Maritime record MWX1564 - Black Diamond

Irish schooner, 20 November 1865.

Built in 1841 in Swansea, the Black Diamond was owned by Sutton and Donovan, Cork and her master was Gerrard Lawrence Walsh. She had a crew of five. The Black Diamond `arrived off Bridport at 4pm. on Monday the 20th. Spoke to the schooner TRY AGAIN, which was waiting for the tide to enter the harbour having a pilot on board, asking if they too could have a pilot which was confirmed. At 6pm, the vessel missed stays three times when close to the eastern shore near Burton Freshwater. At 7pm the tide high and weather thick, with rain and very dark with a SSW gale blowing, on reaching to windward she could not clear the land and made all sail she could running for Bridport harbour, now half a mile distant whose pierhead lights were visible. She missed the entrance, crammed on all sail, failed to clear the land and dropped anchor just as she touched the rocks, a cable length from shore. Her cable then parted and she went on the beach. The Bridport Coastguard used the mortar apparatus, got a line over the fore-brace, and the whole crew landed. The vessel broke up on 23 November, the cargo washed out being worth £800, insured. (1)(2) Additional sources cited in United Kingdom Shipwreck Index. Net tonnage

Record last edited

Sep 7 2023 4:51PM