May 1873 - The Wreck off Southerndown — The bark Whampoa which got on the rocks at Southerndown on Sunday has not been got off, but is likely to become a total wreck. She is an American built ship. The stores will, no doubt, be saved, as the weather is Calm.' - The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette [156] [361] 17th May 1873.

May 1873 - The Loss of the Whampoa -  To the Editor of the Western Mail - Sir, - On the 13th inst. I read the report of the loss of the ship Whampoa (bound from Cardiff to Yokohama with a cargo of coals) between Dunraven and Ogmore. I was not surprised, as it is often more by good luck than management that there are not more ships lost than there are, for often there are many shipmasters who run the risk of losing ship and crew for the sake of a few pounds pilotage, if it turned out the same as it did with the Whampoa, as in many cases if they take a steaming they refuse a pilot's services.

On the 10th inst. I offered my services to the captain of the Whampoa to pilot her out of the channel. He answered that he was going to tow, and did not see of what use a pilot was, and that he would take her down himself. On the the 11th inst. the Whampoa left the Roads in tow of a tug. I was cruising in my pilot cutter between Breaksea Point and the Nash. I saw the Whampoa let go the tug just below the Breaksea, the wind at the time W.N.W., moderate breeze. I was then within half-a-mile of the ship with my flag flying, and if the captain of the Whampoa required the assistance of a pilot he could have easily obtained it.

It is my opinion that if he had had a pilot on board the ship would not have gone on shore where she did, as she must have gone over the Nash Sands, and the soundings would have given him (the pilot) warning in good time. I have known many ships get into trouble when coming into Cardiff Roads while in charge of an unlicensed pilot, after a duly qualified pilot's services had been tendered and refused, the said unlicensed men (coming from different ports) knowing nothing of the anchorage, &o, of the roadstead. — I am, &o. - Cardiff, May 27.- W, Morgan - Pilot. -  The Western Mail [036] [361] 31st May 1873.

June 1873 - The Loss of the Whampoa — On Tuesday an official inquiry, directed by the Board of Trade, was commenced at the Greenwich police-court (before Mr. Patteson, the magistrate, and Captains Harris and Hight, nautical assessors), into the circumstances attending the wreck of the ship Whampoa, while on a voyage from Cardiff to Yokohama. Mr. Hamel attended to conduct the inquiry, and Mr. Ince attended for the owner and captain.

The facts connected with the case are very few. The ship was built in America in 1861, was of 1,197 tons register, and was owned by Mr. Gilbert Carr Trufant, of the Minories, City. She commanded by Mr. W. G. Jeffrey, who holds a Board of Trade certificate of competency, and carried a cargo of between 1,600 and 1,700 tons of coal, and a crew of 21, all told.

She left Cardiff at 6 o'clock in the morning of the 11th of May, the weather being fair. At 2 o'clock the same afternoon a fog set in, when the fog signal was kept going and the lead hove. The ship was then going, between six and seven knots an hour. At 5 o'clock Hurlstone Light was seen, but afterwards the fog again thickened, and at 6 o'clock the ship struck on rocks close in shore, about three miles west of Nash Point, on the Welsh boast.

The principal witness examined was Mr. John Macaulay, the chief mate, who stated that it was high tide when the, ship struck, and that the last heaving of the lead gave it 15 fathoms. This drew forth a remark from Captain Harris that by heaving the lead again six or seven fathoms only would have been found. The inquiry was adjourned. - The Western Mail [036] [361] 12th June 1873.

June 1873 - The Loss of the Whampoa — An official inquiry, directed by the Board of Trade, was conducted at the Greenwich Police Court, on Tuesday and Wednesday, before Mr. Patteson, the magistrate, and Captains Harris and Hight, nautical assessors, into the circumstances attending the wreck of the ship Whampoa, while on a voyage from Cardiff to Yokohama. Mr. Hamel attended to conduct the inquiry, and Mr. Ince attended for the owner and captain.

The facts connected with the case are very few. The ship was built in America in 1861, was of 1,197 tons register, and was owned by Mr. Gilbert Carr Trufant, of the Minories, City. She was commanded by Mr. W. G. Jeffrey, who holds a Board of Trade certificate of competency, and carried a cargo of between 1,600 and 1,700 tons of coal, and a crew of 21, all told.

She left Cardiff at 6 o'clock in the morning of the month of May, the weather being fair. At two o'clock the same afternoon a fog set in, when the fog signal was kept going and the lead hove. The ship was then going between six and seven knots an hour. At five o'clock Hurricane (Hurlstone) Light was seen, but afterwards the fog again thickened, and at six o'clock the ship struck on rocks close in shore, about three miles west of Nash Point, on the Welsh coast.

At the close of the evidence the Court felt justified in restoring Mr. Jeffrey his certificate. - The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette [156] [361] 14th June 1873.