Mary

Official Number none

One of seven vessels of this name built at Whitehaven, the 208 ton brig Mary was built by D.T.& J. Brocklebank at Bransty, Whitehaven, launched on the 22nd September 1812. She was originally a 2 gun brig, and remained with the Brocklebank fleet until 1814, sailing to Newfoundland in 1813 (see Source 2). Bought by Capt.H.Benn, and subsequently owned by by Wilson & Co., both of Whitehaven the Mary sailed to Brazil, Buenos Ayres, Martinique and in the Canadian trade until her loss in 1834 (see Source 3).

From the "Cumberland Pacquet" newspaper, Tuesday, 12th August 1834, Marine Intelligence, page 3 :

The brig, Mary, Harrison, of this port, for Miramichi, in ballast, struck on the rocks off St.Paul's Island on the 20th June, and became a total wreck. The master and eight of the hands were drowned. The first and second mate were saved. The particulars will be found in the substance of a letter which is given in our fourth page.

LOSS OF THE MARY - During the week which has just elapsed, the melancholy intelligence of the loss of the brig Mary, of this port, and nearly all her crew, on St. Paul's Island, has been received. A letter from Mr. Bushby, the second mate, dated Miramichi, July 3, contains the following particulars : —

The Mary was bound from Liverpool for St. John's Newfoundland, with salt, and had a fine run out, arriving at St. John's in 34 days. The cargo was then discharged, and the vessel departed for Miramichi, where it was intended to take in a loading of timber. On the 20th of June a thick fog came on, and during its continuance they experienced a heavy gale from South and East, which compelled the Captain to shorten sail ; the vessel was dashing along through a great swell, with double-reefed top­sails, all hands paying every attention and keeping a sharp look­out, when at half-past eight o'clock, p.m., a heavy surf was heard, and nearly at the same time the crew found that the vessel was completely surrounded by breakers. They immediately made all sail, but the vessel took aback, and instantly went upon the rocks. Their situation at that time was desperate in the extreme, nothing but death stared them in the face, and there was apparently no human aid to rescue them from destruction. In this hopeless state Mr. Crosthwaite, the first mate, and Ralph Bushby, the second mate, determined to make a struggle for their lives, and with, great difficulty swam ashore, being dreadfully bruised by the rocks against which they were beat in landing. They did, however, succeed in making good their footing, and from this apparently barren rock they beheld their shipmates consigned to death, and the vessel shivered into a thousand pieces. Their situation, though rescued from death, was pitiable indeed, for they had every reason to conclude that they had been cast upon a desert and uninhabited island. Nearly perished with cold, and worn out with fatigue and anxiety, the two survivors were compelled to remain until day-break : they had not tasted food for many hours, and their only covering from the raging storm were their trowsers and shirts, completely drenched with wet. But when morning dawned upon them, they rallied their faculties, and summoned resolution to set off in quest of some help, if there should chance to be any inhabitants, and fortunately for them they were not doomed to perish on a barren rock, for at the South West end of the island they met with some persons appointed to keep a station-house there, who immediately afforded them every relief in their power. The sight of human beings, to the poor seamen, was more welcome than can be described, but the discovery that those fellow-beings were not only willing but able to relieve their distress, was indeed gratifying to the fainting spirits of the sufferers. The poor fellows were at once supplied with shirts, drawers, trowsers, and jackets, and the station men behaved so extremely kind that their conduct will never be forgotten by the two survivors. After remaining on the island six days, a schooner belonging to the establishment arrived, with a supply of clothing, provisions, &c., such being received periodically for the use of any poor seamen who may be cast away on the Island. The two mates took the opportunity of the schooner being there to proceed in her, by permission of the station-officers, to the spot where the Mary was wrecked, in the expectancy of finding the bodies of their shipmates, and intending to inter them, but when they arrived there no human remains were visible; their exertions were not, however, entirely without recompense, for they found the register of the vessel which chanced to have been cast on shore. Mr.Crosthwaite and Ralph Bushby took their passage on board the schooner from St. Paul's island, for Miramichi, where they arrived on the 30th of June, and Bushby speaks of the conduct of Captain Robinson, the master of the schooner, and his crew, as most kind and obliging, and indeed they appear to have been very fortunate as regards the individuals into whose hands they were cast by Providence in their hour of need.

The above particulars are communicated in a letter from Ralph Bushby to Jane Johnstone, his niece, who resides in Sandhills Lane, Whitehaven;  we have only to add that the tidings of this loss had the effect of spreading much gloom through the town generally, but more especially in the circles whose friends or relatives are engaged in maritime affairs. The Mary had been, up to the time of her loss, an extremely fortunate and profitable vessel; the principal owners are residents in the immediate vicinity of this town, and it is not a little remarkable that though for many years this vessel had been regularly insured in all her voyages, the last and fatal one had not been similarly protected.

We subjoin a list of those who were drowned with the Mary :-

John Harrison, commander; William King, seaman ; James Fletcher, ditto ; James Purdie, ditto ; all of Whitehaven, R.Wilkinson, cook, Liverpool;. —— Peter, seaman, Wexford. And John White, Henry Empkin, and  John Jones, three boys, also all belonging Whitehaven.

Sources :

1. "Shipbuilding in Whitehaven - A Checklist" by Harry Fancy, Whitehaven Museum (1984) - states lost on St.Paul's island June 1834.
2. "Brocklebanks 1770 to 1950" Vol.1 by J.F.Gibson (1953).
3. "From Cumberland to Cape Horn" by D.Hollett.
4. Wreck reported in the "Cumberland Pacquet" newspaper, Tuesday, 12th August 1834, Marine Intelligence, page 3 and 4.