A wreck on a beach - afterwards - 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. The enlarged photograph clearly indicates the loss of the vessels' mast(s) plus those pitprops destined for Swansea were washed up on Penarth Beach and onto Lavernock Point and Swanbridge Beach!

A search of newspapers revealed the most likely candidate in October 1909!

A TERRIBLE TIME - All trace of the French schooner Amitie, which was driven on to the beach at Penarth during Tuesday night's gale, has now disappeared. Three members of the shipwrecked crew were on Thursday removed to the Sailors' Home at Cardiff to await the sailing of a vessel to France. The sailors said they experienced a terrible time, and were providential in escaping with their lives.

MINOR CASUALTIES AT CARDIFF - As a result of the stormy weather the schooners Coronel (Scilly) and Mount Carmel (Bridgwater) have put into Cardiff with the loss of their anchors. The schooner Solidor, from Newport to Granville, docked at Cardiff for repairs, consequent upon colliding, it is believed, with the schooner Amitie winch drove ashore at Penarth. - Evening Express [135] [361] 29th October 1909.

LIFEBOATS RENDER TIMELY ASSISTANCE - SCHOONER A TOTAL WRECK AT PENARTH - The easterly gale which has been raging since Monday has quite upset shipping, both in and out of the various docks in the Bristol Channel. So hard did it blow overnight and on Wednesday that it was found impossible in many cases at Cardiff to move vessels from one berth to another. Vessels which have left dock have been obliged to anchor in the roads, and incoming ships have adopted the same measure of caution. The gale was the most severe experienced for a number of years, but local casualties so far are comparatively few.

The schooner Amitie, which drove ashore near the Alabaster Caves, Penarth, on Tuesday night, has become a total wreck. A high wind prevailed on Wednesday afternoon, and at 4.30 only the port side of the vessel remained intact. Among other things, the masts had been carried away.

Two ship's lifeboats have been washed ashore near Barry, apparently belonging to the Amitie.

The beach from Lavernock Point to Swanbridge was strewn with pitprops, ropes, and hatches. The scene of the wreck was visited by a large number of people.

About 80 ships, including steamers and small craft, sheltered in the roads, the gale bowing with hurricane force at high water One schooner was seen in difficulties about 200 yards north of Penarth Pier, and appeared to be drifting ashore, when she was taken in tow by a tug and taken towards Cardiff.

The rocket apparatus at Penarth was called out twice during the night to the aid of ships dragging their anchors in the roads. - Weekly Mail [067] [361] 30th October 1909.