Alice

Official Number ?????

From the Times newspaper, Thursday 20th October 1870, page 10:

" TOTAL LOSS OF A SHIP AND CREW - On Sunday morning the schooner Alice, of Liverpool, with a cargo of iron ore from the Hodbarrow Mining Company, Millom, Cumberland, for the Mersey, was driven ashore in a fearful gale on the south end of Walney Island, with the loss of all hands. The vessel, which was owned by Mr.T.Clayton, of the Brynmawr Colliery, Wrexham, Denbigh, left the Duddon River on Saturday afternoon, and her master (Captain Winder), meeting with very heavy weather in the Channel, endeavoured to make Piel harbour, but, owing to the fearful gale, was driven on to the Hilpsford Bank about 4 o'clock on the Sunday morning, the vessel going to pieces immediately and becoming a total wreck. The bodies of the captain and a seaman were recovered on Monday, the former being identified by relatives who reside at Barrow-in-Furness, and the latter had the name 'William Reed' upon his hand, and proves to be a native of Douglas, Isle of Man. No other body has yet been recovered. Both the deceased were severely wounded on the temples, and one of them was wholly undressed with the exception of his trousers, while the other had his jacket partially off. It is supposed, therefore, that death did not result from drowning, but from a blow received from one of the schooner's masts, which gave way suddenly, and was subsequently washed ashore with the standing rigging attached. It is believed that the poor fellows were about to make a leap from the vessel and struggle to gain the shore when they were struck by the falling mast. The deceased captain had recently requested the owners of the vessel to engage another master, as he was desirous of leaving the ship, and the widow states that he frequently expressed a conviction that he should lose his life at sea, as other members of his family had done previously. This is the second time within six weeks that his vessel has been driven ashore on this coast."

Sources :

1. "Shipwreck Index of the British Isles" Vol. 5 by Richard & Bridget Larn, pub. Lloyds Register - cites from BOT Wreck Returns 1870. States that the vessel was 56 tons, and registered at Liverpool.
2. Mercantile Navy List 1860 has four vessels named Alice registered at Liverpool, with official numbers 1593 and 16427 (both 55 tons) and 5997 and 7028 (both 58 tons).