Interesting Wrecks and History's

Or it sank wiithout a trace!!:D

sorry was on my mobile earlier here,s a story about it from tramore,s local historian andy taylor.

The Wreck of the Sea Horse
by Andy Taylor

Tramore Bay is the delight of all who love to sojourn upon its gold-carpeted expanse of Strand. Yet like the black, gnarled rocks upon its shore, it has a dark and evil side to its nature, and the sad tragedy of the Sea Horse bears witness to the Jekyll and Hyde personality of this bay. The Sea Horse was a Transport Vessel of 350 tons burden, commanded by Capt. Gibbs. She served originally as a Frigate with the British Navy, having being built in London in 1784. On her last fateful voyage from Ramsgate to Cork she had on board 16 Officers, 287 Soldiers, 33 Women, 38 Children, the Master of the Vessel, a crew of 17 and a young Naval Officer. The young Officer (Lieut. Allen) had unfortunately taken passage on the ill-fated ship in order to join his own ship the "Tonnant" in Cork. The officers and Soldiers were members of the 2nd Battalion 59th Regiment, who had seen much action in the Peninsular War from 1808 until the Occupation of Paris. They returned to England in Dec.1815 to spend Christmas at home, before being assigned to garrison duty in Cork.

They embarked at Ramsgate on 25th Jan. 1813. The morning of Jan. 29th was the start of the poor weather conditions which led to the misfortunes of the hapless inmates of the Sea Horse. A strong breeze sprung up a S.S.E which freshened very much at noon; at 4pm Ballycotton Island was sited about 12miles distant. Unfortunately for the inmates of the Sea Horse, John Sullivan the Mate, who was the only person acquainted with the Coast, going up the fore-rigging to look at land, fell down on the forecastle and broke both arms and legs as well as suffering severe internal injuries. He died three hours later in the hands of his wife. As it now blew a stronger gale, and was becoming very hazy and dark, Capt. Gibbs hauled his wind for Kinsale Light, intending when he saw it to run down along the coast for the entrance to Cork harbour; but not seeing the light after a run of two hours in worsening weather conditions he was unwilling to proceed any further. He therefore close-reefed his top sails and hauled close to the wind, lying W.S.W. The ship fell off about 8pm and wore around the other tack, most of the night lying about S.E., wind S.S.W., but owing to the flood-tide setting strong on the shore, and heavy sea running, she drifted very fast inshore.

About five in the morning of the 30th Jan. Minehead appeared on the lee beam, the Vessel drifting very fast to leeward. The gale was now severe and the fore-topmast was ripped over the side, while the mainsail was in ribbons. The lifeboats were washed away and a seaman in the foretop had his back and thigh broken. Unable to weather Brownstown Head to arrive in Waterford Harbour, where Hook Tower could be seen under the lee bow, Cap. Gibbs ordered the anchors be thrown out and the sails clewed up. The ship was brought up under Brownstown Head in seven fathoms of water. At about midday, the anchors dragged, the wind and sea still increasing, and about ten past twelve the Sea Horse, battered and helpless, grounded in Tramore Bay less then a mile from the shore and safety. No assistance whatever could be afforded to the hapless inmates of the doomed Vessel by the numerous spectators who lined the shore hoping for a lull in the merciless gale. Crowds of soldiers lined the decks, many of them washed away by the returning wave. All hope of escape seemed now to forsake every break.

After the tragedy Lloyds of London funded the building of piers, including the erection of Metal Man to prevent similar calamities. A monument to the tragedy is located on Doneraile Walk and an Obelisk marks a burial plot at the Church of Ireland on Church Road.

A favourite of mine is the Samson which was grounded at Ardmore Head after breaking loose in a storm while being towed in 1987. I have various pics from the web but don't own any of them myself so I'll just add the links here rather than copy up the pics. It's an imposing sight, you can get quite close to it on the cliff path, or better still paddle over its deck in a kayak at high tide.

How it looks now:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnfinn/5515123399/
http://www.shanemcdonald.me/012011-the-samson-ardmore-photo-of-the-week/

In its earlier days:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9187292@N02/2185895942/in/photostream/

drBill wrote: »

In its earlier days:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9187292@N02/2185895942/in/photostream/

mammoth was in waterford bout two years ago finishing off the span of the new bridge we have here think there was pics taken of it must search out the thread

^^^^
Was in Stanley 6 year's ago & never knew about any of this,that what's happens when your in a hurry to get to the pub.went to the Graf spee museum in montevideo & also passed its anchor on the way out of the dock's,i'll try dig out some pic's if i can find them.