Penarth Dock, South Wales - 150 years - the heritage and legacy  
Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage & legacy . . .

Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - George Wehrley - Photographer . . .

Schooner Wrecked Off Penarth - The schooner Amitie.

Schooner Wrecked Off Penarth - The schooner Amitie.
G. Wehrley & Co., 97, Glebe Street, Penarth, S. Wales.

A wreck on a beach - before - but where, when, why and what? - Another G. Wehrley & Co., 97, Glebe Street, Penarth, S. Wales, heritage postcard held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]

The lower image has been enhanced. A search of newspapers revealed the most likely candidate in October 1909!

 

VIOLENT WEATHER - Schooner Wrecked Off Penarth - The schooner Amitie (Captain Lesquel), 180 tons register, on a voyage from Vannes (France), with a cargo of pitwood for Swansea, was driven on the beach at Penarth in the gale of last night. The crew of six hands were rescued and brought ashore. The Amitie sought to make for the Mumbles on Sunday, but was driven up Channel by the strong north-westerly wind. She lay at anchor in Penarth Roads until she encountered the violent weather of Tuesday night. She then parted from her anchor, and drifted on to the beach. Fortunately, she found an easy position, and, thanks to the valuable assistance of the coastguards, the crew were enabled to land in safety. The men, who were unable to save all their effects, were taken to the residence of Mr. John Bovey, Lloyd's agent, in Beach-road, where they were fed and clothed, and provision was made for the night. During the night the vessel broke up, and is to-day a complete wreck. - Evening Express [135] [361] 27th October 1909.

BRISTOL CHANNEL CASUALTIES - The Wrecks at Penarth - A north-easterly gale again swept the Bristol Channel on Wednesday night, and even at midnight showed no signs of abatement. Several casualties are reported, but none of a very serious character. . . . During the fierce gale which raged in the Bristol Channel on Tuesday a number of vessels, which were at anchor in Penarth Roads and also at Barry Roads suffered severely, and were driven up Channel to seek shelter. Among these was the French Schooner Amitie, laden with pitwood, for Swansea. She had been swept by the wind clean out of her course, and had to run to Penarth Roads for shelter, where she had remained since Sunday. Her anchors held until Tuesday afternoon, when she was driven ashore on the Penarth side of Lavernock Point. When the tide receded the vessel remained high and dry, and the crew of six were able to walk ashore.

The Amatie, which belongs to Vannes, had been badly buffeted by the gale and lost her jib boom as well as sails and riggings, while part of her cargo was washed overboard and carried up on to the beach. The coastguards under Mr Wheeler had kept watchful eye on her, and when she stranded help was at once sent on board. The crew was taken to Lloyd's Station and supplied with hot supper and beds. The French schooner Amitie, which drove on Penarth Beach, is a total wreck. The names of the crew, who got safely ashore, are Captain Lesquel, mate Le Berrigob, seamen Bratt, Moran, Guillo, and Astier. The coastguards, under Mr Wheeler, were out with the life-saving apparatus from 7 o'clock till 9 o'clock. - The Cardiff Times [019] [361] 27th October 1909.

 
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