30th August 1848
Collision and loss of life.
Melancholy disaster at sea and loss of life
The PRINCE OF WALES STEAMER running between Fleetwood and Belfast and the smack JANE AND JESSY bound from this port to Westpoint with a cargo of sugar and flour are now lying ashore near the Point of Ayr after being in collision on Saturday last off the Point of Ayr , Isle of Man.
The Prince of Wales, Capt MC NEILIDGE left Belfast on Friday night last at 6pm, the collision took place on Saturday at 2.30am.
The mate was on deck at the time and as soon as he saw the smack called, “Hard-a-Port,” but it was too late the bowsprit of the smack struck the Prince of Wales right in the fore cabin, on the larboard bow, making a huge hole.
The Captain was immediately on deck and finding the vessel fast filling forward, ordered the engines reversed, and backed onto the shore on the South OF Point of Ayr Lighthouse.
One of the passengers was Mr John HANNAH mate of the brig RELIANCE of Halifax, now in this port, who had been visiting friends for a week and was returning here to rejoin his vessel.
He was lying in the mate’s berth at the time of the collision and jumped up quickly warning three others in the next cabin to save themselves. They did not take this advice and it is supposed they returned for their clothes and money. As the water was rushing into the fore cabin it is supposed they drowned. The three were cattle salesmen, the name of one being WHITESIDE, we do not know the names of the others, one was jammed by some ropes, one body has been recovered.
When Mr HANNAH reached the deck there was a heavy sea making a complete breach over the vessel, and, he saved nothing but his shirt. He lost his money and clothes which he intended to take to sea with him and he was indebted to Capt GILL of the TYNWALD steamer for a passage to Liverpool.
The crew of the smack consisted of the Captain, Mate and two youths, who were all saved by floating ashore on the mast of the small vessel around 3 o’ clock.
The Prince of Wales is now lying on the beach and is covered at high tide, the smack lies not far off broadside on.
Amongst the passengers of the Prince of Wales were, Mrs MILNES, Mrs GASKELL and one daughter, Mrs LINDSAY and Mr C. WIGAN. Mrs GASKELL is the wife of Mr MILNES GASKELL. M.P, who came to Liverpool with great anxiety having heard that all the passengers were lost.
Copyright 2002 / To date