Mary

Official Number none

The Mary was a brig built at Liverpool in 1781. She was almost rebuilt in 1820, and at the time of her loss was owned in Whitehaven by Brocklebank. The Mary was wrecked on the West Hoyle bank at the mouth of the river Dee on the night of 27th November1825, on passage from Dublin for Liverpool with cattle. There was one survivor and eleven people died (Capt.Cowman, his wife, three drovers and six crew).

Wreck reported in the Cumberland Pacquet and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser, Tuesday 6th December 1825:

" The Mary, Cowman, of this port, was wrecked on West Hoyle, near Liverpool, on the night of Saturday week. The master, his wife, and the whole of the crew (except a man named Robinson) and the men who had charge of the cattle, all perished. She sailed from Dublin on Friday the 25th; at 5 o'clock on Saturday morning carried away both topmasts and bowsprit; came to an anchor at 5 o'clock the same evening, between Ormshead and Point of Ayre; parted with the cable at six the same evening; at ten, drifted on West Hoyle Bank - blowing dreadfully from the NW. Two of the men who had charge of the cattle were the first that were washed overboard; about half-past ten, the Captain's wife; the next sea took the Captain; then another of the drovers; next sea, John Brown, Joseph Tyson, and Hewitt Graham. John Moore fell overboard. The remaining three of the crew, William Bell (the mate), William Porter and James Robinson, took to the rigging, where they remained until ebb tide, which left the vessel dry. They descended and walked upon the bank until the tide began to flow, when they were again compelled to ascend the rigging for safety.  After being several hours in this situation, Bell and Porter, from fatigue and cold were unable to retain their holds any longer, and exhausted nature at length giving way, they descended the main rigging, and about 12 o'clock were both washed overboard. James Robinson, the only survivor, after remaining ten hours in this perilous situation, was discovered by some people on shore, and was taken off the main mast by the Trinity boat, belonging to the Point of Ayre Lighthouse. Robinson arrived in this town on Thursday."

Sources :

1. Jollies Cumberland Directory, 1811 - brig, 144 tons, master Capt.J.Folder, owner Captain and Co.
2. Lloyd's Register of Shipping (Underwriters' Green Book) 1812: brig, 144 tons, built Liverpool in 1781, owned by Folder & Co., master Folder, voyage Liverpool - Dublin.
   
3. Lloyd's Register of Shipping (Underwriters' Green Book) 1824: brig, 155 tons, built Liverpool in 1781 and almost rebuilt in 1820, owned by Brocklebank, master Cowman.
4. Wreck also reported in the Liverpool Mercury, 2nd December 1825.
5. Wreck also described in "Shipwreck Index of the British Isles" Vol. 5 by Richard & Bridget Larn, pub. Lloyds Register, 2000, ISBN 1 900839 61 X (citing information from Lloyds List, 29th Nov. and 2nd Dec.1825).