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Robert | Official Number
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Robert | Official Number
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The Robert was a brigantine built at Whitehaven by H.Stockdale, launched on the 22nd November 1786.
The Robert was wrecked off the Isle of Man on the 16th May 1823. She was carrying passengers and livestock from Dublin to Liverpool. After striking the rocks at Langness Point she capsized, and 43 passengers, 30 horses, 40 cattle and 140 pigs were drowned. The crew and twelve passengers survived.
The Connaught Journal, Thursday, 29th May 1823;
" MOST
MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK OFF THE ISLE OF MAN - FORTY LIVES LOST -
The brig Robert,
of Whitehaven, 186 tons burden, Captain Nathaniel Netham, sailed from
Dublin
for Liverpool, early on Friday morning, having on board between fifty
and
sixty passengers (including about 20 women and children); 13 horses, 39
bullocks, 60 pigs, &c. Towards evening the sea became extremely
boisterous; as the vessel inclined to either side, there the pigs
rushed
in a body; and the bullocks, having broken loose, became unmanageable.
In this predicament considerable fears were entertained by the
passengers
for their safety, and they entreated the Captain either to return to
Dublin,
or put into the nearest port. It was impossible to comply with the
former
request, but the Captain said he would run into Whitehaven.
At this time
(about half-past eight) the vessel was under a heavy press of sail, and
bearing on the Manx coast. Our informant (Mr. Joseph Nixon, of Newgrove,
near Monaghan) says the Captain, was not aware of being near the land,
for, in reply to a question from Mr. Nixon, he said there was no danger,
as the vessel was between twenty and thirty miles from any coast. A few
minutes afterwards, the Captain and Mr.Nixon being in the cabin (the latter
having lain down in the Captain's bed) the vessel struck on the rocks at
Langles-point, with a dreadful crash. The Captain and Mr. Nixon instantly
rushed on deck, where a scene of the most horrifying description presented
itself. The terrific shrieks of the women and children, and the distraction
of the men, maybe imagined, but cannot be described. At this awful and
perilous moment - the sea running mountains high - there was not an instant
for deliberation. They who could swim immediately jumped into the sea,
and gained the rocks, while a few others also succeeded by passing over
the bowsprit, and descending on a jutting point of rock. Several who had
gained the rocks were unfortunately washed off by the overwhelming waves,
and it was only by the utmost human exertions that any of them escaped
destruction.
Those who succeeded
in retaining their hold, clambered from rock to rock, during the short
interval that succeeded each wave, until they attained the land. Of the
entire number, not more than 19 persons (including the Captain and crew)
were saved. The remainder found watery graves. One woman was among the
number saved, but she was much injured and not expected to survive. The
Captain had a narrow escape, & was much bruised. From the darkness
of the night, these unfortunate people had considerable difficulty in finding
a habitation. On the following morning they went to Castletown, about a
mile and a half distant, where they received every attention and kindness.
A collection was made for their relief, and a vessel prepared to convey
them to their destination.
Mr. Nixon came
over to Ardglass in a fishing smack, accompanied by another man from Carrickmacross,
named Thomas Callan. When he came from the scene of the shipwreck not one
of the bodies of the sufferers had been found. He states that the passengers
were entirely of the poorer class. One poor man lost his wife and seven
children. The horses, bullocks, &c. were all lost, with the exception
of one bullock and three pigs.
Mr. Nixon is
of opinion that no blame can be attached to the Captain, who was part owner
of the vessel.
[We may remark
that the scene of this distressing shipwreck is about a quarter of a mile
distant from the place where the Racehorse sloop of war was lately
wrecked.]
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