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Helena - a general history

Masters: 1877-78 JZ Beesley: 1878-86 Swindon: 1888 James W. Morris.

Helena was stranded at Goerce, Netherlands on 30 June 1877. She discharged her cargo & was refloated the following day with no visible damage.

On a voyage from Marianople, Russia for Portishead, Bristol via Gibraltar for orders with a cargo of rye & a crew of 20 Helena was wrecked off Europa Point, Gibraltar on 26 November 1888. The master had put the vessel at full speed trying to get to Gibraltar before sunset. He hugged the coast too closely & at 4.15pm ran Helena with great force into the rocks below the lighthouse. The rocks penetrated the engine-room & there was a chance her boilers would blow. The boats were got out & the ship’s papers, personal belongings & crew were sent ashore. The master, steward, cook & chief engineer remained aboard for the night to prevent the vessel being plundered. She later broke her back. Part of the crew was landed at Plymouth by the Arcadia. No lives lost.

Crew November 1888:

Bartlett, 2nd officer, Newport

Brian, 2nd engineer, Birkenhead

Boston, Andrew, donkeyman, Newport

Cairns, James, fireman, Greenock

Dochiety, James, fireman, Donegal

Haggerty, James, able seaman, Cork

Michael, chief officer, Newport

Ragen, James, able seaman, Cork

Williams, Thomas, fireman, Newport

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