Liverpool, January 5th 1857
The strong easterly gales which set in on Friday night have proved disastrous to numerous trading vessels on the Welsh coast, no fewer than six being visible in the neighbourhood of Rhyl. We regret to state that intelligence received this morning of the Point of Ayr lifeboat having capsized, and the whole of her crew, 13 men, while nobly endeavouring to succour a shipwrecked vessel, met with a watery grave.
The following is an extract of a letter detailing the disaster, dated Rhyl, Jan 4th, which was posted in the underwriters-rooms this morning;-
“We have today more disasters, and of a most melancholy character. The Point of Ayr lifeboat capsized off Rhyl this morning, the entire crew of 13 men perished. All except four were married men with large families.
The boat and crew were proceeding to the succour of a brigantine sunk off Pensarn, Abergele, but the Rhyl lifeboat had gone out at 9 o’ clock on the 4th and it saved the crew of 14men who were on the rigging. Two small vessels were also wrecked a mile beyond the telegraph of the Voryd but the crew got on the shore, except the Captain of one of the vessels who was found dead in the rigging at daylight.
The Point Of Ayr lifeboat in coming on shore, bottom upwards, about a mile beyond the Voryd telegraph. Nine of the bodies have been washed up.
Three or four men got upon the bottom of the boat after she upset, but they were soon washed off.
The place is in a state of the greatest excitement. Another signal of distress up at the telegraph at 4 o’ clock. A vessel on shore at Prestatyn. Our men were ready again to render assistance, but a sloop came into the Voryd with the news that the Hoylake boat had gone to the vessel.”
The unfortunate boat was considered in every respect a very efficient and safe lifeboat and on many previous occasions had been the means of rescuing seamen from a watery grave when the weather was more tempestuous than it was yesterday. She belongs to the Liverpool dock trustees.
The names of those who perished.
R. BECK
J. SHARLOCK
J. BLEDDYN
J. DAVIES
R. DAVIES
D. DAVIES
R. ROBERTS
E. PHILLIPS
E. ROBERTS
J. ELLIS
R. WILLIAMS
T. ROBERTS
T. OWENS
The first 9 men were married, the other 4 single, and inhabitants of Gronant.
Copyright 2002 / To date