Mary Stoddart

Official Number 23274

The Mary Stoddart was ship built at Maryport by Robert Ritson, launched 16th February 1843 (see Source 1). She was registered at Liverpool and was originally owned by John Sparks. Her first master was Capt.Joseph Sparks, who assumed command of the Joseph Bushby in 1845. In the launch report of the latter vessel, the Mary Stoddart was described as "a well-known trader to India and China."

In April 1858 the Mary Stoddart was wrecked in Dundalk Bay, with the loss of seven of her crew. The surviving seamen owed their lives to repeated attempts from several people, over a period of two days, to reach the stranded vessel. Six of these rescuers were awarded honours from the RNLI for their bravery. The Mary Stoddart had been bound for Liverpool from Alexandria with a general cargo and horse beans (see Source 3).
 

Sources :

1. Board of Trade Transcript of Liverpool Shipping Register (No.75 for 1843) at Merseyside Maritime Museum - 516 tons.
2. Official Number from Mercantile Navy List 1857 - vessel registered at Grangemouth, 516 tons.
3. Wreck described in Coastguards of Yesteryear. - describes the vessel as a barque.
4. Irish Wrecks Online - describes the vessel as a barque, belonging to Grangemouth.