placed it in the Shire Hall. There
might have been an instance to the contrary ; the case recorded
by Mr. Selkirk (page 151) may be perfectly true; but I am de-
cidedly of opinion, from my own observation, that such depravity
was very rarely displayed on this occasion.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 155

news of the death of the Princess Charlotte spread sorrow
throughout the land. A public meeting which was held
there gave me an opportunity of witnessing the deep and
absorbing interest which this sad misfortune, if that be not
too mild a term, had created throughout the place. * *
* * On board the William IV., in which vessel I re-
turned to Liverpool, were two of the survivors Jones, the
fireman, and Mr. L. Duckworth ; and numerous individuals
who had been to seek for their friends among the bodies
which had been washed up, or otherwise found. There
was also on board the body of the younger Miss Broad-
hurst, aged sixteen and a half; for the conveying of which
to Liverpool, I was informed, Mr. Watson demanded the
sum of five pounds ! I should have been more astonished
at this if I had not previously heard that he required no
less than ten guineas for bringing that of Mrs. Hammond
to Liverpool, but at length agreed to take five guineas.*
It appeared, also, that Mr. Broadhurst remonstrated
against what some people would call an extortionate
demand, and Mr. W. was prevailed on to bring the young
lady's body free of expense. This fine young creature was
found in no way mutilated, but her features perfectly
placid, and retaining all that beauty for which she was
remarked when living."

I will next briefly recal attention to the influence which
the detention of the vessel in the morning had upon her
ultimate fate. If she had started an hour earlier, it is
reasonable to conjecture that the period of her arrival at
the entrance of the Menai Strait would at any rate have

* To this statement of Lieutenant Morrison I may add, that five
pounds were paid by Mr. Henry Wilson, for the conveyance of the
remains of his wife to Liverpool; but it is fair to state, injustice
to "William Watson," that the charge was not made by him.

156 THE WRECK OF

been correspondingly so : that is, she would have reached
that point at eleven instead of twelve o'clock, which would
have involved many important advantages. In the first
place, she would have had an additional hour's favourable
tide in the morning, which would not only have carried her
far on her way, but have saved her from so long a struggle
with an adverse stream, to which her structure and her pro-
pelling power were alike unequal; and it may be fairly
assumed, that in such case the leakage would not have in-
creased so rapidly. She would under these circumstances
have been in a much better condition on arriving off Puffin
Island; the failing of the steam would either not have
happened, or have been suspended until it was no longer
of consequence ; the sands upon which she struck would
have been deeply covered with water ; and there is every
reason to believe, humanly judging, that she would have
reached Beaumaris in safety, even though the strange error
of neglecting to make sail had been committed as it was.
But, surely, the immutability of a designing Providence
was manifested in this seeming accidental harmony of
circumstances, which, like that noble effort in music, the
" Creation," mingled and swelled into powerful accumula-
tion, until "there was light" until that which was inex-
plicable became clear that which was slighted assumed
the importance which belonged to it.*

* The following extract from a " Narrative of the Loss of the
Kent East Indiaman, by Fire," affords an affecting illustration
of the sentiments here expressed, and of those of the Rev. J. H.
Stewart, which I have given (see page 149) in this work: "Had
not Captain Cobb been enabled, by the greatness of the swell, to
introduce speedily through the gun-ports the immense quantity
of water that inundated the hold, and thereby checked for so
long a time the fury of the flames, the Kent must unquestionably
have been consumed before many, perhaps before any, of those
on board could have found shelter in the Cambria. But it is uu-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 157

The great sensation produced by the wreck of the Roth-
say Castle, which, while it involved in one common ruin

necessary to dwell on an insulated fact like this, amidst a con-
catenation of circumstances, all leading to the same conclusion,
and so closely bound together as to force us to confess, that if a
single link in the chain had been withdrawn or withheld, we must
all most probably have perished. The Cambria, which had been,
it seems, unaccountably detained in port nearly a month, after
the period assigned for her departure, was, early on the morning
of the fatal calamity, pursuing, at a great distance a head of us,
the same course with ourselves ; but her bulwarks on the weather
side having been suddenly driven in, by a heavy sea breaking over
her quarter, Captain Cook, in his anxiety to give ease to his
labouring vessel, was induced to go completely out of his course,
by throwing the brig on the opposite tack, by which means alone
he was brought in sight of us. Not to dwell on the unexpected,
but not unimportant facts, of the flames having been mercifully
prevented, for eleven hours, from either communicating with the
magazine forward, or the great spirit-room abaft, or even coming
into contact with the tiller ropes, any of which circumstances
would evidently have blasted all our hopes, I would remark, that
until the Cambria hove in sight, we had not discovered any vessel
whatever for several days previous; nor did we afterwards see
another until we entered the chops of the Channel. It is to be
remembered, too, that had the Cambria, with her small crew, been
homeward instead of outward bound, her scanty remainder of pro-
visions, under such circumstances, would hardly have sufficed to
form a single meal for our vast assemblage ; or if, instead of
having her lower deck completely clear, she had been carrying
out a full cargo, there would not have been time, under the
pressure of the danger and the violence of the gale, to throw the
cargo overboard, and certainly, with it, not sufficient space in the
brig to contain one half of our number. When I reflect, besides,
on the disastrous consequences that must have followed if, during
our passage home, which was performed in a period most unusually
short, the wind had either veered round a few points, or even
p

158 THE WRECK OF

the peace and welfare of so many families, and called forth
the sympathy of the whole country, awakened also a general
interest for the future prevention of such calamities, as far
as human precaution could be available ; the strong feeling
thus called into operation occasioned public meetings to be
held in the neighbourhood of the scene of that disastrous
event, having for their object the raising of a subscription
for the relief of the surviving sufferers, and for rewarding
those who had so humanely and disinterestedly exerted
themselves in the preservation of life and property; the
placing of an efficient packet upon the station lately occu-
pied by the Rothsay, under a new proprietary ; and also
for the purpose of directing the attention of parliament to
the necessity which existed for the enactment of laws for
the regulation of the construction and equipment of pas-
sage-vessels ; the defectiveness of the Rothsay Castle in
those respects having by universal consent been considered
one of the principal causes of her destruction. The result
of these meetings, with regard to the subscriptions, by the
account furnished to me by the treasurer, J. Wright, Esq.,
and dated October 25, 1831, is as follows: Total amount
subscribed, 371 17s. 6d. ; disbursed, in rewards, relief to
the families of the sufferers, &c., 284 8s. fid. ; balance in

partially subsided, which must have produced a scene of horror
on board, more terrible if possible than that from which we had
escaped ; and, above all, when I recollect the extraordinary fact,
and that xvhich seems to have the most forcibly struck the whole
of us, that we had not been above an hour in Falmouth harbour,
when the wind, which had all along been blowing from the south-
west, suddenly chopped round to the opposite quarter of the com-
pass, and continued uninterruptedly for several days afterwards
to blow strongly from the north-east, one cannot help conclud-
ing, that he who sees nothing of a Divine Providence in our pre-
servation, must be lamentably and wilfully blind ' to the majesty
of the Lord.' "

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 159

the hands of the treasurer, 87 9s. Tn what manner this
balance has or will be disposed of I have been unable to
learn.

Extensive preparations had been made for a grand
Regatta on the Menai : the nobility and gentry of the
island had subscribed liberally ; and the period of the
wreck was within a few days of the time appointed for the
contemplated scene of animation and delight. Many per-
sons had consequently incurred great expense for the pro-
vision of suitable entertainment and accommodation for the
numerous visitors who were expected to crowd Beaumaris
on the occasion ; but alas

" Things ordained festival,
Turned from their office to black funeral !"

The Rothsay Castle was lost, and all intention of indulging
in such gaieties was at once and by common consent aban-
doned. Numerous visitors, however, did arrive but they
were wretched mourners ; and the very boats that were to
have been trimmed in gaudy array for the anticipated scene
of enjoyment, became the receptacles of ghastly bodies
the carriers of the dead ! Mrs. Bicknell (the hostess of the
Williams Bulkeley Arms Inn), who, in common with Mrs.
Redding, of the Bull's Head, so humanely exerted herself
for the recovery of the survivors, made an observation with
respect to the Regatta which deserves recording. A gen-
tleman having expressed his fear that she would be a con-
siderable loser by its postponement, she said, in effect, " If
that were all, there would be little cause for regret : the loss
of life which occasioned it constituted the calamity."

On the Sunday succeeding the wreck, the Rev. Dr.
Howard, rector of Beaumaris, improved that afflictive event
by preaching a sermon on the occasion. He selected for
his text Gen. xix. 15 17, and proceeded to impress upon
his hearers that, " under so awful a visitation, when God

160 THE WRECK OF

by his judgments had so powerfully disposed them to re-
ceive the lessons of divine instruction, it became his duty
to turn the index of inquiry on their hearts, and to declare
to the unrepenting sinner that the voice of God had passed
over the waters to announce the approach of retribution
and punishment." In the contemplation of such an
appalling picture of mortality, the Rev. gentleman called
also upon " those who had not utterly abandoned their God
to see, in this dispensation, the merciful operation of divine
grace ; for although to those who had suffered it appeared
a judgment clothed in bitterness, to those who survived it
was ordained in mercy ; for, while the former had passed
in anguish through the depths of the mighty waters into
the presence of God, the latter were still graciously spared,
to cast away from them the corruption of sin, and to pre-
pare their souls by faith and holiness for final salvation."
The Rev. gentleman concluded by observing, that "if it
had been possible for a circumstance of the kind to receive
any accession of sorrow, its melancholy impressions would
have been unutterably increased by the death of three
valuable members of a highly respected family residing
in that town (the Rev. Owen Owen and his two sisters),
whose characters and untimely death would long be a sub-
ject of admiration and regret."

The body of the Rev. Owen Owen, the unfortunate gen-
tleman referred to in the preceding paragraph, was found,
and interred in Llanfaes Church-yard. The remains of his
amiable sisters, however, were never recovered. Standing
upon the grave of Mr. Owen (which is situated near the
wall, shaded by some young trees, on the north side of the
humble place of worship which renders the spot consecrate),
nearly the whole of Beaumaris Bay may be seen ; and it
commands an uninterrupted view of the fatal place of
shipwreck. Llanfaes Church-yard, in which " the cave of
the last enemy " seems the very type of rest and tranquil-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 161

lity, is about two miles to the north-eastward of Beaumaris,
and about half a mile from the margin of the sea which
flows into the Menai Strait. A few small cottages are
the only habitations near it ; though the Friary 12 (the seat
of the late Sir Robert Williams, and still the residence of
his lady and family,) is at no great distance, on the borders
of the Menai. While I stood contemplating the scene,
which partakes both of the beautiful and the sublime, some
young children were sporting amongst the tombs, and some
sheep were peacefully nibbling the grass which grew upon
the raised earth that covered the remains of Mr. Owen.
A tomb has since, however, been erected, on which is the
following inscription : " Sacred to the memory of Owen
Owen, B.D., Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, second son
of Owen Owen, Esq., of Glayfon, in the County of Angle-
sea, and his two sisters, Margaret Edmonds and Mary
Dorothea, who, on their passage from Liverpool, were all
three taken to their rest in the calamitous wreck of the
Rothsay Castle steamer, in Beaumaris Bay, on the night
of the 17th August, 1831.

O. O. ^tat 33.
M. E. O. Mint 28.
M. D. 0. JEta,t 20.

'In the morning it is green and groweth up; but in
the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.' "
Psalm xc. 5.

With respect to the young ladies above mentioned, they
were admired and beloved by all who knew them. Miss
Margaret Owen, at the period of her death, was on the eve
of marriage with the Rev. D. Hughes, curate of Beaumaris.
Miss Mary's talents were of a very superior cast. She was
a great admirer of poetry, and had marked a passage in
Kirk White's "Lines written in Wilford Church-yard,"
singularly portentous of the fate which awaited her. They
are as follows :

162 THE WRECK OF

" Grant, Heaven, that here my pilgrimage may close !

Yet, if this be denied, where'er my bones

May lie, or in the city's crowded bounds,

Or scattered wide o'er the huge sweep of waters,

Or left a prey on some deserted shore

To the rapacious cormorant, yet still,

(For why should sober reason cast away

A thought which sooths the soul !) yet still my spirit

Shall wing its way to these my native regions,

And hover o'er this spot. Oh, then I '11 think

On times when I was seated 'neath this yew

In solemn rumination ; and will smile

With joy that I have got my long'd release."

They were marked, it is evident, in allusion to Llanfaes
church-yard (see Note 12), in which Miss Mary Owen
passed much of her tune in drawing, and " solemn rumi-
nation," and where it was her frequently-expressed wish
to rest eventually, " if the place and manner of her death
admitted of such consummation." Her beloved brother
lies beneath the spot on which she had so often been
" seated," as graphically described in the passage just
quoted, and over which she hoped her " spirit" should
" hover ;" but, alas, her remains, together with those of her
dear sister, were, in melancholy accordance with her pro-
phetic contemplations,

" Scatter'd wide o'er the huge sweep of waters!"*
At a little distance to the westward of Mr. Owen's mortal
resting-place is the grave of Mr. John Lloyd, only son of the
Rev. Richard Lloyd, a Calvinistic minister, of Beaumaris.

* I may apply to this lamented young lady the following
" Lines on the death" of the poet from whose works she extracted
the " sybil leaf" on which her human destiny was written :

" Too, too prophetic did the wild note swell 1
Yet wa not thy departing immature ;
For ripe in virtue thou wcrt reft uu ay,
And pure in ipirit."

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 163

He died at Carnarvon, on Sunday, October 1, 1831, aged
24 years ; and his premature death was occasioned by an
illness which was the effect of strongly-excited feelings,
acted upon by the appalling scenes consequent upon the
wreck of the Rothsay Castle. He was engaged with myself
in taking a description of the bodies in the Shire Hall,
and throughout the melancholy affair warmly interested
himself for the comfort of the living, and the decent dis-
posal of the remains of those who perished. The following
notice of this excellent young man appeared in the Car-
narvon Herald, of the week subsequent to his decease :
" He was of an amiable disposition, and unassuming man-
ners. His mind was stored with a deal of useful know-
ledge, and especially the best of learning, the knowledge
of the Bible. He had shown great affection for, and
attachment to, the religious institutions that have been
established in this place, especially the Bible and Tract
Societies, for which he was a zealous advocate. He was a
constant member of that religious body to which he be-
longed honouring the Gospel of his Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ; and long will his friends have to regret the
premature death of so promising a young man. It has
been a severe dispensation to his afflicted parents, whose
loss is irreparable, being deprived of a most affectionate
and dutiful son. The interest felt upon the occasion was
intelise, as was seen from the great concourse of people
who followed his remains to consign them to the silent
tomb. The procession was in order as follows : The
Rev. Dr. Howard, Rector of Beaumaris, and the Rev. J.
Williams, P. C. of LJanfaes, preceded the hearse, in Mr.
Williams' phaeton, followed by the town people in pro-
cession; next the hearse, with eight bearers, four each
side, being tenants of the deceased; then followed four
mourning coaches, in which were relations and friends of
the deceased, followed by J. H. Hampton Lewis, Esq., in

164 THE WRECK OF

his carriage, accompanied by J. Jones, Esq. and G. Roberts,
Esq., surgeon, closed in by a procession of twenty-four of
his most intimate friends with hat-bands, followed by a
number of teachers and scholars of the different Sunday
Schools in the district, over which the deceased had been
superintendent ; and an immense crowd of people, all wish-
ing to pay their last tribute of respect to departed worth.
Thus closed the funeral procession of this lamented young
man. There attended him to the grave, it is supposed,
upwards of 2,000 people. All the shops in Castle-street
were closed while the funeral went by. What adds to the
melancholy event is, the circumstance that his death, it is
feared, was occasioned by the shock received from the ship-
wreck of the Rot/isay Castle steamer, increased by his attend-
ance officially upon the remains of the unfortunate sufferers.
Thus is added another victim to that melancholy catastrophe"

Mr. John Batley, of Beaumaris, who was one of the
jurymen at the coroner's inquest held upon the bodies of
the sufferers by the wreck, was also afflicted with illness
for a long time, from the same cause as that which fatally
affected Mr. Lloyd ; and he has recently fallen a victim to
cholera, to which he was no doubt predisposed by his
languid condition. His highly respected wife also sunk
under that terrible malady, and was, only three days after
her husband, buried in the same grave.

The number of bodies found will be ascertained by re-
ference to the general list at the end of this volume, where
many names are supplied that were, I believe, never before
given to the public. Amongst the " unknown," in addition
to those before enumerated, I could never learn that the
following were ever owned ; namely The body of a man
washed on shore at Southport, on the Tuesday succeeding
the wreck ; aged about 30 ; no coat on ; waistcoat silk and
worsted, with gilt buttons ; brown drab cloth trousers; a

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 165

watch with black ribbon, two gold seals and gold key, with
two watch-papers, one with " Greenhalgh, London-road,
Manchester," upon it. The body of a tall man, of gentle-
manly appearance, was also washed on shore near Southport
on the 31st; it was found at the same time as the body of
Mr. Walmsley, of Bury: see note, page 151. The body,
however, of Mr. James Brundreth, of Chorlton-cum-Hardy,
was also washed on shore in the neighbourhood of South-
port, and may possibly be identified with one of those just
described as " unknown ; " but I have in this and two or
three other instances thought it better to hazard a slight
repetition, than to neglect an opportunity of contributing,
however feebly, to the spread of information which circum-
stances might render so important. The bodies of Mr.
John Wilkinson, of Bury, and Mr. James Fitton, of Seed-
field, near Bury, were found ; the former on the 23d, and
the latter on the 26th of August. Both were interred at
Penmon church. The pilot-boats stationed at Penmon
also picked up two bodies, to which I have not elsewhere
referred : the one, a man about forty years of age, with
black hair ; five feet five inches in height ; dressed in a
drab great coat, pearl buttons ; olive coat, covered buttons,
velvet collar ; dark trousers and boots ; the linen marked
M. U. ; had a silver watch, maker's name " John Falkner,
Manchester, 1822 ; " gold chain, and gold seal with plain
white stone. The description here given was furnished by
Mr. Jones, the town-clerk of Beaumaris. The body was
interred at Penmon, on the 26th of August. The other
unfortunate person was an elderly man, about fifty years of
age ; had on a claret coloured coat, black waistcoat, drab
trousers, and boots ; he was lusty, bald-headed, and is sup-
posed to be the person referred to by Mr. John Duckworth,
see page 87. Mr. Henry Selwyn, and William Wildgoose,
the engineer, were found near Conway; the former, as

166 THE WRECK OF

already shown, was brought to Beaurnaris, and interred in
the same grave with the remains of his beloved wife ;*

* With reference to this truly amiable couple, the following
circumstances cannot fail to be especially interesting to their rela-
tives and frieuds: On the evening of the 18th of June last
(1832), as the wife of a seaman named David Ellis, residing at
Beaumaris, was returning home from a visit to her husband,
across the sands at the foot of Penmaenmawr, his vessel lying at
the time somewhere in that direction, she saw a dark object in
the dubious light, lying upon the sands; and on going up to
it, after some hesitation, it proved to be a large trunk. The lid
opened without difficulty, and its contents were composed of
female wearing- apparel and ornaments, with a great number of
books. The poor woman had an infant with her, to which she
bad very recently given birth, and therefore could not remove
many of the things; added to which, her conviction that the
trunk had been the property of some of those who had perished in
the Rothsay Castle, produced feelings of awe which almost in-
duced her to leave everything it contained untouched. At length
she hastily took out a few articles, and hurried on her way, with
a superstitious dread of the consequences, and reached home at a
late hour, overcome with agitation and fatigue. A friend of mine
visited Beaumaris shortly after, and hearing of this adventure,
went to the woman in question, with the view of endeavouring to
discover to whom the trunk belonged. She showed him the
several articles she had brought away, which consisted of a pair
of mourning ear-rings, a silver thimble, a purple embroidered
scarf, a striped muslin dress, with large red flowers, a pair of
nearly new jean shoes, several tortoise-shell combs for the head,
which had been broken by the pressure of heavier materials, and
a small pocket prayer-book, the leaves of which were all loose,
from the action of the water. There were more books in the
trunk, she said, than any thing else, " books such as gentlemen
read ; " by which she meant, as her interpreter explained (for she
could speak nothing but Welsh), books elegantly bound. She could
give no account of them, however, further than that one of them

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 167

Wildgoose was interred at Conway. Henry Walmsley,
aged six years (the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Walms-
ley, whose bodies were not recovered), was also found, and
buried at Conway, on the 26th of August. On the Satur-
day afternoon of the 27th of August, the Echo, captain
Roberts, direct from Liverpool to Holyhead, picked up,
near Puffin Island, the body of a man, supposed to be one
of the unfortunate sufferers on board the Rothsay Castle ;
height about 5 feet 6 inches, age about 30, attired in a
black coat, white ribbed trousers, and check shirt ; had a
common silver watch, with the Lord's Prayer written on a
paper in the case, a brass guard and chain, a small net
purse containing three sovereigns and half a crown, and a
mourning ring on his finger, on which was the following
inscription, on a square, " Dear to me ; " and on the circle,
" S. Day, ob. 9 May, 1831, ae. 49." This, I have ascer-

looked like a bible. My friend observed that in each shoe the
name of Harding was written ; but as it was upon the lining of
the upper-leather, in a situation that could not be reached with a
pen after the shoe was made, he concluded it must be the name
of the maker, and was about to give up his object as hopeless,
when in turning over the leaves of the prayer-book, many of
which had been transposed in the course of frequent and careless
examination, he discovered what had originally been the fly-leaf
at the beginning of the book, on which was written, in a neat
feminine hand, the name " Harriette C. Selwyn." Thus the
ownership of the trunk was at once established. It had been em-
bedded in the sands upwards of ten months ; but, no doubt, as
the sea had left it nearly bare at the time of its discovery, the
next tide carried it into the deep. I saw the articles just described,
on a subsequent visit to Beaumaris, and obtained possession of
the prayer-book and the ear-rings, in the expectation that an op-
portunity might occur of presenting them to some relative of the
diseased, who might value them as sad remembrancers of those
who so well merited the kindest affections.

168 THE WRECK OF

tained, was Mr. John Day, of Wakefield ; and the ring
referred to was in memory of his mother. Mr. W. Day, a
relation of the deceased, went to Beaumaris as soon as the
melancholy intelligence reached Wakefield, and remained
until the body was found. It was subsequently interred in
the family vault at Normanton Church, about four miles
from Wakefield. Mr. John Day was only twenty-four
years of age. On the finding of Mrs. Forster, the following
account appeared in the newspapers of the time, which of
course obtained the immediate attention of her friends :
" The body of a lady was cast on shore at Meols on Wed-
nesday [August 24th, 1831], dressed in a black silk gown,
with bracelets on the wrists, four gold rings on her fingers,
a pair of plain gold ear-rings, and a double dimity pocket
marked J. F. In her pocket was a memorandum, neatly
written, containing rules of duty for each day, beginning,
' Seven o'clock rise ; be dressed by eight : half an hour
reading and prayer, &c. &c.' The rule at four o'clock says,
' dress for dinner, read register, &c. till Mr. F. come
home.'" The body of Mr. Foster* could not be disen-
gaged from the wreck until the lapse of three weeks from
the fatal 17th of August. His remains were then taken to
Beaumaris ; and on the 13th of September they were con-
veyed for interment to Everton, near Liverpool, where they
were placed in the same grave in which the body of Mrs.
Forster had previously been deposited. Poor Joseph, the
black boy, was found on the 23d, in the Swash, or channel,
between the Dutchman's Bank and the Carnarvonshire
coast. Mr. Josiah Brown, ironmonger, of Chesterfield,
was found at Llanfair on the 27th, by the Rev. Mr. Bayley,

* I had the mournful satisfaction of being able to present a
uear relative of the above, and also the Rev. J. H. Stewart, each
with a lock of the deceased gentleman's hair, as sad remem-
brancers of his premature death.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 169

of Tutbury, and interred there on the same day. The
deceased was found with his arms extended, and his hands
spread, as if in the act of swimming, without coat, waist-
coat, or boots. His friends speak in high terms of the
kind attention and sympathy of James H. Clough, Esq.,
Plas Llanfair. Mr. R. R. Harwood, of Chesterfield, was
found at the same place ; as also was Mr. Thomas Charles,*
of Bury, and Mr. James Leigh, of Liverpool. The latter
gentleman, it is said, had about his person, when found,
222. 9s. in notes, &c. Mr. Souza, the brother-in-law of
Mr. Leigh, was found not far from the wreck. A consider-
able sum was also found upon the body of a gentleman
picked up at Conway, described subsequently as R.
Williams, Esq., or Col. R. Williams. The remains of Mr.
Charles were interred in the burial-ground at Ormshead ;
those of Mr. Leigh and Mr. Souza were taken to Liverpool;
and Colonel Williams was, I believe, buried at Conway.
Mr. Baldwin, of London, was found near Southport. Mrs.
Harriet Thompson was found at Trecastle Weir, on the
29th of August, and buried at Beaumaris ; and a few days
afterwards, the body of her husband, Mr. John Thompson,
was picked up on the Formby shore, and buried in Formby
churchyard.f Mr. Dyson, watchmaker, of Manchester,

* The father of Mr. Charles was drowned two years previously,
which event was the means, under Providence, of producing a
most salutary change in his life and conversation.

f The following inscription appears upon the stone which
covers his grave : " Here lieth the body of Mr. John Thompson,
of Bradford, Yorkshire, solicitor, aged 43 years, which was washed
ashore on this coast on the 1st September, 1831. He and his
wife were passengers in the Rothsay Castle steam-packet, which
was wrecked near Puffin Island, in the Bay of Beaumaris, on the
17th of August, 1831. Those who knew him best esteemed him
most. The body of his wife was picked up near Beaumaris, on
the 29th August, 1831, and interred in that place on the following
Q

170 THE WRECK OF

was discovered near Bangor, with three gold watches on
his person. He was also buried at Beaumaris. Mr. Tho-
mas Reddish was found about a fortnight after the wreck,
near Penmaenmawr, and interred in the churchyard of a
small adjacent village. This gentleman, who was the
brother of Mrs. W. H. Bentley, of St. Mary's Gate, was at
the period of his death about to return to Cincinnati, in
the United States of America, where he had resided for
some years. The body of Mr. William Bottomley, of Roch-
dale, was washed on shore opposite the Yorkshire House,
in Blackpool, about eight o'clock on the morning of the 31st
of August, fourteen days after the wreck ; and it was interred
at Rochdale on the 4th of the succeeding month. It was
a singular circumstance, that when the remains of Mr. Bot-
tomley were found at Blackpool, a distance of between eighty
and ninety miles from the scene of his premature death, a
number of his most particular friends were there, in the
temporary pursuit of health or recreation. Amongst them
were the owner of the mill which he rented, and three or
four members of the family of Mr. Jacob Bright, of Roch-
dale, with whom the deceased was intimately acquainted.
The body of Mr. Alexander Wheeler, of Birmingham, was
picked up at Pendryffryn, about ten days after the calamity,
and taken to Dwgyvelchy, but the corpse was afterwards
removed to Liverpool, and there interred on the 1st of Sep-
tember. The manner and places in which the rest of the

day." Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were, in accordance with their
invariable custom, at their parish church on the Sunday preced-
ing the " 17th of August;" and a gentleman who was present
informs me that " by some unaccountable feeling he was led to
notice their behaviour during the whole service. They appeared
exceedingly devout, and their attention to the sermon was intense
in the extreme." The text was remarkably applicable to the
awful circumstances of their case. It was constituted of the
memorably emphatic words " IT is FINISHED."

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 171

sufferers were found have been noticed in the course of the
work ; but, no doubt, many will remain unfound and un-
known until the sea give up its dead. The following
notice, which relates to this portion of my subject,
appeared in the Manchester Chronicle of June 23d, 1832 :
" On the 14th of May last, the remains of a female were
taken up on the sea-shore at Formby ; they are supposed
to be those of one of the passengers in the ill-fated Roth-
say Castle, lost in August, 1831. Having been nine
months in the sea, or immured in the sands, the body
was so much mutilated as to render any description of it
impossible ; but a remnant of her dress providentially
remains, sufficient, it may be hoped, to enable her friends
to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion on her identity. This
has been transmitted to the Rev. T. Selkirk, of Bury, by
an agent of the Earl of Derby, and the Rev. gentleman
has left it at our office for the inspection of any person
who may be interested in the above sadly-memorable
event. An inquest was held on the remains by John Heys,
Esq., of Prescot, coroner, who will readily give all the par-
ticulars within his knowledge to those who have occasion
to apply. After the inquest, the body was becomingly in-
terred in the neighbouring church. The part of the dress
which the deceased had on, put into our care, is in good
preservation, the pattern quite distinct, and the colours less
faded than under the circumstances might have been ex-
pected. Description: 'A chintz print dress, of a large
pattern, on a buff ground, with large crimson and lilac
leaves, and other smaller flowers of the same colours.'
The piece is about a quarter of a yard in length, and half a
quarter in breadth. We shall feel great satisfaction if this
article lead the family of the sufferer to a knowledge of the
ultimate earthly destination of their relative."

The boats' crews that were reported by the late Mr.
Harris, Lloyd's agent at Beaumaris, as entitled to reward

172 THE WRECK OF

on this occasion for the saving of life, were as follows :
Boat from Beaumaris saved nine lives off the raft : names
of the crew Mr. William Lewis Walker, Evan Evans,
Thomas Jones, William Jones, John Stanley, Robert Lloyd,
Thomas Owen, Owen Jones. Penmon Pilot boat saved six
lives: crew William Roberts, Owen Roberts, and Owen
Williams. Beaumaris boat saved three lives : crew Hugh
Jones, Richard Thomas, John Pritchard, Thomas Davies,
and Richard Jones. Beaumaris boat saved one life : crew
Anthony Wilson, Richard Stanley, William Owen, Wil-
liam Lloyd, and William Owen. The boat from the yacht
Campeadora saved two lives. In this list Mr. Harris has
only accounted for twenty-one, but there were twenty-three
saved, with the one referred to in the note at p. 105 ; and
it may be mentioned as a fact not unworthy of notice, that
after the lapse of eighteen months, from the period of the
wreck to the publication of this work, I have reason to
believe that twenty-two of that number are alive and well ;
respecting the other survivors, nothing is known. To Mr.
W. L. Walker, who exerted himself in so prompt and suc-
cessful a manner, the subscription-committee awarded a
handsome Bible, in commemoration of the event; and a
more appropriate gift, for a young student who had distin-
guished himself in such a cause, could not possibly be se-
lected.

The fragments of the wreck, remains of the furniture of
the cabins, &c., were sold by auction at the several places
at which they were landed, or washed on shore. On the
26th of September, 1831, a portion of the timbers which
had been heaped upon Beaumaris Green, and other articles
belonging to the late Rothsay Castle which had been de-
posited in the yard of Mr. Harris, Lloyd's agent, were sub-
mitted to the hammer. Most of these were either only fit
for firewood, or were entirely worthless; and the purchasers
were actuated solely by the desire which prevailed to pos-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 173

sess some relic of a calamity so fatally memorable. The
broken bell, which was unavailingly rung in such dreadful
extremity, was knocked down for 15s. 6d. ; the compass and
stand were sold for 27s. ; the wheel, which contributed so
importantly to save nine lives, sold for 2 2s. ; the frame
of the looking glass of the ladies' cabin, for 6s. ; part of a
dining table, 12s. 6d. ; part of another table, 3s. 6d. ; three
broken chairs, 10s. ; two ditto and two stools, 9s. ; hair pil-
low, Is. 6d. On the 27th of September another sale took
place, at Llanfair, in Carnarvonshire, where a number of
lots of a similar description were disposed of. Several vo-
lumes of books, all spoiled, sold for 21s.; and the broken
book-shelves for 4s. At Conway, on the same day, a num-
ber of lots of old timber belonging to the Rothsay were
also sold, amongst which the shattered rudder was knocked
down for 2s. The third day's sale took place on the Green
at Beaumaris, and the following articles, which had not
been assured, were bought in by the owners at the prices
annexed : the boilers, 250 ; the engine, 65 ; the joints,
&c., 10. The whole of the rest of the property, of which
a bond, fide sale was effected, and most of which produced
much more than it was intrinsically worth, realized the sum
of 75 ; making together 400.

On a subsequent visit to the scene of the wreck and the
places just referred to, I received much information and
kind attention from the Rev. Mr. Vincent, of Aber. That
gentleman accompanied me to the beach, for the purpose
of shewing me some fragments of the Rothsay Castle that
had been cast on shore. We there met with an old fisher-
man, who was actively engaged on the morning of the ca-
lamity. He was very communicative ; and, in speaking of the
condition of the Rothsay Castle, of which his experience as a
seaman rendered him competent to form a tolerably correct
estimate, he said, " I would not have made a herring-boat of
her timbers." Mr. Vincent told me, that when the awful

174 THE WRECK OF

intelligence was first communicated to him, that a vessel
had been wrecked, the remark he made was, " If it be the
Rothsay Castle, I shall not be surprised at the circum-
stance." Such was the general impression of her unfitness;
in corroboration of which, I may refer to the statement on
the subject made by W. F. Campbell, Esq., to a select
Committee of the House of Commons. That gentleman
observed, in speaking of the Rothsay Castle, " I knew
that vessel in Loch Fine, running from Glasgow to Inve-
rary, and T did not think her qualified even for that con-
fined sea ; I also knew that she was a very old vessel. I
think that when the planking of a vessel depends upon its
side (as in the case of the Rothsay), she must, when she
strikes the ground, break in half."

A sermon was preached at Edenfield, in the Parish of
Bury, on the 18th of August, 1832, the anniversary of the
wreck of the Rothsay Castle, to a few of the survivors, by the
Rev. Mr. Clayton, minister of that village, in which Mr. Law-
rence Duckworth resides. An invitation having been given by
the latter individual to the several persons in his neighbour-
hood who were, like him, preserved where so many perished,
they met at his house, and afterwards proceeded to church.
The Rev. gentleman selected for his text part of the four-
teenth verse of the thirteenth chapter of Hebrews " Here
we have no continuing city ;" and after expressing his ear-
nest wish to improve, for the benefit of the living, that
appalling and heart-rending catastrophe which must have
been deeply impressed upon many of those who were then
around him, he expressed the hope that the Almighty
would enable them so to pursue the solemn subject, that
the contemplation of death might induce them all seriously
to make becoming preparation for that life which is eternal.
He then dwelt at length upon the awful truth conveyed so
unequivocally in his text; and concluded by impressively
appealing to the consciences of those who had so signally

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 175

experienced the merciful forbearance of their great Judge,
to invite that self-examination which would either acquit
them of a continuance in sin, or condemn them for dis-
regarding the warning which had been held out to them
in the fate of others.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and her
illustrious and amiable daughter, the Princess Victoria,
recently passed a few weeks in Beaumaris and the neigh-
bourhood,* during which time those distinguished person-
ages visited the spot upon which the Rothsay Castle was
lost, and took much interest in that deplorable event. The
Eisteddfod, or meeting of the Welsh bards, &c., in celebra-
tion of an ancient national custom, was held at Beaumaris
on the 28th and 29th of August last (1832), under the espe-
cial patronage of their Royal Highnesses, who honoured
it with their presence, and gave additional interest to the
scene by taking an active part in the proceedings.^ The
principal literary prize consisted of a premium of 20,
and a medal of the value of 5, for the best ode on the
Wreck of the Rothsay Castle ; and for the second best, a

* The mansion of the Owen family, which is within the circle
implied hy this term, would no doubt attract the attention of the
royal party, as the " Owen" of Queen Anne's day is said to have
given the " casting vote " which fixed the succession of the crown
upon the House of Hanover.

f Sir R. B. W. Bulkeley, who was president on the occasion,
observed in his opening speech, that " As some ladies and gentle-
men might not be fully acquainted with the precise nature of an
Eisteddfod, he would endeavour, in a few words, to explain its
origin and its design. In days of yore, Eisteddfodau were held
every three years. The primary object of them was the cultiva-
tion of literature, the improvement of the morals of the people,
and especially the encouragement of poetry and music. For these
purposes Eisteddfodau were then held, and at the present day
these purposes were not at all altered."

176 THE WRECK OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE.

premium of 10 was adjudged. There were nineteen
compositions submitted upon this subject; but the success-
ful bard, for the first prize, was the Rev. W. Williams
(Independent Minister), of Carnarvon ; the second prize
was awarded to Mr. Griffiths Williams, of Llandegai,
whose poem was pronounced by the judges (the Rev.
Walter Davies and Mr. William Jones) to be scarcely
inferior to the one which obtained the higher distinction.
The Rev. W. Williams was installed in the bardic chair,
by the chair bards present; that is, by those who had
gained similar honours on former occasions ; and on the
following day, the Reverend gentleman was invested with
an extra medal by their Royal Highnesses jointly.

CHAPTER VII.

PERSONAL NARRATIVES OK THE SURVIVORS.

" Some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship ; and so it came to pass that
these escaped safe to land." ACTS xxvii. W.

THE Rev. W. Scoresby observes, in commenting upon the
disastrous events forming the subject of this work, that
there would be " a solemn satisfaction in pursuing the
melancholy story, as derived from the verbal communica-
tions of the several survivors ;" and that it would be " inter-
esting to follow out the personal adventures of each indi-
vidual sufferer : " and so fully do I coincide with such
opinion, that I have taken considerable pains to extend
and render authentic the matter under this head, though
I have been tempted in my progress to deprive it of not
a little of the information obtained for that purpose, by
incorporating it with the body of the work ; as in the
instances particularly of Mr. Coxhead, Mr. John Duck
worth, Mr. George Hammond, Mr. Martin, Mr. Marsden,
Mr. Nuttall, Mrs. Payne, Mr. Whittaker and his sister,
and Mr. Wilson, who have severally communicated
much of interest with reference to the catastrophe in ge-
neral, as well as to themselves. The " Narratives," how-
ever, will still be found for the most part original : very
little indeed of either Mr. Lawrence Duckworth's or Mr.
Martin's has been hitherto published: and Mr. Broad-
hurst's has only been partially circulated ; as it was at first

178 THE WRECK OF

written, to use his own words, " with the view of occasion-
ally sparing himself the painful necessity of describing
verbally those circumstances about which friendship might
induce inquiry." In some few points, the narratives will
disagree with what I have advanced elsewhere; but, in
such cases, the reader may be assured that I have acted
advisedly : such scenes can only be described by carefully
comparing the statements of eye-witnesses, no one of
whom can be competent to supply a perfect whole : for if
every survivor of the carnage of a field like that of Waterloo
were truly to relate all that came under his own observa-
tion, every account would be essentially different, and pre-
sent new features of interest. The narratives follow in
alphabetical succession.

MR. WILLIAM BROADHURST.

Having had occasion to leave Sheffield on business, I
proceeded to Chester, where my two daughters met me on
Tuesday, the 16th of August, from Macclesfield, at which
place and in the neighbourhood they had been spending
some time, for the benefit of their health. I was very
happy to see them in the full enjoyment of that inestimable
blessing, and we calculated together upon the gratification
which each would derive from a trip from our native shores
to the Welsh coast : and especially upon the satisfaction
with which we should presently return home to the family
circle.

We arrived at the Wellington Arms, in Dale-street,
Liverpool, on Wednesday, the 17th of August, about a
quarter before eight o'clock. Having breakfasted together,
I requested my two daughters to hold themselves in rea-
diness for setting out, by the time that I should return
from making a brief call upon a friend of mine (Mr. James
Marsden, jun.), whom I then hastened to see. This gen-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE 179

tleman went with me to the packet-office, to ascertain the
precise time of the vessel's sailing : we were informed the
time would be ten o'clock in the forenoon. My friend
afterwards walked with me to the Wellington Arms : it was
then about a quarter past nine, and we were ready in a
few minutes. Mr. Marsden accompanied us to the vessel,
and on the way called at an office to write for us a note of
introduction to a friend of his in Beaumaris, desiring him,
if he could not himself accommodate us, to procure for us
comfortable lodgings elsewhere. Our friend also requested
that, when we returned, we would make his house our
home during our stay in Liverpool. I accepted his kind
invitation, and purposed to be with him on the Saturday
to spend a few days, little apprehending what an awful end
was fast approaching !

We were all in good health, and my dear children in the
highest spirits, in the anticipation of our promised excur-
sion ; and they repeatedly expressed their wishes that their
mother could have been with us to make our little party com-
plete. We were on board before the appointed time, as I
was very anxious on this point, having on other occasions
witnessed great punctuality in some of the commanders of
packets, as to the time for sailing. In this instance it was
the very reverse, being within two or three minutes of
eleven o'clock when we actually sailed ; and but for remon-
strances made to the captain, it would, in all probability,
have been still later, as there was another boat following
us, containing a gentleman for whom the captain was
waiting ; when a passenger, I believe Mr. Leigh, of Liver-
pool, standing near the captain, said he would report him
if he stopped. Orders were, therefore, given to proceed.

When we got round the rock, several of us remarked that
the noble packet, the Mona's Isle, for the Isle of Man, was
nearly out of sight : she sailed about a quarter-past ten.
I merely mention this fact to show what a serious disad-

180 THE WRECK OF

vantage it was to us to have lost the hour at starting. We
had not been long afloat before remarks were made about
the apparent weakness of the vessel ; it was observed that
she required almost constant trimming. The wind increas-
ing, it was two o'clock in the afterndon, and we were still
considerably to leeward of the floating light, a situation in
which a skilful captain would not have placed his pas-
sengers in a bad vessel, the wind and tide both against us.
At this time, the Rev. Owen Owen, of Beaumaris, and I
were sitting together in conversation and anxiety on the
quarter deck. We calculated that unless the wind abated
or changed, it would be at the least past eleven o'clock at
night before we should reach Beaumaris. The wind con-
tinued to increase, until it blew tolerably fresh, but not so
as to have impressed any experienced persons with the
idea that there was anything like danger, supposing the
vessel to have been seaworthy.

We were so exceedingly crowded with passengers, &c.,
that I only left the quarter deck some five or six minutes
during the whole voyage, and those occasions were when
my daughters became sick, and I went down to inquire
how they were, and to ask them whether they would take
any refreshment, or could venture on deck. I went down
once, intending to have dined, but the cabin was so full of
sick people that I returned. I mention this to account for
my knowing very little about what was going on at the
forepart of the vessel.

. We entered Abergele Bay about four in the afternoon.
The wind continuing to blow much as it had done for
some time past, I frequently mentioned to a gentleman
near me what I considered extreme want of attention in
the captain to his duty. When about half way across the
Bay, and nearly half-past six o'clock, the tide was running
in our favour, but, being neap tide, was evidently not of
much assistance to us. I asked the man at the helm what

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 181

he thought of our situation : he intimated that he did not
like it. I then asked him whether he thought we could
continue our voyaye, or should be obliged to return : he
shook his head, and replied that he did not know, but
thought it would be better to return.

When the lamp was put into the binnacle, I noticed
that there was not a light either placed a-head or upon the
mast-head. I asked the mate the reason, and whether
there was not to be one hoisted : he answered " Yes," and
went a-head, as I supposed, to order it ; this, however, was
not done. Some time afterwards I again spoke to him,
remarking that it was very strange, especially considering
all the disadvantageous circumstances under which we
were labouring, that there was no light put out. About
half past eight we were off Little Ormshead, after which
we were nearly two hours making Great Ormshead. While
making the distance between the two last bearings, the
mate came and assisted the helmsman to hold the wheel
for near half an hour. I thought we were much too near
land, especially it being a lee shore. I should think we
were not more than about three hundred yards from the
point of Ormshead. Here I was several times greatly
afraid the packet would go down altogether. I asked the
mate his opinion of the vessel ; he replied he had been at
sea twenty-two years, and never had a better ship under him.
We were frequently obliged to steer W.N.W. and within
half a point of that course for a considerable time together,
on our passage through Abergele Bay, and from Little to
Great Ormshead, as well as from the latter point to Puffin
Island ; notwithstanding which we drifted to leeward.

I may here observe that there were only three passengers
beside myself on the quarter deck or poop, for some hours
before the vessel struck. When about two or three miles
from Great Ormshead, the captain, who had not been
heard or seen for some hours, called out, enquiring " What
R

182 THE WRECK OF

course ? " To which the mate returned an answer. The
captain then ordered our course to be changed, upon which
the mate replied, " Then we shall be too much to leeward;"
exclaiming with the same breath, " I'll go a-head." There
he remained a very considerable time. After the mate
was gone, I did not think the helmsman attended exactly
to the captain's orders; for I frequently looked at the com-
pass myself, and noticed that we did not appear to deviate
much in our course. In about ten or fifteen minutes after,
the mate had returned, and our course was changed ; but in
a few minutes more he went away again. At this moment,
one of the passengers on the deck and I were congratu-
lating each other, as to how fortunate it appeared that the
sinking moon had just held out until we were come on this
tack, mistakenly calculating as, alas, we did, that we were
then about to enter BeaumarisBay,* and that all our dangers
and apprehensions were over ! But the Allwise Disposer
of events, whose command the wind and waves obey, had
ordered otherwise.

At the time just alluded to, the helmsman touched me
on the shoulder, and pointed out the breakers on our lar-
board, to all appearance not more than about one hundred
yards from us. I was now greatly alarmed at our condition
and prospects, and so, I am persuaded, was the steersman
himself. Had the mate been present, and had he put the
helm about at this moment, in my opinion the catastrophe
would have been delayed, if not prevented. He returned^
but I do not suppose more than about five or ten minutes
elapsed before the vessel grounded astern. It was now
near one o'clock in the morning of the 18th. I instantly
asked the mate whether he thought we could back off; he

* Or rather that part of it distinguished as the Menai Strait;
for it might be said that they entered the Bay on passing the Great
Onnshead, especially as they quickly got so far to leeward.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 183

still, however, continued to strive to go forward in the same
course. Seeing things in this alarming state, I imme-
diately ran down to the ladies' cabin to see what could be
done with my daughters. The inquiry below was general
" Is there any danger ? " I replied that I apprehended
there was danger. All presently became confusion, and
the passengers hastened upon deck. The vessel did not
strike again for several minutes ; and had she been sea-
worthy, and her machinery effective, I do think she might
have been backed off, or been put helm about, and all the
passengers have probably escaped with their lives. Bad as'
she was, I believe I only state the general conviction, when
I give it as my opinion, that had the captain and mate
been steady and attentive to their duty, we might have
weathered it round the buoy at the point of the Dutch-
man's Bank, where we should have been comparatively out
of all danger.

After I had placed my children on the quarter deck, I
ran forward to look into the engine-room. The fires were
nearly out, and the water standing nearly a foot deep : the
pumps were choked up, and no buckets were to be had :
the vessel must have been taking in water through the
seams for hours ; and, from what I now saw, I was con-
vinced that without a wonderful interposition of a merciful
Providence in our behalf, we should assuredly all perish.
While the wheels continued to move, which was at this
crisis very slowly, they seemed as if they were striking
against the boiler, or something that produced a similar
sound. I then returned (not knowing at the time where the
captain was), and went to the mate, to know whether there
were any rockets, or aught else, on board, by which signals
of distress could be made : to which he sharply answered,
" I cannot speak to you." / do not think there was any thing
on board with which a signal could have been made; but if
there were, it was not used. The captain, who now had

184 THE WRECK OF

made his appearance, gave several orders, to which the
helmsman attended as well as he could ; obedience to the
last order that he had given put the head of the vessel in
the midst of the breakers, not to move again. I believe
after this the captain was never heard or seen on deck :
what became of him still appears a sort of mystery. It is my
painful duty to state, that when death stared us in the face,
and in the midst of that general scene of confusion and
distress which accompanied the wreck, we were repeatedly
most grossly insulted, by being told there was " nothing to
fear, we had a good vessel under us;" that " she would
hold together until day light, when we could get assistance
from the shore," &c. '

As it was now ascertained that we either could not or must
not have any signal made, it was resolved that we should
shout ; and such shouting I never heard as that which rose
from considerably more than one hundred human beings
literally shouting for their lives ! It was loud and awful ;
but, owing to the tremendous noise of the mighty billows,
our voices could not be heard. It was not until after we
began to shout that the bell was allowed to be rung, and
which, unfortunately, soon lost its clapper ! And when the
lamp was taken from the binnacle, I suppose with the in-
tention of hoisting it at the mast head, it was let fall, and
out went the only light of any kind which we had on board !
From the time the vessel first struck, until the devastating
waves began their work of death amongst us, was not more
than half an hour. In about a quarter of an hour the
chimney fell overboard with a tremendous crash, the top
lying alongside of the starboard quarter-deck. In a few mi-
nutes afterwards down came the main-mast, its upper part
striking upon the quarter-deck. The vessel rolled several
times from side to side, then fell on her starboard,* while

* That is, with an inclination to windward. See page 51.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 185

numbers of the passengers crowded to the larboard of the
quarter-deck, as being the highest part out of water. Here
I first placed my dear children, and took my stand close to
them. The human mind cannot conceive, much less my
pen attempt to describe, the scene of horror that now pre-
sented itself all hope of safety and escape having van-
ished. Oh, the heart-rending cries of children clinging to
their parents, the parents clasping their children in their
arms, and praying for them in the most fervent manner !
Husbands and wives embracing each other, and together
calling upon the Almighty, who alone could deliver them !
The boat was often called for, but we were told it was of
no service ; it appeared not to be capable of carrying more
than twelve or thirteen persons, even in moderately still
water ; consequently it would not in all likelihood have
lived a minute amidst those mighty breakers. So many
had now pressed for security to the place where we stood,
that I became alarmed, as fearing every wave (for they had
now begun to run over us with great violence) would break
down our standing-place, and thus precipitate us at once
into the midst of the relentless sea, so that we should be
lost altogether. In the midst of my confusion of mind I
moved, I hardly knew why, with my daughters to the pros-
trate mast, as near the head as possible. We had only left
our former situation a few minutes when I looked round,
and saw that nearly the whole of the persons who stood
with us were washed into the sea, to the number, I should
think, of at least twenty-five or thirty people. Each suc-
ceeding wave now took its victims with it. The surge
having thrown up a large piece of the vessel, and laid it in
such a position before us that I feared the next wave would
strike it against us, and inevitably either kill us or send us
into the sea, I stepped over the mast, and holding by my
right hand, with my left stretched out, I succeeded in ward-
ing off the blow : I had not, however, regained my station
R-2

186 THE WRECK OF

before I was washed into the sea, where I was, for a short
time, ingulphed under the broken pieces of the vessel;
and, but for a most extraordinary Providence, must cer-
tainly have been lost for ever. I placed myself as well as
I could on my back, and by very great efforts with hands
and feet pushed myself from under the floating timbers.
While in that awful situation, I felt several of my companions
struggling for life about me. It was some time before I
could seize any thing that would support me ; at length I
succeeded, but could not by any means regain the vessel, I
was so much exhausted. I now stretched my anxious eyes
to that part of the wreck on which I had left my dear
children, and beheld them still holding to the mast. Oh,
the anguish of mind which I experienced at this moment,
when I could not render them any assistance ! I most
fervently recommended them to their merciful Creator and
Redeemer, who, I knew, alone could preserve us from the
awful, and apparently inevitable, death which threatened
us. I prayed that if it was not his divine will that we
should meet together on earth, we might meet in our
heavenly Father's kingdom, there to go no more out for
ever, and where neither sorrow nor sighing should ever
enter.

After I had brought my dear children up out of the cabin,
they asked me whether we were in danger. I felt it to be
my duty to answer, "Yes, in most imminent danger; and
unless Providence granted us his gracious protection, I
greatly feared we should all soon pass into eternity."
They then said, " Dear father, had it not been for us you
would not have been here : you have to blame us for this."
They repeatedly requested that I would not mind them, but en-
deavour to save myself, for their dear mother and brothers' sake ;
I need not to say, what earthly parent could attempt to do this !
They both earnestly prayed, calling upon Jesus to pardon
all their sins, and to receive their departing spirits : and

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 187

my present consolation is, the hope and trust I entertain
that He heard and answered their prayers. When I was in
the water, I heard them crying out "Oh, my father! my
father! he is gone!" These were the last words I ever
heard them utter.

The little raft on which I was saved was about three feet
square, and composed of three boards nailed to four small
spars : three of them extending about a foot over the boards
on the outer edge, allowed me, very providentially, to place
myself at a corner between two of them. At one time I
was washed from this frail security, but very fortunately
succeeded in catching hold of it at the dash of the next
wave. At another time, a thin board about seven feet long
struck through one of the joints of my float : this alarmed
me much, as it loosened the nails of one of the boards from
two of the spars. I had much difficulty in getting this
board out ; and, with every surge, was fearful lest it should
break one board entirely loose, then the rest would not have
sustained me. I was considerably bruised on my left hand,
thigh, and leg, before I was thrown from the vessel, in en-
deavouring to protect my children ; and, when under the
broken pieces of the vessel, by a nail that pierced the back
of my hand. I was afterwards a good deal lacerated by a
nail which was fast through one spar of my little float, and
which pierced my right side ; but this I was obliged to
endure, not being able to get it out. I was many times
very much afraid of the floating pieces of wreck either
striking me or my little bark, which might have sunk me
for ever; but nothing touched either, except the board
already mentioned, although many pieces came very near.

I was taken up along with others by a boat from Beau-
maris, about half-past eight o'clock on the morning of the
18th, after buffeting about full six hours and a half in the
sea. All the refreshment I had taken, from eight o'clock
on Wednesday morning, was a very small quantity of bread

188 THE WRECK OF

and cheese, and a little biscuit. When the water began to
run over us, I several times felt the cramp in my legs,
which alarmed me lest I should be seized with it, and not
be able to make an effort to escape. To nothing less than
the Almighty power and goodness of God, who enabled me
to retain my faculties of body and mind throughout the
whole time that passed under such afflicting circumstances,
can I ascribe my most extraordinary escape. How merci-
ful, then, has the Almighty been to me ! infinitely, indeed,
beyond my deserts. In the midst of judgment, the Lord
has remembered mercy; and my desire is, that this
afflictive dispensation may be sanctified to every surviving
branch of my family that the life so signally spared to
myself may henceforth be wholly devoted to its great Author
and Preserver and that, amidst my severe bereavement,
I may be enabled with calm and humble resignation to
say, " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away :
blessed be the name of the Lord."

I cannot conclude this brief narrative without recording
my grateful acknowledgments to the many kind, sympa-
thizing friends who sent to inquire after me in Beaumaris.
They were so numerous, that I hope it will be a sufficient
apology for not introducing the names of any, lest I shoidd
omit some, and so doing, I might be thought ungrateful.
I also desire to present my most grateful remembrance to
the very numerous friends who called upon my much
afflicted wife, before my return home, and upon both of us
since our arrival from Beaumaris : also, to the many sin-
cere corresponding individuals, who have been so very
solicitous to pour the balm of consolation into the wound
with which Providence has* seen right in his infinite wisdom
to afflict us.

The body of my youngest daughter, Ellen, was taken up
near Conway, the l!Hh of August; that of her elder sister,
Margaret, was not found until the 24th of September, after

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 189

having, as is supposed, been covered with the sand in the
interval since the wreck. They were both conveyed to
Liverpool, and interred in the vault of a friend,* in the
ground adjoining Newiugton chapel.

It may be mentioned as a singular coincidence, that a
copy of verses, intitled " The Valley of Scheveningen," by
Charles Swain, and descriptive of an awful storm at sea,
was found among my dear children's memorandums in one
of their pocket-books, in the trunk which was brought on
shore.f

WILLIAM BROADHURST.

MR. JOHN COXHEAD.

On the morning of Wednesday, the 17th of August, at
ten o'clock, I embarked at Liverpool on board the Rothsay
Castle steamer, to proceed to Bangor, with the intention
of visiting the neighbourhood. Upon my reaching the
vessel, I found a great number of passengers already on
board, and many continued to arrive, until a quarter to
eleven o'clock, the captain having delayed the time fixed
for sailing three quarters of an hour, for the purpose of
taking a carriage on board, for which he was to receive two
guineas. The morning, from the commencement, was in-
auspicious ; it was cold, and blew hard, accompanied with
rain. Notwithstanding, all the company, mostly bent upon
pleasure, seemed inclined to make themselves as happy
and comfortable as the circumstances would permit. The

* Mr. Broadhurst says, in a note to this passage " The friend
here alluded to is Mr. James Marsden, Jun., of Liverpool, with
whom I had promised to spend a few days on our return from
Beaumaris, and who, on hearing of the wreck, kindly hastened to
my assistance."

f See note, page 30, in which this circumstance is referred to.

190 THE WRECK OF

band, consisting of a clarionet, horn, and drum, struck up
the tune of " Cheer up, cheer up ! " a very singular cir-
cumstance, as the sequel proved ; but, of course, no parti-
cular notice was taken of it at the time. At last the vessel
got under weigh, and we proceeded pretty steadily for the
first two or three hours. After that time the wind increased
considerably, and the vessel rocked so much that the greater
portion of the passengers became very ill, and continued
to be so the whole of the day. Although I had suffered
much from indisposition for some days previous, the mo-
tion of the vessel did not produce a similar effect upon
myself; but, as a precautionary measure, I remained upon
deck in one place nearly the whole of the day, which pre-
vented me from seeing or conversing much with the other
passengers. I had, however, some conversation with se-
veral of the ladies and gentlemen, and nothing like appre-
hension was entertained by any of them until the after-
noon, some time before we perceived the Ormshead, when
the wind was so high, with a sea which the captain, in
my presence, declared to be a much heavier one than he
had ever known in those parts. The vessel strained vio-
lently, and the water was forced in considerable quantities
through the seams of the paddle-boxes. We were now not
making more than one or two knots an hour. The rough-
ness of the wind and sea increasing, some of the passen-
gers at various times expressed their fears that the storm
was too much for the vessel, and entreated the captain to
turn back, if he could not get under shelter; but he conti-
nued assuring them that it was only the tail of the storm
which had passed us, and that we should be immediately
out of its reach ; always contradicting himself, however,
and that nearly at the same instant, by openly declaring
that he never remembered such a sea ; and adding, with
evident anxiety, " I wish to God I could get somewhere to
ride the storm out." We continued our course, the sea

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 191

running mountains high, and arrived off the Little Orms-
head about eight o'clock. The vessel continued to strain
considerably, and made so little way, that we were from
that hour until nearly twelve o'clock before we made Puffin
Island. The sea had for some time beaten with so much
violence against and over the vessel, that all who had re-
mained on deck were thoroughly drenched ; and as it was
with great difficulty that we could at all preserve our footing,
myself and many others thought it more prudent to seek
refuge in the cabin. This was about eleven or half past
eleven o'clock, and it was now for the first time that we
spoke seriously of the danger which we were evidently
encountering. We could, however, obtain nothing but
vague replies to any enquiries we made, either of the cap-
tain or crew ; and upon any one attempting to expostulate
with the former, as to the injudiciousness of his attempting
to proceed, his answers were not only unsatisfactory, but to
to say the least very improper, and at the same time always
tending to increase the alarm which existed. For myself,
from the movements of the captain, mate, and steward, for
some time before the vessel struck, I was morally certain
that they had long been fully aware of the danger ; but as
many females were about me, several having come into the
gentlemen's cabin, I thought it imprudent to express my
fears openly, thinking that if the vessel made only the
least way we should eventually reach our destination. Our
notice, however, was shortly after attracted by the cabin
floor being covered with water, which continued to increase ;
and, before the vessel struck, it was in some parts six
inches and upwards in depth. This was a circumstance
so highly calculated to increase the apprehensions of all
the passengers, that we insisted upon the captain coming
down himself and explaining the cause. We could not,
however, get him to make his appearance, and the steward
persisted in declaring that it was only bilge water. As the

192 THE WRECK OF

water increased, we became still louder in our request for
the captain to come down ; and at length one of the en-
gineers came, and told us that a small screw of the boiler
had become loose, and that the water in the cabin partly
arose from that cause. Whilst we were deliberating as to
the steps which should be taken under the circumstances,
the vessel struck, but not with extraordinary violence ; quite
sufficiently so, however, to warn us of the imminent peril
we were now in. There was no mistaking then, and it was
useless to demand further explanation. We all rushed on
deck ; and the females, when they witnessed the scene of
confusion which there ensued, gave way at once to their
feelings, and their piercing shrieks struck terror into the
hearts of others who were more strongly nerved, and not
so easily inclined to give themselves up to despair. Myself
and others took upon ourselves to calm their fears, point-
ing out to them that presence of mind alone could prove
the means of preservation, and imploring them to desist
for the sake of the other passengers. We succeeded in
our endeavours, and now the captain was to be heard at
the head of the vessel, directing the helmsman to steer
first to starboard, then to port, and then to starboard again,
himself apparently undetermined what course he should
pursue. As the vessel seemed not to have grounded very
fast in the sand, we had strong hopes that she might again
float; and by the direction of the captain we all kept
changing our positions, first going forward and then aft,
in order to render her as buoyant as possible ; at the
same time, all those who were able worked alternately at
the pump, until it was choked. The engine had long
become useless, and the water could now be seen
gaining ground, and filling all the lower parts of the
vessel. In this dreadful state of suspense we continued
for upwards of ten minutes, when the vessel actually
did float ; but, alas, she then struck a second and a third

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 193

time upon the sands, with the most frightful concussions !
Now, indeed, hope fled for ever ; the hand of death was
upon all ; and those who had sufficient energy sought for
the means of saving themselves. The crew were the most
active, and I kept my eye upon their operations, thinking
that as they would naturally adopt the most likely means
to preserve themselves, I could do no better than follow
their example. The case, however, appeared hopeless to
all ; all alike were unable to think or say what they should
do. The scene was now indeed terrific such as to beggar
all description. Praying, shrieking, swooning ; parents
with their children, children with their parents; wives
with their husbands, husbands with their wives, enfolded
in each other's arms and in agonies of despair, determined
to perish together. Many threw themselves down upon
the deck, without making an effort to save themselves. I
moved about a considerable time, but the case appeared
to be so truly hopeless, that I positively could not bring
myself to think that a single soul could be saved by any
earthly means : I accordingly went to the stern, and seated
myself upon one of the benches which still remained, and
from that place I witnessed indeed a scene which I shall
never forget whilst I have life ! The bell had been rung
until it \vas broken ; no li-ht was hoisted ; and just then a
singular circumstance attracted my observation. One of
the seamen came to the binnacle, which bears the compass,
deliberately took out the lantern it contained, to afford
light to the helmsman, and threw it with much force
upon the deck, breaking it into many pieces, and of course
extinguishing the light ; and I cannot bring my mind to
any other conclusion than that this was purposely done,
although he immediately lamented that the only chance of
making a signal was now destroyed ! For what purpose it
was done I cannot say; he instantly disappeared, and I
saw no more of him. Every wave that broke over the
s

194 THE WRECK OF

deck did its work of death ; the captain's voice was now-
hushed he must have perished with the first. The
chimney came down with a great shock, and fell upon the
side of the vessel immediately opposite where I was, bring-
ing with it the main-mast. I instinctively caught hold
of one of the ropes attached to it, and folded it round my
left arm : I recommended some of the females around me
to adopt the same plan, and did what I could to comfort
them in their affliction. At that part of the vessel there
were then about forty or fifty persons, and none had as yet
been washed away from it; a tremendous sea, however,
soon struck the vessel, and she seemed to split from one
end to the other. The sensation was dreadful. I naturally
thought that the next wave would seal the doom of all that
now remained, and it truly did so. A death-like silence
prevailed, for all could not but be conscious that now they
must prepare to meet their Maker. It came ! The vessel
lurched so much that she was upon her side in almost a
perpendicular position. We clung to one another ; or to
the side of the vessel, and this was indeed an awful mo-
ment ! The sea did not immediately wash us over ; it had
spent its fury, and we remained for a very brief space,
with our heads inclining with the inclination of the vessel,
so as nearly to touch the water, when our collective weight
carried away the bulwark, and we were all at once precipi-
tated into the foaming element ! When I arose, a dread-
ful cry reached my ear ; it was the cry of death but all
was soon huslied ! Those who could, caught hold of the
first thing that presented itself to them. For myself,
although when I was swept off I had forgotten the circum-
stance, I found myself with the rope around my arm, and
a wave almost immediately carried me against the side of
the wreck, with great force. I strove to get on board, but
another sea broke over me and I was again washed away.
A second time I tried, with the same want of success ; and

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 195

as I suffered much from the bmises I received in my at-
tempts, I thought for a moment of releasing myself from
the rope. Providence, however, interposed, and I caught
hold of the rope with my right hand, which I had before
been unable to do, and with great exertion I threw myself
into the net-work at the stern of the vessel. Here I ma-
naged to support myself for a considerable time, tossed
about with the wreck, and unable to shew my head above
it in order to procure assistance. After the lapse, however,
of at least a quarter of an hour, I did so, and prevailed
upon two of my fellow-sufierers who were upon that part
of the vessel to give me a band, by which I was enabled to
throw myself on deck, and seize the rudder-wheel.* This
portion of the vessel almost immediately parted from the
wreck, forming a sort of raft, which eventually proved the
means of saving nine of us. It was upon this raft that
Miss Whittaker was saved, of whom much mention has
been made; and certainly I can bear testimony to the
great presence of mind she displayed during the whole of
the time we were floating about ; viz., from about two to
seven o'clock, when we were picked up by the Campeadora's
boat. I perfectly remember the boat coming to us, but I
do not recollect how I got into it, and my senses left me
until we reached Beaumaris, when I recollect opening my
eyes a moment, as they were carrying me up the beach ;
I, however, soon again lost all consciousness, which only
returned at intervals during the whole of the next day.
I happily, however, thanks to Divine Providence, reco-
vered ; and I avail myself of this opportunity of expressing

* See a more particular description of the circumstances here
related, page 77. As before observed, I have derived much in-
formation from the several kind communications with which Mr.
Coxhead has favoured me, which has been incorporated with my
general narrative, and omitted in this part of the work.

196 THE WRECK OF

my sense of obligation for the very great attention and
kindness I received whilst at Beaumaris. In concluding,
I remark, with respect to the conduct of the captain, that
I consider him to have been a headstrong, impetuous,
fool-hardy man; and I am positively convinced that he
was aware of his danger a long time before the vessel
struck, but would listen to no expostulations ; determined,
perhaps, from a sense of misguided pride, to brave every
danger, and put the lives of all on board in the greatest
peril, rather than turn back or alter his course. The mate
seemed to be entirely under his control ; and if the cir-
cumstance of a pilot being on board had been generally
known, I am certain that some decisive steps would have
been adopted by the passengers. With respect to the state
of the vessel, my opinion is that she was extremely defect-
ive, and totally unfit for such a station in stormy weather ;
for every sea that beat heavily against her caused her to
strain in every part : and from portions of the wreck which
were washed on shore, sufficient evidence can be gained
on that point. I shall refrain from commenting upon the
conduct of the proprietor of the vessel (Watson) after the
catastrophe ; I perhaps may have occasion to do so else-
where. Many affecting incidents came under my obser-
vation during the time the vessel was going to pieces ; but
as I have exceeded my limits, I must conclude with an
earnest prayer that means may be adopted by government
to prevent the recurrence of such horrible scenes.

With the preceding, and the narrative-matter which
follows, I received the subjoined letter from Mr. Coxhead,
which, while it shows the superior accuracy of these cor-
rected statements, will clear me from any charge of having
patched them up from other works :

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 197

London, 27th September, 1831.

SIR, I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
21st, requesting me to furnish you with some particulars relative
to the loss of the Rothsay Castle, and it gives me much pleasure
to be able to comply with your request. I must, however, inform
you that on the evening previous to my leaving Beaumaris, I had
been solicited to draw up a sort of narrative in connexion with
my own preservation : I hurriedly did so, and I have reason to
know that it has been iu the hands of several gentlemen ; some
portion of it therefore may have found its way to publication. I,
however, enclose a copy of it (No. 1.); it may be useful to you,
as I have endeavoured to embody with it several additional parti-
culars. I have also furnished an extended relation to parties
who have applied to me, of which you have a copy in paper No.
2. These two papers contain nearly all the incidents I can sup-
ply : if, however, you think there is any point requiring further
elucidation, 1 shall be most happy to afford it, if in my power.
Meantime I remain, dear sir, yours truly,

Mr. Joseph Adshead, &c. JOHN COXHEAD.

I was, (continues Mr. Coxhead, in his " Paper No. 2,")
as I before observed, in the cabin when the vessel struck :
many others were there, some very ill indeed from the vio-
lent motion of the vessel. The first shock was not very
severe, but the danger was manifest, and it seemed to have
an electrifying effect upon many of those sufferers from sea-
sickness, whom, under any other circumstances, it would
have been impossible to have aroused from their nearly
lifeless condition. In consequence of the rush which took
place to get upon deck, the passage up stairs was impeded;
at which a gentleman, whom I have reason to believe must
have been Mr. Tarrey, who had so great a stake on board,
showed the feelings which must have agitated his breast
by impatiently rushing on%vards ; carrying, as it were, the
\\ hole mass before him, and seemingly unconscious of any

198 THE WRECK OF

single object or obstacle until he gained the deck. He
passed me hurriedly to go to the front, and I did not, to my
recollection, see him afterwards. I am inclined to think
that the greatest portion of his family must have perished
in the cabin, for I did not at any time perceive so many
grouped together, as it is natural to suppose would have
been the case had they come on deck.* The steward's wife
had come up amongst the first, which he perceiving,
insisted upon her again going down, no doubt anxious that
the scene, which had already become of a frightful nature,
should be hidden from her as long as possible. He seemed
very fond of her ; and on his endeavouring to force her down
the stairs, she insisted upon remaining, and they struggled
together for a short time, when, he perceiving her to be
resolute, he desisted, and from that moment sought only for
the means of preserving her and himself. He appeared
to try many methods ; unfortunately the one he adopted
proved unavailing. He lashed himself to his wife, under
my feet, and it was truly a subject for the poet, the sculp-
tor, or the painter. The husband seated upon a small
piece of board on the deck, fastening the ropes in every
way, the sea continually beating over them, he himself ap-
parently unconscious of any thing but the object in which
he was engaged ; his poor wife motionless ; her head hang-
ing down, seemingly not knowing why or wherefore he was
so eagerly lashing her to him. These circumstances con-
stituted such a picture, that if ever I regretted not having
the power of description in its most vivid form, it would be
now. I turned away from the affecting scene, and by this
time the vessel had struck a second time, and the horrors
of the night presented themselves in their most appalling
shape. I made for the stern, and the Owens first attracted
my notice. I had seen much of them in the day-time, and

* See page 57.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 199

I felt greatly interested for them. One of the ladies, with
her hands uplifted, was imploring the aid of Heaven, and
could not bring herself to meet her fate with that perfect
resignation evinced by the other. She continued exclaim-
ing, " Must we all perish ? It cannot be ! " and such like.
Mr. Owen had taken them in his arms, and seated himself
near me ; the two ladies knelt down on the deck, their faces
buried in his lap. They were all washed over with myself.
Mr., Mrs., and Miss Lucas also interested me much, for
the same reason. Miss Lucas had been very unwell all
the day ; and her parents being likewise ill, it had been in
my power to pay her some trifling attention, such as sup-
porting her at different times during the day. They like-
wise came near that part of the vessel where I was, and
were also washed over at the same time. To the last mo-
ment Mrs. Lucas continued uttering the most agonizing
cries. " Oh, my child ! Oh, Margaret ! it was you who
persuaded us to come this journey P Oh, my children at home !
No one left to protect them ! Oh, Margaret, Margaret, this is
your fault .'" " Oh, my dear mother, do not say so ! Father,
was it me P you know I did not wish to come ! " Whilst so
accusing one another, they were carried into the foaming
abyss ! Mr. Forster, upon the first alarm, had immediately
sought his wife, and gone to the front of the vessel. He
appeared to be a gentleman whose frame was incapable
of bearing much exertion; and upon ascertaining the
certainty that no hope remained, he took a position behind
one of the paddle-boxes, enfolding his wife in his arms.
It was there that I first saw him after the vessel had
struck. It was thought by some of the passengers that if
his carriage were cut away it would lighten the vessel, and
perhaps cause her to float. Permission was asked of him
to do so, which he instantly granted, only expressing a wish
that some of the property which it contained might be
saved. One of the crew volunteered, if he intrusted him

200 THE WRECK OF

with the key, to take every thing out, and place the whole
safely in the cabin, with which Mr. Forster appeared satis-
fied ; but the captain hearing that the carriage was going
to be cut away, gave orders that it should remain, as it
would be useless to throw it overboard. I suggested to
Mr. Forster that the carriage was a very likely thing to
prove the means of their preservation, if they took their
station near it, and advised him to move from his present
place towards it. He shook his head, and his servant being
near, he requested him to go and fetch his cloak. The
poor man obeyed, and brought it from the cabin, placing it
on his master's shoulders. Mr. Forster also sheltered his
wife with it. I heard him ejaculate, " My dear wife, my
dear wife !" when I moved away. Mr. Forster's body was
found under the wreck, and I account for it in this way :
a heavy sea had carried away the paddle-box, and he must
at the same time have fallen into the vacuum caused by it.
The violence of the shock would easily separate him from
his wife. There was an elderly gentleman, whose conduct
excited much of my admiration ; and he may be known to
some of his friends from the following circumstance : he
had in the morning taken his place upon one of the benches,
and thrown his feet over one of its arms ; and remaining
in that position the whole of the day, his wife being by his
side, I had an opportunity of inquiring the reason of his
sitting in that position, when he informed me that formerly,
when he made a journey by sea, he was invariably very ill,
and it was accidentally mentioned to him that sitting in
this posture prevented sea sickness ; he had accordingly
adopted the simple remedy, and always with the desired
effect, never having been unwell tit sea since he did so.
This gentleman had never, as I remarked before, changed
his position during the whole of the day, and he managed
to keep himself in it to a very late hour at night. When
the scene of death had begun, he did not change his place,

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 201

his position of course he did ; his wife knelt at his feet, and
he was perhaps the most fervent of any of the passengers
in his outward prayers to the Almighty. He called upon
and exhorted all to join with him, expressing himself per-
fectly happy and resigned, although he could not help
believing that he should be saved. I endeavoured to ascer-
tain if he really were so, but I could obtain no satisfactory
tidings, and I should myself think that he is not one of the
survivors, as I do not imagine that he could have made any
exertion when washed over. His wife was handsomely
dressed in white, was much taller than himself, and of lady-
like appearance. As I have never seen either of their per-
sons described in any way, I am fearful that their bodies
have not been found.* Whilst I was upon the bench, a
poor little black boy, belonging to the vessel, who it ap-
peared had no natural protector on board, came crying to
the place where I was. I spoke a few words of comfort to
him, and he instantly grasped me by the neck in a convul-
sive manner, his face beaming with gratitude, for the pro-
tection which he fancied I could render him. I felt very
much for the poor child, but I at once saw that if he so held
me both of us must perish, and I endeavoured to prevail
upon him to relinquish his grasp ; to force him to do so
would have been a difficult task. I was obliged to tell him
that if he took hold of my coat it would be much better for
himself, and after some time he did so. When we were
washed over he was with me, but I never saw him more ;
for, as I have elsewhere observed, when I arose I was alone :
the boy was drowned ! Mr. Broadhurst and his daughters
were also of the number who went over with me. I did

* The lady and gentleman referred to were Mr. and Mrs. Sel-
wyn, of Bath. The melancholy satisfaction derivable from the
recovery of their remains was conferred upon their afflicted
friends, as will be seen by reference to a preceding chapter,
page 135.

202 THE WRECK OF

not observe anything very remarkable with respect to them :
the father was absorbed in grief, the daughters hid their
faces in his bosom. As I remained during the latter part
of the time stationary upon the stern, I had but rather an
indistinct view of what was going on forward. The cap-
tain's voice was soon lost ; I cannot say in which way he
was washed over. At the time when all were engaged in
earnest devotion, the gentleman to whom I have before
alluded praying aloud, it was thought that a light could be
perceived on Puffin Island ; when, as if instinctively, all at
the same moment commenced a loud shout, and continued
it for some minutes : it was, however, in vain, and the light
could only have been imaginary. The moon had gone
down, and from two until daybreak it was very dark, adding
additional horrors to our situation. Whilst we were float-
ing about on the raft very few words escaped any of us.
Many who had caught hold of pieces of the wreck were not
able to keep them, and I saw them sink, apparently from
exhaustion. Upon one of the masts eight or nine had
fixed themselves; and, with the exception of one only*
/ saw all fall off one after another. In fact, my eyes grew
dim with the scene that was passing before me, and I leave
imagination to paint that which remains to be told of this
mournful story. I should say that, considering the num-
ber of persons on board, there was evinced a considerable
portion of fortitude and resignation ; much more than many
would suppose could have been the case.

The following is an extract from a letter which I have
lately received from Mr. Coxhead. It refers to the period
directly subsequent to the admission of Mr. George Ham-
mond to a place upon the raft : see page 95.

* * * Our situation, however, from this increase of weight,
became very critical : the raft was more deeply covered with water
than before, aud we certainly could not have floated any longer if

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 203

another person had joined us. From the helplessness of my con-
dition, I was necessarily the whole of the time completely im-
mersed in water, with the exception of my head, which was kindly
supported from time to time by my fellow- sufferers.* I had in
consequence, before the boat reached us, become quite insensible,
and could not have survived many minutes, the cramp having
previously seized the whole of my frame. This will account to
you for the very imperfect details which I am enabled to furnish,
with respect to what happened after I regained the wreck ; and I
the more regret that I was so reduced, inasmuch as it prevents
me from affording you such assistance as I could wish.

I remain, dear Sir, yours truly,
Mr. Joseph Adshead, Sec. JOHN COXHEAD.

MR. JOHN DUCKWORTH.

After myself and wife got on board the steamer, a car-
riage belonging to a gentleman of the name of Forster, from
London, who with his wife and servant man were on board,
was brought to the quay, and embarked with some diffi-
culty. About five minutes before eleven, we lifted the
anchor, and began to drop down the river ; and after we
passed the floating light the weather became very rough,
the water broke over the bows of the vessel, and some of
the passengers who had been at sea before intimated that
we were in danger ; and, in consequence, the passengers
began to be alarmed. The captain told us we were half
way when \? e were only about twenty miles from Liverpool.
I thought we were not making any way at all. A man told
the captain when he came from dinner, that the fires of the
engine were not kept up, on which he swore he would go

and kick the out of the hole. He went towards

the engine, but I did not hear what he said to the man.

* Mr. Wilson and Miss Whittaker.

204 THE WRECK OF

A gentleman came to me, and said the coal was so wet the
man could not keep the fire in ; this was understood to be
caused by the water which had leaked through the bottom
of the ves el, and had put out the two fires on the leeward
side : those to the windward remained burning. The pump
was then ordered to be started ; there was only one, and
that was soon abandoned by the crew, on which I set to
work, and kept it going until I was relieved by other per-
sons, and shortly afterwards it became choaked by the ashes
from the engine room. I then asked one of the men if
there were any buckets on board he had previously let
one slip from his hand over the side of the vessel. He
said there were none. I went to the cabin and inquired if
there were any mugs or other utensils that we could bale
with; the mate said there was nothing of the kind, on
which I advised the passengers to bale with their hats, but
they were in such confusion that I was not attended to.
Immediately after that, she struck gently on a sand bank ;
the captain ordered us all aft, and, the paddles being
reversed, she was got off. She then touched the bottom
fourteen or fifteen times in succession, and, the water
coming in, the fires were all extinguished, and the steam
down. The captain attempted to unfurl the jib sail, but
before it could be accomplished she struck again, and set-
tled down on the sand-bank. My wife and some friends
came to me, and asked if I thought we should be lost ; I
said I thought we should, and they proposed going to prayer
for the short time we had to live. We all went to prayer,
myself and wife in particular ; and when we got from our
knees, I saw three men getting upon the mast, and begin-
ning to fasten themselves to it. I told my wife I would
look out for a better situation for us I took her towards the
windlass, and began to fasten a rope to the frame where
the bell hung ; and when I had got the rope made fast and
looked back for my wife, she had again joined our friends

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 205

near to the place at which we kneeled down. A great wave
almost took me overboard, but I held by the rope : there
came a second and a third wave before I could see my wife
again ; and when 1 looked they were all gone. I then pre-
pared to die myself in the place I was at, and remained in'
that situation until daylight, at which time about fifty
people remained on board. When the vessel broke in mid-
ships, the fore-part heeled over to windward, which ex-
posed those who were upon the wreck to all the unchecked
fury of the sea ; but the bow providentially kept rising as
the shattered mass heaved further up the bank, to which
circumstance I owe the preservation of my life, as the tide
must otherwise have quickly covered me. A plank was
placed across the vessel from the tops of the paddle-boxes,
and on the plank and the tops of the boxes were about
twenty persons ; about half-a-score were clinging to the
shrouds ; six or seven were at the bottom of the mast, and
three at the mast-head, lashed fast to it ; one was before
me, holding by the rope which goes from the mast to the
jib-boom. The gentleman's servant* and an old man stuck
to the frame where I was ; the servant kept groaning be-
twixt every wave. I told him to keep up his spirits, but
both the servant and the old man were drowned. As the
waves came the people kept decreasing, until all were gone
except myself. First they were swept from the paddle-
boxes and the plank ; those at the shrouds dropped off with
every wave ; those at the bottom of the mast swarmed some
ropes, and got a little higher ; the young man was then
washed from the bowsprit ; those at the bottom of the mast
next went, and there were none left but the three men at
the top of the mast and myself. I began to think the tide
would rise so high I could not live in that situation, and I
begged those on the top of the mast to throw me a rope,

* Robert Mullett.
T

206 THE WRECK OF

but they refused, and in less than five minutes a tremen-
dous wave swept them and the mast into the sea, but it was
held to the wreck by a rope. I remained on the wreck
until I saw a boat coming, on which I called to the three
men to keep up their spirits ; the boat then took me on
board, also rescued those on the mast, and afterwards
picked up a young gentleman from Liverpool, who was
floating on a raft. We were then taken to Beaumaris, and
treated with the greatest hospitality and kindness. The
body of my dear wife was found that day, at the foot of
Penmaenmawr, and was interred at Beaumaris on the
Stmday following. On leaving Liverpool, I took a pint of
wine with me, and when we had concluded we should be
lost, I begged Mr. Tarrey would accept a little of the wine.
He took my hand, and said, " John, I told you all day we
should be lost, and that this captain would lose us." He
then took some of the wine, after which he went below to
his family, and brought them to us on the deck. The cabin
was then above a foot deep in the water. I did not see Mr.
Tarrey or his family afterwards, to the best of my recollec-
tion.* JOHN DUCKWORTH.

MR. LAWRENCE DUCKWORTH, f

The circumstances which took place before the vessel
struck having been described so fully by others, the repeti-

* For further interesting particulars relative to the subject of
this narrative, see from page 85 to page 92, page 106 to 107, and
page 121. The above is taken, with the exception of some few
corrections and additions recently supplied by Mr. John Duck-
worth, from the Manchester Guardian.

f This eventful narrative has very lately been taken from
verbal communication ; and the precise language of the narrator
has been as closely followed as the freedom of extemporaneous
delivery would allow.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 207

tion by me will be unnecessary. I was below during most
of the voyage, and at about midnight the gentlemen's cabin
presented a scene sufficiently painful ; but I little thought
that the distress which I then witnessed would in a very
few minutes be increased to such terrible extremity. Be-
tween sixty and seventy persons of both sexes were lying
in all directions, most of them upon the floor, in a state of
pitiable helplessness from sea-sickness : the excitement
which the hope of a speedy arrival at their place of desti-
nation had occasioned, on discovering that Puffin Island
was so near, had subsided ; and they seemed to have lost the
capacity of feeling any interest in what was passing around
them : but the love of life only slumbers when beguiled by
imaginary security ; and that was fearfully dissipated when
the vessel scraped, as it were, upon the sand. All started
from their recumbent postures, and considerable alarm
prevailed; but in a few minutes she struck again with
great force, and an agonizing shriek was uttered by the
females, who joined the frantic rush which was made to reach
the deck. Many, however, were unequal to the struggle,
and were compelled to desist. My wife was amongst this
number, and I persuaded them to calm their fears as much
as possible, whilst I went on deck to ascertain the extent
of the danger. I there found all in the most awful state
of dismay, which was augmented by the distraction of
mind under which the captain seemed to labour, for his
orders appeared to be given at random, and to be at ran-
dom changed : he evidently, indeed, was at a loss how to
act, either from the desperate nature of the circumstances
under which he was placed, or from the effects of liquor.
The vessel had now become stationary upon the sand ; her
bow was raised by the shelving bank, upon which she was
more deeply fixed by every sea that struck her, and I saw
that all was lost, unless Providence sent some speedy
means of deliverance. I accordingly called to my wife :

208 THE WRECK OF

" Mary," I said, " if you can come up do, for I think there
is great danger." This renewed the terrors of the poor
women especially : and it was a distressing sight to see the
efforts which some were obliged to make, in consequence
of extreme feebleness, to reach the deck. One helped the
other, however, and I believe all got up but one gentleman ;
(Mr. Benjamin Lee, from the neighbourhood of Bacup;)
he was extremely ill, and was, I have reason to think,
drowned in the cabin. I remarked with some surprise,
that many who were so recently unable to raise themselves
from the floor, were in a few minutes to be seen actively
engaged at the pump, trimming the vessel, and other
matters calling for great bodily exertion : no more was
heard of sea-sickness.

The pump had been worked for some time, and it was
now beginning to be choked with the ashes which were
washed from the furnaces by the water which overflowed
the engine-room ; but as the vessel was rapidly filling,
three or four pumped at once, and laboured with such force
to overcome the difficulty, in their anxiety to gain upon
the leaks, that the sucker came up to the top, and the
handle was wrenched from its place. Inquiries were then
made whether anything could be set on fire, as a signal of
distress, or whether the bell had not better be rung. The
former either could not, or was not permitted to be done,
and the bell was not rung long before the clapper came off,
and was lost in the rolling of the vessel. We next all ga-
thered together and shouted ; but all alike appeared useless,
and I began to look about for the best means of preserving
myself and wife from the violence of the sea, which now
broke over the vessel in a manner that threatened to sweep
all before it. The chimney and main-mast were carried
away while the bell was ringing. It was just before this
happened that I saw the captain for the last time. I am
unacquainted with nautical affairs, but it appeared to me

THE ROTHSAY CASTLJ3. 20U

that he was losing time by contradictory orders, and I said,
with a roughness corresponding with his behaviour, " Cap-
tain, why don't you send somebody to that hill [Puffin
Island] to get help ? " He muttered something angrily,
which I understood to mean that the thing could not be
done ; and I added, " Why, the place is not above half a
mile off: if I could leave my wife, 1 'd soon make off for it."
He gruffly observed that I was " a fool," and went to
another part of the vessel : I neither saw nor heard him
any more. I afterwards learned, to my cost, that the dis-
tance was much greater than J imagined, and that to make
any way against such a sea by swimming was out of the
question.

The unhappy beings around me were soon after this
comparatively tranquillized, and we were all engaged in
prayer; but the waves struck the vessel with increased
fury, and at last the bulwarks began to go, and victims
were hurried into the deep with every wave that rolled
over the now defenceless deck. The shrieks, the una-
vailing cries for help, were now dreadful in the extreme ;
but the deck was soon thinned of the numbers that so
lately crowded it, and the wail of death was only occasion-
ally heard amidst the tumult of the storm, and noise of
crashing timbers. I kept to my poor wife in the endea-
vour to support her and afford her all the protection in my
power ; but the waves frequently dashed us helplessly upon
the deck, and I had every time increased difficulty in
raising her from amongst the water, in consequence of the
motion of the vessel, and the quick succession of heavy seas.
At length I got her on the leeward side of the elevation over
the engine-room ; and there was at this time a pause of a
few minutes in the fury of the storm, which gave my dear
wife the opportunity of enquiring of me whether I thought
there was any hope. I was constrained to assure her,
seeing the awfulness of our situation, that I thought no
T 2

210 THE WRECK OF

chance of deliverance existed, and proposed that we should
pass the few minutes we had to live in prayer to Almighty
God. We accordingly addressed ourselves to the Throne
of Mercy, with that feeling which few can know who have
not heen reduced to similar extremity, and thereby hum-
bled to a due sense of their dependence upon that source
of divine consolation in the hour of death. Whilst thus
engaged, a tremendous sea burst upon the shattered vessel,
and sweeping away in its rush the covering of the engine-
room, behind which we had sought shelter, dashed us with
great violence against the paddle-box to leeward, which
alone prevented us from being at once plunged amidst the
waves. The head of my unhappy wife was between my
breast and the casing of the paddle-box, and consequently
my weight must have added dreadfully to the shock she
must have experienced ; but in the distraction of the mo-
ment I was incapable of calculating upon consequences.
I felt much hurt, and said something to that effect to my
wife, but she made no answer, and hung powerlessly upon
the arm that supported her. I then thought that she also
had received injury, but no suspicion of its being to a
serious extent crossed my mind ; the absorbing danger was
that arising from a wrecked vessel and a stormy sea, and
I could at that moment apprehend no other. I took my
wife, therefore, in my arms, and carried her to the caboose,
or cook's room, the top of which, I thought, was sufficiently
elevated to preserve her from the waves, if I coidd get her
upon it. I accordingly lifted her up, to enable her to reach
a chain which extended as a stay from the caboose to the
foremast, and told her to catch hold of it, but was struck
with horror on looking up, to see that her head hung as if
lifeless upon her shoulder. I again rested her feet upon
the deck, and gazed with searching eagerness upon her
face, and thought there was deatli in its altered expression ;
but it was too dark to distinguish any marks of violence, or

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 211

to judge with certainty. I had no time for reflection, how-
ever, and I looked around for assistance. The deck had
been nearly cleared by this time, but the melancholy situa-
tion of a little girl, the daughter of Mr. Tarrey, then met
my view, and was sufficiently afflicting to attract my at-
tention, even at a period when my own case was so despe-
rate. The wretched child was dashed first to one side of
the deck, and then drawn by the receding wave to the
other ; and her shrieks, and cries for her father and mo-
ther, when the suffocating waters permitted, were of the
most agonizing description. " Oh, my dear father ! Oh,
mamma ! won't you come ! " she screamed with heart-
rending vehemence. Alas, her parents had gone before
her they were already numbered with the dead! This
appalling scene distracted me, for I could not relinquish
the support of my dear wife ; but just then I perceived Mr.
Entwistle near me, and entreated him to save the poor
child. He made the effort, but before he could reach her
she was swept into the sea ! I now begged Mr. Entwistle
to assist me in placing my wife upon the caboose, and he
kindly complied. I left him to hold her up in an erect
position, whilst I went round to the spot which afforded
greater facility to ascend ; and I soon reached the top, and
crawled over to the side at which I had left my wife, with
the intention of pulling her up ; but I looked for them in
vain : a wave had hurled them together into the abyss of
waters !

The horror I now felt can only be imagined. I kept for
some time in the same posture, with one arm round the
chimney of the caboose, straining my eyes to distinguish
objects through the darkness, in the vague hope that those
for whom I looked might be again cast upon the deck ; but
in vain : all that were lately clinging to the various parts
of the wreck, near the spot occupied by my wife and Mr.
Entwistle, had been carried away at the same moment : I

212 THE WRECK OF

could see no living thing; and I expected my sufferings
would quickly terminate in a similar manner. A heavy sea
soon broke over me, and gave the caboose and the chimney
by which I held so severe a shock, that I felt that it would
be impossible for them to resist such another. I was not
mistaken : another wave, of greater magnitude than the
former, tore away the caboose, and I was precipitated head-
long into the sea.

I struggled to reach the surface, but it was so thickly
covered with pieces of the wreck, that in rising I struck
against some planks, and was almost spent before I could
get my head above water. I thought, indeed, I was under
some portion of the vessel, and concluded in consequence
that the struggle must soon be over ; but Providence had
decreed otherwise. As soon as I had recovered a little
breath, I felt about for something to support me, for I
found that my strength would soon be exhausted by swim-
ming in such a sea. Fortunately, the top of the caboose,
upon which I was situated when I was washed overboard,
presented itself, and by some means, how I know not, I
got upon it ; a wave, however, soon swept me off again, and
this was repeated a great number of times. I was fre-
quently swimming about for several minutes at random,
but happily I always succeeded in again finding my float ;
either I swam to it, or it was thrown in my way. It was
about the size of a common door, perhaps two yards long
and half a yard broad ; and I knelt upon it, holding on
each side with my hands. I found myself, however, much
weakened by these efforts : at last I recollected how, when
watching the progress of the vessel during the day, she
rose to surmount the waves which rolled against her bow :
and I had observed that when she was thrown in such a
position, the sea did not break over her. I accordingly
watched closely the gathering of a surge, and as it rolled
towards me I moved back so as to depress that end of the

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 213

raft, by which the other was elevated to meet the swell
opposed to it, and I rode buoyant, with comparative ease,
instead of being overwhelmed as before. I had been
about an hour engaged in the way described, without being
washed off, when a man who appeared in a drowning state
(Mr. Edward Jones, of Bangor,) caught hold of my raft.
It was some time before he could speak ; as soon as he
could, he begged me to let him get on. I saw that he
could not hold out many minutes if I refused, and I hoped
it might prove sufficient to support us both ; accordingly I
told him how to get on, and how he must act to assist me
in rendering it serviceable : I added, however, that I
thought the struggle would eventually be useless, as it
could not last long, and there was no likelihood of relief.
He got on with great difficulty, and seated himself with
his legs extended along the plank, but I had still all the
labour of its management, and was never off my knees.
At length I said, " Come, get up and help me to guide
it;" but he seemed incapable of any exertion, and did
not answer me. Sometimes I could not see him at all ;
he was frequently covered with the sea, while I raised
myself and escaped it ; and I expected every time this
happened to see him fall lifeless from the float. He was
enabled, however, now and then, to speak. I asked him
how he had supported himself before I saw him, and he
told me by a keg to which he had fastened himself; but he
had been forced to abandon it because it shifted with the
action of the sea, and would have drowned him. In an-
swer to an inquiry as to whether he knew where we were,
he said, " Yes, very well : I am not above seven or eight
miles from home." There was something peculiarly
afflicting in this. " Here is a poor creature," I thought,
"perishing so close to home, where his family are now
quietly reposing, unconscious of his fate ! " But I soon
found that my strength was fast going, through the addi-

214 THE WRECK OF

tional efforts which I was called upon to mate ; and it ap-
peared evident that we must both be lost if we kept to-
gether. I felt, however, I had the greatest right to the
float, and the disposition to enforce that claim pressed
horribly upon my mind ! I asked him if he could swim,
and represented to him the impossibility of my sustaining
such exertions much longer. He said he could not swim,
and this at once determined me to continue as I was, if
possible, until daylight, and then to seek some other
means of safety, or attempt to reach the shore, as the raft
was totally inadequate to support us both unless both
contributed to the labour of its direction. Day at length
dawned upon us, and I thought I would endeavour to
swim towards a hill which seemed to me the most
practicable point. I accordingly requested my companion
to steady the raft whilst I pulled off my clothes. He
strongly urged me not to make the attempt, as he said I
should certainly be drowned ; but having divested myself
of everything but my waistcoat, shirt, and stockings, secur-
ing what money I had about me in the waistcoat pockets,
I advised him to pursue the same course I had adopted told
him that as he would now have the raft to himself, and
daylight to assist him, he would have a much better chance
than I had and bade him farewell, both firmly persuaded
that we should never see each other in this life again.

I swam in the direction of the hill which I before no-
ticed I do not know its name. I had remarked to my
companion, before leaving the raft, that I was convinced it
could not be more than three miles off, and I had often
swam a much greater distance. He cautioned me that
three miles appeared very little on the water; and re-
peated, that I should be lost if I made the attempt. I said
I would try, however, and I at once cast myself upon the
waters and commenced my lonely adventure.

I swam fast and steadily for a considerable time, but the

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 215

land I had in view seemed as far off as ever, and I began
to feel my efforts more and more ineffective from increas-
ing weakness. I must have proceeded at least two miles,
when I looked back in my despair for my late companion,
heartily wishing myself again upon the raft. I could only
occasionally catch a glimpse of him, however ; and after
swimming about a quarter of an hour longer, I entirely
lost sight of him. I now began to feel all the horrors of
the desolation to which I seemed abandoned, and my dim
sight was strained with intense eagerness to discover some-
thing by which I might sustain myself; for I found not a
moment was to be lost I must perish speedily if no rest
could be procured. At length a piece of wood was provi-
dentially thrown in my way. It was about three yards long
and three square inches in breadth, and was drifting in
the same direction as myself. I saw it before me for some
time ere I could reach it, for the waves carried it nearly as
fast as I could swim ; but after much exertion I got hold
of it. After recovering a little, I endeavoured to rest my
body upon it, but it kept turning round ; I could not render
it as serviceable as I did my raft. If I placed it under my
arms, my feet were thrown up by the waves and my head
buried in the water ; I had therefore no means of support-
ing myself but by my hands, which soon became com-
pletely numbed, as it required a firm grasp to prevent the
spar from being forced away. At last they became quite use-
less, and I was obliged to fix the spar under my chin, and
keep it there by a painful effort of compression against the
breast. On holding my arms down in the water, however,
I found that their use was partially restored, which enabled
me to relieve myself occasionally, and in this way I seemed
to have passed some hours ; but exhaustion at length had
so much increased, that I could not raise my arms at all,
and I made up my mind to give up the struggle. My
senses were entire ; I uttered the last prayer I ever ex-

216 THE WRECK OF

pected to utter, and was about to relinquish my hold, and
sink into the awful grave over which I was suspended, as
it were, by a thread, when I thought I heard a noise a
sound differing from those to which my ear had been so
long accustomed, and a moment after voices, human
voices, were distinguishable ! Hope revived within me,
and I strove with desperate vehemence to raise my arms ;
but the fate to which I had just before resigned myself
seemed to claim its victim, and drag me down. By a great
effort, I threw one arm across the spar ; but it hung over,
graspless, and was soon washed back again, like a thing
inanimate, and sunk powerless by my side. This action, I
afterwards found, was perceived by the crew of the boat
which was pulling towards me, and I heard cries of " Hold
fast, hold fast ! " but I was incapable of further exertion ;
paralysis had stricken my whole frame. I could now see the
boat, however ; and, contrary to the general impression in
such cases, it seemed to fly towards me, so rapid did its
advance appear. They were some time in getting me into
the boat, for the roughness of the sea, which had at one
period of the morning subsided, had now much increased.
My consciousness of all that passed down to this time was
very perfect : I recollect every circumstance that occurred
until I was placed in the boat, at the bottom of which a
man was lying, apparently dead ; but I then sunk into a
state of insensibility. The last question I recollect being
put to me was, as to whether I had seen any others ; and I
tried to reply, but a sensation of choking fulness prevented
articulation, and I sunk under the effort.

On awaking, or rather, on recovering consciousness, a
confusion of the images of the past presented themselves
to my mind ; and as they became less illusive they assumed
a greater degree of horror, and I was soon fully aware of
the extent of the calamity which had befallen me : at the
same time J hope that I felt as J ought the gratitude I

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 217

owed to Almighty God, for sparing my life for such prepa-
ration as may happily render it more fitting for its great
and inevitable change.

I found myself alone, and in bed, and experienced
dreadful torment from intolerable thirst. I could but just
lift one arm at this time, and I knocked at the head of the
bed. Some one came at last, but it was some time before
I could speak. At length I asked where I was, and was
told I was at an inn, in Beaumaris. I then entreated
that I might be immediately supplied with something to
quench my thirst, I did not care what it was ; but he, or
she, for I do not now know whether it was a man or a
woman to whom I spoke, told me that I should die if I had
any thing of the kind. I offered a sovereign for a little tea
or coffee, but the person refused, and again left me alone.

I began to think that I had indeed been placed there to
die ; and seeing a pair of small-clothes hanging at the
other end of the room, as I had nothing but a shirt on, I
determined to endeavour to put them on, and try to procure
something to drink. I got up with great difficulty, and
went round the wall with the assistance of my left hand,
my right continuing useless ; but* when I obtained posses-
sion of the small-clothes, and was putting them on, I be-
came faint, and fell heavily upon the floor. The noise
brought several people into the room. I have no recollec-
tion of what they said, but they lifted me up and threw me
upon the bed, and I soon after again found myself alone
as before.

About an hour afterwards, Mr. John Duckworth and two
or three other persons came to me ; and having by that
time gained strength, I went with them to the Bull's Head,
where I was gratified by meeting Mr. Edward Jones, of
Bangor, my late companion upon the raft.

The body of my poor wife was not recovered until six-
teen weeks afterwards. It was found on the coast of Cum-

218 THE WRECK OF

berland, and was buried at Bootle. I read an account of
this melancholy occurrence in a newspaper, and on going
to the place obtained permission to disinter the corpse.
The mortal remain's were not at all recognizable ; but the
dress I well knew. A pocket, in particular, which had
been made by her sister, was identified beyond a doubt ;
and I have it now in my possession, with some remnants
of her dress.

LAWRENCE DUCKWORTH.

MR. GEORGE HAMMOND.

Ample materials for an unbroken narrative of the event-
ful scenes through which this gentleman passed are com-
prised in the following communications ; but I have thought
it best to give them verbatim, only supplying a sufficiency
of my own to connect and render them dependent upon
each other. The first is a letter in answer to an applica-
tion which I made to Mr. Hammond.

Leeds, 29th August, 1831.

Dear Sir In complying with the request contained in
your favour of the 23d instant, I fear I shall be unable to
add much to your information relative to the unfortunate
Rothsay Castle, as I am aware that you are already in
possession of most of the particulars of her calamitous loss.

With respect to the passengers, I believe few of them
saw their real state for more than one hour after she struck ;
which is not to be wondered at, as both the captain and mate
continued to assure us to the last that there was no danger,
and that she would soon float again and be on her way.
There were a few, however, who could not be deceived, and
who were fully conscious of their dangerous situation ; and
these few were I think chiefly the aft-deck passengers, who,
from their presence of mind and calm resignation, merited

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 219

a better fate. Having my own dear wife to attend to, I
paid but little attention to any other person. I saw Mr.
and Mrs. Forster about half an hour before the vessel went
to pieces, at which time I believe they were not apprehen-
sive of being lost: I also witnessed the steward, Jones,
very busy in tying his wife and himself together. Poor
fellow, he appeared very sanguine of his being able to
save himself and wife, and encouraged her much ; but, as
you already know, he was fatally deceived. My dear wife
and myself were close by Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, of Man-
chester, during the awful hour of suspense, and at the time
of being carried overboard ; he will be able to give you
full particulars of all that transpired near to us. One
thing relative to myself I will now name, as I believe I did
not mention it to you before, when at Beaumaris. After
my dear wife was carried away and lost, I again made for
the ship, and succeeded, by means of a cord which I had
fastened to the main-mast, which was lying along the
quarter deck. A Mr. Coxhead, of London, regained the
ship in a similar manner : he was washed off a second
time, but was eventually saved. I now went to the main-
mast, fully resolved to cling to it to the last ; but the sea
breaking with rapid violence over me, I found I could not
keep my hold could not exist there, indeed, for many mi-
nutes. In looking round, I saw Mr. Forster's four-wheeled
carriage, which was firmly lashed to the main deck : there
were two men sitting on the dickey, and I got up behind
them. They at first opposed my getting up ; however, I
took my seat, and had not been there more than one minute
when the coach was carried into the sea with great vio-
lence, throwing my companions and myself into the merci-
less waves. I had become very weak from previous exer-
tion, and had hard struggling to get again to the surface ;
but having a knowledge of swimming I continued to as-
cend until my head came in contact with a piece of timber,

220 THE WRECK OF

which stunned me a little. By diving from the timber,
however, I got my head above water, and fortunately laid
hold of the fragment of the wreck which had so nearly
proved fatal to' me. It was a large piece which had been
forced from the ship's side. By this means I kept my
head above water for a few minutes, until I got strength
sumcient to lie on it with my breast ; but while in this si-
tuation I was much annoyed by the waves dashing in my
face, filling my mouth, and frequently washing me from
the plank. Having recovered a little more strength, I got
one of my legs over the plank, and sat tolerably easy, when
a poor fellow joined me. He pulled the plank over more
than once in attempting to get on, and each time he threw
me off. I believe this poor man was with me half an hour,
neither of us speaking a word, having enough to do to keep
ourselves on the float.* After the lapse of this time my
companion fainted, and, in falling off, again threw me into
the water. I saw him no more, but continued on my tim-
ber, holding fast to a crooked iron bolt with one hand, and
beating my body with the other for full two hours and a
half. The day had now dawned the morning was mode-
rately clear and I saw at a distance a float with some
people upon it. I thought they were much better situated
than I was, and I made for them, which I was enabled to
do by moving my legs and paddling with one hand. When
I came to them, I begged to be allowed to join them, stat-
ing that I was all but dead ; in short I had for some time
been expecting to fall off through exhaustion, or swoon
away. They at first objected, saying they had as many as
the float would carry ; however, 1 got on by one of the men
kindly assisting me. This float proved to be the roof of
of the ladies' cabin, or the floor of the poop deck, on which
the aft-deck passengers sat or walked during the voyage.

* For a more particular notice of this circumstance, see p. 79.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 22J

The boards were one inch and a quarter, well jointed to-
gether and fastened underneath : it had been forced off by
a heavy sea, but without much injury. On this float I
found six men, one female, and a boy ; and most strange
to say, my friend Mr. Wilson, whom I had utterly given
up for lost, was one of them ! Mr. Coxhead, who had re-
gained the ship with me, was another ; and one of the two
men who was on the coach with me [Elliot Rudland] was
another. The female was a Miss Whittaker, from Bury ;
the boy was the son of a sailor belonging the ship. I feel
convinced that this boy had never been off the poop. I
found him sitting exactly in the same place where I last
saw him on board, when he was crying for his father. I
believe also that Mr. Wilson remained on the poop deck,
and never was unshipped.* The remaining part of the
story, and how we were picked up, you are already ac-
quainted with.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Mr. Joseph Adshead, &c. GEORGE HAMMOND.

Mr. Hammond, at a subsequent period, favoured me with
a copy of the following letter, which refers more particu-
larly to Mrs. Hammond, and supplies many additional cir-
cumstances of interest :

Beaumaris, Isle of Anglesea, Aug. 20, 1831.

My dear Children You are aware of the high spirits
your dear mother and I were in on Monday last, when we
left Leeds to visit Ireland; those spirits have since been
broken and humbled, as my present melancholy story will
show you. We got safe to Manchester a little after eight
o'clock. My friend Mr. Wilson and his late good wife
were waiting our arrival at the coach-office, and welcomed
us most heartily. We slept at their house on Monday

* See page 95.
u 2

222 THE WRECK OF

night ; next morning I set off for Liverpool, having some
business to do there ; and in the afternoon Mr. and Mrs.
W., with my dear wife, joined me there. In the morning
we crossed the river Mersey to Woodside, returned, and
slept at the White Lion, Liverpool, with the full purpose of
proceeding next day to Dublin ; but this was not to be our
route. Mrs. Wilson had never been at sea ; and as she was
pregnant, she was fearful to cross the Irish Channel, hav-
ing had a miscarriage eight months back. My dear love
readily agreed to go with them on some voyage where the
sea would be more calm. Beaumaris was proposed by
Mr. Wilson, as a good place for ease and bathing; we
agreed and went on board the Rothsay Castle steam-
boat; and at eleven o'clock on Wednesday morning com-
menced our voyage for that place. The morning was not
fine ; however, we proceeded on our way with some degree
of comfort until after two o'clock, your mother during this
time enjoying the passage very well, and I was in hopes
she would escape without sea sickness. Soon after two
o'clock the wind increased from the N. W. (the worst wind
for us that could have blown) the sea got very rough the
vessel heaved and pitched dreadfully and nearly all on
board became sick. Your dear mother from this time was
very bad. I got her into the ladies' cabin, and after severe
vomiting she fell asleep. From three to eight o'clock we con-
tinued to contend with the sea and the gales of wind, with-
out making more than three or four miles during the five
hours. The passengers on board requested the captain to
put back, which he obstinately refused to do. I was upon
the deck the whole of the day, and frequently visited say
dear wife by a peep through the window of the ladies'
cabin, which she always replied to (when awake) by a
wave of the hand and a smile. Night was now drawing on
very fast ; I felt weary, and went down into the cabin al-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 223

lotted for the aft-deck male passengers, where I soon fell
asleep, sitting on a kind of sofa.

About 1 1 o'clock, I awoke by the noise of water rolling
to and fro in the cabin, and found my feet wet to the ancles.
I was alarmed and went on deck, when I found the vessel
labouring very hard, the steam down, the fires low, which
could not be made to burn from their having so much water
about them, the captain and mate both drunk, and differing
with both sailors and passengers. I now considered our
case as desperate, but not hopeless ; I durst not communi-
cate my apprehensions to my dear wife. We had not more
than three or four miles to go to Beaumaris ; the tide was
with us, and though the sea was heavy, I had hopes of our
getting safe there. I looked at my watch ; it was exactly
twelve. I again went to see the cabin, to inform the ladies
of the danger of our voyage, when the vessel struck on a
heavy sand called Dutchman's Bank ; and soon after struck
a second time. The captain and mate now became alarmed,
and the captain called the man at the helm to port. Two
men immediately got the helm to port as much as possible,
which proved to be the wrong way, and drove us further on
the sands. The scene was now nothing but confusion
the vessel began to fill with water the moon had gone
down there was no gun on board to give an alarm and
the captain would neither hoist out a light nor allow the
bell to be rung. I saw now that our case was hopeless, and
went for my dear wife, whom I got on deck. I said, " Oh,
my dear love, we are in great danger, I fear we shall never
more go to land ! " She showed great fortitude and pre-
tence of mind. She said, " God is merciful, and we must
look to Him who is able to save us." I said, " I am aware
of God's mercies, but I see no room for hope." My mind
was calm : I remarked that, " since it was the will of our
Heavenly Father that we should meet our death in this

224 THE WRECK OF

way, we should not complain that death was the lot of
all men, and that it would mate little difference whether
we died now or in a few years hence." She said, " Why
no ; but there are our children, and my poor little Anne ; "*
at which name she sobbed aloud. I looked again at the
ship ; she had got much worse, and I now saw clearly that
she would never float again, and that the waves would soon
dash her to pieces, as they came on in rapid succession,
and with terrific violence. The main-mast and chimney
next came down with a great crash, which increased the
confusion. By this time, I believe every one on board was
well drenched by the sea passing over us, and many had
been washed overboard. I had hold of my dear wife's
hand ; it was cold. I felt at her face and spoke to her.
Poor love, she appeared to be in prayer, and lost in thought.
I told her to hold fast by the ship until I got a cord which
I saw hanging close by us. She did so ; I returned, and
proposed we should be tied together, as I saw no hope of
any one being saved. This she refused, and said, " You
can swim, and may have a chance of saving yourself ; and
oh, do if you can, for the sake of our dear children !" I
said "Poor loves, they are asleep, and quiet in bed, and
we, their parents, within a few moments of death!"

After this, a few heavy waves came and carried four men
over-board, and also the seat we sat upon, altogether into
the sea ; and there, amongst the merciless waves, they were
all plunging for life. As soon as I recovered my breath a
little, I cried as loud as possible, " Harriett !" I looked
about but could not see her. My soul was now full of an-
guish ; and while I was in this situation another large por-
tion of the ship gave way, carrying dozens of unfortunate

* Anne is the youngest iu the family, and was at that time
about five years of age. Mrs. Hammond left four children to
lament her loss.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 225

passengers to their watery grave. I, by great exertions,
regained the ship, and clung to the main-mast, which was
lying down; but here I could not remain, as the heavy
waves dashing over the ship would have destroyed me. I
then got on the top of a gentleman's four-wheeled carriage,
which was taken on board at Liverpool : there were two
gentlemen upon it. I saw they were exempt from the
force of the waves, which induced me to join them. I had
had not been there more than half a minute, when the car-
riage was swept out into the sea, with all about it. I was
now a second time in the sea, and was longer in gaining
the surface; however, by good fortune, I got hold of a
piece of timber which had sprung from the side of the
ship. I looked and saw the ship divided in two parts from
the middle, and nearly all the passengers carried away.
My situation now was dismal ; I had no hope of saving
myself, but I recollected the urgent request of my ever-to-
be lamented dear and amiable wife : she said " Oh, do,
if you can !" I now said " I will, if I can; but it is im-
possible." However, I persevered, and got on the top of
my piece of timber. The sea was still heavy ; many times
I was washed off, or turned over, and had the greatest
difficulty to regain my position, and each time I struggled
for life.

In this way I continued for nearly three hours, many
times wishing I had gone down with my dear wife ; for, as
I said to myself, "my sufferings would now have been
over, and I find I cannot live much longer." I had re-
peatedly said " I cannot live," and my strength was fail-
ing fast, when I saw some men upon a piece of the ship
not far from me. They appeared much better situated
than I, and by a little exertion of my hands and legs, I
came up with them, and got on board of their little float,
which was the whole floor to the ladies' cabin. Here I was
much better, but very cold, having been so long in the

226 THE WRECK OF

water, and was all but gone. On the float I found Mr.
Wilson, five other4nen, one woman, and a boy, who, to-
gether with myself, were picked up about half-past seven
o'clock in the morning.

I am now, thank God, much recovered, but am very sore
from head to foot. There are about twenty sufferers found,
amongst them my own dear wife and Mrs. Wilson. The
latter has been interred this morning, my poor old friend
and myself being the only mourners.*

Believe me, very dear children,

Your affectionate Father,

GEORGE HAMMOND.

The subjoined is an extract from a letter very recently
received from Mr. Hammond :

"You will see that in a letter from Beaumaris to my
family I have not mentioned the circumstance of Mrs.
Hammond being sustained for some time upon a piece of
the wreck. I believe my poor love was held by her shawl,
or some other portion of her dress, which kept her above
water, and agonized me by witnessing distress in which I
was so deeply interested, but which I had no power to re-
lieve, as it was impossible for me to reach her. I omitted
this statement, because I knew it would only afflict my dear

* The remains of Mrs. Hammond were conveyed to Leeds,
where they were interred in the burial-ground of the Old Metho-
dist Chapel. A sermon was preached on the occasion by the
Rev. R. Treffry, from Matt. xxiv. 44: " Therefore be ye also
ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man
cometh." The Rev. gentleman having had frequent opportunities
of conversing with Mrs. Hammond, she having met in his class, he
gave a sketch of her character, which bore such evident marks of
piety, as left no doubt on the minds of those present that she was
suitably prepared for her awfully sudden change.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 227

children the more. Besides, Mr. Wilson assured me that
she was never seen after the deck gave way ; and if so, I
must have taken some other female for her, which mistake
it was easy to fall into amidst such confusion, and while
struggling myself for life. I am, Sir, your very obedient
servant,

GEORGE HAMMOND."
Mr. Joseph Adshead, &c.

MR. HENRY HAMMOND.

The principle circumstances obtained from the verbal
communication of Mr. Henry Hammond, of Liverpool, are
as follows : It is not true, he affirms, that a party of the
passengers got into the boat soon after the vessel struck,
and were immediately swamped. The boat was hanging
by the davits over the stern, nearly filled with water, in
consequence of the spray ; and when the vessel struck, Mr.
H. Hammond and the wife and child of the carpenter got
into the boat, but left it again, being ordered out by the
mate, who told them that it was of no use, as no boat could
live in such a sea. The boat soon after broke adrift and
was lost, but there was no person in her. Mr. H. Ham-
mond, on being swept into the sea with the greater part of
the passengers who were holding on to leeward, by a
tremendous wave, which dashed completely over the vessel,
swam about to various pieces of the wreck, but finding them
not sufficient to support him he swam back to the vessel
and regained the deck, where he remained till the poop
parted from the vessel with himself and several others upon
it. Mr. Nuttall and Miss Whittaker were amongst the per-
sons saved by its means, after floating about for several
hours. Miss Whittaker gave up her flannel petticoat,
which was used as a sail, and but for its assistance they
would probably have been driven round the Ormshead, and

22 THE WRECK OF

dashed to pieces. There were at least one hundred and
thirty persons on board. About fifty of them were country
people, most of whom were sick soon after the vessel got
round the rock, and expressed themselves much pleased
with the circumstance, as they said that sea-sickness would
do them much more good than bathing. Mr. H. Ham-
mond has to return his most grateful thanks to William
Wynne Sparrow, Esq. of Red Hall, Beaumaris, and to Mr.
Owen Roberts, Druid Head, of the same place, for their
kindness and humanity towards him when taken from the
wreck, in supplying him with clothes and other necessaries,
of which he was destitute, having stripped himself soon
after the vessel struck. He was soon, however, restored to
perfect health.

MR. EDWARD JONES.

The statement of this gentleman exhibits a remarkable
instance of escape from death, under circumstances which
appeared utterly hopeless. When the increasing leaks and
failing engine had rendered the situation of the vessel
perilous in the extreme, he felt unnerved, and found that
he should be incapable of the exertion necessary to afford
a chance of saving himself, in the awful struggle which he
then anticipated. In the agitation of the moment he went
to the cabin and begged the steward to supply him with
" something to drink," in the hope that it might afford a
temporary stimulus. The steward seemed much depressed,
and observed, " This is not a time for drinking." He,
however, complied with the request ; and Mr. Jones, having
drunk a small glass of spirits, commenced a search for
something that would enable him to reach the shore, in
the event of the vessel foundering, of which there then
seemed every likelihood. He returned to the deck, and the
vessel soon after struck. In the midst of the scene of hor-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 229

ror which ensued, Mr. Jones again descended to the gen-
tleman's cabin, which was at that time rapidly filling with
water ; and seeing two small casks floating about, he se-
cured one of them, and fastened it to his body with a cord
which he had previously cut from the torn rigging of the
shattered main-mast. Thus provided, he went on deck;
and fearing, if he delayed his attempt to reach the shore
until the vessel went entirely to pieces, that he should be
involved in the fate of the struggling numbers that would
surround him, he determined at once to throw himself
singly upon the protection of Providence. From his local
knowledge of the coast, he was convinced that the sands
must yet be dry at no great distance, and the tide was flow-
ing directly upon them ; accordingly he partially opened
an umbrella which he had with him, and having fixed the
cask in what he thought the most advantageous position,
he leaped from the vessel into the sea. This action, how-
ever, was thought by those who witnessed it to be the height
of rashness, and a number of voices joined in earnest ex-
postulations and calls for him to return. One gentleman
in particular said that " death was sure to present itself
soon enough," and that " it was presumption and madness
to court it." This shook the resolution of Mr. Jones, and
with the assistance of the gentleman in question he again
reached the deck.* Here the danger became more immi-
nent every moment ; and seeing a person on the dickey of

* The good intentions of Mr. Jones's advisers in this instance
were, as it turned out, beneficially exercised, though they were
erroneous in principle ; for, if his cask had but proved adequate
to support him, the best thing that he could have done was that
which he was about to do. If every one on board had quitted
the vessel supported by rafts or spars at that early period, when
the flood tide was setting and dry sands were so near, numbers
more would in all human probability have been saved.

230 THE WRECK OF

Mr. Forster's carriage (Elliot Rudland), he thought it ap-
peared to afford greater security than any other place, and
therefore got up. Mr. George Hammond soon after joined
them, and they escaped several of the heavy seas which
broke over the vessel, and tore away numbers from their
holds ; but this did not last long : a tremendous wave
dashed against the carriage, and hurled it, with those who
were upon it, into the sea. Here Mr. Jones soon disco-
vered that his cask was unmanageable. It continually
slipped from the position in which he had endeavoured to
fix it, and got under one of his arms, which threw him on
one side, and distressed him exceedingly. His umbrella
was useless, and he had abandoned it in his struggles.
Thus situated, the carriage was swept near him, and he
endeavoured to catch hold of one of the wheels ; but before
he could effect his purpose it sunk, and the vortex formed
by a descending body of such magnitude would most likely
have dragged him down, but for the buoyancy afforded by
the cask. In this instance, therefore, it rendered essential
service ; but the embarrassment occasioned by its shifting
was so great that he was at length compelled to risk every-
thing to avoid immediate suffocation, and by great exertion
he succeeded in disengaging himself from the cask, and
reaching a little raft upon which a person was kneeling,
who proved to be Mr. Lawrence Duckworth. It has been
already fully described in the narrative of Mr. L. D. and
elsewhere, how they supported themselves until daylight,
together with the generous resolution of Mr. L. D. to give
sole possession of the raft to Mr. Jones ; who, when thus
left by his companion, placed himself w ith his legs through
a hole in the centre, and thereby retained his situation
until picked up by one of the boats belonging to Mr. Wil-
liamson's yacht, the Campeadora. He had by that time
drifted so near to the bold, rocky shore in the neighbourhood
of the Great Ormshead, that a few minutes longer would

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 231

have placed him beyond the reach of aid. He had watched
with an anxious eye for some hours, during which time he
could perceive people passing along the road at the foot of
Pemnaenmawr ; but when taken up he was scarcely con-
scious of his deliverance. He just remembers seeing the
boat within a few yards of him, but knows no more until
he found himself in bed at Beaumaris.*

MR. SIDNEY JAMES MARSDEN.

Wakefield, August 24, 1831.

Dear Sir, Your letter, requesting me to furnish the
particulars of such circumstances as came under my
observation, in connexion with the melancholy wreck of
the Rothsay Castle, I received this morning. The follow-
ing, according to my ideas, is a correct statement of that
unhappy occurrence, as far at any rate as I was concerned.

I left home with three friends, Mr. John Day, Mr.
William Allanson, and another gentleman, a fortnight
previous to the accident, with the intention of having a
few weeks' excursion. We had planned our route before
we started ; and amongst the places which we determined
on visiting were the celebrated Menai Bridge and neigh-
bourhood. We arrived at Liverpool from Dublin on the
morning of the fatal 17th instant, but two of my friends
(Mr. Allanson and the gentleman before referred to),
fortunately for them, changed their minds, and declined
going to Wales. Accordingly, having met with another
friend, Mr. Harrison, of Manchester, who was to return
home that morning, they resolved to go with him, and we
all breakfasted together at the Railway Tavern ; after
which Mr. Day and myself saw them into the omnibus,
and bade them farewell, little thinking, alas, of the fate

See page 119.

232 THE WRECK OF

that awaited us, from which Providence was, as it were,
directing tlieir steps little thinking, I say, that in the space
of a few hours one of us would be a corpse, and the other
upon the very brink of an awful grave !

The omnibus drove off with our more fortunate friends,
and Mr. Day and myself proceeded to the Rothsay Castle
steam-packet, which was advertised to leave the pier at
ten o'clock. When we got on board, however, we found
she was detained for the reception of a carriage belonging
to a Mr. Forster, of London. The packet did not leave
her anchorage in consequence until about eleven o'clock.
Nothing happened which in my opinion was really calcu-
lated to excite alarm, except with those who had never
been at sea before, until she struck. I was then in the
cabin, sitting on the same sofa with Mr. and Mrs. Forster,
with whom I had been conversing for some time. The
vessel at first slid gently upon the sand, but that produced
much terror, and the passengers anxiously inquired of
each other " what it could be ? " I said that I thought it
was merely a sea that had met her ; but had scarcely ex-
pressed myself to that effect when she struck again, with a
force which would have knocked any one down that was
standing. This was too plainly indicative of the fact not
to be mistaken by the most inexperienced : it conveyed the
terrible announcement that the vessel was on shore, and
that all the horrors of shipwreck were about to be revealed.

In the fearful rush that succeeded, amidst the most
appalling shrieks that ever were heard, I was amongst
the first that reached the deck. There all was confusion,
and some attributed the shock which the vessel had
sustained to one thing, and some to another. In the
meantime she rolled from side to side with great violence,
and the iron stays by which the chimney was secured
soon snapped asunder, and down it came along with
the main-mast, producing a crash which resembled the

THE UOTHSAY CASTLE. 233

breaking up of a mighty sheet of ice; and both were
washed over on one side of the vessel ; the weight giving
her an inclination that way, and leaving her deck more
exposed to the fury of the sea. The scene was now heart-
rending indeed. Husbands and wives, fathers, mothers,
and children, all clinging together, and shrieking in the
wildness of terror, or invoking heaven for help : but no
tongue can utter, no imagination can picture, anything like
the terrible reality. I consulted with my friend as to the
adoption of some means for our preservation; and at
length we thought that a form which was near us would be
likely to afford support, if we were washed into the sea.
Accordingly I cut a piece of rope from the rigging which hung
about the wreck of the main-mast, and having made it fast
to the end of the form, we threw the latter overboard, keep-
ing hold of the cord, in readiness to avail ourselves of our
form if need required, but determined to keep the vessel as
long as we could. Several heavy seas broke over us whilst
in this situation of suspense and ?iprehension; but at last
a tremendous wave swept all before it, and we were flung
headlong into the sea, together with thirty or forty unhappy
beings who were at that part of the vessel. Our first
efforts were directed to the form in question, but numbers
had swarmed about it, and as it was unequal to support
them, it sunk. Poor Day, who could not swim, caught
hold of me at this dreadful moment. I felt, however, that
it was impossible for me to sustain myself under such cir-
cumstances ; both must inevitably have perished ; but on
my briefly intimating to that effect he generously let me
go, and got hold of a plank that was near him. I well
knew the danger of coming in contact with drowning per-
sons, and therefore when my friend released me, and I
saw so many struggling together, I swam away as far as I
could : but almost immediately another heavy sea burst over
them, and they were scattered, and I saw them no more.
x2

234 THE WRECK OF

After struggling for some time with the waves, the hand
of Providence again directed me to the form. No one was
left to dispute the possession of it : I looked anxiously
around for my friend, but in vain, and I concluded that he
had sunk with the rest. I found the form very difficult to
manage: having aback to it, the waves continually changed
its position, which exhausted me very much ; but a small
ladder or window frame, I hardly know which, was at length
most fortunately thrown in my way, and I lashed it to my
form, upon which I was then enabled to get astride. Soon after
this I heard the voice of my poor friend, though I could not
see him. He was alternately praying and crying for help.
I called to him, and he eagerly enquired where I was.
I told him I was safe, and implored him to keep up his
spirits, and to keep his mouth closed against the water : but
he continued to pray aloud, and utter cries for aid, until his
powers totally failed ; and I had the horror of hearing his
last struggles to articulate !

I remained alone, in the situation I have described, for
several hours ; and when picked up by a boat from Beau-
maris I was reduced to extreme exhaustion.

These, I believe, are all the particulars with which I am
acquainted ; but I am as yet dreadfully nervous, and my
thoughts are scattered. I hope, however, shortly to see
you in Manchester, when I will endeavour to render my
narrative more perfect. *********.

S. J. MARSDEN.

Mr. Joseph Adshead, &c.

The remainder of Mr. Marsden's letter is devoted to kind
expressions of friendly feeling, having reference to our
meeting at Beaumaris. As I have before stated, I am in-
debted to Mr. Marsden for much valuable matter which I
have incorporated with my Narrative see particularly

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 235

pages 81 and 99 but the following, obtained from the
verbal statement of that gentleman, and which appeared
in the Wakefield and Halifax Journal, will be read with
interest, as it contains a number of facts with which I have
not interfered :

When the vessel struck the bank, Mr. Marsden was sit-
ting in the cabin, near to Mrs. Forster, the unfortunate
lady mentioned in a former paragraph, and he describes
the instantaneous rush towards the deck as tremendous.
Although no one knew the extent of the danger at that
moment, yet the most appalling fear was expressed upon
the different countenances. Poor Day, who was no swim-
mer, it would seem, had some foreboding of his end, and
remarked to his friend, when the danger became more ap-
parent, " Sid, (using a familiar expression,) I fear this is
nearly the last of us." But bearing up against the increas-
ing peril, the two friends set about preparing a raft, con-
sisting of a form such as are usually placed upon decks
of passage-vessels to which they attached a cord, which
Mr. Marsden had cut from the rigging; and this they
threw overboard. The waves had swept away part of the
bulwarks, the cabin window, the chimney, and the main-
mast. The scene at this time was piteous in the extreme ;
parents and relations were to be seen taking affectionate
and sorrowful leave of each other. Some forty or fifty
persons were at once thrown into the sea, amidst the
screams of the survivors, by the lurching of the vessel ; and
amongst these were Mr. Marsden and Mr. Day. Some
forms were likewise at this time swept from the deck.
Day clung to Mr. Marsden, who is an excellent swimmer ;
but after making the observation (in perfect coolness, and
in a spirit of friendship and manliness seldom witnessed
under such trying and desperate circumstances), that
perhaps they should both be drowned if he clung much
longer, he let go his grasp, and succeeded in getting hold

236 THE WRECK OF

of either a plank or one of the forms. Mr. Marsden never
saw him afterwards, although, as will be presently explained,
the two conversed together at the expiration of nearly an
hour afterwards. Mr. Marsden computes the time at nearly
an hour but " an hour of peril seems a dreamy life-time."
Mr. Marsden managed, by dint of swimming, to come in
contact with the form, to which himself and friend had
previously fixed the cord and thrown overboard ; but this,
from its shape, would have proved, in all probability, but a
doubtful means of escape, had he not, after a time, fallen
in with a small ladder, which he affixed with the cord to
the form, placing his leg between the stales, and resting
his body, sometimes at full length, when the breakers had
fallen on the form. At times the waves rose to a great
height, and broke over his head. He could not, of course,
guide his raft, but was at the mercy of the waters for the
course he was steering. He represents himself as perfectly
collected ; and his main fear was that the tide would turn
before daylight, and before any one could perceive him,
and that he might thus be carried back. He had deter-
mined, in such case, to leave his raft, and, in spite of the
waves, make a desperate attempt to swim to shore. We
have said that Marsden and Day conversed with each other;
the former had some time heard Day calling out for as-
sistance, and imploring the help of the Almighty. He
continually called out to know if Marsden was safe, who
replied that he was, and directed him to keep still, to secure
his hold, and keep his mouth shut to exclude the water. It
was quite dark, and the friends could not see each other.
Day continued to call out, and ofier up his earnest solicita-
tions to Providence ; and Mr. Marsden could ever and
anon hear the gurgling of the water in his mouth. At
length poor Day exclaimed, " Sid Sid oh God ! I 'm
done ! " and it is supposed he then sank, for his voice was
never heard afterwards. Mr. Marsden bore up against this

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 237

sad trial : he was, as he thought, alone on the waters, and,
as he then helieved, the only living remnant of the wreck.
Daylight came at length, and, with daylight, "hope re-
newed ; " hut it was not until seven o'clock, after being
immersed six hours, that Mr. Marsden was rescued from
his perilous situation. In the course of the morning he
had passed four persons, who were clinging to part of the
wreck, but no words passed between them: he supposes
that they were nearly exhausted. After awhile, he saw a
boat row towards them, and pick them up. He hailed
them, but in vain ; and when he was lifted to a height by
the waves he extended his right arm, in the hope of attract-
ing their notice, but to no purpose. He continued to drift
for some time afterwards. At length, he espied another
boat, which he hailed, and had the satisfaction to observe
the sailors lower their sail, and row towards him. In a few
minutes he was picked np by this boat, which had put out
from Beaumaris to rescue persons from the wreck. It is a
singular circumstance, that, so soon as he got on board of
the boat, his deliverers captured a bottle of brandy, which
was floating past them. After six hours buffeting with
tremendous breakers, this was no despicable treasure, and
recourse was had, with good effect, to its exhilarating con-
tents. Mr. Marsden was taken to Beaumaris, where he,
with the other sufferers, was kindly treated by the inhabi-
tants, and had every attention paid him. He suffers nothing
further, bodily, than a severe hoarseness. The body of
Mr. Day, up to this time (Wednesday), has not been found;
at least no account has reached Wakefield to that effect.
We may here remark that Mr. Day had, for some time, a
superstitious dread of water, having (with a person of the
name of Seeker) had his " fortune told," when he was in-
formed by the wretch that it was his fate to be drowned : in
consequence, his companions could never induce him to
bathe, in order that he might learn to swim.

238 THE WRECK OF

MR. JAMES MARTIN.

62, Cable-street, Liverpool, 24th August, 1832.

Dear Sir After the mature reflection which the lapse of
time has enabled me to devote to the subject, I transmit,
in accordance with your request, a narrative of what I felt
and witnessed during that awful event, the wreck of the
Rothsay Castle, by which upwards of one hundred indivi-
duals were lost, on the night of the 17th of August, 1831.

I had prepared for the voyage the day before, but the
dreadful storm of thunder and rain which happened that
night, and made such ravage in this town, induced me to
give up all thoughts of going. My friend, Mr. Mark Met-
calf, however, called upon me in the morning, and unfortu-
nately succeeded in the attempt to reason me out of my
fears. He then said, if it continued fair, he would send his
son down for me. He did so, and I went, though not
without considerable reluctance. It was then past ten
o'clock. I met my friend Metcalf on the pier, and we went
directly on board the packet. He asked me what end of
the vessel I would prefer. We looked at the forecastle and
the cabin ; and I observed that as I liked good company I
should choose the cabin, especially as there was a library
there, with which we might profitably employ the time if it
became tedious. We accordingly paid our fares for that
part of the vessel. Several boats were by this time coming
with passengers, and amongst them were a lady and gen-
tleman, accompanied by a livery servant and a spaniel dog.
They had also a carriage with them, and it occupied a long
time to get it into the boats from the pier head, and then
from the boats on board the vessel. Nearly an hour, I
should suppose, was expended in effecting this. It now
began to rain, and my friend Metcalf asked the steward
what he thought of the day. He replied that it would, he
feared, be a dirty one. My friend then enquired how long

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 239

we should be on our passage ; and the steward said, about
seven hours. The weather continued to assume a more
gloomy aspect, and my friend expressed his regret that he
had paid his fare : he certainly would have gone on shore
again, he said, if he had not paid. I remarked, that as
the thing was done, we must make the best of it; and that,
as we seemed to have good company, I did not doubt but
that we should be enabled to make ourselves comfortable.

At length we started, and I soon after went down into
the gentlemen's cabin. It was very full of company, and
the ladies' cabin also appeared much crowded. I took
a book, which soon engaged all my attention; but my
friend said, " James, when you get a book there is no com-
pany in you : let us go up and see the country." We went
up accordingly, and took our seats upon the quarter deck.
We had at this time passed the Rock Light-house, and
it began to blow very freshly. There was a gentleman
dressed in black, with a large cloak, who came and seated
himself by two ladies who were near us. My friend said,
" James, that gentleman is very like David Jones " the
person we were going to see. I said I thought he was
a Welshman ; and a young gentleman standing by us said
that the gentleman to whom we alluded was Mr. Owen, a
clergyman of the established church, and that the young
ladies were his sisters. The sea now began to be very tur-
bulent, and the rolling of the vessel increased in proportion,
but yet it was generally remarked lhat she made very little
way.

After some time, we shifted our seats from the quarter
deck to the waste of the vessel, where I sat opposite to Mr.
and Mrs. Forster. I did not know their names at that
time, but I knew they were the owners of the carriage, and
I had seen the servant wait on them. I heard their con-
versation, and observed that Mr. Forster often enquired of
the servant about the safety of the dog which they had on

240 THE WRECK OF

board. I thought at the time, " the merciful man is merci-
ful to his beast," and I at once entertained a favourable
opinion of him in consequence. They mixed very freely in
conversation, and T heard them express themselves much
pleased with the company.

We were now off the Welsh coast, and I began to feel
very sick. The sea was so rough, and the motion of the
vessel so violent, that I could not stand. The captain was
upon deck at about two o'clock. He was standing near
me, and appeared to derive much satisfaction from mocking
our fears. He had previously been offered sums of money
by several of the passengers, to induce him to put back to
Liverpool, and some of them were now telling him that he
had better accept the offers ; but he replied, with oaths,
that he was not one of those who turned back, and that if
they had known him they would not have asked such a
thing. He continued to sport with our feelings by ridicul-
ing the increasing turbulence of the sea, which occasioned
so much alarm. " Look," he once deridingly exclaimed,
" at that big wave, rolling down with his grey head, white
as the morning ; " and then, in a tone of serious earnest-
ness, he added "This night will tell a tale!" This
strange mixture of levity and apprehension of danger con-
tributed to the uneasiness of those who witnessed it ; but
we comforted each other by the hope that we should at any
rate reach Beaumaris by ten o'clock. Night, however,
came on, and the progress of the vessel appeared to be more
tardy than ever. It was ten o'clock when we arrived off
the Great Ormshead, the rocky front of which was dis-
tinguishable by the faint light of a clouded moon ; and we
seemed to be dashed by the wind and sea within so short
a distance of that awful promontory, that many feared we
should never pass it, but that we should there be wrecked.
The vessel, however, went slowly on ; and when we had
cleared the point in question, all eyes were anxiously look

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 241

ing for Puffin Island, which marks the entrance of the
Strait leading to Beaumaris. A considerable time was
spent in this state of suspense, but at length I heard a
number of voices exclaim that they could see the island.
My friend Metcalf, who had left me for a short period, now
came to me and said " James, how do you feel ? " I re-
plied that I was much better, my sickness having entirely
left me. He observed that he felt no sickness, but " a dread
fear was upon him." I asked him if he apprehended
danger, and he said he hoped not, but that he felt much
depressed. He then got me up to see the island. The
moon was quite overcast at the moment, and we could only
just discern that we were under the island. The sea was
running very high, and the storm had evidently increased.
I saw the steward hurrying along with something in his
hand, and heard him observe to one of the passengers
" This is a very critical place to pass." There was a good
deal of confusion, and I was told that they were looking out
for what is called the Spit Buoy, when all on a sudden the
vessel struck. This created considerable alarm ; my friend
Metcalf caught me in his arms and cried, " Oh, James,
what is this ? " Before any explanation could be obtained,
however, she struck again, and it was soon apparent that
the vessel was on shore.

We then, amidst the great consternation and confusion
which prevailed amongst the passengers, went forward and
examined the pumps, which we found were choked and had
ceased to work. At this time many of the passengers were
making speaking-trumpets of their hands, and shouting
together at the top of their voices, whilst others were en-
gaged in ringing the bell : but no persuasion could induce
the captain to hoist a light at the mast-head. During all
this, we got to the bow of the vessel against the anchor?
where we knelt down and engaged in prayer, Mark's hand
being in mine. He exclaimed, " O, exercise faith, James .' "
v

242 THE WRECK OF

After I had prayed, my friend engaged and wrestled with
the Lord. His prayer was marked by good sense and ex-
ceeding fervor. By this time a number of females had
surrounded us ; and a gentleman from Leeds,* a member
of the Methodist Society, came up to us. My friend had
had some conversation with him during the voyage, and
now besought him to join with us in prayer; observing,
" 0, Sir, you have faith ; assist us by your prayers ! " The
gentleman then offered up a truly sensible and energetic
prayer ; and thus we continued in prayer and supplication
until the bulwarks were broken down and the waves were
dashing against us. We then arose from our knees.
Mark appeared under great excitement, and said, " O,
James, your wife and family will never forgive me for tak-
ing you away from them ! O, my poor wife and children !
O, Lord, have mercy upon me, and spare me for the sake
of my poor wife and children ! " He addressed the Al-
mighty in strong terms, and often in language which truly
surprised me. After we had thus engaged in prayer toge-
ther upon our knees, we arose and commenced our search
for a place of security, if such were to be found. Observing
several individuals on a plank, which reached across the
vessel and rested upon the paddle-boxes on each side, upon
this plank I endeavoured to get, and after some efforts suc-
ceeded. I then exhorted my friend to try and do the same ;
he made several attempts, but failed through want of
strength. He then got near one of the paddle-boxes, and
laid hold of the iron under the plank. There were num-
bers of persons in a similar situation, holding on by the
iron. I was just over my friend, and had frequent oppor-
tunities of conversing with him. The waves were conti-
nually breaking over us with great impetuosity, sweeping
away the passengers at every shock. A brief interval of

* Mr. George Hammond.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 243

ease succeeded, and I looked for Mark. I found him still
at his post, clinging to the iron. I asked him if he had a
firm grip ; he answered, " Yes, but I am nearly exhausted."
At this period all the passengers who had had previous
hold of the iron which was under the plank had disap-
peared, from the violence of the waves, except my friend
Metcalf and another person ; but a short time only elapsed
before I saw him carried away by a dreadful sea towards
the paddle-box. As soon as he recovered the power of
utterance, he exclaimed, " James, I'm afraid it's all over ! "
I replied, " O Mark, Mark, lay hold of the paddle-box ! "
He then attempted to do so, and I saw his hand laying
hold, when another wave came and swept him right away.
" O, James," said he, as he was carried into the sea, " it's
all over now ! " I then saw him throw back his hands over
his shoulders, and in great anguish I exclaimed " O, my
friend, my friend, I shall see him no more ! " I commended
him to God ; he disappeared ; I saw him no more !

My mind was now wonderfully exercised. Looking
around me, I saw that all on the right hand and on the
left had been washed into the deep. A mighty sea was
running over the vessel, and there only appeared to be five
or six persons left near the foremast, besides those that
were with me on the plank. I had lost my friend, and in
my anguish I was much drawn out in prayer. Tremen-
dous waves, in the meantime, beat against me ; and in this
state of hope and fear the lines of the poet rushed into my
mind, and I repeated them :

" The God that rules on high,

And all the earth surveys,

That rides upon the stormy sky,

And calms the roaring seas,

This awful God is mine !"

As soon as I had repeated these words, I said, " Saviour,
thou art mine ! I appeal to thee; thou kno west that I love

244 THE WRECK OF

thee !" I then felt a happiness in my soul such as I had
never felt before. All my fears were gone : I was beyond
description happy !

Shortly afterwards the plank on which about twenty per-
sons besides myself were situated gave way, and we were
all precipitated into the deep. I rose to the top of the
surge, and struck out my arms in the hope of laying hold of
some floating substance, when I providentially grasped the
identical plank with which I had just before been launched
into the sea. On recovering from the stupor of the moment,
I discovered two others who had hold of the same plank ;
one of them was without clothes. We were not long in
getting into smoother water, and the tide was taking us on
toward Beaumaris. The naked person, after some time
floating, disappeared ; and shortly afterwards the other in-
dividual went down, leaving me alone with the plank. As I
was thus struggling and floating, I bethought me that it
would be much easier for me if I could get on the plank.
I accordingly made an effort, and succeeded, after which I
found myself greatly relieved. My chief fear now was, that
the tide would turn before any one could perceive me, and
that I might thus be carried back and lost after all. These
and similar reflections occupied my mind whilst in this
perilous situation ; when, casting a longing look towards
Beaumaris, I descried three individuals upon a log of wood,
floating in the same direction as myself. Presently I came
in sight of Beaumaris harbour ; could see several boats
and chimneys smoking. A strong hope now sprung up in
my breast ; and on looking after my fellow-sufferers on the
log, I saw but one ; the others had met a watery grave.
Now I could distinctly see boats passing to and fro at a con-
siderable distance, near to Beaumaris. I shouted, in the hope
that some one might hear me ; and perceiving a small spar,
with a spike in it, I endeavoured to secure it, and succeeded.
To this spike I affixed my handkerchief, waving it over my

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 245

head, and shouting with all the strength I was capable of
exerting. Presently I saw a boat making towards me, and
was satisfied by the cheers of the boatmen that my distress
was seen, and that my relief was at hand, which I need
hardly say truly gladdened my heart. In this I was happily
not deceived, for the boat soon came to me, and I was
pulled in, being the second rescued, one having been taken
into the boat before me. I then informed the men of the
person on the log, and they immediately rowed away in
the direction pointed out by me, and we secured him almost
in the last stage of human existence. We were then taken
to Beaumaris, where we arrived about half-past eight o'clock,
after having been six hours and a half floating on a plank.
I thanked God with earnest sincerity for this my greatly
providential deliverance from a watery grave : to His name
be the praise !

We were presently conducted to an inn, where every
attention was paid to us. Two gentlemen kindly interested
themselves in my welfare. One of them I afterwards
ascertained to be Sir R. B. W. Bulkeley, Bart., M.P., who
benevolently inquired as to what property I had lost, and
offered me any assistance in his power ; telling me to make
free and ask him if he could do anything for me. He took
charge of a letter which I had just written to my wife and
family in Liverpool, franked it, and put it into the post-
office himself. I recovered very rapidly, and the next day
was enabled to return to my family, with a grateful heart
to the Almighty, who had so wonderfully preserved me.

JAMES MARTIN.

Mr. Joseph Adshead, &c.

MR. JOHN NUTTALL.

A portion of the following originally appeared in
Wheelers' Manchester Chronicle, but several incidents have

246 THE WRECK OF

been added, and a number of errors, consequent upon the
haste with which the statement was then given, have been
corrected by Mr. Nuttall. The reader will also observe
that T have elsewhere availed myself of some additional
interesting particulars with which that gentleman has
favoured me see page 75, &c.

Mr. Nuttall states that, before the packet left Liverpool,
several of the passengers, and Mr. Tarrey in particular,
complained to Captain Atkinson of the great delay, more
than an hour after the usual time of starting having trans-
pired before she was under way. The vessel proceeded
smoothly until she had passed the Black Rock, when she
was observed to heave about, but at that time no danger
was apprehended. About three o'clock in the afternoon,
after the steamer had passed the Floating Light, Mr.
Nuttall and Mr. Tarrey were sitting together on a bench
near the chimney, when the latter observed, " I am sure
the vessel will never bear the heavy sea we are in." He
instantly rose up, and going to the top of the cabin stairs,
shouted to the captain, who was below dining, "Why,
captain, we are in very great danger !" The captain re-
plied, " I dare say there is a great deal of fear, but I'll be

if there is any danger." Mr. Tarrey joined Mr.

Nuttall again, and the former remarked, " I have been at
Dublin, at the Isle of Man, and several other places, but
never was in so rough a sea before." The progress of the
vessel at this period was so slow that she did not apparently
sail at the rate of more than one mile in from two to three
hours. Shortly afterwards, a young man (one of the crew)
came up to that part of the packet where Mr. Nuttall and
Mr. Tarrey were sitting, and the latter gentleman strongly
recommended that the vessel should be turned back. " Turn
back," said the sailor, apparently in great astonishment,
" what must we turn back for ? We have something else
to do than to turn buck." About this time Mr. Tarrey's

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 247

family (his wife, five children and servant), who were in
the under steerage, were much indisposed, and Mr. Tarrey
fetched his youngest child, about fourteen months old,
which he and Mr. Nuttall nursed on the deck for more
than an hour. At Mr. Tarrey's request, as the sea ran
mountains high, and the vessel was so unsteady that no
landsman could stand securely on deck, the captain kindly
took the infant in his arms, and carried it to its mother.
As soon as the passengers obtained a sight of the Great
Ormshead, Mr. Tarrey said to Captain Atkinson, " How
soon will you be able to pass the Ormshead by ten o'clock,
think you?" The captain replied, smiling at the time,
" I'll bet you a wager we pass it before eight o'clock."

Nothing like general alarm was felt by the passengers
until they had passed the Ormshead ; but the night was
then far advanced ; it was ten o'clock, and the vessel ap-
peared to make very little way. About this time some of
the passengers heard an ominous remark from one of the
firemen, or engineers, which excited considerable apprehen-
sion. He came on deck, having missed his fellow-fireman,
and cried out for him. In a few minutes afterwards his
comrade made his appearance, when the fireman first
alluded to said, " Bless me, I am knee-deep in water in the
hold ; begin and use the pump." The pump was instantly
set to work, and the passengers, three at a time, worked at
it with the utmost perseverance. The alarm and confusion
which had hitherto been slightly exhibited were now be-
ginning to increase, owing to the pump being in a bad
state of repair, the sucker having frequently to be replaced
by the fireman, and from the frightful appearance of the
hold, in which the water was getting deeper every minute.
In the midst of this exertion, the captain, who was in the
cabin, gave orders for the constant working of the pump,
and a person shouted out, " The captain says you must keep
the pump at work." The nigkt had far advanced now, the

248 THE WRECK OF

time being from eleven to twelve o'clock, and the sky was
overshadowed by clouds.

The next circumstance of moment which Mr. Nuttall
recollects is the approach of the vessel towards the Dutch-
man's Bank. The first time she struck against the sand,
the concussion was not violent, but the keel seemed to him
as if it were scraping along the bottom of the bay. The
packet then suddenly lurched over towards the Anglesea
side, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the passen-
gers could maintain their footing on the deck. The cap-
tain, at this juncture, ordered all the passengers to the head
of the vessel, and they crowded at that end immediately,
hoping that she would float off the bank, but she seemed
fixed in the sand. He then directed that the paddles should
be reversed, but as no steam could be procured, the fires
having been extinguished by the flood of water in the hold,
the order could not be complied with. He then cried out,
" Port," and the mate attended to the order, but the vessel
did not change her position. At this perilous moment
several passengers made suggestions and complaints to the
captain, whilst others said he ought not to be teazed, as he
had enough to do. To some one he said, " he would not
be spoken to by any man, for he had enough on his own
mind." He appeared to Mr. Nuttall to be fresh in liquor,
and he spoke with sharpness. Mr. Tarrey, at this time,
seemed to have given himself up to despair, and shaking
Mr. Nuttall by the hand he said, " We are all lost ! O my
poor wife and family!" Mr. Nuttall, expecting to meet
his death every moment, answered, "Yes, Sir, I believe
we shall all perish." Mr. Nuttall, who never saw Mr.
Tarrey afterwards, then went to another part of the vessel,
and met with Mr. William Walmsley, of Bury, who, taking
Mr. Nuttall by the hand, exclaimed, " Oh, John, we are all
lost." Mr. Nuttall, deeply affected by his awful situation,
answered, " I believe we art, and it is our duty now to

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 249

prepare for dying." Mr. Nuttall afterwards saw Mr.
Robert Whittaker, of Bury, and similar language passed
between them. Mr. Nuttall then went to that part of the
vessel at which he had recently left Selina Lamb and Miss
Walmsley. Both had their caps and bonnets off, and were
engaged in fervent prayer : they were remarkably composed
in mind, and seemed quite prepared to meet their fate.
Miss Whittaker joined the party; and in a moment or two
afterwards the sea broke in for the first time at midships,
the heavy breaker, which nearly overwhelmed the deck,
carrying back with it into the sea part of the luggage. At
that awful moment Mr. Nuttall, at the request of the poor
females, stood in the midst of them, his hands being fast
clasped in those of Selina Lamb. No hope of safety now
appeared to be left, and Mr. Nuttall lifted up his heart to
the Almighty, in silent but earnest prayer. Whilst thus
engaged a heavy surge rushed in upon the party, and they
occasionally knelt down, to avoid the fury of the dashing
waves. Scarcely two minutes had elapsed before the side
of the vessel at which they were stationed was forced in by
the sea, and they were all precipitated into the roaring
waters. The party consisted of Mr. Nuttall, Selina Lamb,
Mary Whittaker, her son and nephew, Miss Walmsley, and
several other persons whose names are unknown. Mr.
Nuttall recollects that he fell head foremost into the sea.
The very moment before he was plunged into it Selina Lamb
turned towards him, and seemed desirous to say something
to him, but her sudden removal into the water prevented
her from uttering a word. He never saw this unfortunate
young woman again.

Mr. Nuttall could not swim, and consequently in his first
struggles he sank three or four times, and each time, as he
rose to the surface, his head struck against pieces of the
wreck. This much exhausted him, and at length he des-
pairingly reclined upon the water without an effort, in the

250 THE WRECK OF

hope that he should at once go down, to rise no more alive ;
but this thought was succeeded by another, that he owed a
duty to himself and to his wife and family to use his best
exertions to save himself from a watery grave. He lifted
up his head, and observed floating near him the side of the
packet, which, by giving way, had caused himself and his
friends to be plunged into the water. He seized it, and
with some difficulty got upon it, and rested there for a few
moments on his knees. At this critical time a boy about
ten years of age (who has since turned out to be the son of
the helmsman) mounted upon his back, and notwithstand-
ing Mr. Nuttall's persuasions and remonstrances, he clung
fast with his arms round his neck, and would not quit his
grasp. Mr. Nuttall had on his under and topcoat, and
with the additional weight of the boy he expected to sink
every moment. He perceived a rope, which, after a despe-
rate struggle, he seized, and found it firmly fixed to the
side of the remnant of. the vessel. He clambered up, with
the boy still on his back, and at length succeeded in reach-
ing the poop. When he had got upon the wreck (for the
packet had separated in the centre some time before), he
heard a piteous cry for help ; and on looking over the side
he observed a female clinging to it in the endeavour to
climb up, and apparently about to sink. He knew not who
she was, but anxioiis to extricate her from her perilous si-
tuation, he descended, by means of the rope before referred
to ; and seizing her by the hair, her bonnet having been
forced to the back of her head, succeeded in placing her
safely on the poop. When there, to his great astonishment
and pleasure, he discovered that the individual whom he
had thus rescued was his neighbour, Miss Whittaker. Jones,
the steward, and his wife, were on this division of the
packet, when Mr. Nuttall, Miss Whittaker, and the boy got
upon it ; but not considering it to be safe, Jones lashed
himself and his wife to the mast, which was then lying

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 251

across the quarter-deck and poop. Several ladies, all of
whom had their caps and bonnets off, were leaning against
the side of this part of the wreck, suffering the most acute
anguish of mind. Their distress was, however, of short
endurance, for in a few seconds the sea forced in the railing
against which they were resting, and they, with Jones and
his wife, were swept into the sea. Mr. Nuttall, Miss
Whittaker, Jones (the Liverpool pilot), the boy, and two
other individuals [Mr. Wilson and Mr. Henry Hammond],
were preserved at this time by firmly grasping the rudder-
wheel. When poor Jones, the steward, removed with his
wife from the protection afforded by the wheel, to that
which he hoped to obtain from the wreck of the mast, Miss
Whittaker endeavoured to follow them, but Mr. Nuttall
fortunately interfered and pulled her back, or she must
have shared their fate. Soon after the occurrence of this
last catastrophe, the deck upon which they were situated sunk
to the water, and was presently washed clear of the other
portions of the wreck. A raft was thus formed, and whilst
floating upon it they picked up Mr. George Hammond, of
Leeds, who was supported in the sea by a large spar. Mr.
Coxhead and Elliot Rudland had previously been taken
on the raft, making the number saved upon it nine. When
daylight appeared, Mr. Nuttall pulled out a silk handker-
chief, and it was hoisted on a piece of wood, in the hope
that, as a signal, it would bring relief. The party could
perceive individuals walking in the fields on the Carnar-
vonshire side of the bay, but none of them appeared to take
any notice of the distressed sufferers. At length Miss
Whittaker gave up part of her flannel petticoat to serve as
a signal, and strips of it were hoisted up. The raft conti-
nued to drift towards the Carnarvonshire shore, but still no
succour appeared to be at hand. Mr. Nuttall and Jones,
the pilot, then determined to seize the first pieces of wreck
that should appear, to use as oars. Two suitable pieces of

252 THE WRECK OF

wood were soon obtained, and with them the wreck was
propelled on the bosom of the deep. Whilst the party was
thus engaged, the Beaumaris life-boat was seen making
towards them, and it soon got up to the raft. Miss Whit-
taker was first taken in, and afterwards the men. Mr.
Walker was in the boat, and displayed the utmost activity
and anxiety ; this gentleman happened to be walking early
in the morning on Beaumaris Green, and descried the tat-
tered signal flying in the wind : he gave an alarm, the
life-boat was manned, and the utmost exertions were made
to row up to the sufferers. When the party had got into
the boat a short conversation took place, as to bringing the
raft along with them : but one of the boat's crew said,
" Never mind it ; your lives are saved, and do not care for
the wreck. I left the Rothsay Castle only two days ago,
because I was fearful this would be the end of her." The
party were conveyed to the Bull Inn, Beaumaris, where the
greatest attention was paid to them. Mr. Nuttall concludes
his corrected narrative by observing

" On the Friday I returned to Liverpool in the Prince
Llewellyn packet, at the request of Mr. Joseph Adshead*
who was proceeding by that vessel, having Mrs. Payne, of
Manchester, under his charge, together with the remains
of her unfortunate husband, who was one of the number
that perished."

JOHN NUTTALL.

MRS. FRANCES PAYNE.

The ample opportunities afforded me when with Mrs.
Payne, of obtaining full particulars of the distressing
scenes through which that respected individual passed,
have enabled me to give in my general narrative a very
complete and faithful account of the " appalling situation"
to which she was reduced see page 101 ; and I have else-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 253

where had such frequent occasion to refer to Mrs. Payne,
in connexion with the leading incidents under notice, that
to avoid repetition I must break in upon the present rela-
tion, whenever it takes up circumstances which are detailed
in other portions of the work. I find it necessary, there-
fore, sometimes to describe in my own person, and some-
times to leave the subject of the narrative to speak for
herself.

The calamitous journey of Mr. and Mrs. Payne was
undertaken with a view to recreation and health, and there
is nothing worthy of particular observation at the outset,
which has not already been related by others. With regard
to subsequent events, Mrs. Payne observes

" I was sitting next to Mrs. Forster, on the quarter deck,
when the great danger had become apparent to all, and
was remarking upon the conduct of the captain, when that
lady, whose calmness and marked resignation were admira-
bly sustained during the whole of that trying period, said,
with a good-natured smile, ' My dear, do not condemn
him ; he may perhaps be acting for the best.' The pas-
sengers were for the most part in a state of great anxiety
and alarm. The pump had been going for some time, and
my dear husband, who had been extremely ill from sea-
sickness during the whole of the passage, had gone upon
deck, and was exerting himself to the utmost in endea-
vouring to gain upon the leaks; but the cabin floor was
now covered with water, which continued rapidly to increase
in depth."

Mrs. Payne describes the scene consequent upon the
striking of the vessel, and then proceeds to say

"Notwithstanding the horrors that surrounded me, I
could not help noticing the singular difference in the con-
duct of some of the females. I have mentioned that of
Mrs. Forster; the younger of the Misses Owen (Mary)
also attracted my particular observation. She sat with

254 THE WRECK OF

astonishing composure to await the dreadful event, and I
could not withhold an expression of surprise at her tran-
quillity under such circumstances : she replied, with mild
solemnity, ' This is not a time to repine.' Others were
for a time as remarkable for apparent quiescence, when
the first frantic expressions of terror had subsided ; but I
can scarcely say whether it arose from an unconsciousness
of the real imminence of the danger, or from the passive-
ness which is sometimes the result of despair. I saw, for
instance, one, (who afterwards perished) busied in search-
ing and making enquiries for her bonnet, which she had
lost in the confusion; after which she adjusted herself,
and folded up her cloak with scrupulous nicety and this
was at a period when we had every reason to expect the
vessel to break up, and when, indeed, but few of us had
many minutes to live !"

The unhappy company assembled in the cabin joined in
prayer, as described at page 57. In the midst of this
affecting scene, Mrs. Payne being upon her knees by the
side of Mrs. Faulkner, and deeply immersed in water,

" I heard (she continues) my dear husband calling to
me from the deck. ' Frances,' he said, ' where are you ?'
I answered him, and entreated him not to leave me. He
said he would not, but begged me to come up. I endea-
voured to rise, but was so entangled by my wet clothes
that I could not, and my husband came down to assist me.
Miss Mary Owen also put out her hand to help me, and
with some difficulty they got me upon my feet : my hus-
band then assisted me in ascending the stairs. On reach-
ing the deck, I witnessed a scene which can never pass
from my memory. The greatest distraction prevailed.
Most of the females had torn off their caps and bonnets,
and other portions of their dress, and were lying upon the
deck in a state of pitiable exhaustion : some were weeping
in great agony : some sat down in the composure of insa-

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 255

nity ; and others were hurrying from one place to another,
and looking about with frantic impatience, as if in search
of a place of safety or of some means for preservation.
Cries of ' Oh, what shall we do ?' ' Lord, have mercy
upon us !' together with every term of endearment which
husbands, wives, parents, children, and friends would
utter, if taking leave of each other on the approach of
death, cries and bursts of passionate sorrow such as
these were to be heard on every side, and I shrunk
back with horror and affright, for there was no room to
pass from the entrance of the cabin without trampling
upon the bodies of wretched women and children.* I
should have fallen amongst them if my husband had
not supported me : he dragged me over them towards
the paddle-box on the left hand side of the vessel,
which was then the highest out of the water, and helped
me to get upon the top of the casing. An iron bolt, or
pin, projected from the centre plank, and my husband
told me to hold by it while he went for a rope, which he
thought woidd add to our security. He was about to
descend for that purpose, when I again earnestly begged
him not to leave me. He assured me that he would not,
and he contrived to reach some rope from which he cut a
piece. He then said, ' My dear, we will go together :'
and then he tied the rope round my waist, and also round
his own, after which he fastened the end to the bolt. We

* In this description, the points verbally referred to by the
narrator are no more than faithfully rendered ; but the following
lines from Byron's " Darkness" appear as if expressly written to
portray them :

" Some lay down,

And hid their eyes, and wept; and some did rest
Their chins upon their clenched hands, and smiled ;
And others, hurrying to and fro, looked round
With mad disquietude."

256 THE WRECK OF

remained in this situation until the vessel went to pieces,
during which time sights of the most afflicting description
continually presented themselves. I saw Mr. M'Carthy, a
priest of the Catholic persuasion, in the utmost distress.
He also had been much exhausted by sickness, and was
for some time kneeling in prayer by the side of the paddle-
box upon which I was placed ; but in the attempt to crawl
along the deck, to join, as I thought, some persons who
were praying at a little distance from him, he was over-
whelmed by several successive seas that broke over the
vessel. When I last saw him, he was feebly struggling
for life in this way. Mr. Shaw was near me for some time,
clinging to the top of the paddle-box ; but he had not so
favourable a situation as my husband and myself, and I
saw him drop into the sea, and perish. But the fate of
individuals was soon lost in the horror of more sweeping
destruction : the side of the vessel broke away, and a whole
mass of victims went at once ! The shrieks, and lamenta-
tions, and unavailing cries for help, were now more
dreadful than ever; but I was soon after involved in the
calamity : a heavy sea tore away the paddle-box, and we
were plunged into the deep. We were still attached, how-
ever, to the bolt, by the cord with which my husband had
fastened us together ; but our weight, or the shock of so
tremendous a wave, forced the plank from the rest of the
casing, and we were left amidst the waters with no other
means of support. At this moment something was forced
against my back, and on turning round I saw the captain
of the vessel. I had warmly expostulated with him upon
the impropriety of his conduct, in the course of the night,
and I exclaimed on seeing him, ' Oh, captain, captain !'
He was immediately swept from me, however, and I saw
him no more. My husband heard me, and said, ' No, my
dear, that was not the captain ;' but I knew that I could
not be mistaken, and I said 'Yes, I am sure it was:

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 257

I know him by his cap, by his oil-skin cap.' Much has
been said about the fate of this unhappy man, but I am
quite convinced that I saw him in the situation I have
described, at the period of which I am speaking. My dear
husband and myself were now frequently rolled over
amongst the surges, and I thought every moment would
be our last. I kept crying aloud to Heaven for mercy,
whenever I had the power ; and my dear husband, fear-
ing the consequence, affectionately entreated me to keep
my mouth shut. I felt, however, that all precaution of
the kind could avail me nothing, and that earnest prayer
for the salvation of my soul was now my proper concern ;
and I replied ' Oh, my dear, how can I shut my mouth,
and pray to my God ?' We soon drifted out of sight of
the wreck, and of every human being but ourselves, and
were continually subjected to trying efforts for life. I found
my strength declining fast, but was agonized to witness
the alarming state of exhaustion into which my dear hus-
band was rapidly sinking. He continued to cheer me,
however, with hopes of deliverance, and to pray for his
family and children, in the event of our perishing. I also
got much worse, and stupefaction seemed to be gradually
absorbing every faculty, when I was recalled to life and
partial energy by the awful struggles of my dear hus-
band."

The reader is referred to page 101 for the conclusion of
this terrible scene ; and the account of the arrival of Mrs.
Payne with the dead body of her husband at Beaumaris
commences at page 114. Mrs. Payne concludes as
follows :

" May that Being, who so wonderfully preserved me,
vouchsafe to make me truly grateful for his mercy. I
would also thank the human instruments of His will
the boatmen, who were exceedingly kind to me ; and to
those ladies of Beaumaris who subsequently took so bene-
z2

258 THE WRECK OF

volent an interest in ray sufferings (and I am constrained
to mention the Misses Williams, of the Friary, in parti-
cular,) I beg to return my heartfelt acknowledgments.

FRANCES PAYNE."

ELLIOT RUDLAND.

This was one of the musicians, who had previously
Served in that capacity on board the Ormerod, under Lieu-
tenant Atkinson. During the last fatal voyage of the
Rothsay Castle, he assisted the steward, Jones, who was
obliged to cook, and attended upon such of the passengers
as were ill. In his verbal statement of the facts that came
under his observation, he remarks that he felt no fear dur-
ing the passage, notwithstanding the roughness of the
weather ; and even when night came on, and alarm became
so general, he still thought that the vessel would arrive at
her place of destination in safety. A short time previous
to the grounding of the vessel, having occasion to go into
the caboose or cooking room, he found Jones the fireman
there, with West the musician. Soon after, the other fire-
man came up, and said it was Jones's turn to attend the
furnaces. Jones went down, but came up immediately for
a light, observing that the pump was choked. He took the
lamp out of the fore cabin ; but on coming up he met the
captain, and very angry words passed between them. The
exact words he (Rudland) did not hear. While Rudland
was still in the caboose, the ship struck. He went out,
and saw that all was confusion ; but being accustomed to
the sea, he was not alarmed. A gentleman, one of the
passengers, said in a fright to the captain, " We shall go

to the bottom." " D the bottom," was the reply, " we

are at the bottom already." The scene on deck was terrific
the passengers ran up and down in the utmost confusion,
the women and children screaming, and the men staring

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 259

each other in the face irresolute and frightened. It was
not long after the vessel struck before the chimney and
steam-escape fell overboard ; the main-mast soon followed,
and at these indications of coming ruin Rudland began to
look about for himself. The first thing he did, and it
shows the force of habit, was to look after his clarionet.
West said to him, " We are all lost." " No," said he,
" we'll trust in God, and not despair." At this time the
sea broke over the vessel in a frightful manner, and he got
hold of the bar that runs from one paddle-box to the other,
under the cross plough on which the captain walked : but
the weather box having been washed away, he moved down
to the water. On his getting there a lady caught hold of
his arm, while two other ladies laid hold of the skirts of
his coat: they were frantic with terror, as were all the
women on board. From this situation he shifted to the
poop, where he saw two men holding the big drum between
them ; and Mr. Edward Jones was also there, with a green
bag in his hand. They were on the grating outside the
paddle-box, and were soon after washed into the sea; he
(Rudland) could not assist them. He next got on Mr.
Forster's coach. While there he witnessed the melancholy
spectacle of forty persons being washed overboard in a
body. The shrieks were dreadful. He was still cool and
resigned. The carriage, with himself and two others, was
eventually washed overboard, and it instantly sunk. He at
length got upon a plank, and after having been driven
about for some time, he contrived by means of a rope to
regain the poop, and was fortunate enough to maintain the
advantage until that portion of the vessel broke away and
constituted a raft, upon which himself and eight others
were saved. In a letter which he sent the next day from
Beaumaris, to his anxious family at Liverpool, announcing
his safety, he evinced a due sense of the great mercy which
it had pleased the Almighty to extend to him.

260 THE WRECK OF

MR. JOHN A. TINNE.

Such frequent mention is made of this gentleman in the
course of the general narrative, that any notice of him
under this head is unnecessary, further than to refer the
reader more particularly to pages 34, 35, 66, 92, and 120.

MARY WHITTAKER.

I left Bury on the Monday morning preceding the fatal
17th of August, in company with my brother (Robert Whit-
taker) and Mr. Wilkinson, together with two little boys,
the one my own, about six years and a half old ; the other
my brother's only child, aged about eight years. We went
first to Bolton, and then by the rail-road to Liverpool,
where we subsequently met with Mr. Nuttall, Mr. Fitton,
Miss Margaret Walmsley, and Selina Lamb. Mr. Fitton
and Miss Walmsley were on the eve of marriage at the
time. On the Wednesday morning we all went on board
the Rothsay Castle together, and there we found a great
many persons who resided in the same town and neigh-
bourhood as ourselves, but of whose intentions to set out on
that journey we had no previous knowledge. I believe
that Selina Lamb determined on going in consequence of
seeing me set out, but I had no share in persuading any
one to go, notwithstanding the statements to that effect.

I can relate little of the passage : I was occasionally
alarmed, in common with those who were about me ; but
as I did not understand the extent of the danger, I in a
great measure confided in the assurances which were from
time to time given to us, that there was no serious cause for
fear, until the vessel struck, and from that awful moment it
pleased Providence to sustain me by a presence of mind,
and a power to exert myself for my preservation, which,
under such circumstances, were truly astonishing.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 261

The first thing I recollect, amidst the terrible confusion
which ensued, was the bursting of the waves over the side
of the vessel. The boys were with me ; I had hold of both
by the hand, and we caught a rope to save us from being
washed away. The seat we had the moment before occu-
pied was carried into the sea; and one of the poor children,
I hardly know which, such was the state of distraction
to which I was reduced, was swept from his feet, but I
grasped some portion of his clothes and dragged him back.
The chimney and the main-mast next fell ; and the latter
lay in such a position as to press me against the side of
the vessel, and I expected every moment to be crashed.
Whilst in this horrible situation I had leisure to look
around me, and I observed that with every wave that broke
over us the passengers were fewer in number ; some were
taken every time, and I saw them struggling amidst the
waves in a dreadful mass, at a little distance from the
vessel. I was now hopeless of escaping a similar fate. I
earnestly commended my soul to God, entreating his mer-
ciful acceptance of my prayer, and stood expecting the
shock which should plunge me amidst the many who had
already undergone the last agony.

A wave at length came, heavier than any which had pre-
ceded it. A portion of the vessel's side against which I
was pressed was forced in, and the unhappy children were
torn from me. I heard my brother's boy cry out, " Oh,
father, save me !" We were swept into the sea together,
but I saw them no more alive.

I was carried to some distance from the vessel, and when
I came to the surface of the water I disencumbered myself
of a reticule containing my brother's watch and several
sovereigns, and felt eagerly round me for something by
which I might support myself. The effort, I found, ren-
dered me buoyant : and, as I recollected that many under
similar circumstances had learned to swim, I tried to

262 THE WRECK OF

struggle onward in the direction of the wreck, and was
surprised at my success. I made way with comparative
ease, and when I reached the vessel I caught hold of a rope
and endeavoured to climb up ; but my strength was then
gone, and I cried as loud as I could for help, for I felt that
I must fall back into the sea if no one came to my assistance.
I soon saw some one descending to me, and in my eager-
ness I caught hold of the person's leg, but let go again the
moment he gave me to understand the danger to which it
would expose both of us ; and I recognized in my pre-
server Mr. John Nuttall. He saw my weak state, and in-
stantly seized me by the hair, my bonnet having been
forced off, though it still hung, full of water, at the back of
my head. Mr. Nuttall succeeded in getting me on the
poop, and then discovered who it was that he had preserved ;
but he was then compelled to seek his own safety, and I
felt unable to help myself through the weight of my bonnet,
which tightened almost to strangulation the strings around
my neck, by which it was held. I made an effort to cry out,
as I reclined helplessly upon the deck, and at length ex-
claimed, "Oh, I'm hanging!" A gentleman near me,
whom I afterwards found to be Mr. Henry Wilson, of
Manchester, kindly came to my assistance ; and, having
relieved me by cutting the strings of my bonnet, helped me
to reach the rudder-wheel, by which I was advised to hold
for security. I was soon afterwards sufficiently recovered to
aid Mr. Wilson in assisting a gentleman who was striving
to join us upon the poop. We happily succeeded in getting
him to the wheel, wlieu he laid down totally exhausted,
and apparently dying. This proved to be Mr. Coxhead, of
London.

The deck upon which we were situated had gradually
sunk, and at length the water received it upon its surface.
It was then conjectured that we should be safer if clear of
the other part of the wreck, and accordingly the Liverpool

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 263

pilot cut the ropes that held it to the shattered remains of
the vessel, and we began to drift away. The sea washed
over us, and there being seven individuals upon the raft,
which was only about three square yards in extent, it was
always covered with water, sometimes very deeply ; and I
was recommended to put my feet through a hole near the
wheel, which gave firmness to my position and enabled me
to support the head of Mr. Coxhead through a great portion
of the time thus spent, or he must have been suffocated :
we all thought, however, that he was in a dying state.

When it became light, I do not recollect seeing anything
of the wreck which we had left. Fragments were floating
about in all directions, but I have no recollection of seeing
any human being except those who were upon the same
raft, though I believe a gentleman* was picked up at this
period that is, after the break of day. Another person -f-
also got upon the raft at an earlier hour, it seems ; but I
only know from my own observation that seven were upon
it in the first instance, and that eventually there were
nine.

As the morning advanced, and no relief appeared, Mr.
Henry Hammond, who was one of the party, observed that
they ought to exert themselves more ; they ought, he said,
to row or paddle the raft towards the shore. This was done
accordingly, and the pilot next remarked that they would
get on much faster if something could be found for a sail.
I was at this time nearly naked ; almost all my clothes had
been torn away in my struggles, and I had nothing left
but my shift, stays, and under petticoat; and the latter
having been partially rent from the band to which it was
attached, I had torn it quite away and wrapped it round
my head ; but on the pilot saying it would do very w ell
both for a signal and a sail, I at once gave it to him.

* Mr. George Hammond. f Elliot Rudland.

264 THE WRECK OF

Mr. Wilson observed, " Don't take it from her ; poor thing,
she'll be starved to death :" but I said, " Oh, yes ! if it will
do any good, take it." It was then held up for a sail, and
the pilot remarked that if they could procure anything to
fasten it to pieces of the wreck it would have the better
chance to be seen at a distance ; and as nothing else could
be got I was induced to pull off my garters, and give them
for the required purpose.

I was soon rejoiced to find that I had rendered some
service by the sacrifice I had made. The signal had not
been long hoisted before a boat was seen to put off from
the shore, near Beaumaris ; and after some time of anxious
hope and fear, we saw that we were observed, and that our
deliverance was near. The boat soon came up, and the
sailors cried out, " Help the lady first." I was accordingly
taken first into the boat, and the crew kindly took off their
jackets and wrapped them round me, for which I was very
grateful, for I suffered severely from such long exposure to
excessive cold.

When we arrived at Beaumaris a lady compassionately
supplied me with a cloak, and I was enabled to walk to the
Bull's Head Inn ; but when put to bed I became very ill,
and felt all the painful effects of the bruises I had received.
A few hours' rest, however, joined to the very kind atten-
tion with which I was treated, much restored me. A num-
ber of ladies were most kind to me ; to them I can never
feel sufficiently grateful. They benevolently supplied me
with every thing that my destitute condition required, and
endeavoured to console me for the loss they could not re-
pair, that of my dear boy.

MARV WHITTAKER.

MR. ROBERT WHITTAKER.

[The following narrative is taken, with the exception of
a few necessary alterations which have been made by

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 265

Mr. Whittaker, from the Manchester Guardian of the
time : ]

Myself and my boy, my only child ; my sister, and her
boy, went on board the Rothsay Castle, lying in the river at
Liverpool, and bound, on a pleasure excursion, for Beau-
maris and Bangor. After the fares had been collected,
and when we should have set sail, which was at ten o'clock,
a gentleman's carriage was brought to the quay, and about
an hour elapsed in getting it on board. Mr. Tarrey, who
had taken his passage with his wife and all his children,
five in number, and one female servant, remonstrated with
the captain on this delay ; and he added he would make
such conduct known through the newspapers. The captain
did not reply to these observations, but directed the men to
weigh anchor, which they immediately set about, but were
not able to perform, until assisted by a powerful gentleman
in a black coat, whom I afterwards saw lying dead beside
Mrs. Duckworth, at Llanfairfechan. The anchor being
secured, we proceeded down the river, and on getting into
rough water some of the passengers began to be alarmed,
and a greater number sick. We went on, and as the sea
rolled, the vessel pitched violently; and the passengers
becoming more alarmed, some of them held a consultation,
and the result was that Mr. Tarrey was authorized to state
to the captain that they would sacrifice their fares if he
would return to Liverpool. He told them they were afraid
without cause, for there was no danger. This, in some
degree, lulled my fears, but it was afterwards remarked by
me that the same land continued in sight, and that the
vessel did not appear to make any way, notwithstanding
the engine was working with its full power. We continued
in apparently the same situation for several hours, the
vessel, as before, pitching violently, and the sea running
very high. Mr. Tarrey again entreated the captain to turn
back, or nnt. in at some place near, so that their lives

266 THE WRECK OF

might be saved. He answered every application to that
purpose with ridicule, and seemed confident of the voyage
being successful. Mr. Tarrey turned to me and said,
" Good God, Robert, what do you think of this matter ?
Do you think the vessel can live through such a sea ? " I
said, " I do not think it can : I am very much afraid we
shall be lost." Soon after, the cook took dinner into the
cabin ; and the captain remained below upwards of two
hours. I was astonished that any man could eat in such
a situation, when we expected every moment would be our
last. Numbers of the passengers, who, I knew, were not
easily frightened on other occasions, were walking the deck in
agony, or laying hold of anything that might support them,
whilst others were encouraging them to keep up their spirits.
I remarked to Mr. Wilkinson, one of our party, that I
thought we should be lost : he said he would ensure me for
a trifle. Mr. Nuttall, also from Bury, said, "You can't,
John ; I am of the same opinion with Robert, that we can-
not survive this." All this time the captain remained
below ; and to the often repeated enquiries of " Where is
the captain ? " the answer invariably was, " In the cabin
with the gentlemen." A little after four o'clock he came
on deck, and from his manner I again felt some assurance
of our safety, though I noticed that Mr. Tarrey and Mr.
Walmsley were in the deepest distress, clasping their
hands, and exclaiming we should be all lost. Mrs.
Walmsley was sick : she went below with her child. Mr.
Tarrey's family were in the fore cabin, he on deck, and he
again entreated the captain to put in at the nearest place
he could; but his entreaties were unavailing. The day
was now waning, the atmosphere heavy and thick, the wind
nearly against us ; but Great Ormshead was in view, and
we were given to understand that if we could round that
point we should be in smooth water. Once or twice previ-
ous to this, I had noticed that the steam was not up ; there

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 267

was not that tremulous motion arising from the strokes of
the paddle-wheels which is felt when the vessel makes way,
and I have no doubt that the captain and crew knew of
this. At one time, when the paddles were stopped, the
fore-sail was hoisted ; and as soon as the engine began to
work, the sail was taken down. It was now about nine at
night, and Mr. Tarrey continued to evince his anxiety for
himself, his family, and the passengers. He had at that
time his youngest child in his arms. Mr. John Duckworth
was also alarmed, and came to the place where I was
covering the two little boys with my great coat, to protect
them from the spray : they were lying down in a state of
sickness. Mr. Duckworth said, " I wish I was safely set
down at home, or at Holden's, in Liverpool." I answered,
" So do I." Shortly after, the captain seemed more on the
alert, and betrayed signs of alarm and great irritation.
He swore at the men for not trimming the vessel by means
of a box running on wheels, and containing heavy chains,
which was on the mid deck, and which they ought to have
moved from side to side as occasion required. He was
several times asked, " What shall we do to be saved ? " and
on one occasion he answered, " If you are afraid, go to
prayers." I put a question relative to our situation to the
steward, who replied, " How can you be afraid when you
see us all so merry ?" The creiv were either sea-sick or drunk ;
they staggered along the deck, and became very talkative. The
captain stood in the midships, swearing at the men ; I am con-
vinced, indeed, that they were all drunk except the man at the
wheel. The male passengers were in great anxiety ; the
women were wailing and crying ; the children were over-
powered by sickness, and lay chiefly in a helpless state on
the deck. The steam, which had recently been applied, again
became short, and the captain ordered " all hands to the
pump." Some cried out to hoist the sail, others said " no :"
it was not hoisted, and the vessel lay without either steam or sail

268 THE WRECK OF

until she struck on a sand-bank. The night was dark, but
we could see about the length of the vessel : the wind came
off Puffin Island in a stong current, and we lay with the
bow of the vessel pointing betwixt Beaumaris and Puffin
Island. The waves now rose tremendously high ; the cap-
tain cried out, " Reverse the paddles," but there was no
steam either to reverse or propel them. The waves broke
heavily on the vessel, the chimney became loose, and first
reeled to leeward, then to windward, and tumbled over with
a great crash. The main-mast then went overboard, and
remained hanging to the vessel by the rigging. The cap-
tain still assured us we should be saved, and that assistance
would shortly arrive. I requested him to fire a gun ; he
said he had none on board. A small bell was then rung,
but its noise would probably be lost in the roar of the wind
and waves. Some of the passengers asked the captain to
hoist a light ; he said lie had none ; but we knew he had a
lanthorn, for one of the crew took it round when he collected the
cheques from the passengers, about half an hour before the
vessel struck. The confusion occasioned by the falling of
the chimney and the mast, together with the cries of the
women and children, was dreadful beyond description.
Men were seen taking leave of their wives; wives were
clinging to their husbands, and persons were running about
in all directions, uttering the most piteous and heart-rend-
ing cries. From the weight of the chimney the vessel con-
tinued lying to windward, and very soon after the main-
mast went the weather-boards gave way ; and as the waves
then swept the deck, the passengers stationed themselves
on those parts of the vessel which lay highest. Several
climbed up the mast, which was left standing : others got
on the poop. The weather-boards on the leeward side
then were washed away by an immense wave, taking with
them more than thirty people who were clinging to them.
JJy this wave I believe that Mr. and Mrs. Tarrey and their

THE ROTHS AY CASTLE. 269

family were ingulphed, as I do not recollect seeing them
afterwards. The cries were now more dreadful than before,
every succeeding wave sweeping numbers from the wreck.
I took a situation beside one of the paddle-boxes, and
whilst there, a young man came to me with a large drum,
and said it would save both of us, if I held on one side, and
he on the other. Some females came and clung round us,
but the young man stuck to the drum, and told them to
get hold of the first piece of timber they could : I then took
out my watch and some silver, and placed them in my
sister's reticule, telling her I must swim for my life, and
praying the Lord to preserve fyers. I stripped off all my
clothes save my shirt and stockings ; we then put the drum
overboard to try it in the water, and found it very buoyant,
but looking at the size of my partner, I thought he would
not be heavy enough to balance the drum with me, and
that, consequently, I should be drowned in keeping him
above water. He therefore got another partner, and they .
went overboard, and perished in my sight in a few minutes.
During this time many passengers were successively washed
off the wreck by the waves. Part of the weather-board near
the paddle-box where I stood remained, and I clung to it,
but seeing some of the crew and passengers holding by an
iron stay which went across the vessel, I made an effort and
got to it, but found that every wave threw us from our feet,
and very soon none were left but myself and Mr. Wilkin-
son. Shortly afterwards the wooden casing of the paddle
gave way, and I was driven through the inside casing into
the wheel, leaving Mr. Wilkinson still hanging on, and
crying for mercy at those intervals when the waves per-
mitted him to breathe. Before this time I had lost sight
of my sister and the two boys, shortly before which I heard
my boy calling out, " Father, father, save me !" but I could
not get near them. Soon afterwards I was driven through
the wheel and the casing into the sea, and seizing a piece
2 A 2

270 THE WRECK OF

of the casing I floated upon it. Soon afterwards I got a
spar, and put it lengthways underneath the board I had
before, and after sustaining some severe bruises from pieces
of timber that were floating about, I got clear of the wreck.
It was then very dark ; and, according to my calculation,
about one o'clock. I kept praying for daylight and for
deliverance.

Of what further happened I have but a confused recol-
lection, and it appears to me like the traces of a horrible
dream. It seemed as if I had been in the water many
days, when I heard the welcome sound of a human voice
shout " Holloa," to which I also shouted " Holloa." The
voice then said, " Hold on, my boy," and soon after I was
lifted out of the water and placed in a boat. It was Ralph
Williamson, Esq., who, having been on a pleasure excur-
sion in his private schooner, the Campeadora, she was then
lying at anchor in the bay of Beaumaris. At nine o'clock
in the morning he was informed of the calamity which had
befallen us, and, manning two boats, he came out to pick
up the sufferers. On being taken up, I asked my deliverers
when it would be day-light, and they told me it was broad
day : it was about ten o'clock in the forenoon. I was stone
blind. Mr. Williamson and the boat's crew were most kind
to me : one of the sailors took off my shirt and flannel
waistcoat and gave me his own. I was then taken on board
the schooner, and put into bed in the cabin, and rubbed all
over with dry cloths by Mr. Williamson, Captain Colquitt,
of Liverpool, Mr. Carey, and Charles Williams, Esq., all of
whom were on a visit to the owner of the vessel; after
which my benefactors wrapped me in warm blankets, and
put a vessel containing warm water to my feet. Some
spirits were given me, and my eyes were rubbed with
cream and bound up, and I was left to my repose. I was
kept on board until I was sufficiently restored to meet my
ssister and the other survivors at Beaumaris. I cannot omit

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 271

to express my most grateful thanks to my deliverers and
benefactors ; their noble humanity has left an impression
on my heart which will never be effaced but with my ex-
istence. To Mr. Eidey, master of the schooner, Mr. Reid,
the mate, and Mr. Robberds, steward, my thanks are also
due : they furnished me with clothing, until my friend, Mr.
George Whitehead, solicitor, of Bury, arrived at Beaumaris
to bring me home in a " wooden suit," he having heard of
my death. Indeed, every man on board the Campeadora
did his utmost to cheer me, and to obliterate the frightful
retrospection of my sufferings.

ROBERT WHITTAKER.

MR. HENRY WILSON.

SIR, In addition to such matters as I have from time
to time verbally communicated to you, respecting the
melancholy wreck of the Rothsay Castle, I am not aware
of anything beyond the particulars contained in the follow-
ing narrative, the substance of which I originally furnished
to the Manchester and Salford Advertiser. As I told the
editor of that paper, I readily submit to you all the infor-
mation of which I am capable on the subject of that most
awful dispensation, which it was my great misfortune to
w itness ; and especially as amongst the many unfortunate
sufferers was my own wife, whose worth myself and family
can never sufficiently appreciate, and the loss of whom,
under such calamitous circumstances, can never be effaced
from my memory, while that life remains which was so
miraculously and mercifully preserved by an Almighty God.

On the evening of Tuesday, the 16th of August, I arrived
in Liverpool from Manchester, accompanied by my dear
wife and two friends, Mr. and Mrs. George Hammond, of
Leeds, purposing to take an excursion of pleasure toge-

272 THE WRECK OF

ther ; but the place to which we were to go was not fixed
upon until the next morning, when we unhappily deter-
mined on going to Beaumaris by the Rothsay Castle
steam-packet, which, we were told, started at ten o'clock.
The resolution was scarcely formed when we ordered a
coach to take us to the pier ; for, if the vessel had sailed at
the time specified, we had not a moment to lose ; but, to
our great disappointment, it was a full hour after we got
on board before she commenced her voyage, in consequence
of a carriage having to be taken on board, belonging to a
family which was also about to embark. At length, how-
ever, to our great joy, we proceeded on our passage, every
one appearing to be highly satisfied with the prospects of
the journey, the conduct of the captain, and the way we
made in going down the river, with the sea rather rough,
and the wind blowing freshly from the N.N.W. All,
indeed, seemed to be going on well, until we got from ten
to fifteen miles the other side of the Black Rock, about
which time the captain went down to dinner, which occu-
pied him at least two hours. At the expiration of this
time the wind had become much more tempestuous, and
the sea had assumed a greater degree of roughness. When
the captain reappeared on deck after dinner, he found the
passengers in a state of very great alarm for their safety.
Many of them put various questions to him, and his an-
swers were generally evasive and petulant in the extreme.
This conduct, being so different to that hitherto ex-
perienced from him, convinced every one that he was
all the worse for the liquor he had taken after dinner.
Not knowing the towns on the Welsh coast which we were
passing, I am unable to state at what particular place we
were when the packet was not making more than one mile
an hour. This slow rate so increased the anxiety of the
passengers, that some offered large sums of money to in-
duce the captain to return, but every offer was unavailing,

THE UOTHSAY CASTLE. 273

for he assured us we should be at Beaumaris by eight
o'clock in the evening, although we were making so little
way, and the Ormshead in view ahead at a distance of
eight or ten miles.

Considerable alarm now pervaded every breast on board,
as the sea became still more rough, and the wind was
blowing a heavy gale. We arrived off the Great Ormshead
about ten o'clock the moon disappearing, the clouds ga-
thering into blackness, portending a greater storm, and the
captain getting less attentive to the important duties of his
trust. Here the worst of all became more and more appa-
rent ; the wheels scarcely turned round, the water was,
in spite of every exertion at the pump, putting out the fires
in the engine-room, and rolling backwards and forwards in
the gentlemen's cabin, in considerable depth. Every eye
now became open to the inevitable destruction which
awaited us ; and all our apprehensions in a moment became
confirmed by the vessel striking upon the sands, by which,
no doubt, she was broken in two. The captain was again
importuned to fire guns and hoist signals of distress ; but
he positively refused, saying that we were still afloat, and
on our way ! However, finding ourselves once more de-
ceived by his false pretences, the passengers rung the bell,
much against his wish, the only means in their power to
give any alarm ; but it was unavailing ; and we remained
in this situation on the sands about two hours. When this
time had nearly expired upon the sands, the chimney came
down, with a tremendous crash, upon the mast, and broke
it ; and in a few minutes after, as suddenly as the eruption
of a volcano, the vessel was severed into numberless parts,
and we were precipitated into the stream. It is needless
for me to attempt to describe a scene, the very idea of
which must make even the uninterested shudder. The
screams of parents for their families, and children for their
parents, were truly heart-rending.

274 THE WRECK OF

Being thus plunged into the ocean, I attempted to
descend with my wife in my arms, thinking that I could
find the bottom ; but soon discovering that we were in deep
water, I at once threw myself into a floating posture, when
I came in full contact with a piece of timber which drove
my hat completely over my eyes. I threw it off immedi-
ately, and seized hold of the floating plank, which was
attached to some other part of the wreck by a rope when
I said to my wife, " My dear, deliverance is come to hand,
and we must use every exertion to save ourselves." I
instantly got upon the plank, and my wife likewise but
had no sooner done this, than a mighty wave drove us off
again. Recovering, however, from the shock, we made a
similar attempt, and with equal success when immediately
a succeeding wave, more dreadful than the others, washed
us off again. Although exhaustion had considerably taken
place with myself, and there can be no doubt even more so
with my unfortunate wife, I seized her by the right hand
with my left ; and she, finding that all attempts for her
deliverance must be unavailing, cried out, " Save yourself !
save yourself! save yourself, for the sake of the children! "
when another wave, more merciless than the rest, sepa-
rated us for ever ! Seeing no possible chance, and scarcely
knowing where to look, I was left to myself, to obey if pos-
sible her tender injunction ; when, looking around me, I
saw part of the wreck considerably elevated above the sur-
face of the water. To that I made my way, by the assist-
ance of the piece of timber which had been so serviceable
hitherto. Arriving at the wreck, I attempted to get upon
it ; but at that time the waves broke furiously over it, and
I was once more driven back into the sea, and despaired
for a considerable time of ever being able to gain the sur-
face of the wreck.

At length, however, by the assistance of a merciful
Providence, and extreme exertion, I succeeded, but in so

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 275

enfeebled a state, that I laid myself down to recruit my
strength, while the sea broke over me with the utmost
violence. Being a little recovered, I heard a female voice
saying, several times over, " Will you help me, sir ? " which
afterwards proved to be Miss Whittaker. Finding that the
wreck on which I had got was of tolerably good size, (it
afterwards proved to be the floor over the ladies' cabin,) I
got further on it, and observed alongside of it the engine
chimney and the mast, to which I, with many more, closely
clung to save me from being washed into the gulph beneath ;
but by-and-by parts of the wreck left us piece by piece, till
at length our little bark was left to itself ; and welcome day
soon after appearing, we found our little crew to consist of
eight males and one female, all of whom had great hopes
of being delivered from a watery grave, and being restored
to their families and friends on land. From the dreadful
inclemency of the weather, and from having been in the
water this length of time, and from the morning being
excessively cold, we were all in a perishing state until
about six o'clock, to which time we had waited expecting
some one to come to our deliverance ; but although we had
hoisted a signal of distress made of a pocket-handkerchief,
the only one spared to the company, hour after hour passed,
and still no one came. Not meeting with deliverance, we
set about the attempt for ourselves, by breaking off spars of
wood from floating pieces of the wreck, which we used as
oars, by which we intended to propel ourselves to the
Welsh shore, from which we might be at that time two or
three miles distant. But fortunately for us, for nearly two
hours we made but little progress, as we were told after
that had we gone much further we must have been lost.
We were perceived from Beaumaris, and immediately a
boat was sent to our rescue, on seeing which we said,
" The Lord has given us a great deliverance this day."
To the boatmen, who conveyed me and my fellow-suffer-

276 THE WRECK OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE.

ers to Bcaumaris, I return my sincere thanks. When we
reached the shore, we found a considerable number of be-
nevolent persons awaiting our arrival, who conveyed \is
without loss of time to an inn, where every attention was
paid to our wants. To Sir R. W. B. Bulkeley I and my
fellow-sufferers are especially indebted, for his kind offers
of pecuniary aid.

The precise number of the persons on board the Rothsay
I cannot state ; the calculation of the agent at Beaumaris
was, that there must have been about one hundred and
thirty persons in the steamer at the time she was wrecked.
I cannot omit mentioning here the apparent unfeeling
conduct of Watson, the owner of the packet ; who, when
the conduct of the captain was related to him, laughed im-
moderately ! For the deep sympathy expressed by my
friends in Manchester and elsewhere, I beg to express my
great obligation.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

HENRY WILSON.

Mr. Joseph Adsbead, &c.

CHAPTER VIII.

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE LOSS
OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE.

" THEY include that very kind of evidence which is supposed to be powerful ; and do
ithal afford additional facts."

ATTEitBonr.

" That which I report would bear no credit,

Were not the proof so high." SUAKSPEAIIE.

THE following documents will be found to possess con-
siderable interest ; not only as corroborating much that I
have advanced in the course of this narrative, which might
otherwise seem incredible,* but in the supply of many
really important particulars, which have never before been
published, except in the voluminous " Report of the Select
Committee on Steam Navigation," the bulk and expense
of which would deter those who are uninterested in the
general question from its perusal. Amongst the matter
which possesses peculiar novelty, is an authentic report of
the proceedings at the Coroner's Inquests, which have
hitherto been kept from the public with singular caution.
Where I have thought illustration, correction, or addition
called for, it is supplied by notes, in order that the text
may be litemlly given.

* I allude here more particularly to my remarks on the state of
the vessel, and on the seemingly strange and uniform neglect of
every means which reason might have suggested for preservation.
But, though " a man's heart deviseth his way, the Lord directeth
his steps."

2 B

278 THE WRECK OF

EXAMINATION OF JOHN COXHEAD, ESQ., BEFORE
THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON STEAM NAVIGA-
TION, 7m OCTOBER, 1831.

You were a passenger on board the late Rothsay Castle, were
you not ? I was.

At what period ? On the 17th of August I embarked in her,
in the morning, at ten o'clock.

Will you be good enough to tell the Committee, as briefly as
you can, the particular points as to what occurred from the period
that you embarked i Was not the Rothsay Castle a War-office
packet? She was, I saw the advertisement of her before I em-
barked ; I did not look at the advertisement with that idea, to
know whether she was a War-office vessel or not.

She sailed under that denomination ? Yes.

Will you state what occurred to the Rothsay ? I was at Liver-
pool, and I made up my mind to go on board a packet to go to
Wales. I went on board with my luggage ; I did not make any
inquiries as to the description of the vessel ; I merely looked at
the advertisement the day before, and saw that a vessel was going
at ten o'clock. I went down at ten o'clock at the time of sailing ;
the hour fixed for sailing was ten o'clock precisely, but at that
time there were a few more passengers that wished to get aboard,
among which were particularly Mr. and Mrs. Forster, and that
took a good deal of time, the consequence of which was that it did
not sail till a quarter to eleven o'clock. It was rather an unplea-
sant morning : there was a great deal of wind ; there had been a
great deal of wind the evening before, in fact a very heavy storm,
with thunder and lightning, such a storm as the inhabitants of
Liverpool say they never recollected for many years.* That would
disturb the sea no doubt. I am not a nautical man, but no doubt
it would have that effect.

* This was indeed an awful harbinger of the calamity which was to render
the next day so much more fatally memorable ; for though property to the
amount of upwards of 150,00()/. was destroyed in Liverpool by the inundation
which this storm occasioned, we seldom hear of that visitation, whilst " The
Wreck of the Rothsay Castle " is still, in that neighbourhood especially, the
subject of unabated interest.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 279

Was there a heavy sea at that time ? Yes, there was ; and I
attributed the disturbed state of the sea to that cause. I did not
make any observation to any one upon it, as I was travelling by
myself, and nothing particular occurred further till afterwards, in
the afternoon, when the sea increased very much indeed, about
three o'clock.

Where were you at the time ? As far as I can recollect we
were opposite u place called Abergelly ;* I think that was the
name. The vessel had strained considerably before that period,
but I attributed that entirely to the eddy motion of the sea, and
to no other cause ; but about three o'clock the motion of the
vessel was very extraordinary, but I made no observation to any
person, considering that it arose from that cause. We proceeded
very slowly till we got to the Great Ormshead,f at about eight
o'clock in the evening, about five hours after she had been at
Abergelly ; she had made very little way, sometimes not half a
mile an hour, sometimes not moving at all ; and from what little
way she made she went back apparently ; and we watched the
points of the land, to see whether she did make any approach :
but it was evident she did make an approach, because about
eight o'clock in the evening she arrived at the Ormshead. It
then got dark, and I thought that there might be some little
danger; and the passengers, some of them, insisted that there
was danger ; the wind was blowing very high, and they expos-
tulated with the captain, to know whether they should go for-
ward or not ; but I did not join in this myself, because I was
alone, and did not feel much disposition to be afraid. There
were two or three elderly gentlemen that insisted upon his
going back ; he made a reply to that, that there was no danger,
and that the little gale that was now blowing was only the tail
of the storm that had existed the previous evening. [ had not
been below stairs the whole of the day myself; and the ship
made so much motion, that we could not keep our seats, either in

* Abergele. See Chart.

+ This is doubtless an error. Mr. Coxhead would mean and say the " Little
Ormshead," off which point the vessel arrived at the time above specified.
See page 21.

280 THE WRECK OF

the forecastle or the stern ; and most of us in that part of the
vessel got chairs, and seated ourselves near the chimney, where
the luggage was fastened j and there we were obliged to keep
very tight, for the vessel made so much motion that we could not
keep our seats at all : between nine and ten o'clock that was.

Had she made any water? 1 did not observe at that time ; I
had not been down stairs. About nine or ten o'clock the sea
beat so violently against the shin, that she appeared to be quite
unmanageable, and about ten o'clock she stopped quite. The
ship had been making little progress for want of steam ; but about
ten o'clock the vessel stopped altogether. We asked, some of us,
the reason of that ; and it was told us, by part of the crew, that
the captain had missed the buoy which was at the Spit, as they
call it, at the Dutchman's Bank, and that he had stopped the
vessel in order to look for it. But it appears that he did not so
do, because it did not appear that he had found that buoy ; in
fact, I think he had not, and we proceeded. There was so much
water on the deck that I could not stand it, and I went down into
the cabin, and was followed by many in the vessel.

Did you go on in the same direction after you had stopped?
1 cannot exactly say, because, as I was at the stern, I could not
see the exact motion of the vessel. I went down to the cabin,
and there for the first time I observed that there was water in
the cabin. We thought that there must be danger, and that it
could not be there without a cause ; we sent to the captain to
come and see it, and he said he could not leave his ship ; and
the steward of the ship said it was only bilge- water. There were
six to eight inches in depth of water at the end of the cabin, so
much so that those ladies and gentlemen who were sitting at that
end of the cabin were obliged to leave the place altogether. It
increased, and very soon spread over the whole surface of the
cabin floor, not so deep in some parts as in others, but the whole
of the floor was covered with water. We insisted upon the
captain coming down to explain the cause of this, but instead of
this an engineer came down, and said that a small screw of the
boiler had escaped, and that the boiler was leaking, and the water
had found its way into the cabin. We were conversing, different

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 281

gentlemen in the cabin, as to the danger of this ; it perhaps took
up the space of ten minutes or a quarter of an hour in speaking
of this danger of the water in the cabin ; and after that time,
finding we could not get any further information, we were silent
upon it, and we saw it must be left to chance, and the vessel
seemingly went on. I think half an hour elapsed before the
vessel struck, that must have been half-past eleven o'clock; an hour
must have elapsed from the time I went down into the cabin till
the vessel struck entirely. We all ran up stairs , I did, and many
others followed me, and we were all anxious to get on deck.
When I got on deck the greatest confusion prevailed ; the women
of course began giving vent to their feelings ; there were several
of us that endeavoured to calm their feelings, by telling them
that the danger might not be imminent, and requesting that they
would be silent. We prevailed upon them, and the captain gave
orders to the helmsman to steer the vessel first to port, and then
to starboard, in different ways, and he kept varying his orders
every moment. He also gave orders to the passengers to go to
different parts of the vessel, on purpose to right her, to keep her
buoyant ; and we all, who were capable of so doing, followed his
instructions. I myself kept running backwards and forwards in
the vessel several times. We worked at the pump, and what we
were told to do we did ; and the consequence was, that for a full
minute or two she floated on the sands, but not more ; then she
struck again, and the concussion was very great ; it was very hor-
rible to me particularly at that time. Then it was very evident
that the danger was imminent, and there could be very little hope
that the vessel could be saved. The chimney fell, bringing with it
the main-mast ; it fell at the side of the ship. The scene of con-
fusion that then commenced, as may be supposed, was very awful
indeed, and the voice of the captain was very soon lost about that
time. I heard no more of him, and I think myself that he must
either have thrown himself overboard, or been washed over very
soon. Many thought that he must liave thrown himself overboard,
and I think that must have been the case, because he was standing
where there was so much rigging, by which he might have saved
himself; but he was washed over, for I lost his voice. That was

2u 2

282 THE WRECK OF

about twelve o'clock, and the sea was very heavy, and every wave
that came against the ship broke over her entirely, or washed
away some of the crew ; and at about half-past twelve she was a
complete wreck, not a piece left, except those pieces of wreck of
the hull which were of course buried in the sand, and the vessel was
completely broken ; in a quarter of an hour she was completely
broken to pieces. // completely formed a triangle in ten minutes,
and in a very few minutes it was broken through quite in the
middle; and when she struck, till the final time of the catas-
trophe, it was not more than half an hour.

From the first time that she struck, or the second ? From the
first ; because from the first to the second there was a very little
interval. These are the main parts of the narrative ; but as I am
not a nautical man, 1 did not make any observations upon the
state of the vessel. I observed a tremulous motion on the ship ;
I thought it might arise from the motion of the sea, but the other
passengers thought it arose from the bad state of the vessel. I
was washed over into the water myself, and by a great providence
it was that I had attached a piece of rope to my arm which was
attached to the mast, and when I rose from the water I pulled
myself to the wreck, and perhaps I was half an hour before I
clung to the mast. It was part of the stern of the deck, to which
the rudder-wheel is attached. With very great difficulty I got
upon that, in fact, with the assistance of one or two already upon
it. Immediately I was upon it, a piece was broken from the hull
of the vessel, and it floated, forming a raft on which nine of
us were saved altogether. That was about two o'clock in the
morning ; we drifted out a little to sea, and we floated upon it,
and we were picked up at seven in the morning by a boat from
Beaumaris. The rudder-wheel was our support; we held to it,
and it saved us, or we should not have been able to have re-
mained upon it.

Were you all males ? No, there was one female who was
saved, Miss Whittaker, she was upon it. We got to Beaumaris
about eleven o'clock, and received every attention there; and I
set off" in three or four days from that part of Wales.

At Orms point the vessel scarcely made any way at all ? No.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 283

Did she continue at that, or did she increase her speed? I
have not made any inquiry as to the distance, but the sun was
setting at that time ; and from that time to twelve, we were four
hours making that distance.

What time is the voyage generally made in ? From six to
seven hours.

Then you were in fact from a quarter to eleven [in the
morning] to twelve o'clock [midnight]? Yes.

Was there any light on board ? There was a light on the bin-
nacle. / thought the ship had been set Jire to, in fact I am confi-
dent it was; the light set fire to the wood, and was put out again by
the great violence of the sea breaking over it.*

Was that before she struck ? No, it was after she struck.
There was also a light at the binnacle ; aud when there was so
much coufusion on board, " Where is a gun ? " and " Where is
a light? " " Why do you not put up the lights ? " which were not
attended to, I cannot say why, I was standing at the stern, and
a sailor came and took the light from the binnacle, threw it on the
deck, and extinguished the light and broke the lantern. He was an
old man, and whether he was saved or not I do not know, but my
impression is that he did it on purpose.

Were there no lights hoisted? No.

No gun fired? No gnn fired.

Was there a gun on board ? I do not know ; Mr. Watson, who
was examined, said that there was a gun in the ship at the time.f

* Tliis remarkable circumstance has been observed upon, page 4).

+ This, as will be shown further on, was only a well-limed pleasantry of
Watson; a jocular equivoque, to give a dash of merriment to proceedings,
the solemnity of which did not harmonize with the liveliness of his dispo-
sition. He was insured from pecuniary loss had suffered no bereavement
of kindred or of friend by the calamity, and therefore why should he be
serious, even though a thousand, instead of one hundred and thirty indivi-
duals, had perished with his vessel ? The levity of his conduct inferred that
he could lie down upon his bed, undisturbed either by waking thought or
troubled dream ; whilst the widow, and the orphan, and the childless parent,
sobbed away their sleepless nights, only obtaining repose when weighed down
by exhaustion upon a pillow which was made comfortless with tears .'
Watson did say " there was a gun in the ship ;" but, wheu pressed upon the
subject, he surprised an admiring auditory by admitting that the gun he
meant was " a fowling-piece !"

284 THE WRECK OF

Did they sound when they went on afterwards, after looking for
the buoy? No.

Was the state of the captain a partial or complete inebriation ?
My opinion differs from that of others upon the subject. I
cannot say whether he was completely intoxicated; he might
have been drinking, and he remained in the cabin at dinner for
a considerable time ; but I saw him afterwards, and he seemed to
give his orders very collectedly, and gave his orders to the last
moment, for I followed them and obeyed them myself.

Did he show a calm temper of mind when he saw his situation?
-r-He was not a calm man, he was a boisterous man, noisy all the
day long.

How do you reconcile his being calm with his orders being con-
tradictory every moment ? His orders might have been correct
for what I know, he might have been directing the vessel correctly.

You think that did not arise from the confusion of his mind,
because you stated that he varied his orders continually ? I
think he was calm, and knew what he was about.

Then he was not more calm in the first instance ? No, I think
not ; my opinion always varied with most of the other survivors
upon that point.

To what do you attribute chiefly this misfortune ? I cannot
say ; I think the captain was very culpable ; I think the captain
knew the danger very well, but he seemed to be an impetuous
man, and would rather go on than turn back, and lose a little
reputation, perhaps.

If he had turned back, would the danger have been avoided ?
I think it would ; he might have run back or dropped an anchor,
it seemed easy to do.

Then the accident arose from the obstinacy of the captain, in
insisting on going on ? Yes ; the danger of going back might
appear to him as great as going forward, but that he kuew the
danger, I certainly think he did, because a full hour before the
ship struck he came down and met the steward, and made a
motion, throuring up his head and his hands; in fact a motion
tlnil all was lost ; and tltat was some time before the vessel struck.
The steward turned pale; he went to the table again, where

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 285

he was making his accounts, aud I went round to him and
whispered in his ears, and said, " I shall be obliged if you will let
me know whether there is any danger; I will not make it public,
but will make use of it; " but he said, "No, no ; " but that was
after the captain had made that motion with his hands, that all
was lost.

Would not the same danger have happened to any vessel under
the circumstances, when she got so far on the sand-bank? Yes,
I think so ; any vessel on the bank must have been in great danger.

Then the accident arose not from the badness of the ship, but
from the running on the bank ? That is a point to which I am
not competent to speak.

Did you not observe that they were obliged to trim the vessel
with the chain cable ? Yes, all the day long.

Had you a head sea all day? It was nearly head; it was
beating against the side considerably.

Did not the pilot leave them ? I am not aware that there was
any pilot on board. There was a pilot ; but that pilot did not
form part of the complement on board. If we had known that
there was a pilot on board, the conduct of the captain was so ex-
traordinary that we should have taken the command from him ; but
there was a Liverpool pilot on board merely as a passenger; he
had been travelling the two or three preceding days, and he was
very much fatigued, and we did not know anything of him. I
did not know that there was a pilot on board till 1 saw his evi-
dence at the coroner's inquest. If we had known that there was
a pilot on board, I think we were so dissatisfied that we should
have taken measures against the captain.

Do you know whether the captain knew that he was a pilot ?
No, I do not.

Can you tell the Committee whether you saw any timber afloat
that was thrown on shore after the vessel was broken up ? I saw
a great deal of it, but I did not particularly examine it at the
time that the timbers were on shore. I was very much bruised,
and I did not look at it ; but I heard the timbers washed ashore.
In fact, there is a large piece of timber, which is in the posses-
sion of the Rev. Mr. Vincent, which he stated to be perfectly

286 THE WRECK OF

rotten. In fact, I think the vessel must have been bad ; because,
in the first place, the vessel going to pieces so very soon, to any
person not acquainted with that sort of thing, the sea could not
have broken it up in so incredibly short a time. The timber was
broken into a hundred or a thousand pieces, completely broken
to pieces in that short time, so much so, that when we were upon
the raft, we experienced a great deal more danger from the timber
striking against us than from the sea.

There were nine people saved upon this piece of wreck ; was
that the whole number that had attained it; did more get to the
wreck ? No more got to it.

How did you secure it? We held by the rudder-wheel which
was fastened to it ; we had nothing but our hands.

When the sea struck you, did you find it difficult to hold ?
Yes, very difficult ; our bodies were a foot or a foot and a half in
water, and it broke right over us completely, but not one of us left
our holds.

Did you give any assistance to the female ? On the contrary,
she assisted us ; she was a strong woman ; / owe a great deal to
her ; she gave me a great deal of assistance now and then : cer-
tainly a woman possessing a great deal of presence of mind in-
deed ; bodily strength was required considerably.

What might have been her age? About thirty-five, I think.

Was there not a general remark which you witnessed, and did
not you yourself make a remark, with regard to the straining of
this vessel to a great extent at a very early period ? At a very
early period in the day-time, considerably ; but I think I observed
before, that I attributed this to the heavy motion of the sea
against her. There was an extraordinary motion in the vessel,
and different persons attributed it to different reasons. I had
been in many steam vessels, and I never felt such a motion
before ; but 1 had never been out in a gale of wind, and I attri-
buted it to the violence of the sea then.

Do you attribute it to that cause now ? My opinion is changed
now, from what has happened since ; it might have been from
the unsoundness of the ship; I do not say that I could speak
positively.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 287

You say that you were sitting upon the funnel ; did the sea
break fairly over the ship, so as to drive you at last from that
part of the vessel ? No ; it was only the spray that came on the
ship.

Did it break considerably, to leave a certain quantity of water
behind? Yes; in fact there was no one person upon deck that
was not thoroughly wet through.

Might not the hold have been filled with that water through the
spray? It might; only the engineer stated the screw had got
loose in the boiler, and that led me to think that it arose from
that cause.

Was that engineer drowned ? I do not know.

Was the water in the cabin hot or cold ? It was warm, but
that was explained by some persons from the violence of the water
beating against the ship : it appeared to be warm.*

How many sailors were there in the vessel ? I think there were
only two on deck.

Was there apparently any difference of conduct in the captain
before dinner and after, as far as you could judge? There
seemed to be some difference, but I had made no observations on
his conduct. 1 thought he was a very impetuous man ; he was
very unpolite and very uncivil in his replies to the passengers.

You were not before the coroner ? I was not.

Was there anything particular in Mr. Watson's conduct subse-
quent to the wreck? His conduct certainly was very indecorous
indeed, very much so. He was expostulated with by all, and the
more he was expostulated with the more he seemed to glory in his
misfortune. It might have been from the reproofs he met with
from all parties. In fact he seemed to be devoid of feeling. I
saw a good deal of him in the coffee-r.oom.f

* This must have been occasioned by a contact with the boilers or admix-
ture with the hot water. That the sea could derive warmth from beating
against a vessel is entirely out of the question.

+ And so did I ; and it is with difficulty that [ withhold a full expression
of the sentiments I entertain of him in consequence. At a moment when
every one present was evincing the deepest sorrow for what had happened;
when the recollection of the dreadful scenes which had been witnessed on
the preceding day the day on which the arrival of the few that were saved,

288 THE WRECK OF

How long had the captain been in the vessel? From two to
three years.

He must have known, then, the state of the vessel? He must
have known it very well indeed.

Did the little way the vessel made arise, in your estimation,
from the defective state of the machinery, or from the heavy sea ?
I attributed it to the heaviness of the sea.

Was the steam up all the time ? It appeared to be up the
whole of the time.*

How was the vessel provided with the means of making signals,
in case of distress ? It did not seem to have a signal.

Was there a bell? There was a bell, which was rung; it was
not rung before the vessel was on shore.

If it had been rung, could any body in that gale of wind have
heard it from the shore ? No, not at all.

How far is the Dutchman's Bank from Beaumaris ? Four or
five miles. The fact is, as regards myself, that after she was once
on shore, I did not see that there was the least hope, even if
there had been 20 guns on board. / consider that the number
tftat was saved, 21,f was very great.; for the vessel was so com-
pletely fixed on the sand, the sea was so heavy, and the ship
broken so much by the waves, that I did not conceive there could
be a real hope for a soul.

Did that boat that came out from Beaumaris and picked you
up, come out by accident? No; we were seen in the morning

and the landing of the bodies of those who had perished, sent forth con-
sternation and grief throughout the whole country, at a moment like this,
when the greatest stranger, the most remotely situated, was awakened to
compassionate feelings, this Watson, the owner of the vessel, could treat with
' slight regard, contempt," the awful sacrifice of life to which the defective
state and bad management of llmi vessel had so largely contributed ; and that
they did so contribute, I point for proofs to the Evidence above adduced. Were
1 to give full vent to all that I could say of such conduct, it would full infi-
nitely short of my conception of its enormity : and, as there can be but one
opinion on the subject, I leave the man to the enjoyment of his own reflections.

* This is erroneous. See particularly page 42.

+ An error has been followed in most accounts of the wreck. The number
saved was twenty-three. See page 10.J, and Note ; also name?, page 118.

THE ROTHSAr CASTLE. 289

about tea o'clock* by a gentleman who was using his telescope,
which he was used to do, and he thought he could see a piece of
wreck with seven persons upon it ; there were nine, and imme-
diately he gave the alarm, and a boat was sent off, which took
three of us first.f

How many boats had the Rothsay ? She had only one at the
side of the vessel ; that must have been swamped in the early
part of the occurrence : that boat I should not have thought of
getting into myself, because it appeared to be so small that it
could not save a person in that heavy sea ; in a calm sea it might
have been of use. In fact there was at one time a woman that
got into the boat with a child ; she appeared to be much agi-
tated ; there were many that saw she would be lost if she conti-
nued in the boat, and they dragged her by force out of the boat
with the greatest difficulty, and I did not see that any person got
into it afterwards. I lost it very soon, because that part of the
vessel was soon broken.

How many persons were there on board ? Between 120 and
130; the names of the lost have been ascertained to be 110;
there were 21 saved j that would make 131.J

Did it appear to you that there were too many passengers on
board for the state of the weather? No ; in fact, I was surprised
that there were so few on board ; but I accounted for it by the
weather being dull, and most of the females in the other part had
gone down stairs ; on the deck there was room for a great many
more.

Do you know what the size of the engine was ? I have heard
it, but 1 do not recollect at this moment.

* It will be seen, page 282, that Mr. Coxhead is made to say they were
picked up at seven o'clock in the morning, which is nearest the fact. Mr.
Walker discovered the raft before seven o'clock : see the letter of that gentle-
man, page 98.

+ It would seem to intimate here that "three "were first taken from the
raft, and that the rest were removed at a subsequent period j but such was
not the case. See page 99.

$ The additional number of names which I have been enabled to supply
(see general list) will justify the belief that there were at least one hundred
and fifty persons on board, twenty-three of whom, as before stated, survived.
2c

290 THE WRECK OF

Did not the men on board go and lift a part of the machinery ?
They did.

In lifting that part of the machinery, are you aware whether
any person brought off any part of the timber ? No ; in fact, Mr.
Watson and his agents were anxious to preserve whatever they
could for themselves. There was every now and then a piece
washed on the opposite shore, on the coast of Carnarvonshire,
which different gentlemen picked up and preserved, but the larger
pieces were taken by Mr. Watson and his agents.

Who is Mr. Watson ? He is a young man, and he is owner of
this vessel, and has a share in another.

Did you speak of this young gentleman, or the father, when
you said that his conduct was indecorous? The younger, the
owner of this vessel.

Was he on board at the time of the wreck ? He was not on
board.

It was quite across the middle she broke, just at the boilers,
was it not? Yes.

You had no means of judging whether the captain's sense of
danger appeared to arise from the state of the vessel or not?
No, none at all ; I have been led to think that was the case,
from conversations I had, but I could not discover from my own
observation.

From that collectedness which you evinced during the whole
occurrence, is there anything which you can suggest which, sup-
posing you could have anticipated so melancholy a catastrophe,
in the way of signals, or in any way whatever, could have pre-
vented its occurrence, from either a bad sea or the ignorance of
the captain ? Yes, I certainly think there is one thing particu-
larly. We were certainly not more than half a mile from the land,
and although a bell could not have been heard on the shore, or our
collective voices be heard, a swivel or a gun might have been heard.*
There was a man at the time upon the land, at a place called
Puffin's Island, and from that point we were certainly not more

* This is at variance with what Mr. Coxhead is made to say, page 288.
He i.i there of opinion that " there was not the least hope even if twenty guns
had been on board."

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. '291

than half a mile, and not so much as that, I should think ; and
with a gun, 1 think, we might have been heard; but that was the
only signal that we could make.

Was not the state of the sea such, that no boat could have
come out to you if the signal had been heard ? I do not know
as to that, because I am not a nautical man ; but there are life-
boats to come off in such danger.

Do you think you could have managed to fire a gun ? Would
not the sea constantly coming over you have prevented you ?
Would not the powder be likely to have been wet ? There would
have been great difficulty; it is probable that all the powder
would have been wet ; but in such circumstances as these every
thing is but a chance.

Do you happen to know whether there was a life-boat ou shore
at the time ? Yes, I do know that; it was mentioned on board
that there was. There were several gentlemen in the vessel who
said, " If we could but make this man hear, there is a life-boat
on the spot."

Could anything, in your opinion, have prevented the cata-
strophe from happening, supposing the vessel had been sound?
1 am not competent to answer that question.

Was the vessel insured ? She was insured 1,500, partly
insured. Mr. Watson stated to me that she cost him 4000.

How long before ? Very shortly, because he had bought her at
first, and had caused a great many repairs to be made upon her.
In fact, I believe, the repairs have not been paid for yet, they
were done so short a time ago.

Was the person who effected those repairs examined before the
coroner ? No, he was not ; but there have been certificates that
have been signed at different times by those parties.

Was not your own health affected by this catastrophe? A
little, but I was very poorly at the time.

292 THE WRECK OF

DEPOSITIONS TAKEN AT THE CORONERS'
INQUESTS.

BEAUMARIS, AUGUST 18, 1831.

The examination of William Jones, fireman, taken in writing
upon oath : Who saith that the Rothsay Castle steam packet left
Liverpool yesterday morning, at eleven o'clock, the wind at north,
and blowing hard ; had a great number of passengers, upwards
of 100; the vessel made much water during the passage; the
water came through her sides ; the pumps were choked ; began to
pump about ten o'clock at night, before they made the Orms-
head ; the water was up to witness's ancles when he fed the fire ;
it blew so strong that we could not gain Ormshead before ten
o'clock; the engine is one of 50-horse power, cannot say what
her tonnage was. Pumped altogether, but the water gained upon
them. Cannot say whether the steam was up when the vessel
struck, did not hear it : has been employed on board the Rothsay
Castle three weeks; the vessel is very strong ; the water came in
through the shaft in the paddle-box ; the vessel struck upon the
sands near Puffin Island,* near twelve o'clock. Do not know whe-
ther there was any ballast on board ; 50-horse power is not suffi-
cient to face such a sea as was running at the time, the sea was
running very high ; the captain ordered to reverse the engine
after the vessel struck three or four times; could just see the
Puffin Island ; the bow was raised about a couple of yards when

The late Mr. Harris (Lloyd's Agent), in the statement from which I gave
an extract in page 108, ascribes the wreck of the Kothsay Castle principally to
the culpable impolicy of leaving Puffin Island without a beacon, by which a
vessel's course might be accurately regulated in passing the buoys at the
entrance of the Menai Strait. It is, indeed, most extraordinary that nothing
has even yet been done to remedy the evil complained of. Mr. Llwyd
observes, in his prose version of " Beaumaris Bay," &c., lately published "It
would be an additional feather in the civic cap of Liverpool, and a grateful
return for the shelter here afforded to its trade, were they to use their endea-
vours to have a light-house on Puffin Island. 1 have frequently heard sailors
say, they would willingly pay tonnage ot a penny, rather than lie out at sea
in a dark, stormy night, to avoid the danger of approaching it."

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 293

she struck ; most of the passengers were washed overboard when
the vessel struck ; witness made for the foremast when the vessel
struck, and remained there until picked up by a boat. Mr. Jones
and his wife are among the dead ; Mr. Jones was steward; Jones
said, when off Ormshead, that he knew quite well they should
never reach shore ; heard several passengers ask the captain to
put back to Liverpool, as they knew they should never reach shore;
one passenger offered two sovereigns if he would put him on
shore ; neither the captain nor mate were sober, both were evidently
drunk before they reached Ormshead; the pumps were choked by
the ashes ; the captain ordered witness to cram the fire when it
did not require it. The seamen did not appear at all alarmed
before the vessel struck. Has seen the seventeen corpses lying
dead, and has no doubt they were passengers on board of the Roth -
say Castle yesterday ; thinks the lives of the passengers might have
been saved if they had put back to Liverpool. Is a fireman and no
seaman ; a few of the passengers asked the captain to cast anchor,
and he answered, " Hold your bother, there is no danger." Were
two men short of a full crew; two men left at Bangor, and their
places were not supplied.

(Signed) The mark X of the said

William Jones.

On his examination on the 19th he states, that the steam was
up when the vessel struck ; the steam failed between Ormshead
and Puffin Island. Witness went to assist the engineer when the
steam failed : the other fireman was in the forecastle ; the steam
failed in consequence of the coal being so wet ; the water came in
through the shaft ; the sea was very rough at the time ; the vessel
was as strong a one as wituess ever saw.

THOMAS WILLIAMS, Coroner.

The examination of William Hughes, seaman, taken in writing
upon oath : Who states that they had another seaman, himself,
carpenter, two firemen, mate, and engineer ; short of one, but
thinks there were sufficient to work the vessel; she is not a stout
boat ; the sea ran very heavy, and the vessel's side was to the
sea; was at the wheel when the vessel struck ; the engine stopped

2c2

294 THE WRECK OF

in the smoothing opposite the Old Tower, in consequence of
water; the water came in through her seams ; she laboured hard ;
that could not have been the case if she was sea-worthy; did not
think her not sea-worthy before ; she dragged a considerable dis-
tance before she struck, with a reversed engine ; she dragged
about a mile. The mate took the wheel out of witness's hands,
and put it hard a starboard, which sent the vessel further on the
hank; when the accident took place, the captain was fresh, and
the mate no better : the steam failed, and the vessel was driven on
the bank ; if the anchor had been let doivn when she first grounded
a/te would have been saved ; the dead bodies were passengers on
board the Rothsay Castle yesterday, as witness believes.

The mark of the said
William X Hughes,

On board : Captain Atkinson ; mate, William Battlestone ; *
William Hughes, seaman ; Evan Evans, seaman ; carpenter ;
William Goose, f engineer; John Jackson, fireman; William
Jones, fireman ; steward, under-steward, and black boy.

William Jones, a pilot of Liverpool, No. 7, states upon oath,
that he was a passenger on board of the Rothsay Castle yesterday;
about half-past seven, some passsengers asked the captain to put
back, but he refused ; were then between the two Ormsheads ;
was in bed when the vessel first struck ; were near the Dutchman's
J):ink at the time ; she struck very hard on the Dutchman ; asked
to put up a light, but the mate said that was no business of mine ;
she is a very old vessel, and very cranky ; was in bed when she
struck ; the captain gave his orders distinctly. Witness advised
to hoist the jib, and the mate said, " What is that to you ?"
The vessel went to the south and east of the buoy ; would have
turned back when the vessel struck if left to his own judgment;
the vessel struck about fifty times before the captain gave orders to
reverse; was asleep when the vessel first struck; got a- leeward of
tfye right course before the vessel struck ; the vessel ought not to
have got to leeward if they had kept the proper course; it was in

* This man's name was given me at Watson's Liverpool packet-office as
William \ (ii-asniir, whicli I have accordingly adopted in my list.
+ This I have William Wildyoose.

THE KOTHSAY CASTLE. 295

consequence of bad steering; the corpses now lying dead were
passengers on board of the Rothsay Castle yesterday.*

William Jones.

The examination of Evan Evans, seaman, taken on oath : Who
saith that he was at the wheel a considerable part of the voyage
from Liverpool to Beaumaris ; she leaked so much between
Ormshead and Puffin Island that the steam quite failed ; the
water came in partly through the seams, and partly from breaking
over the deck ; were on the weather edge of the bank when they
struck ; does not think that the captain or mate were sober.

Evan Evans.

Elliot Rudland, musician, upon oath, states that he heard some
of the passengers ask the captain to ring the bell, and he said,
" There is the bell, and go ring it yourself." He was not fresh,
as witness believes ; he was calm at the time the vessel struck ;
cannot say how many hands there were on board ; they have
been changed so frequently of late ; thinks all the bodies now
lying dead were passengers ou board of the Rothsay Castle
yesterday.

Elliot Rudland.

Before me, THOMAS WILLIAMS, Coroner.
BEAUMARIS, AUGUST 19, 1831.

The examination of William Watson, of Liverpool, in the
county of Lancaster, merchant, taken in writing, upon oath, before
me [Thomas Williams], coroner for our Lord the King for the
said borough, and the liberties and precincts thereof; Who saith
that he is proprietor of the Rothsay Castle ; she started from
Liverpool on the 17th, about half- past ten o'clock, with about

* I was present at the inquest, and can discover, from the notes I took at
the time, (from which a brief account was inserted in the second edition of
the Manchester Guardian on the following Saturday) several omissions in this
and other portions of this " official report; " one, however, is too characteristic
of the witness under examination to be passed over. Besides, it supplies a
faithful picture of the melancholy scene to which it refers. He added " I
saw the quality huddled together in the waist of the vessel, and the praying
and crying was the most terrible sight to witness. The sea broke over on both
sides, and took away numbers at once. They vent like flights, sometimes
many, sometimes few ; at last the bulwarks weat and none were left.''

296 THE WRECK OF

ninety-two passengers, and a crew of fifteen. The captain has
power to discharge men ; does not do so without witness's know-
ledge ; did not know that the crew was short when the vessel
started on the 17th. Cannot say how many there were on board
as a crew on the 17th ; the vessel was on the slip about four days,
to get a new boiler ; purchased the vessel at the Clyde ; thinks
she is ten years old; may be sixteen years old; never heard that
she had been condemned. Has never heard that the crew had
occasion to repair the vessel on the passage from Beaumaris to
Liverpool, any farther than the boiler. Wilson repaired her ;
never heard any one complain that the vessel was extremely
weak. Some of the ballast was left in the vessel ; did not hear
that the vessel heaved on one side in smooth water ; did not hear
that she was the weakest vessel out of Liverpool ; the engine is
a 58-horse power.

William Watson.

LLANFAIRFECHEN, AUGUST 19, 1831.

Informations of witnesses taken at the parish Church of Llan-
fairfechen, in the county of Caernarvonshire, this 19th day of
August, 1831, before Edward Carreg, coroner for the said county,
touching the death of Air. Duckworth, and a man un-
known,* then and there lying dead, as follow :

Robert Whittaker sworn, saith that he, with two of his chil-
dren f were passengers on board the Rothsay Castle steam packet,
plying between Liverpool and eaumaris. The Rothsay started
about eleven o'clock in the morning of Wednesday, the 17th
instant, from Liverpool. There were about a hundred passengers
on board, and the weather was not boisterous when the anchor
was weighed. The packet proceeded along the river Mersey
several miles without encountering auy interruption from the
state of the weather, but when she was out of the river, and had

* I have followed the "Report*' in every particular, verbatim; but this
should be Mrs. Lawrence Duckworth, instead of Mr. Sic. ; and the " man
unknown" was Mr. Lucas, of Liverpool. I confine myself to the notice of
such matters only as may interfere with my statements elsewhere; but I take
this opportunity of protesting against all responsibility for the frequent viola-
tions of grammar discoverable in these documents.

+ One of the children only was Mr Whittaker's : the other was his sister's,
and consequently his nephew.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 297

got into the channel, the wind became higher, and several of the
passengers entreated Captain Atkinson, who commanded the
packet, to return to Liverpool, to which he replied that there
was not the slightest danger, and proceeded on his voyage to
Beaumaris. About two o'clock the captain retired into his cabin
to dinner, where deponent thinks he might have remained about
two hours. Deponent thinks that Captain Atkinson when he
returned on deck appeared a little in spirits, but cannot swear
that he was intoxicated. The vessel proceeded at a slow rate,
the weather becoming tempestuous and the wind contrary, till
she got opposite Puffin's Island, when she struck upon a sand-
bank called the Dutchman's Bank, and in about an hour after-
wards she became a perfect wreck. The crew and passengers,
with the exception of about twenty people, all perished.

Robert Whittaker.

William Hughes sworn; saith that he was a seaman on board
the Rothsay Castle, and had served with Captain Atkinson for
the last two years. The captain understood the navigation of the
coast from Liverpool to Beaumaris well, and deponent thinks
there was not the slightest blame attached to him for bad sea-
manship; but considers that he had drank rather too much,
although he cannot swear that he was intoxicated.

The Mark of
William X Hughes.

Evan Evans sworn ; saith that he was a sailor on board the
Rothsay Castle, and corroborates the statement of the last wit-
ness. Deponent further states that, although he considered that
the captain was a little affected with drink, still be was not inca-
pacitated from performing his duties from intoxication.

Evan Evans.

The Verdict of the jury in each case was Accidental Death,
by being wrecked at sea.*

* It is extraordinary that another document was not submitted to par-
liament ; namely, the letter addressed by the Beaumaris Jury to the Coroner,
and handed to that gentleman when the verdict was given. It shows what
impression the investigation had upon them, which is a better standard for
judging of the merits of tlie case than any report. It was as follows;

298 THE WRECK OF THE HOTHSAY CASTLE.

Beaumaris, August 19, 1SJ1.

"SiR, From the evidence brought before them, the Jury on this inquest
cannot separate without expressing their firm conviction that, had the
Rothsay Castle been a seaworthy vessel, and properly manned, this awful
calamity might have been averted. They, therefore, cannot disguise their
indignation at the conduct of those who could place such a vessel on this
station, and under the charge of a captain and mate who have been proved,
by the evidence brought before them, to have been in a state of intoxication.
(Signed) " R. B. W. BULKELEY,

" Foreman.

" To the Coroner."

The names of the Jury that placed the above upon record are Sir Richard
Bulkeley Williams Bulkeley, Bart. M. P., Foreman ; John Wright, Esq. (an
Alderman of Liverpool); William Henry Turton, Esq.; George Desbrisay,
Esq. ; Thomas Gray, Esq. ; George Walmesley, Esq. ; Richard Lewis, Gent.;
John Batley, Gent.; John Lloyd, Gent.; John Jones, Gent.; Erasmus
Griffiths, Gent.; Hugh Roberts, Gent. Such a protest, by such a Jury,
should almost be deemed sufficient to render other evidence unnecessary.

GENERAL LIST

OK THOSE WHO ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN ON BOAHD THE ROTHSAY
CASTLE AT THE PERIOD OF HER WRECK.

The names which have an ASTERISK prefixed are of persons
who survived ; those ivhich have no DISTINGUISHING MARK are
of persons who perished, but were eventually found ; and such
as have the OBELISK, or dagger, are the names of persons whose
remains, there is reason to believe, have not been recovered. The
figures which immediately succeed the names and descriptions,
refer to the pages of this work in which the parties are more
particularly mentioned; and those individuals whose bodies
were found but not owned, and of whom no certain information
could be obtained, are classed with the " VNKNOWN" and take
their place as such in alphabetical succession, the figures
annexed having reference to the pages in which they are
described.

Age.

Alexander, Jane, of Liverpool.

^Atkinson, John, Lieutenant, R. N., and Commander of the
Rothsay Castle, 2, 3, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24,
25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 35, 38, 39, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49,
180, 181, 182, 183, 190, 191, 196, 202, 203, 204, 207, 208,
209, 218, 223, 240, 246, 247, 248, 254, 256, 257, 258, 259,
265, 266, 267, 268, 272, 273, 279, 280, 281, 284, 285, 287,
288, 290, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298.

Appleton, Thomas, child of Mrs. Tarrey by a former husband,
53,61, 131,247 13

\Appleton, Mary, ditto, 54, 61, 247.

Baldwin, , Solicitor, of London, 169.

f Barton, Captain, of Cork.

300 THE WRECK OF

Age.

Bottomley, William, of Rakewood, near Rochdale, 62, 170. ... 28
*Broadhurst, William, of Sheffield, 12, 27, 38, 39, 50, 61, 64,

82, 100, 118, 122, 155, 178, 201.
Broadhnrst, Margaret. Mr. Broadhurst's daughter, 61, 64, 82,

185, 186, 187, 188,201 18

Broadhurst, Ellen, ditto, 61, 64, 82, 155, 185, 186, 187, 188,

201 16$

Brandreth, James, of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, 165.

Brown, Josiah, of Chesterfield, 168.

\-Brown, John, residence unknown.

Charles, Thomas, of Bury, Lancashire, 54, 61, 72, 157, 169 . . 40

Cooke, Samuel, of Bangor, 56, 154.

Coxhead, John, of Size-lane, London, 34, 48, 49, 55, 62, 63,

64, 65, 71, 75, 77, 78, 93, 97, 99, 118, 122, 177, 189, 190,

191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199,200, 201, 202,

203, 219, 221, 251, 262, 263, 278, 289, 290, 291.
Day, John, of Wakefield, 63, 66, 81, 167, 231, 232, 233, 235,

236, 237 24

f Denson, , sou of Mr. Edward Deuson, of Chester.

*Duckworth, John, of Shuttleworth, near Bury, 31, 54, 61, 73,

80, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 96, 107, 118, 121,

122, 165, 177, 203, 204, 205, 206, 217, 267.
Duckworth, Mrs. John, wife of the preceding, 54, 61, 73, 74,

106,107,131,137,203,204,206,265 43

'Duckworth, Lawrence, of Edenfield, near Bury, 50, 54, 61, 73,

75, 80, 103, 118, 119, 155, 177, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210,

21 1, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 230.
Duckworth, Mrs. Latvrence, wife of the preceding, 54, 61, 73,

74, 75, 137, 207, 208, 209, 210, 21 1, 212, 217, 296.
Dyson, Humphrey, of Church-gate, Manchester, 55, 58. 60,

133, 137, 169 30

Entwistle, Thomas, of Edeufield, near Bury, 54, 61 , 73, 74, 75,

132, 133, 137,211.
\-Evans, Richard, of Piebron.

*i;aw,fc-nn,oneofthecrew of the Rothsay, 38, 62, 118, 122,
294, 295, 297.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 301

Age.

Faulkner, Mrs., wife of Mr. Charles Faulkner, of Manchester,
10, 58, 143, 254.

Faulkner, Amelia, daughter of the preceding, 58, 143 5

^Faulhnei; infant of ditto, 58, 143.
\-Faulkner, George, calenderer, of Manchester.
^-Faulkner, Mrs. wife of the preceding. These ill-fated indi-
viduals have left five small children, 10.

Filton, James, of Seedfield, near Bury, 54, 61, 72, 165, 260 . . 30
Forsler, William Martin, of Lincoln's Inn, &c., London, 6, 12,

15, 16, 46, 52, 57, 59, 73, 78, 95, 146, 147, 153, 168, 199,

200, 203, 219, 232, 235, 239, 254, 278.
Forster, Jane, wife of the preceding. 12, 15, 16, 52, 59, 60, 75,

146, 147, 168, 200, 203, 219, 232, 235, 254, 278.
Fox, Simon, of Rathmiues, near Dublin, 60, 127, 132, 138.. 57
^Griffiths, Michael, carpenter of the Rothsay Castle, 134.
Griffiths, Jane, wife of the preceding, 35, 63, 67, 132, 134,

227, 289 27

\-Griffiths, infant of ditto, 134, 227, 289.

Hammond, George, of Leeds, 48, 61, 63, 78, 79, 80, 94, 95,

97, 98, 118, 177, 202, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224,

225, 226, 227, 230, 242, 251, 263, 271.
Hammond, Mrs. wife of the preceding, 58, 63, 94, 114, 125,

155, 219, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 271.
'Hammond, Henry, of Liverpool. This man was employed

in cutting some ornaments in the vessel, and worked during

the voyage to save time, 63. 64, 78,96, 118, 121, 227,

228,251.

Hanvood, R. R., of Chesterfield, 169.
Howarth, Rachael, Mr. Tarrey's servant, and daughter of Mr.

James Howarth, of Bury, butcher, 54, 132 16

"Hughes, William, one of the crew of the Rothsay Castle, 38,

62, 92, 118, 122, 293, 294, 297.

*Hnghes,soo of the preceding, 62,75,78, 95, 118, 122,250,251.
^Jackson, John, fireman of the Rothsay Castle, 294.
'Jones, Edward, of Bangor, 78, 79,80, 103, 104, 118, 119, 213,

214, 217, 228, 229, 230, 231, 259.
2D

302 THE WRECK OF

Age.
f Jones, Robert.

* Jones, William, a Liverpool pilot, 29, 40, 41, 78, 98, 99, 118,

251, 285, 294, 295.

* Jones, William, fireman of the Rothsay Castle, 52, 60, 62, 92,

118, 121, 155, 292.

Jones, William, steward of ditto,3, 63, 68, 127, 131, 135, 191,
198, 219, 228, 250, 251, 293, 294 32

Jones, Ellen, wife of the preceding, 63, 68, 127, 131, 135, 198,
219, 250, 251, 293, 294 33

Joseph, a boy of colour, one of the crew of the Rothsay Castle,
65, 132, 140, 168, 201, 294 14

[Kearney, James, assistant steward of ditto, 258.

[King, George, of Moss Mill, near Rochdale.

f Keats, Mary, of Cheadle.

\-Lamb, Selina, chambermaid of the Grey Mare Inn, Bury,
Lancashire, 54, 72, 249, 260 24

Leech, John, traveller for the firm of Messrs. Royle and Co.,
of Chester, 127, 131, 135 22

f Lees, Benjamin, of Whitworth, near Rochdale, 208.

Leigh James, soap-boiler, Byrom street, Liverpool. This gen-
tleman's premises were inundated by the great flood
which occasioned such destruction on the night previous
to the wreck see page 238. It had been previously ar-
ranged that he should go by the packet on the Wednesday,
to take lodgings for his mother at Bangor, but the state
of his premises seemed likely to prevent him. Finding,
however, that the damage was not so serious as he had an-
ticipated, he left his business, and, accompanied by his
brother-in-law, Mr. Souza, went on board the steamer.
12, 36, 63, 66, 68, 169, 179.

Lucas, Joseph, of Liverpool, 61, 64, 107, 131, 138, 199, 296. . 47

Lucas, Elizabeth, wife of the preceding, 61, 64, 127, 131,
138, 199 54

Lucas, Margaret, daughter of ditto, 61, 64, 114, 125, 131,
138, 199 24

[Mallinson, George, of Manchester 60

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 303

Age.

*Marsden, Sidney James, of Wakefield, 51, 63, 66, 81, 99,

100, 118, 122, 145, 177, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236,

237.
M'Carthy, The Rev. Simon, (R. C. P.) of Rathmines, near

Dublin, 60, 66, 114, 125, 131, 138, 139, 256.
*Mariin, James, of Liverpool, 61, 83, 84, 104, 118, 121, 143,

177, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243. 244,245.
^Metcalf, Mark, of Liverpool, 61, 84, 121, 238, 239, 241,

242, 243.
*Morris, Owen, one of the crew of the Rothsay Castle, 84, 105,

118, 122.
j-Mullet, Edward, (Mr. Forster's servant,) of London, 8, 86,

87, 203, 205.
*Nuttall, John, of Bury, Lancashire, 54, 55, 61, 72, 75, 76,

78, 96, 97, 98, 118, 143, 177, 227, 245, 246, 247, 248,

249, 250, 251, 252, 260, 262, 266.

Overens, John, of Oldham, Lancashire, 132, 137 22

Owen, the Rev. Owen, of Beaumaris, 61, 64, 65, 115, 116,

160, 161, 162, 180, 198, 199, 239 33

f Owen, Margaret, sister of the preceding, 16, 58, 61, 64, 65,

115, 116, 161, 198 26

f Owen, Mary, ditto, 16, 58, 61, 64, 65, 115, 116, 127, 161,

162, 198, 254 20

Parry, John, of Manchester, 126, 154 70

Parry, Mrs., wife of the preceding, 127, 154 61

f Perrina, , of Manchester.

f Perring, Mrs. wife of the preceding.

Payne, John, of Salford, Manchester, 60, 83, 101, 102, 114,

115, 116, 127, 144, 146, 254, 255, 256, 257.
*Payne, Frances, wife of the preceding, 52, 58, 60, 66, 83,

101, 102, 114, 115, 117, 118, 119, 143, 145, 146, 177,

252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257.

[Raphael, Alexander, of Fitzroy-square, London, 60 20

Reddish, Tfiomas, of Cincinnati, United States, 170 55

*Rudland, Elliot, one of the musicians of the Rothsay Castle, 61,

78, 79, 80, 98, 1 18, 121, 221, 230, 251, 258, 259, 263, 295.
Seltvyn, Henry, of Bath, 35, 62, 64, 134, 135, 165, 201.

304 THE WRECK OF

Age

Selwyn, Catharine Harriette, wife of the preceding, 62, 132,
135, 167, 201 38

\-Sharp, , one of the musicians of the Rothsay Castle.

\-Shatv, Jonathan, of Manchester, 58, 60, 256 24

Souza De, of Liverpool. This gentleman, who was married
to a daughter of the late Mr. Roger Leigh, was a native
of Portugal. In 1813-14, when the late Mr. Canning was
Ambassador at the Court of Lisbon, Mr. Souza acted as
his secretary. He had resided in Liverpool for many years,
was a gentleman of high character and extensive attain-
ments, and was universally respected, 63, 66, 68, 69, 169.

Tarrey, WilFiitm, of Bury, Lancashire, land agent to the
Earl of Derby, 14, 17,40, 53,57, 61, 74, 114, 125, 131,
137, 197, 206, 211, 246, 247, 248, 265, 266, 267, 268.

Tarrey, Mrs., wife of the preceding, aud daughter of Mr.
Samuel Horrocks, of the White Lion Inn, Bury, 53, 57,
61, 247, 268 36

f Tarrey, Betsy. This and the one which immediately fol-
lows, were the only surviving children of Mr. Tarrey, by a
former wife, the daughter of a Mr. Joseph Cass, of Birtle,
near Rochdale, 53,61, 74, 211, 247 13

^Tarrey, Thomas, 53, 61, 247 10

Tarrey, John, Mr. Tarrey's only child by the wife who pe-
rished with him, 53, 61, 247 1

j-Thomas, Mrs., the wife of a seaman of Liverpool.

Thomas, Robert, the child of the preceding, 114, 125, 131,135 3

Thompson, John, of Bradford, Yorkshire, 63, 134, 169, 170.

Thompson, Harriet, wife of the preceding, 63, 134, 169, 170.

*Tinne, John A., of the firm of Messrs. Sandbach, Tinne, and
Co., Liverpool, 12, 15, 16, 33, 34, 37, 46, 47, 56, 62, 63,
66, 69, 70, 71, 92, 93, 96, 1 18, 119, 260.

*Unknown Male, described in Note, page 105.

Ditto ditto Note*, 132.

Ditto ditto Notef, 132 52

Ditto ditto NoteJ, 132 50

Ditto Female, Note, 132.

Ditto ditto .... Note ||, 132.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 305

Age.

Unknown Female, described in Notef, page 132.
Ditto Male . ... Note*, 133.

Ditto ditto Notef, 133.

Unknown Male, described, no coat on, &c., see page 164. .... 30

Ditto ditto tall, &c ibid 165.

Ditto ditto linen marked M. U. &c.. ibid 165 40

Ditto ditto lusty, bald headed, &c. ibid 165 .... 50

Unknown Female, described in page 171.
f Vavasour, William, mate of the Rothsay Castle, 16, 181, 182,
183, 191, 218, 223, 284, 285, 293, 294, 295, 298.

f Vouse, Thomas, of Manchester 30

f Vouse, Mrs., wife of the preceding 30

Walmsley, William, of Seedfield, near Bury, Lancashire, 54,

57, 151, 152, 165, 167, 248, 266 30

f Walmsley, Mrs., wife of the preceding, and daughter of Mr.

Samuel Hamer, of Bury, 54, 57, 1 67, 266 28

Walmsley, Henry, the eldest child of the preceding, 54, 167. . 6
f Walmsley, Margaret, daughter of Mr. William Walmsley, of

Boor Edge, near Bury, Lancashire, 54, 72, 249, 260 26

f Warrener, James, of Manchester 33

f Warrener, Mary, wife of the preceding 38

f Warrener, Robert, brother of Mr. James Warrener 27

f- Warrener, Mary, wife of the preceding 25

^Warrener, Benjamin, the infant of the preceding 1

f West, John, one of the musicians of the Rothsay Castle, 55,

258, 259.

Wheeler, Alexander, of Birmingham, one of the Society of
Friends. The " Annual Monitor," for 1832, remarks
" This Friend and William Bottomley, his wife's brother,
with two young men [Mr. King and Mr. Lees] who had
been members of our Society, were on board the Rothsay
Castle. From a quarter on which we can rely with con-
fidence, we learn that one of the passengers who was saved
from the wreck informed his [Mr. Wheeler's] surviving
relations, that an hour previous to their being consigned
to a watery grave, he had observed Alexander Wheeler

2 D2

306 WRECK OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE.

Age.

and his friends engaged in solemn prayer; after which
they sat down in silence, and quietly awaited their inevi-
table awful change." 62, 170 32

Whiltaker, Robert, of Bury, Lancashire, 29,37, 54, 55,61,
73, 83, 104, 105, 118, 123, 125, 177, 249, 260, 264, 265,
269, 270, 271.

Whiltaker, James, the only child of the preceding, 54, 61,
72, 83, 114, 118, 125, 132, 137, 249, 260, 261, 269 .. 8

*Whitiaker, Mary, sister to Mr. Robert Whittaker, 54, 61,
72, 76, 77, 78, 97, 98, 99, 118, 119, 123, 177, 195, 221,
227, 249, 250, 251, 252, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 275,
282, 286.

Whittaker, Thomas, her son, 54, 61, 72, 131, 137, 249, 260, 261. 6

Wildyoose, William, engineer of the Rothsay Castle, 165, 167.

Wilkinson, John, of Bury, Lancashire, 54,61, 83, 151, 165,
260, 266, 269 34

Williams, E. A., Mr. Charles Faulkner's maid-servant, 58,
132, 135 21

Williams, Colonel R., of Carnarvon, 169.

Willis, Mrs. Margaret, of Manchester 37

* Wilson, Henry, of Manchester, 26, 39, 50, 63, 76, 77, 78,
94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 118, 131, 155, 177, 219, 221, 222,
227, 251, 262, 263.

Wilson, Mrs., wife of the preceding, 58, 63, 78, 127, 137,
209, 221, 222, 226, 274.

Woollaston, J., of Bishop's Castle.

Woollaston, Mrs., wife of the preceding.

Woollaston, , child of the preceding.

This list presents the number of 141 individuals who "are
known to have been on board the Rothsay Castle at the period
of her wreck ; " and if the moderate calculation be admitted that
nine only were lost of whom nothing has been heard, it will
realize the estimate I have hazarded at page 289 j namely, that
150 persons were on board, of which number one hundred and
twenty-seven perished!

NOTES.

NOTE 1, p. 27.

The Great Ormshead. There are few objects more imposingly
grand than the appearance of this bold projection. The great
depth of sea which washes its base renders a very near approach
perfectly safe in fine weather, and at the same time conveys an
idea of its gigantic dimensions, so considerable a portion of which
is concealed by the waters upon which it casts its mighty shadow,
making their darkness blacker, and their immensity seem more
profound. When the Rothsay Castle passed this spot, Mr. and
Mrs. Forster were heard to observe upon the striking magnificence
of the scene, under all the disadvantages of obscurity, and not-
withstanding the danger which had induced them to quit the
cabin. Only the day before, I had passed the Ormshead under
more cheering circumstances, in the Llewellyn. Lieutenant
Wright, the active commander of that fine packet, was most
obligingly communicative ; and, when he had fully described all
that was interesting, he hove the vessel to, and directed his
bugleman, at the request of some of the company, to play the
air of " Auld lang syne," which was delightfully repeated by
numerous echoes, caught from each other, and softened by each
remove into more exquisite harmony, until the whole melted in
the distance. Amongst the many anecdotes, however, told of this
rock, the following is too extraordinary to be omitted even in this,
as it were, passing notice. About seven or eight years since, the
brig Hornby, bound from Liverpool to South America, with a
cargo of dry goods, valued at upwards of 60,000, was driven
from her course by a heavy gale ; and, about midnight, was
dashed against the rugged front of the Great Ormshead, and
instantly sunk. One of the crew happened at this terrible

308 THE WRECK OF

moment to be out upon the bowsprit, in the act either of loosing
or taking in the jib, and he was flung by the concussion upon a
narrow shelf of the rock, where he lay for some time stunned and
confounded ; but at length, exerting that mechanical energy which
providence beneficently supplies for self-preservation, even in the
total absence of consciousness, and which sometimes achieves
more than deliberation would dare to attempt, he succeeded in
getting to the top of that frightful precipice, and crawled to a
smithy at a little distance, where he was found at five o'clock in
the morning by some workmen employed there, in connexion
with a neighbouring copper-mine. He told his melancholy story,
but was laughed at by his incredulous auditory ; for he could only
say that he had climbed up the horrid steep which bad wrecked
the vessel ; how, he knew not, and the thing appeared impossible
to those acquainted with the place. At day-light, however (for
it was winter), portions of a wreck were discovered near the spot,
and the truth of the man's story was shortly after made apparent.
His name, I understand, is Thomas Williams, and he now works
in the foundry of Mr. Fawcett, in Liverpool. No other individual
of the Hornby's crew, or thing belonging to her, was saved.

NOTE 2, p. 29.

Puffin Island. So called by the moderns on account of the
vast numbers of birds of passage of that name (the alctc arctics
of Linnaeus) which make it their home from about April to August,
after which period they are seen no more until the time again
comes round, when they re-appear with the same mysterious sud-
denness as they departed, and as prodigiously numerous as ever.
A telegraphic station, to which I have before referred, and an old
tower, the remains of a monastic institution, are now the only
buildings on the islaud ; but that curious work, " The Itinerary
of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales," translated from the
Latin of Giraldus de Barri, by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, contains
the following notice of this island, which describes it as it was
six hundred and forty-two years ago, and in the true spirit of
that remote age : " There is a small island almost adjoining to
Anglesea, which is inhabited by hermits, living by manual labour,

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 300

and serving God. It is remarkable, that when, by the influence
of human passions, any discord arises among them, all their pro-
visions are devoured and infested by a species of small mice with
which the island abounds. * * * * This island is called in
Welsh, Ynys Lenach, or Priest's Island, because many bodies of
saints are deposited there, and no woman is suffered to enter it."
The translator, in his " Annotations," gives a more recent account,
which I am tempted by its comprehensiveness to subjoin;
" Ynys Lenach, now known by the name of Priestholme Island,
bore also the title of Ynys Seiriol, from a saint who resided upon
it in the sixth century. It is also mentioned by Dugdale and
Pennant, under the appellation of Insula Glannauch. The former
has given, in his Monasticon, a recital of the grants made to this
priory by Prince Llewelyn and his brother David, as well as the
confirmation of them by King Edward the First, by which it
appears that the abbey of Penmon, with all its appurtenances,
was granted and confirmed to the prior and canons of this island,
which is also said to have been the place of interment of Maelgwn
Gwynedd, the founder of Penmon, Holyhead, and Bangor, and
contemporary with King Arthur. The fretum, which separates
the island [from Anglesea], is something more than half a mile
across. The island is between half and three-quarters of a mile
long, and nearly of an oval form, precipitous, with an inclination
to the north ; the soil is rich, with a small portion of sand inter-
mixed ; it can boast of no buildings but a ruined tower, and of no
inhabitants but sheep and rabbits."

NOTE 3, p. 32.

Anglesea. The Mona of Tacitus. In figure it is an irregular
triangle, indented with bays and creeks, and extending from
north-west to south-east twenty miles, and about seventeen miles
in breadth from north-east to south-west, calculating its length
from Caruot's Point to Bangor Ferry, and its breadth from Llan-
dwyn Abbey to Penmon Priory. Its present name originated
from its conquest by Egbert, when it was called Anglesey, or the
Island of the Angles. Bede calls this, and the Isle of Man, the
Manavian Isles. In the "Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin,"

310 THE WRECK OF

already quoted, the translator, speaking of Mona, or Anglesea,"
says, "This island, once the principal seat of the Druids, and
the last asylum to which the distressed Britons fled for succour
from the victorious Romans the residence of the British Princes,
and the strong-hold of their expiring armies, contains many in-
teresting monuments, of the highest autiquity, and coeval with its
ancient inhabitants, the Druids."

NOTE 4, p. 32.

Penmaenmatvr. " We approached the enormous promontory,
Penmaenmawr, and began to wind up its awful side. The road
over this rocky mountain, which was formerly extremely rude and
dangerous, has for some years been entirely altered, and divested
of a considerable degree of its horror. Still, however, it cannot
be travelled without shuddering. Creeping round the side of the
mountain, it bangs as it were in the mid-air, with a frowning pre-
cipice above, and a steep descent immediately under it The
rocks on the right are nearly perpendicular, sometimes beetling
over the road in a terrific manner ; at others, retiring iuto deep
declivities of 900 or 1,000 feet in height; from whose ragged
sides project fragments of incalculable magnitude, so capriciously
placed, and having such a disjointed appearance, that it is im-
possible for the traveller to lose the perpetual dread of being
crushed to atoms under a torrent of huge stones. This danger,
indeed, can never be entirely removed, as the united exertions of
all the workmen in the world could never clear the face of the
mountain from these innumerable masses." Warner's Walks in
Wales.

NOTE 5, p. 33.

Menai Strait. It is conjectured, from the accounts we have of
the conquest of Anglesea, both by the Romans and the. English,
that this channel must have been much narrower than at present;
and traces which still remain of an isthmus near Porlhaeth'hury,
have led some geographers to imagine that the island once formed
the main-land of Carnarvonshire. There is a curious historical
document contained in the British Triadsistc, to that effect :

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 311

"The three original islands adjoining to Britain, were Orkney,
Mon, and Wight : and afterwards the sea broke the land, so that
the Mon became an island ; and, in like manner, Orkney was
broken," &c. There is, indeed, undoubted evidence of the en-
croachment of the sea upon the shore. The Lavan Sands formed
a habitable hundred in the sixth century, when the sea suddenly
came upon them and covered them." The following passage
from Pugh's " Cambria Depicta," referring to the last mentioned
fact, will be read with interest : " Having left Puffin Island, we
floated over the place where, tradition says, one Helig Voel ab
Glanog, a chieftain of the sixth century, had great possessions,
extending far into the bay, but which were suddenly overwhelmed
by the sea. It is said that, at very low ebbs, ruined houses are
yet seen, and a causeway, pointing from Puffin Island to Pen-
maenmawr. This causeway, indeed, is easily visible ; the boat-
man placing me right over it, and keeping the boat's head to the
tide, enabled me to examine it well : but, though so clearly seen
as to appear near to the surface, the man assured me that it
could not be less than two or three fathoms below it. It seemed
to be about nine feet wide, well built, with large massy stones, cut
into forms of a light warm grey colour, in all respects like those
on the sides of the adjacent isle. From the certainty of the ex-
istence of this causeway, we may venture to give credit to the
existence of the remains of Helig's houses." This extract, as I
have said, will be read with interest, for it goes far to establish a
singular coincidence, having peculiar reference to the subject of
these sheets. The sands which now occupy the site of " Helig's
Houses " were formerly called Traeth Telafan, and Wylofaen, or
Place of Weeping, from the shrieking and lamentation conse-
quent upon so terrible a visitation ; and, on a line with the cause-
way above alluded to, " pointing from Puffin Island to Penmaen-
mawr," the Rothsay Castle (as Mr. Scoresby emphatically ob-
serves) "poured out her hecatomb of human victims to the
monarch of the grave." Might it not, then, with melancholy
propriety, be again denominated the " Place of Weeping," of
" shrieks," and of " lamentation ? "

312 THE WRECK OF

NOTE 6, p. 33.

The Menai Bridge. To describe this great work, either with
pen or pencil, so as to convey the slightest idea of the reality, is
as impossible as it would be to create substantially with those
materials such another wonder! The following observation of a
recent tourist may, however, in some measure, prepare the minds
of those who have not yet visited the spot, but will take little from
the surprise which a view of it must occasion: "When, on
entering the Straits, the Bridge is first seen, suspended as it
were, in mid-air, it seems more like a light monument than a massy
bridge, and shows little of the strength and solidity which it really
possesses. But, as we approached nearer, whilst it still retained its
light and elegant appearance, the stupendous size and immensity of
tlie work, struck us ivilh awe ; and when we saw that a brig, with
every stick standing, had just passed under it that a coach going
over appeared not larger than a child's toy, and that foot-passen-
gers upon it looked like pigmies, the vastness of its proportions
was by contrast fully apparent." I may just add, that the whole
surface of the bridge is, in length, one thousand feet, of which,
the part immediately dependent upon chains is five hundred aud
fifty feet, the remaining distance being supported by seven arches,
four on one side and three on the other, which fill up the dis-
tance from the main piers to the shore. The height of each
main pier is one hundred feet, from high water line to the level
of the road-way, above which they extend fifty-three feet, to con-
stitute the support of four rows of chains, 1710 feet in length,
the ends of which are firmly secured to the rocks of Carnarvon-
shire on the one side, and Anglesea on the other. To these
chains two carriage-ways are suspended, each twelve feet wide,
with a foot-path of four feet in the centre. The total weight
of the iron contained in this structure amounts to 2186 tons
1282 Ibs. A large three-masted vessel, nearly as lofty as a
frigate, passed under this bridge in February, 1826, in full trim,
and with all her sails set, and cleared the road-way by twelve feet
and a half.

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 313

NOTE 6, p. 59.

This phenomenon, which, however, is so frequently witnessed
by those whose avocation leads them to " the great waters," that
with them it loses its " special wonder," was observable on the
night of the fatal 17th of August, 1831. Mr. Wilson has informed
me, that, as he emerged from the waters, globules of liquid fire
seemed to drip from his person, and the sea around him appeared
like lava from a volcanic eruption, only that it was silvery, as if
moonlit, instead of the fiercely glowing redness of the flood that
"boils in Etna's breast of flame." An article in the Memoirs of
the Academy of Sciences (Savans Etrang. torn. iii. p. 267) con-
tains some interesting observations of Godeheu de Riville upon
this subject. He says " Among the various phenomena of which
the causes are still almost unknown, that brightness which we
often perceive in the agitated waters of the ocean greatly merits
the attention of those who have a taste for physics ; but I have
not yet read any thing satisfactory on the subject, as writers seem
to have satisfied themselves rather with conjectural reasons than
by making experiments to ascertain the real origin of this natural
phosphorus." The author then proceeds to state that, one night,
during a voyage to the East Indies, " the sea appeared like a
sheet of fire ; every portion of its surface, when agitated, broke
into a thousand stars ; and each wave which coursed along the
side of the vessel spread out a pure, shining, silvery light. Anxious
to consider a spectacle, to me alike novel and interesting, I was
struck by the light shed by certain small bodies which frequently
remained attached to the helm, when the sea for a moment retired;
and, without listening to all that was said regarding the supposed
cause of the phenomenon, I ordered a bucket of water to be drawn
up, and filtered into a basin through a fine linen handkerchief.
After this operation, I observed that the filtered water was no
longer luminous, but that the handkerchief was covered with
many brilliant points. Some of these I raised at the end of my
finger, and found that they had a certain consistence as animal
bodies.''' He at first yielded to the belief which was pressed upon
him, that they were the eggs or spawn of fish ; but on immersing

2 E

314 THE WRECK OF

the handkerchief used in filtering the luminous water into a basin
of pure sea water, he " perceived a considerable number of small
insects swimming about with celerity, which at first sight bore
some resemblance to those commonly called in France puces
d'eau, or water fleas. * * * I examined some which I found
next day rather in a languishing state, but which a change of
water reanimated j and the brilliant liquid of which they bore so
ample a reservoir was not even altered."

NOTE 6, p. 95.

The subjoined passage from the Rev. J. H. Stewart's work, in
which this faithful animal is incidentally referred to in connexion
with his master, possesses affecting interest. Mr. and Mrs. Forster
had visited the cemetery at Liverpool the day before they em-
barked in the Rothsay Castle ; and while there, Mr. Stewart
proceeds to say, " A favourite dog they had brought with them
was running backwards and forwards round the walls, anxiously
desiring to be with his master. I mention this trivial circum-
stance to show that heavenly things were constantly in his mind.
Affectionately patting the dog, he said, ' Jet, I must provide for
you : ' and then, turning to us, he said, ' How does this faithful
animal put us to shame ! All his delight is in his master. He
runs, and turns, and barks, and fawns, and all to catch his
master's eye. If he is pleased, that is all his pleasure. He
regards not others ; he lives for his master.' He added, ' Oh,
that it was thus with me ! Poor Jet, you will rise up in judgment
against me, if I forget my Saviour ! ' His expressions reminded
me of that excellent servant of the Lord, the late Honourable and
Rev. William Cadogan, whose praise is in all the churches. A
large Newfoundland dog, which had for years accompanied him
in his rides, when following after him dropped down dead upon
the road. He buried him near the spot, and wrote an inscription,
expressing his desire that he might die closely following his divine
Master."

NOTE 7, p. 110.

" Beaumaris is pleasantly situated upon the Menai, and occupies
the full half of a semi-lunar bay, formed by two projections, one

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 315

called the Green, the other the Point, which until lately was the
station of the ferry-boat." The Castle, situated at the east end
of the town, " was the last of the three great fortresses erected by
Edward I., to hold in awe his new and unwilling subjects on both
sides of the Menai. For this purpose, he fixed upon a flat near
the water side, with a view of surrounding it with a fosse, for the
double purpose of defence and bringing small craft to unload their
cargoes under its walls ; part of which canal, called Llyn-y- Green,
was until very lately remaining ; and the large iron ring, to which
the craft were fastened, is still in its place at the great east gate."
Shores of the Menai, fyc., by Richard Llwyd. " The houses,
and even the pavements, have a very comfortable and cleanly
appearance; and although it is the capital of Anglesea, and of
course has its great sessions, and other public business occasionally,
it possesses an air of great quietness. There is abundance of
evidence to prove that its inhabitants, a century and a half ago,
carried on a considerable mercantile traffic, which seems to have
declined as that of Liverpool increased. The place itself appears
to have derived its origin from the establishment of the castle.
The population is probably 2,700." Smith's Guide to Bangor,
Beaumaris, and Snowdonia. " The woods of Baron Hill form
the back ground ; and out of their rich foliage the house,* and an
ornamental building here and there peeping, are seen. Following
the view up the Straits, verdant woods clothe the banks, till
terminated by the Suspension Bridge. The opposite shore offers
a range of mountains, which, commencing at Penmaenmawr, rear
their heads in succession, and present, in their gloomy barrenness,

* Sir Richard Bulkeley's residence, of which, as Mr. Smith observes, in his
"Guide" above quoted, "much has been written, and yet the subject is
replete with additional matter for remembrance and inspiration." Mr. Richard
Llwyd, in his poem entitled "Beaumaris Bay," thus refers to this beautiful
estate:

" We hie where Baron Hill attracts the muse,
The sunny glades, the brow, and varying views ;
Isles, towns, the rising hills, the spreading bay ;
The muse, delighted, owns the grand display.

For art and nature here their beauties blend,
And Taste and Bulkeley for the palm contend.

316 THE WRECK OF

a strong contrast to the fertile valley below them, in which Bangor,
Port Penrhyn, Penrhyn Castle, and other places are situated.
There are few places which, with every advantage of pure air and
excellent sea-bathing, for the water is clear as possible, combine
scenery so delightful, so grand, so varied, and so magnificent.
Its name arose from these circumstances: the ground was ori-
ginally wet and swampy, but the beauty of its situation gave the
appellation of Beau Maris, or the Beautiful Marsh." A Trip to
the Suspension Bridge, fyc.

NOTE 8, p. 111.

Beaumaris Green. This is a healthy and much admired spot.
It is a level of short grass, covering a mass of filtrating gravel.
On such a surface the enjoyment of a walk is almost always in
the power even of the invalid. The saline breezes breathing
above, and, at high water, the passing and re-passing of ships, and
the arrival and departure of the steam-packets, with their variety
of passengers, and their music, render this a delightful daily stroll,
as the Green projects into the Menai." Shores of the Menai,fyc. }
by Richard Llwyd. The same author says, in his " Beaumaris
Bay "

" The Green's attracting charms the muse shall tell-
That all-inviting, ever varying mall,
That checks with pebbly beach the pressing tides,
Where Commerce in her swelling canvass prides ;
Where Mona's offspring seek testaceous wealth,
And every zephyr brings the bloom of health."

NOTE 9, p. 129.

Beaumaris Church. The second prominent object in Beau-
maris [assuming the Castle to be theirs*] is the Church, formerly
called ' The Chauntry of our Lady of Beaumaris,' which is con-
sidered a chapel of ease to Llandegvan. It is happily situated
on an eminence in the centre of the town. It consists of a broad
and two side aisles, and a chancel, all covered with lead, and
embrasured ; having a ring of six bells, a clock, and an organ.
Few churches are better served and attended than this ; it has
prayers morning and evening on Sunday, in Welsh, and at noon

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 317

in English, for the benefit of those who understand the latter
only. Dr. Howard and his Assistant are at home in both lan-
guages, and are excellent readers. Before this church was built,
the religious of the neighbourhood met at the cell of St. Meigant,
which stood on an eminence north-west of the town, and was then
gradually deserted, fell into decay, and there are now no remains
of it. The north aisle of the present Church is called St. Mary's
Chapel; and the south that of St. Nicholas. * * * * *
[Here follows the description of a monument, of which I have
subjoined an enlarged account from another authority.] la. the
chancel is a mural monument of black marble, in memory of
Thomas, sixth son of Julius Ca:sar, Master of the Rolls, who died
rector of Llanrhuddlad, in this island, in 1632. Of this family
was the late Mrs. Owen, relict of the late Rev. T. E. Owen, rector
of Landyvrydog. On the north side of the altar there is* mural
tablet in memory of Sir William Jones, of Castell-march in Lle'yn,
and Trevarthen in Lanidan. He was a leader in one of the law
departments. His daughter and heiress married Sir William
Williams, of Vaenol, near Bangor. In the vestry adjoining the
chancel were interred (but without any memorial) the remains of
Lady Beatrix Herbert, daughter of that mirror of chivalry, the
Lord Herbert of Cherbury, historian of Henry VIII. ; and like-
wise those of the Rev. Goronwy Davies, whose epitaph (now de-
faced) concludes with a line that is worth preserving :

' Here lies learning, friendship, love ;

Here lies the innocence of the dove ;

Within this grave, and in this dust,

His ever courteous hody must

Until the resurrection lie ;

Then he shall live, and Death shall die.'

It was but lately that I discovered the donor of the very hand-
some chandelier hung in the body of the Church. Nearly two
centuries ago, Mrs. Sarah Jones, daughter of Mr. Benjamin
Jones, an opulent merchant of this town, who lies under the
great stone arch, close to the chancel door, left sixty pounds to
purchase it, and a reward for its annual brightening. The said
Mr. Jones was great grandfather to the late Mrs. Evans, of Tre'rgo,

318 THE WRECK OF

daughter of the late Hugh Jones, Esq., whose family long and
lately resided at the Greenwich, in Beaumaris. Some years ago
I read of a number of fine yew-trees growing in the Church-
yard." Shores of the Menai, $c., by Richard Llwyd. The fol-
lowing contains some further particulars of great interest with
respect to this venerable edifice: "The parish Church is a
handsome gothic building, and contains some monuments worthy
of notice : the most remarkable is that of a knight in armour,
recumbent, with a female by his side, well sculptured in alabaster;
his hand rests upon a helmet, and at his feet is a lion : the female
is habited in a long robe, richly ornamented round the neck ;
the hands of each are uplifted. Various small figures dressed
like knights and monks decorate the pedestal of this tomb, which
is said to have been brought from the religious house at Llanvaes
at the time of its dissolution, but the personages whom it was
designed to represent have not been ascertained.* It now stands
before the altar, with the feet of the figures placed towards it.
On the right hand side is a large tablet inserted in the wall,
bearing the following devices and inscriptions: the tablet is of
an oblong form; at each corner near the top are two escutcheons,
encircled with the motto of ' Honi soit qui mal y peuse:' under
the one on the left is this inscription : Henricus Sydney, ordiuis
garterii, miles prsesidens ex consiliis Marchiis Walliae, dominus
deputatus in Hibernia.' Under the other, ' Autonius Seutleger,
ordinis garterii, miles, quondam deputatus in Hibernia.' Round
a circle in the centre, ' Gulielmus Thwaytes, Armiger.' And
beneath it, in a straight line. ' Obit 20 die Januarii, 1565.' At
the lower corners are also two escutcheons : the one on the left
has this motto ' Franciscus Agard, Armiger, ex cousiliis in
Hibernia.' The other on the right 'Edwardus VVaterhous, me

* Mr. Richard Llwyd, in describing the fibres in question, in the work
Just quoted, observes " As to whom they represent, there appears to be a
general ignorance; yet on a closer examination of the pendent shields of
arms which surround it, and the knight's having his head resting on a Bull's
Head, I found them to be Sir Richard Bulkeley and his lady. He was
appointed chamberlain of North Wales, and in great favour with Queen
Elizabeth. This monument was brought here at the dissolution of the neigh-
hour ing monastery."

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 31 i)

posuit;' and at the bottom is this inscription ' Nosce Te-
ipsnm Fide et Taciturnitate.' I could not learn that any his-
torical account was extaut of this singular monument, nor on
what occasion it was placed in Beaumaris Church. Neither could
that indefatigable traveller, Mr. Pennant, gain any positive
information about it. Henry Sydney, in the second and third of
Philip and Mary, was made general governor of all the king's
and queen's revenues within the realm of Ireland, and, about
two years afterwards, lord justice thereof. In the second of Queen
Elizabeth he was appointed lord president of the marches of
Wales, and four years after was made knight of the garter. In
1568, he was constituted deputy of Ireland. He died in the
Bishop's palace in Worcester, A.D 1586, and was conveyed from
thence to his house at Penshurst, in Kent, where he was honour-
ably interred. He was, however, previously embalmed ; his en-
trails were buried at Worcester, and his heart was brought to
Ludlow, and deposited in the same tomb with his dear beloved
daughter, Ambrosia, within the little oratory which he had made
in the same collegiate parish church. The historian Hollinshed
has left a long and elaborate character of this celebrated person-
age j from whom also I have been able to collect some informa-
tion respecting two of the other persons mentioned in the tablet.
The historian says that at each time he [Henry Sidney] was sent
deputy into Ireland, he was furnished with a new secretary. The
first was Master Edward Waterhouse, now knighted, and one of
his Majesty's council in Ireland. The same author adds, ' he
made special choice of two worthy counsellors, whom for their
faithfulness in counsel for the state, good will, and friendship
towards him, and for their integrity and sincerity every way, he
entirely loved and assuredly trusted. One of these was Mr. Francis
Agard, whom hecommouly called his fidus Achates. Sir Anthony
St. Leger was lord deputy of Ireland in the year 1539. He was
succeeded first by Sir James Crofts, and afterwards by Fitz- Walter,
Earl of Sussex. When Sir Henry Sidney was recalled to this high
office, Sir Anthony St. Leger was appointed as his coadjutor, and
stationed in Munster, with the title of lord president of that pro-
vince. I can give no biographical information respecting Guliek

320 THE WRECK OF

mus Thwaytes, the aera of whose death is recorded on this stone."
Hoards Annotations to his translation of the Itinerary of Arch-
bishop Baldwin through Wales. A beautifully executed monu-
ment has also been placed in this Church by Sir R. B. W. Bulke-
ley, to the memory of his deceased lady, the amiable and accom-
plished daughter of Colonel Hughes, (now Lord Dinorben,) of
Kinmel. The figure is large as life, and appears in the attitude
of supplication to heaven. It is said to resemble strongly the
lamented youthful bride whose premature loss it was designed to
commemorate.

NOTE 10, p. 142.

Penmon Church. The parish church of Penmon, which is
situated between three and four miles north-east of Beaumaris,
occupies one side of a square court, two of the sides being for-
med of the mansion and the refectory of the ancient Priory,
and the fourth side opening to the east. Penmon deer-park is
on the north, a rabbit-warren to the east, and the waters of
Beaumaris Bay stretch around the adjacent shores to the north,
east, south, and south-west. A mill-stone quarry gives additional
value to Peninou Park, which has supplied materials for the ma-
sonry of the Menai Bridge and the new Pier at Holyhead.

NOTE 11, p. 147.

In the House of Commons, on Monday, the 22d of August,
1831, Colonel Sibthorp said there was a subject of melancholy
interest to all the members of that house, but especially to him
(Colonel Sibthorp) ; for he had lost two near relatives [Mr. and
Mrs. Forster,] on the occasion to which he was about to allude,
and to which he was desirous of calling the attention of His Ma-
jesty's Government, particularly that portion of it connected with
the management of the home department. He wished to call
their attention to a melancholy circumstance which had occurred
a few days since he meant the loss of the Rothsay Castle steamer,
on her passage from Liverpool to Beaumaris. He was sure that
it was only necessary to point the attention of His Majesty's Go-
vernment to this subject, in order to ensure a proper degree of
attention to the investigation which must take place with regard

THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 321

to it. He was certain that His Majesty's Ministers would pay
every attention to any statements which might be forwarded to
them on this subject, and especially to the facts which would
come out at the coroner's inquest, which would, no doubt, be held
on the bodies of the unfortunate deceased. He would also take
this opportunity to express a hope that His Majesty's Ministers,
in whose better hands he was inclined to leave the matter, would
bring forward an enactment for the purpose of preventing the
occurrence of such circumstances in future, by summarily punish-
ing the proprietors or owners of steam vessels by fine or imprison-
ment, where such accidents were the result of wilful negligence,
and also enacting that the captain, or any of the crew who should
survive in such cases, should have a summary punishment im-
posed upon them for drunkenness, or any other wilful error with
respect to the management of the vessel. Mr. G. Lamb observed,
that His Majesty's Government had derived no information with
regard to the very melancholy circumstances to which the gallant
member had referred, beyond that which was to be found in those
channels of information to which the public generally had access.
He certainly thought that the subject was one which was deserv-
ing the attention of that House. (Hear.) The necessary steps
would be taken to secure an accurate report of the coroner's
inquest, and if it should appear that any further inquiry or in-
vestigation would be necessary on the subject, it would be insti-
tuted. With regard to any enactment of the nature spoken of
by the Hon. Member, he must see that it would require very deli-
berate attention ; but he (Mr. Lamb) begged to assure the Hon.
Member, that His Majesty's Government would give the subject
the fullest possible consideration.

NOTE 12, p. 161.

The Friary. This was formerly Llanvaes Abbey, which was
erected on the spot upon which a battle was fought between the
Saxons and Welsh, A. D. 819. It was founded by Llywelyn ab
lorwerth, after the death of his wife Joan, who was the daughter
of King John, and who was buried here in accordance with her
own especial desire, A. D. 1237. A stone coffin, elaborately

322 THE WRECK OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE.

ornamented by the sculptor, and supposed to have been origi-
nally the receptacle of the remains of the above princess, was
found after the dissolution of this religious house in the reign of
Henry VIII. ; but, notwithstanding the claims of such a relic to
respect, it was for a long period used as a watering-trough for
cattle at the " Friary," which had become the property, by pur-
chase, of successive private persons. The coffin has, however,
within these few years, been removed to a recess expressly pre-
pared for it, on the grounds of Sir Richard Bulkeley, Baron
Hill. Camden, in his " Britannia," after describing Beaumaris,
and speaking highly of the " civility" shewn to him by " Sir
Richard Bulkley, Knt.," governor of the castle, proceeds to
say "To this adjoins Llanvays, anciently a noted house of
Friars Minors, to whom the Kings of England shewed themselves
very munificent patrons, both on account of the sanctity of the
'Friars dwelling there, and because, to use the language of the
records, there were buried ' a daughter of the King of Den-
mark, as also the bodies of Lord Clifford, and other lords, knights,
and squires slain in the wars of Wales, in the time of the most
noble Kings of England.' "

D. MARPLES AND CO., PRINTERS, LIVERPOOL.

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