Immigrant Ships
Transcribers Guild

Maritime Articles from Ireland
1840-1844

Old Newspaper

Please note that these articles below are not in the exact format as they appear in the newspaper, but have the same content. They are in chronological order.
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The Connaught Journal
Galway, Ireland
Thursday, Feb 6, 1840
First Spring Ship for America
The Fine New Fast Sailing Copper-fastened Brig MIDAS
500 Tons Burthen, will sail from this Port, Wind and Weather permitting, on
the 5th Day of March Next, with Passengers for ST. JOHN's N.B.

The Midas being seven feet hight between Decks, can afford most worthy and
comfortable accommodation for Passengers. ******* going by this vessel will
have a decided advantage to sailing so early, as they will be certain of
immediate employment on arrival, by which period the Spring business will be
in full operation.

Are there any vessels, constantly plying between New York and St. John's
persons desirous of going to the United States, can get to New York at any
time at a very trifling expense. An easy application is necessary.
Apply to C. SLOPER, Merchant's Road Galway, Feb. 6, 1840

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath


Source - The Connaught Journal, Galway, 6 February 1840 -

The barque Fergus, of Hull, Captain S. Dree, left Liverpool on the 5th
January, got 50 and 60 west when the vessel sprung a leak, and all heads
with the passengers employed at the pumps for six days, when she arrived in
Galway roadstead; next day she proceeded to New Harbour to be examined. In
consequence of the exertions made by captain and officers of this vessel,
the underwriter is saved from a heavy loss; such conduct ought to be
commended. The barque is now repairing under the inspection of Lloyd's agent
here, Henry Townsend, Esq., and will leave this port in a few days.

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath


Source - The Connaught Journal, Galway, 13 February 1840 -

Distressing Case-Death of Three Men.
On Friday night or early on Saturday morning, three seamen, belonging to
the schooner, Landsdowne, of Limerick, at present lying at the Broomielaw,
died on board that vessel, under circumstances of a very painful nature. It
appears that, in the course of the evening, they had been drinking together,
and at a later hour, went on board the Landsdowne, in the forecastle of
which their sleeping berths were situated. Here they kindled a fire in the
stove, and for the purpose of preventing the police on the quay from
observing the circumstance-it being contrary to the regulations of the
harbor to have fire on board any vessel after 9 o'clock-very foolishly
closed the hatch, so as to prevent a single ray of light being seen outside.
The unfortunate men then went into their sleeping berths, and, as might have
been anticipated, the consequences proved fatal to all the three, the action
of carbolic acid gas having done its deadly work long before morning.
About 7 o'clock they were found dead, their countenances as calm as if they had
been still under the influences of sleep. One of them was in a half-sitting
posture. The names of the men that suddenly cut off were John Brown, aged
27 or 28; William Bennet, and John Anson, both about 20 years of age, and we
understand, all Englishmen. The Landsdowne sailed from Limerick at
Christmas; and what gies a melancholy interest to the fate of Brown is the
fact that he was married only one day before the vessel left that port;
his two comrades, we understand, were unmarried. It was the intention of the
mast of the Landsdowne to have sailed from the Broomielaw on Saturday, but he
was prevented from doing so by this fatal occurrence. In the course of the day
a statement was laid before the Fiscal by Mr. Russell, as Harbor Police
Superintendent; and Drs. Corkindale and Spittal were directed under a
warrant, to inspect the bodies. This report coroborated the accidental
nature of the causes which led to death; and liberty was granted to have
the bodies interred.---Glasgow Courier.


MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT
James Beatty, mate of the brig Henry Volant, of this port, a native of
Wigton, was accidentally drowned on Tuesday night at our Quay. It appeared
that about twelve o'clock it commenced blowing a gale of wind from N.W.,
when the vessel was drifting from her moorings, the deceased, who was first
on deck, went with a light to muster the ship's crew; the latter, on
reaching the deck, were surprised to find the mate missing. It is
conjectured that in attempting to heave the vessel off, he missed his hold
and fell overboard. The body was found the following morning at a short
distance from the vessel.----Ballyshannon Herald.


SHIPWRECK OF THE BARQUE DUKE OF SUSSEX
Stromness, January 23.-During the last three days it has blown a complete
hurricane from N.W. to S.W. Last night, at eight o'clock, P.M. the barque
Duke of Sussex, from Newcastle to the Cape of Good Hope, in endeavoring to
make the harbour, was driven on shore on the rocks to the westward of the
old church, and has become a complete wreck. I am sorry to add, that the
master, mate, second mate, carpenter, and four of the crew, along with the
master's wife, has met a watery grave.


TOTAL WRECK OF THE BARQUE ST. LAWRENCE IN BALLYHEIGUE BAY, KERRY
A beautiful barque, the St. Lawrence, D. Chambers, Master, laden with timber
from Dalhousie, New Brunswick, 400 tons, the property of Mr Turner of
Carnarvon, was driven into Ballyheigue Bay, Kerry, on Tuesday morning.
Though we regret that this very handsome and entirely new vessel has been
lost, it gives us sincere pleasure that all the crew, consisting of 17
persons, have been providentially saved. The coast guard party stationed at
Ballybeigue, on seeing the vessel in distress, immediately put out their
boat, under the command of Lieut. Laurence, R.N., chief officer, which was
nearly swamped together with the crew. This scene caused the greatest alarm
to the spectators on shore; they, however, attempted to proceed to the
vessel in vain. Eventually, after several signals and several shots being
fired by the party, the master and men of the vessel, finding it impossible
to save her, committed themselves to their boat in a very exhausted state,
and reached the shore, to the delight of all the inhabitants of the
neighborhood, who assembled and appeared in great anxiety for the safety of
the poor men, who were immediately carried to the watchhouse, where they
were, with the greatest humanity, supplied with clothes and refreshments,
and are quite recovered. We understand the vessel is insured; she has
drifted on the rocks and will ultimately go to pieces.

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath


Source - The Connaught Journal, Galway, 27 February 1840 -

CORONER'S INQUEST
On Monday an inquest was held in Lower Kevla-street, before Thomas M'Carthy,
Esq., coroner of the county of Dublin and view of the body of a man named
William Clarke, a sailor, who was discovered on Sunday morning lying dead on
the floor by his bed side. It appeared from the evidence adduced that the
deceased was of remarkably dissipated habits and an incorrigible drunkard.
On Saturday night last he came home in a state of intoxication, and
refused to go to bed; the inmates of the house then retired to rest, leaving him
alone at the fire. In the morning he was found lying on his back, his neck
and face much swollen; medical aid was instantly procured, but it was of
no avail. The dissipation in which the ill-fated man had been sunk of late
was caused by a young man with whom he had lodged some money for safe keeping
absconded with the cash. Since that time (about four months ago) he had been
very seldom sober. A verdict in accordance with the evidence was returned.

The Landsowne schooner, of and for Limerick, put into Rutland, coast of
Donegal, with loss of two men overboard, gib boom and tip-gallante mast.
The mate was also swept overboard, but the returning wave providentially
threw him on deck again.

A barque called the Tyrian, was run down by the steamer Manchester, off
Gravesend, on Friday when six persons on board perished.

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath


source - The Limerick Reporter, 19 June 1840 -

The brig Energy, of this port, Captain Irvine, arrived
at Quebec on the 7th ult., after a prosperous and
speedy passage of 35 days, and landed all her
passengers in perfect health, who were so highly
pleased with the kind conduct and attention of Captain
Irvine to them on the voyage, that they unanimously
presented him with an address upon their arrival. We
perceive by our advertising columns that she is to sail
again, with emigrants, in or about the last of July, and
we would strongly recommend her to those persons
intending to emigrate, as she is well known to be a
regular trader, fast sailer and fortunate vessel.

Contributed by Dennis Ahern


Source - The Connaught Journal Thursday, July 30, 1840

SHIP NEWS
On the morning of Saturday, the Brig John, of Youghall, Joynt, master,
struck on the west reef of rocks close to the Light House, it was blowing a
strong gale of wind from the westward, with a thick fog at the time, and on
being perceived from shore the Master Pilot put off, & succeeded in boarding
her through the breakers, and with the assistance of Lieut. Hooper & the
Coast Guards and the master and crew of the Lesly Alexander, now in port,
got the Brig off the shore, and had the good success to get her as far as
Nimmo Pier, when she sunk close along side the Quay. The exertions of Mr.
O'Halloran and Lieutenant Hooper and Charles Harris were beyond all praise
and it is hoped they will be rewarded for their prompt exertions.

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath


Source - The Connaught Journal Thursday, September 24, 1840

ARRIVAL OF THE H.M.S. ROMNEY- The second division of the 19th regiment,
commanded by Captain Hudson, embarked yesterday at Cove, in H.M.S. Rodney,
Captain Munsell, that vessel having arrived on Tuesday from Portsmouth. The
Rodney sailed for Gibraltar this day. At an early hour on Thursday morning
the first division of the 88th or Connaught Rangers, under the command of
Captain Elliott, arrived at our quay from Dublin, in the Arab steamer, and
proceeded to the barracks. The Arab sails this evening to return from Dublin
on Saturday with the remainder of the regiment.--Cork Reporter

A woman, apparently the wife of one of the privates of the 88th
Regiment, who embarked in the Arab steamer for Cork, at one o'clock today
threw herself into the river as that vessel left the quay. Assistance was
immediately rendered, and the wretched creature was saved from a watery
grave. It appears that she would not be permitted to accompany her husband
(if such he can be called), and in a moment of despair committed this
desperate act; when brought on shore she appeared insensible.---Monitor.

One hundred and twenty-three paupers landed at Cork on Tuesday evening, by
the Jupiter steamer, having been transmitted by the Poor Law Officers in
London.


The Erin-go-bragh, iron steamer, just completed in Liverpool, for the
navigation of the lower Shannon, though larger than any steamer at present
on the line, will not draw four feet of water.

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath


Source - The Connaught Journal Thursday, September 24, 1840

THE BRIG KATE OF THIS PORT
We are happy to be enabled to inform the friends of the several
passengers on aboard the Kate, bound for New York, that she arrived safe
there on the 18th ult., all well, we will give a letter which we received
too late for insertion this day, next post, from one of the passengers
contradictory of all the lying reports circulated against her.

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath


THE CONNAUGHT JOURNAL
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1840

Ten of the crew of the Alchymist, from Quebec, arrived in Dublin, are
committed for having one hundred and twenty-eight pound of tobacco secreted
on board.


MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK- It is our painful duty to announce the melancholy
loss of the schooner Mary, Captain Burnell, on Wednesday afternoon last. It
appears that the Mary sailed from Newport on the morning of that day laden
with coals from Bridgewater, the wind blowing a strong gale from the N.W.;
when near the tail of the Gore Sand, it is supposed that a sea struck her in
consequence of which she became unmanageable and went down-all on board,
five in number (including the captain's son, a child of eight years of age),
belonging to this place, met a watery grave. The vessel belongs to Mr.
Kinsbury, of Taunton.--Somerset Gazette.

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath


source - Limerick Standard 1 November 1841 -

Loss of the Barque Amanda, of Limerick

It is with deep regret that we record this day the wreck of this fine
vessel, the property of our fellow citizen, Genete Williams, Esq.,
attended with the loss of Forty-one lives.

She left this port on the 22d of August last with emigrants, and was
driven ashore off Metis[-sur-Mer], on the 26th of September, and totally
lost. The greater portion of the crew and passengers took to the boats,
which soon swamped, and all were lost; the captain, some of the crew and
passengers, who were left on the wreck, were saved. The following we take
from the Quebec Mercury, of October 5:-

Shipwreck of the Barque Amanda - Forty-one lives lost - In the Gazette
of Friday last, we informed our readers that Captain Bucanan, of the ship
Scotland, had seen off Metis a ship on shore, which, to all appearances
was a total wreck. Yesterday morning the subjoined melancholy confirmation
of that recent report was received in a letter, by Messrs. W. Price, and
Co., of this city, from which we have been favoured with the following
extract:-

"Metis, 29th September, 1841.

"I have to inform you of the loss of the barque Amanda, Captain Davis,
from Limerick, which came ashore at Little Metis Point, at five o'clock,
on the 26th instant - She had forty passengers and a crew of eighteen. The
captain, two seamen, and two apprentices were amongst those saved."

A.C. Buchanan, Esq., Emigrant Agent, has kindly favoured us with the
following list of passengers and crew:-

List of the passengers and crew of the barque Amanda, Solomon Davis,
master, bound for Quebec, cleared on the 17th August, and sailed on the
22d August, from Limerick:

Passengers Saved.

James O'Neill and Catherine O'Neill, of the County of Clare; Patrick
Hanlon, county Kerry; Timothy Murphy, Michael Hall, Maurice Hall, Philip
Sarsfield, James Nevill, and Margaret Molony, of county of Limerick; and
Anne O'Neill, of the county of Cork. Total passengers saved- 10.

Passengers Lost.

Stephen Rennals, county of Clare; James Slattery, Patrk. Clancy, Anne
Murray, Mary Hall (aged 6), J. Hinchey, Margaret Hinchey, Maria Hinchey,
John Hinchey, Frederick Harden, Daniel Carney, Margaret Carney, James
Carney, Mary Carney, Daniel Carney, Jeremiah Conners, Catherine Eustace of
Limerick; John O'Brien, and Michael O'Brien, county of Clare; Mary
Cummins, Bridget Cummins, Anne Cummins, Catherine Cummins and Michael
Cummins, of the county of Galway; Julia Crawley, andPatrick O'Neill, of
Clare; Thomas Kennedy, of Dingle. -29.

Male adults lost 11.- Female adults lost 12.- Total Adults 23.-
Children Lost 6. Total passengers lost -29.

Crew Saved.

Solomon Davis, master; Edward Roundy, second mate; Timothy Behane,
seaman; Patrick O'Brien, and Charles Donnelly, apprentices.- Total 5.

Crew lost.

Patrick Blake, 1st mate; James M'Inerney, carpenter; Michael Hegarty,
cook; John Fahy, steward; David Keeffe, John Harper, John Graham, Thomas
Allan, Patrick Shannon, Thomas Harte, and John Hynes, sea-men; James
Cusack, and Francis Johnson, apprentices.- Total crew lost, 12.

Contributed by Nick Reddan


source - The Southern Patriot [Mallow, Co. Cork], 9 March 1844 -

Maurice O'Connell, Esq., M.P. and suite, arrived per the
Bristol-steamer, on Wednesday, at the Imperial Hotel, Cork,
en route to Derrynane.--He looks in excellent health and
spirits.

IRON STEAM-BOATS.--I had the pleasure at breakfast of
sitting next to Mr. Babbage, whose name is well known
among us as the author of the self-calculating machine. He
has a most remarkable eye, that looks as if it might penetrate
science, or any thing else he chose to look into. He
described the iron steamer now building, which has a larger
tonnage than any merchant ship in the world, and expressed
an opinion that iron ships would supersede all others ; and
another opinion that much concerns us, and which, I trust will
soon be verified--that in a few years these iron steamers will
go to America in seven days!--Miss Sedgewick's Letters.

Contributed by Dennis Ahern


source - The Southern Patriot [Mallow], 13 March 1844 -

BLACK WATER NAVIGATION.
--------
It is with much pleasure we call attention of our
readers to our advertisement columms [sic], from
which they will see that the STAR STEAMER is [on?]
our river, on its way, we hope, to Mallow. It runs up
at present as far as Cappoquin, and if the inhabitants
of Mallow and the surrounding neighbourhood
display but half the enterprize of Sir RICHARD
MUSGRAVE, we shall soon have the pleasure of seeing
the smoke of his steamers at Mallow Bridge. And
we speak advisedly in asserting, that a greater
commercial advantage could not be conferred on this
town, which by this means will be laid open to the
sea. It is the opinion of Sir RICHARD and those best
acquainted with the subject, that the river can be
made navigable for steamers from Fermoy to
Mallow, with less cost and difficulty than from
Lismore to Fermoy. Captain JONES will soon
commence his survey, and will furnish us with plans
and estimates. We also expect the favour of
communications from Sir R. MUSGRAVE on the
subject.
A foolish petition was got up some time ago by the
gentry of this town and neighbourhood, against the
Black Water Navigation, on the ground that it would
interfere with the fishes. Mr. J. DILLON CROKER is also
reported as having put forward a very silly objection,
namely, that as the steamers could not be carried
further than Mallow, it was no use to carry them so
far. If it were worth while, it would be easy to bring
his reasoning under the head of the argumentum ad
absurdum. But in sober seriousness, we hope our
aristocracy will not oppose the enterprize, and vote
for the fishes, for it will keep the loaves from the
people ; and now--God help them--they cannot get
the loaves, and dare not touch the fishes.


EMIGRATION
--------
It must prove a great source of satisfaction to the settlers
of this province to become acquainted with the fact, that
emigration to Australia Felix has not wholly ceased ; on the
contrary, a well founded reliance on our resources and
future prosperity, has induced that spirited emigration agent,
Mr. Besnard, of Cork, to furnish this colony with a further
supply of labour--Messrs. Were, merchants, having
received advice from that gentleman that ten vessels are to
be successively despatched to this port laden with emigrants,
the first of which may be expected to arrive ere long. It is
perfectly unnecessary for us to eulogize the exertions which
Mr. Besnard has hitherto made on behalf of these colonies,
they are already well known, and, we trust, fully appreciated
; but we are right glad to find that, notwithstanding the
cessation of the government and bounty systems, he is still
endeavouring to alleviate the wants of Port Philip, by
furnishing us with an increased supply of labour.
Notwithstanding the "depression of the times," they will find
plenty of employment, cheerful homes, and encouraging
renumeration ; and Mr. Besnard may comfort himself with
the gratifying conviction that he has offered a boon both on
the colonists and the emigrants themselves.--Australian
Gazette [There can be no disputing the fact, that Mr.
Besnard and all others whose exertions facilitate the
emigration of the labouring agricultural inhabitants of this
country, are conferring a boon not only on the colonists but
also on the emigrants themselves. Whatever blessings are
likely to result to this country from future enterprize and
increased knowledge in husbandry and agriculture--
whatever improvement in the condition of the people may
follow from an alteration and amendment of the law of
landlord and tenant, these results and improvements will
require very many years to realize. Our children may enjoy
them, but hopeless poverty stare the present generation in
the face. Let them Emigrate. And when abroad, if they
push up into the country, and not take up their abode in the
first port where they may be landed, as a number of lazy
vagabonds have done already,--sending back an evil report
of a country of which they are perfectly ignorant, they will be
sure to meet scope for their enterprise, labour for their
hands, and reward for their industry.]--[ED.]

Contributed by Dennis Ahern


source - Tyrone Constitution, issue dated November 8, 1844
--------
SHIPWRECKS AND LOSS OF LIFE.
--As was anticipa-
ted, the storm of Friday and Saturday proved very disastrous along the coast,
but we are happy to say that in the harbour not much damage has been sustained.
The light ship, stationed at the Kish Bank, slipped from her moorings, and ran up
to Halpin's Pond, at the North Wall, and another vessel was at once tugged out by
a steamer to supply her place. The most melancholy results of the gale were visible
between Dublin and Drogheda on Saturday. The following are briefly the facts :--
On Saturday, a large bark, laden with timber, was driven on shore near Skerries--
the crew all saved ; on the same day a brig was observed drifting towards the shore
about two miles north of Balbriggan ; she struck about eleven o'clock, near the Cargee
rocks, and within a short distance of Lowther Lodge, at present occupied by the Earl
of Clencarty. The spot where this vessel struck is a reef of sharp-pointed rocks,
not 200 yards from the land, but completely exposed, and most dangerous to approach;
nevertheless, Mr. H. Alexander Hamilton, Mr. Cole, the sub-inspector of constabulary
for the Balbriggan station, the coast-guard officers, and others on the shore, made
immediately an attempt to reach her for the purpose of taking on the crew,
(nine in number,) who appeared greatly exhausted. Unfortunately it was impossible to
reach her ; but Mr. Hamilton approached so close as to succeed in making the crew aware
that from the nature of the vessel's position, she must inevitably be destroyed--
and that, therefore, their only chance of safety consisted in their taking to their
boats immediately. Four of the crew followed his advice, and although the boat was
swamped before they reached the shore, the men were taken out of the water and saved
by the intrepidity of Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Cole, and their associates, who, with ropes
fastened round them, rushed into the surf and rescued these exhausted seamen.
In a short time, as the tide rose, the situations of the five remaining seamen
became more perilous ; at length the vessel was completely capsised by the violence
of the waves, and the five men, for a few minutes, were seen clinging to the keel,
the next wave swept three of them away--the fourth, a young man a native of Dublin,
catching hold of a spar committed himself to the waves,. The fifth remained, holding
by a chain, in the keel of the vessel. Every effort, and at great risk, was made to
save these poor men--one only, the boy who held by the spar, was rescued--every wave
breaking over the hull of the vessel. The seaman who remained fastened to the keel,
was observed for several hours to sustain himself. Meantime every possible means were
used by firing a mortar with a line and otherwise to reach him, but they were unavailing.
At length when the tide had fallen, about eight o'clock in the evening, and when
approach became practicable, the poor man was found still grasping the chain, but the
vital spark had fled.
The rescued seamen were carried up to Lowther Lodge, where they were revived by the care
and kindness of the Countess of Clancarty. The exertions of Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Cole, and,
indeed, of all on the shore, were highly praiseworthy, and they have the satisifaction
of reflecting that the lives of five fellow-creatures have been saved by them. The vessel
proved to be the Shannon of Whitehaven. Another fatal casualty occurred at Clogher, about
seven miles from Drogheda. A large brig, name unknown, laden, with wheat, supposed to be
from Wexford, and bound to Liverpool, was totally wrecked, and all hands supposed to be lost,
as there was no account of any of them. Another wreck took place at Annagasson, near the
same place. Name of the vessel unknown. She was dashed into pieces. A large vessel,
about 700 tons burthen, named the Rose, of Belfast, Montgomery, master, was driven violently
on shore at Skerries, but most fortunately the crew, consisting of 14 men and 1 woman,
a passenger, were all got off safely from the wreck. She was timber laden, and left
Quebec on this day five weeks. She was bound for Belfast. A large quantity of timber,
and other things belonging to ships, were picked up between Balbriggan and Drogheda;
the figure-head of a ship and a piece of board with the name " Fairy Queen" was found
at Balbriggan. Several small craft were more or less injured at Balhoyle[?], Malahide,
and along the coast. A large vessel, supposed to be an Indiaman--but all inquiry proved
unsuccessful to ascertain anything about her--was seen in a wrecked condition off
Ireland's Eye. The Drogheda railway did not sustain the slightest damage, although
the trees and [illegible] adjoining the line suffered severely from the severity of the gale.
--Dublin Evening Mail of Monday.

Contributed by Alison Causton


source - Tyrone Constitution, issue dated November 22, 1844
--------
LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY.
--The Royal Mail steamer Acadia, Captain Harrison, arrived
here this morning from Boston and Halifax, bringing over twenty passengers,
and a mail from the United States. The Royal Mail steamer, Hibernia, which sailed
hence on the 19th October, had arrived out at Halifax on the 1st instant.
The Great Western which sailed from this port a week previous, reached New York
on the 26th ult. and would sail again for Liverpool on the 9th instant. By the
Acadia we have received papers from New York to the 1st instant, Boston to the 2d,
and Canada papers to the 28th ultimo. The news is, upon the whole, interesting.
In the states [sic] the elections occupied the whole of public attention, and were
just drawing to a close, but as yet it is impossible to form anything like
a correct idea as to what will be the final result. All kind of chicanery and fraud
continued to be resorted to by both parties, and, between the two, Great Britain
comes in for no small share of abuse.

Contributed by Alison Causton


source - Tyrone Constitution, issue dated November 22, 1844
--------
TERRIBLE STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION--SIXTY TO
EIGHTY KILLED AND WOUNDED.

--It will be seen by the account below, from the Lousville [sic] Courier of
Thursday, that another frightful steamboat explosion, attended
with great loss of life, has occurred in the Ohio :--
The steamboat Lucy Walker, Captain Vann, left this place for New Orleans
yesterday, crowded with passengers. When about four or five miles below
New Albany, she stopped to repair some part of her machinery. While
so engaged, the water in her boilers got too low, and they exploded with
terrific effect. The explosion was upwards, and all above the boilers
was blown to atoms. Just after the explosion the air was filled with human
beings, and fragments of human beings. One man was blown up fifty yards,
and fell with such force as to go entirely through the deck of the boat.
Another was cut entirely in two by a piece of the boiler. We have
heard of many such heart-rending and sickening incidents. Before
Captain Dunham reached the place where the Lucy Walker was, he saw
a number of persons who had been thrown into the river, drowned.
He, however, saved the lives of a large number of persons by throwing
them boards and ropes, and pulling them on his boat with hooks.
Immediately after the explosion of the ladies' cabin took fire,
and before it had been consumed, she sunk in twelve or fifteen feet of
water. There were at least fifty or sixty persons killed or missing and
fifteen or twenty wounded.

Contributed by Alison Causton


source - Tyrone Constitution, issue dated December 6, 1844
--------
SHIPWRECK.

--A vessel, named the Victoria, from the North of Scotland, laden with
salt, went on the rocks at the Skerries, Portrush, during the fog on Sunday
night last, and became a complete wreck. The hands were picked up by a schooner
going to Derry.
--Coleraine Chronicle.

Contributed by Alison Causton


source - Tyrone Constitution, issue dated December 6, 1844
--------
LONDONDERRY SHIP NEWS.
The ship Londonderry, Captain Hatrick, of and from Londonderry to St. John, N.B.,
with passengers, arrived on the 24th of October--all well.

The ship Fanny, of and from Londonderry, Captain Quinn, arrived safe at St. John,
after a fine passage of ?? days.

Ship Amity, Capt. Pike, from Liverpool to Philadelphia, with passengers, &c., arrived safe after a pleasant passage--all well.

Contributed by Alison Causton


source - Tyrone Constitution, issue dated December 6, 1844
--------
MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK.--LOSS OF AN AMERICAN
LINER--TWENTY-TWO PERSONS DROWNED.

--By the Hibernia mail steamer, letters have come to hand with the melancholy
intelligence of the shipwreck and total loss of the ship Elizabeth, Captain Paton,
commander, belonging to Liverpool, with, it is much apprehended, the sacrifice of
twenty-two persons, including the commander, the chief mate, several of the crew,
and many passengers. The particulars received, state that the vessel was on a
passage to New Orleans, having on board, for that port, sixteen passengers, of
whom there were a number of ladies. On the night of the 4th of October, they
experienced terrible weather. The wind blew a heavy gale from the westward.
Every precaution was taken by the captain, who was a weather-beaten old tar
and a most experienced man, to avoid accident ; however, on the following
day, the gale increased to a hurricane, and shortly the main and mizzen masts
were carried overboard by its awful violence. During the succeeding night
matters became more pitiable. It was discovered she had sprung a severe leak,
and that she would shortly founder was inevitable. The pumps were resorted to,
and all hands, passengers and all, worked vigorously to save the ship; but
there was no hope, and the captain perceiving the dangerous position of his
vessel, ordered the boats to be launched and the men to save themselves;
which they had scarcely accomplished, and the crew and passengers got into
them, before it was discovered that the ship was settling fast, and before
many minutes had elapsed she went down into deep water. All the boats, three
in number, now pulled towards the westward, hoping they might meet with some
passing vessel, and it was resolved they should continue as close to each
other as was practicable. Such, however, was not to be the case ; for before
many hours had transpired the violence of a tremendous sea drove them far
apart. Two boats, have since been picked up, the first, six days after
the occurrence at Sisale, having been without provisions or water; the other
by a French brig, which landed them at Vera Cruz, in a dreadful state of
exhaustion. The third boat, the Launch, has not been since heard of; and
it being full of people, twenty two in number, including the worthy captain,
mate, and many of the passengers, it is fearfully expected that she was
capsized and all were drowned.

Contributed by Alison Causton source - Armagh Guardian Newspaper, Dec 24, 1844 -

===========================================
A CURIOUS ESCAPE FROM A SHIPWRECK.--As an
outward bound vessel was bearing up for this port on
Tuesday evening last, she was driven by the fury of the
storm, bowsprit foremost, on Creden Head, with such
force that the bowsprit was shivered in atoms. The
recoil sent her back some hundred yards from the rock,
and notwithstanding her fearful concussion, she was
enabled to reach this port in perfect safety.--Waterford
Chronicle.
==========================================


Contributed by Alison Causton



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