Maritime record MWX2094 - Jane Catherine

Welsh schooner, 1872

Year Built: 1845 Builder: Jones and Co. Where Built: Portmadoc Owner: H Thomas Master: R Hughes Crew: 5 Crew Lost: 5 Date of Loss Qualifier: A `At 4pm on Sunday this vessel was seen in West Bay two miles from shore, and a great many people assembled on Chesil Beach as she came ashore between Fleet and Wyke, roughly 1 miles west of the wreck of the ROYAL ADELAIDE which took place two days later. One of the crew in the bow, was either thrown into the sea by the shock of the vessel striking the shore or else jumped overboard and was lost. The other men, warned by the fate of their comrade clung to the ships rigging as sea after sea swept over them, those ashore powerless to help them. The ships masts finally gave way, carrying the poor fellows out to sea and no more was seen of them. The next heavy sea struck the hull, shattering it into small fragments. The men at the Wyke Coastguard Station, under Mr. Merrifield, were in attendance on the beach. (1) The sea was incredibly rough...a small schooner of apparently 120 tons burden...as a last resource her bow was pointed ashore, when in the course of a very short time she drove in almost at the feet of the people who had assembled on the beach, at least with 50 yards. (2) Crew all lost and hull was `shattered into small fragments. Identity gained through papers which floated ashore. (3) JANE CATHERINE, stranded became a total loss in West Bay, wind SSW 9.(5)(6) Additional sources cited in United Kingdom Shipwreck Index: ST 30.11.1872(Thu)® Tonnage Nett

Record last edited

Apr 4 2024 2:22PM