Hartlepool History Then & Now

Woodlark - a general history

Official No. 65515: Code Letters LCKV.

Masters: 1874 William George Elener (C.N. 26985).

Voyages: 14 August 1872 arrived at Shields from Carthagena.

The Woodlark left Sulina in the Danube towards the end of October 1874 bound for Rotterdam with a cargo of rye & a crew of 20. She experienced heavy weather in the Mediterranean until she reached the English Channel where she put into Harwich leaving that port on 13 November. Near the North Hinder Light the master tried to obtain the services of a pilot but was unsuccessful. On 15 November about 8 miles off the Goerce Lights the vessel took the ground about 5 miles from land & remained fast. The boat was launched & remained nearby until high tide when the vessel lost her sternpost, rudder & propeller. The crew then left the vessel & were picked up by the steamer South Holland& landed at Hellevoesluis. The following day a tug was employed but the weather was too heavy for any assistance to be given & the Woodlark became a wreck. At the inquiry the master was found in want of due care in the navigation of the vessel in continuing an in shore course after decreased soundings which denoted extreme danger. His certificate was suspended for 6 months. He was granted a 1st mate’s certificate for that period.

Crew October 1874:

Francis, Charles, boatswain

Gaskin, David, able seaman

Mitford, Joseph, mate

Russell, John George, chief engineer