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Heathfield - a general history

Masters: 1890-91 C McFee: 1892-94 J McDonald: 1895-96 WW Bustin: 1897-1902 JH MacKenzie: 1903 S Blackmore: 1904 William McFee: 1905-06 AS Smith: 1907-08 TA Smith: 1909-10 William McFee.

On a voyage from Newport News for Glasgow with a general cargo & a total crew of 24 Heathfield had her boats, davits & other equipment damaged during Force 9 westerley winds in the North Atlantic in 40.23N/43.27W on 18 February 1897. 1 life lost.

Heathfield left Blyth on 12 October 1910 for Savono with a cargo of coal. The weather increased to hurricane force through the night & the following morning she was in difficulties off Sheringham. The 2nd officer was on the bridge when she struck the Sheringham Shoal about five miles from shore on 13 October 1910. The master came from below & decided to send a boat for assistance. The 2nd officer & the boatswain reached the shore but by that time the Heathfield had disappeared. Next day only the masts & funnel were visible above water & several bodies were lashed to the rigging. The Court of Inquiry was at a loss to explain why a boat that could have held 16 men was sent off with only two unless he thought they would be safer staying aboard the Heathfield due to the heavy seas. 20 lives lost; two survivors.

Lives lost October 1910: McPhee, William, master, Bristol; Conner, C, donkeyman, Glasgow; Detert, G, seaman, Glasgow; Hill, T, fireman, Blyth; Huxham, H, fireman, Blyth; Lee, H, cook, Cardiff; Lockwood, Hugh, carpenter; Marshall, W, fireman, Blyth; McHugh, H, chief engineer, Hepburn; Nettors, James, fireman, Blyth; Norrie, NE, 2nd engineer, Glasgow; Paton, J, steward, Ardrossan; Patterson, A, fireman, Blyth; Priest, MM, seaman, Glasgow; Rowley, A, fireman, Blyth; Sloan, RJ, steward, Glasgow; St Clare, James, seaman, Glasgow; Taylor, GE, seaman, South Shields; Young, C, seaman, South Shields.

Survivors October 1910: Thomas Herbert Mowat/Muitt, 2nd mate, South Shields; Gerald Meyar, Holland.

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