G.I.Waters

Official Number 51212

The G.I.Waters was a small barque built by Charles Lamport at Workington in March 1865.

In 1895 the vessel was described as a barquentine, and was owned by Richard Kearon of Arklow, though still registered at Workington. She left Antwerp on the morning of 18th November, carrying a cargo of phosphates to Dublin. The following morning, in fog,  she struck on the Goodwin Sands, about 3 miles N of the East Goodwin Light. The five crew abandoned the vessel in their small boat after a few hours, as the vessel was making water. Guns fired by the light ship, which had observed distress signals on the vessel, caused the Deal lifeboat to be launched, which picked up the crew. The Walmer lifeboat found the abandoned barquentine, and with the aid of the tug Conqueror, brought her into Ramsgate.
 

Sources :

1. "Shipbuilding at Workington - a Checklist" by Harry Fancy, pub. Whitehaven Museum (1985) - states 104 tons.
2. Wreck reported in "The Times" newspaper, Thursday, 21st November, 1895, page 7 - referred to the vessel as the G.L.Waters, 144 tons register.