8 RESCUED FROM THE "NEW DRAPER"
1861
February, 1861 saw a storm of cyclonic proportions inflict huge casualties
on the shipping of the east coast of Ireland. From Belfast to Rosslare, many
sailing ships were lost with all hands; in the space of two hours, three
schooners were driven aground on Mizen Head.
The storm began during the early hours of Saturday, February 9th. The
wind strengthened throughout the day and towards evening hurricane winds
exacted a heavy toll.
Within three miles of Wicklow harbour, five ships were driven ashore. The
conditions, and the short space of time between the casualties hampered
rescue attempts.
The first was the Brig. "ROBERT SEYMOUR" of Baldoyle. Laden with
coal, she was driven ashore on the Murrough at 9.00 a.m. Fortunately all
of her crew were saved.
Less than an hour later the "ROWLAND HILL" of Whitehaven, was
grounded a short distance south of the Black Castle, on a small beach which
still bears her name, Rowland Hill Strand. The vessel began to break up
almost immediately and despite great effort only two of her crewwere saved.
As these men were being hauled to safety, the "ELIZA" of Maryport was
blown on the rocks north of the Glen Strand. Once more, out of a crew of
four, only one survived,
At 4.00 p.m. disaster struck again when the Brig. "WILLIAM CAMPBELL"
of Ardrossan, carrying coal, came ashore one mile south of Killoughter. Five
of her crew of six perished in the heavy seas.
Attempts to launch the lifeboat "DAUNTLESS",
were hindered by the mountainous seas breaking on the beach, when, at 1.30 p.m. the 200ton Brig. "NEW DRAPER"
of Whitehaven, was driven at the mercy of the elements onto the beach
behind the Packet Pier.
She was on passage to Dublin with a crew of seven, under Captain
William Stuart. When she grounded attempts were made to get a rope
aboard, but to no avail. The order was then given by the secretary, Mr.
Charles Ralph, to launch the lifeboat.
First to take an oar was Captain Balfour, R.N., the Coast Guard Inspector.
After strenuous attempts the lifeboat was finally launched and headed for
the stricken vessel under Coxswain Edward Brockman.
The entire eight man crew of the "NEW DRAPER" was taken aboard the
lifeboat and she made her way to the safety of the harbour.
The following day the lifeboat also launched to the assistance of the
Smack 'ARIEL" of Howth, which was in difficulties in Wicklow Bay.
On January 9th, 1871, the "ROBERT THEOPHILUS GARDEN I" lifeboat
was launched. She went to the aid of a vessel showing a distress signal in
Wicklow Bay during a strong north easterly gale. She was the Barque
"MEXICAN" of St. John's, carrying a cargo of corn from New York bound for
Dublin. Upon going alongside, the Coxswain discovered that the Master
was unsure of his position and a pilot was put on board to guide her to a safe
anchorage.
Also on Tuesday the 21st of February of the same year, the Brigantine
"POMONA" was on passage from Troon, Scotland, to Dublin with a cargo
of coal. At 1.00 a.m. in Dublin Bay, during a strong easterly gale, the Brig.
collided with a steamer. As a result of the impact, the "POMONA" suffered
considerable damage.
Battered by the strong gale force winds, mountainous seas and driving
rain, she was driven relentlessly along the coastline. As dawn broke, the
vessel neared the Wicklow coast with a distress flag flying.
Naming Ceremony of the "Robert Theophilus Garden I"
Friday September 7th. 1866
At 9.10 a.m. the "ROBERT THEOPHILUS GARDEN I" lifeboat was
launched under Coxswain Edward Doolittle. The "POMONA", still moving
south, had rounded Wicklow Head before the lifeboat could reach her. Not
until 10.30 a.m., while off Brittas Bay, did the lifeboat manage to get
alongside the stricken vesssel. Due to the weather and the strong ebb tide
they were unable to bring the "POMONA" back around Wicklow Head, so the
Coxswain decided to steer her for the shelter of Mizen Head.
Five of the ship's crew were taken aboard the lifeboat in an exhausted
state while the Captain and another crew member stayed on board to try and
keep the ship afloat until the storm subsided. The men were taken to
Wicklow and landed safely.
Later that evening, the weather having somewhat calmed, the lifeboat
returned to the "POMONA" with the five men. A temporary rig was fixed to
sail the vessel to Dublin. Two of the lifeboat crew remained on board. The
lifeboat finally left the "POMONA" at 1.00 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
IRELAND'S FIRST MOTOR LIFEBOAT
The Committee of Management of the Institution approved the recom-
mendations of the Inspector, and the plans for the new motor lifeboat were
drawn with the agreement of the Coxswain, crew and the local committee.
On completion, she undertook her sea trials at Harwick, and in February
1911 was sent to Liverpool on board the "S S LEYCLOPPS".
Built at a cost of £3,145 by the Thames Iron Works Co., Blackwell, she
was completed in September 1910. Constructed of mahogany and oak with
a heavy, cork-faced belt, and weighed 10 tons. She was self-righting, with
a length of 40' 1", a beam of 10' 6" and draft from the top of the gunwale, of
5' 8". Fitted with a 40 hp petrol motor, with a range of 150 miles at 7 knots,
she also carried ten loomed oars.
The new motor lifeboat was named "ROBERT THEOPHILUS GARDEN
IV",
and was Ireland's first motor lifeboat. She left Liverpool on Friday March
3rd, 1911, at 9.00 a.m. and arrived in Wicklowthe following day at 4.35 p.m.,
underthe Inspector and a crew of five. As soon as she was sighted, Mr. Lees
fired two maroons. By the time she reached the harbour a large crowd had
gathered. The old lifeboat was taken in tow by her successor to Howth. In
August of that year, she was sent to Rosslare Harbour where she remained
until September 1921.
When the motor lifeboat arrived, she dictated certain alterations to the
boathouse. The Committee of Management of the RNLI approved the
Engineer's and architect's plans for a new winch and rollers for the slip. The
slip was to have 12 rollers fitted and a drop keel pit in the boathouse. The
estimated cost of the alterations was £465. The work was completed on
September 14th, 1911.
Mr. Robert Lees, the son of the Secretary, was appointed Motor Mechanic of
the new motor lifeboat.
The first service call of the motor lifeboat was to the 74 ton schooner
"LORNE" of Arklow. Under Captain Henry Byrne, she was on passage to
Cork from Garston, during March 1911, with 130 ton of coal.
The vessel reached the Blackwater light-ship off the Wexford coast when
a violent gale was encountered and she was driven up the coastline.
Early on the morning of Saturday, March 18th, the "LORNE" put into
Wicklow, and moored to a buoy in the harbour.The gale was still blowing with
such ferocity that it was causing a heavy ground swell in the harbour. The
schooner was tossed and thrown for almost an hour when eventually her
mooring gave way. Soon afterwards at 4.00 a.m., she was driven onto the
sand bar, blowing her horn for assistance.
Cries for help were heard and the motor lifeboat was launched. Under Coxswain Mark Byrne. they
were alongside the stricken vessel in less than ten minutes.
The Coast Guard also went to the assistance of the vessel with the rocket
apparatus,but it was not used.
With great difficulty, due to the worsening weather conditions, the crew were taken from the schooner, which
was by then breaking up. They were landed on the quay at 9.00a.m.
LIFEBOAT CREW Mark Byrne (Cox); William Philips; (2nd Cox);John Davis (B.M.): Robert Lees Jnr.
(M.M.)
CREW Samuel Davis, Patrick Davis, T. Byrne, Thomas Byrne, Ned Byrne.
COAST GUARD CREW J. Haddon (Chief Officer): Fred Hanson; (Chief Petty Officer);
William Barnes, G. Pierce.
BACK
TO HOME PAGE