Agnes - a general history

Official No. 78405: Code Letters RCBG.

Owners: 1877 Robert Irvine & Co (Harbour Dockyard) West Hartlepool.

Masters: 1878 K Lowther: 1879-81 W Irvine: 1881-86 Horatio Holbeck.

On a voyage from Rouen for Swansea in ballast Agnes ran ashore during a heavy fog at the Gower East at a point midway between Caswell & Langland, Glamorgan on 8 October 1886. Attempts were made to free her from the rocks but on Friday 15 October she was swamped by a terrific sea & dashed to pieces. No lives were lost.

Northern Daily Mail 10 November 1886:

‘The finding of the Board of Trade Court which at Swansea inquired into the circumstances attending the stranding of the West Hartlepool steamer Agnes, near Langland Bay, Glamorganshire, was published on Tuesday. The steamer, which was owned by Mr Robert Irvine of West Hartlepool & managed by Mr R Irvine junior of that port, was on a voyage from Rouen to Swansea in ballast, when, early in the morning of 8^th October, she went onto the rocks near Langland Bay. A week later she became a total wreck. Evidence showed that no look-out beyond the officers on the bridge was kept & the lead was not used. The master stated that the weather continued perfectly clear until the moment the vessel struck, when he stated that there was a thick fog over the land & that the Mumbles light was not visible. The Court found that the wreck was caused by the ship continuing a course too long after passing Lundy, & at full speed without sighting any light or taking a cast of the lead & the Court finds the master Mr Horatio Holbeck, who holds a certificate of competency No 13809, in default & suspends his certificate for three calendar months. The Court reprimands the mate.’

The hull & machinery of Agnes was sold to John Hurley, a Bristol ship breaker, for £272. Her boat & compasses were sold for £33.

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