Sad tale of the sea, when the "Mary" sank in 1872

Monday 19th October 1872

SAD TALE OF THE SEA

Our obituary this week contains a notice of the death at sea of George Irvine, a native of Saltcoats. He was one of the crew of the ill fated steamship ?MARY?, lost in the Bay of Biscay, and details of which were given last week. The following is an account given by one of the engineers, Mr McCormick, in which occurs a touching reference to Irvine:-

We left Kensingtown on Monday the 19th of October. There was a nice soft breeze blowing and everything seemed to favour us. We were going out to the West Indies, and the ?MARY? was intended to trade among the islands. We were bound, however, in the first place for Madeira, where a number of passengers were to be taken on board. Tuesday was a good day; but on Tuesday night the sky looked cloudy, and it was blowing a good breeze before morning. On Wednesday all went well during the day, for, although the force of the wind had some what increased, it could not be said that it was a very bad day. I have been out many a time in much worse weather and met with no harm.

I thought that the vessel did not seem very firm, and when a sea would strike her heavily I could see the plates ?lift?. The ?MARY? is built of iron, and has an iron deck. I do not think she was meant to stand heavy weather. Perhaps that was one reason why the captain did not keep more out to sea.

At four o?clock on Wednesday afternoon the watch was called, and all hands were on deck. We were going ahead under easy steam, and I was in the engine house at the time, which was on deck. I saw a big sea coming, and as it struck the vessel I heard a crack, just like what would be made if two pieces of boiler plate were to be driven against each other. I ran out of the engine house and saw that the vessel had parted at the fore paddle beam. She broke clean across, from the bulwarks down to the keel.

Along with the others I made for the boats - the smaller of the two was unloosened and we were doing the same with the lifeboat when all at once the steamer made a sudden plunge forward, and went down below us, leaving the boats floating. There was no time to put anything on board in the shape of provisions or water, for I do not think that at the very outside it could have been more than three minutes from the time I heard the crack till the steamer had disappeared below the water.

I had nothing on at the time but the thin clothes in which I worked. Something had struck the lifeboat as the steamer went down and there was a hole in the bottom, but we did not know that at the time and although the boat filled with water it floated. The captain and several others (I am not sure how many) were in the lifeboat with me, but about four minutes after the accident the boat was upset, and we were all thrown out. When it righted we did not all get in again. We were capsized three times, but I got a piece of wood that was floating about and lashed it to the thwarts which prevented the boat going over again.

The captain called out to keep together and we would soon be picked up and when the other boat with the first and second mates and three others on board came alongside he jumped into it to assist them and try to get them to remain by us.

I noticed it has been said that the captain tried to swim towards the other boat and sank, but that is not the case. I am quite positive that I saw him in the other boat but he did not appear as if he had any authority there. I distinctly saw him sitting in the bottom of the boat, not on the thwarts. We called out to the mate to stay beside us, but he paid no attention. I heard others who were floating about on pieces of wood asking the same, but he never went near them. He steered away in another direction. I think it was awfully heartless in him to leave us as he did.

There were now five of us in the boat namely - Daniel Morrison, Seaman; Robert Foster, fireman; George Irvine, cook; a young man whose name I do not know; and myself.

About five o?clock on Thursday morning the young man I have referred to became delirious, and was singing in a loud voice ?When Johny comes marching home? not ten minutes before he died. He lived about fourteen hours from the time the ship went down.

In the course of the afternoon George Irvine, the cook, became ill. He was very dull, and said to me once or twice, ?oh! Dougie, what will my poor old mother do if I?m at?en awa?? I always told him to cheer up, it would be all right soon but he just shook his head. Dan Morrison told him to slap his hands about and keep moving, and we endeavoured to make him do so. Then Irvine asked me in a whisper if I would pray with him, and we both prayed. He was quite sensible, but I saw death looking out of his eyes. He then asked me once more to pray; he folded his hands as if to pray also, and then sank quietly down and when I raised him up I saw he was quite dead.

This made the rest of us very disheartened. I felt a strong desire to sleep, but Dan Morrison would not let me, and told me it was death if I allowed it to overcome me. Once I did drop asleep for a few minutes and dreamed I was down in the stoke hole before the furnace looking if there was enough of water in the boilers.

I noticed that when the others were wakened up after they had been dozing they all remarked they had dreamed of being in a warm room before a good fire. You will remember that we were all this time sitting up to the middle in water, and the sea washing over us. The gunwale of the boat was flush with the surface of the water. It was just the cork that kept Robert up.

It was a dreary dreary night that followed this, for Foster and myself, as our two comrades were dead beside us; but I think it was worse when I saw that Dan was beginning to get delirious too. That was about three o?clock on Friday morning. He had been dozing, and when wakened up he asked ?Where?s the cook?? I said, ?He is below?. He said, ?Rouse him up, for I want some warm coffee?. I said to him, ?He can never be roused again? and then he seemed to remember how matters stood, for he asked, ?How long are we to be kept here?? I told him that it would not be long for we could see that the steamer which ultimately rescued us was hovering about till daylight would break. He then said ?I?m off to bed?, and jumped overboard. He had sense to catch hold of the oar which was held out, and we pulled him onboard again. He fell forward several times into the water that was in the boat, but Foster and I always lifted him up. I slapped his breast and he said that that was nice. But I was awful weak and could scarcely keep up. Dan said he was going to bed and jumped into the water. He made little effort to help himself this time, but Foster and I managed to pull him in and place him on one of the seats. He was always wanting to lie down, and several times did so and was about drowned. He was talking a lot of nonsense and all of a sudden he stood up and said, ?I?m off to bed my lads?, and sprang out. He was caught on a wave and carried quite out of our reach and we could do nothing to save him. That was about six o?clock on Friday morning, and two hours after that the boat from the Horseguards picked us up.

On board the steamer we were very kindly treated. I wish I could tell you how kind the captain was to us, but words almost fail me. I may say that Foster had taken a drink of the salt water just before the last time that poor Dan jumped over, and he was beginning to look queer too, but he soon got better. We first got a little brandy, then some warm coffee and toast, and the men took off our wet clothes rubbed our benumbed limbs, rolled us up in warm blankets and laid us on a pile of cushions in the cabin.

We landed at Falmouth on Saturday. We have lost everything.

Scribe Tango

The CAPE FINISTERRE carries an Iron Ore Smelting Plant from Ardrossan (Scotland) to Tasmania

From: Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald dated 1874

THE CAPE FINISTERRE A NOVEL CARGO

During the past week a good deal of local interest has been felt in this new ship, loading here for Tasmania.

   The CAPE FINISTERRE has been built for Messrs Abram Lyle & Sons, of Greenock, by Messrs Thomas Wingate & Co., Whiteinch, Glasgow. Her register tonnage is 881 tons; carrying power about 1300 tons. She is in every respect a first class vessel, and has been finished in a most superior style.

Her great strength may be judged from the fact that in her construction about 70 tons more iron has been used than is required by Lloyds.     The poop contains saloon, chief officers? berths, stewards? pantry, state rooms &C. These are all commodious, light, and airy. The saloon is tastefully panelled in teak, mahogany, and birds eye maple; the roof painted white and gold, with gold cornicing. The house on deck contains cook?s galley, and ample accommodation for under officers and apprentices. The forecastle has been constructed with a proper regard for the comfort of the men. It is large, well ventilated, and supplied with sliding tables for the men?s use when at meals or when off duty.

   On the top of forecastle is Watson & Ewing?s Patent Windlass; on the top of poop, steerage gear of the most approved description; and in their places elsewhere, a full complement of lifeboats. We need hardly say that where so much attention has been paid to the interior fittings, the general harmony of proportions would not be neglected. She is a beautiful model, with a tasteful and well designed figurehead. Captain Bryson is master.

   The CAPE FINISTERRE was brought here to take in as cargo the complete plant for smelting iron ore in Tasmania, in which province this valuable metal has been discovered in a large quantity, and of superior quality. The works are to be erected near Launceston, about two days? sail from Melbourne, by the British and Tasmanian Charcoal Iron Company (Limited); and it is interesting to notice that this is the first exportation of Blast Furnace plant to the Australian Colonies of any importance, and may be the beginning of a large trade of this kind.

   We learn, too, that the furnishers of the plant are all West Country firms. Messrs Andrew Barclay & Sons, Kilmarnock, supply the machinery and ironwork: Messrs A. Kenneth & Son, Kilwinning and Messrs Loudon & Russell, Newmains, the bricks and furnace blocks.    In addition the vessel takes out all the necessary tools of every description for carrying on the works when started. About a dozen mechanics go out to assist in the erection and in the smelting operations - the management, we understand, having been entrusted to a gentleman of considerable experience - Mr Robert Scott, late of Coltness Ironworks and Addiewell Oil Works,.

   The comfort of the men while on the passage has been seen to in the arrangements made. Messrs James McEwen & Co., of Melbourne and London, are the shippers, and act as agents for the Company in this country; and it is not the least interesting circumstance in connection with this shipment that a member of the firm in Melbourne is Mr William Kerr Thomson, an Ayrshire man, and the son of a former Provost of Irvine.

   The CAPE FINISTERRE cleared out on Thursday, having received extraordinary despatch from the harbour officials.

Cutter "Neva" gains first place in 1874 Largs Regatta

From "The Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 4th July 1874

Mr. Fyfe, the celebrated Fairlie yacht-builder, scored a series of triumphs at the regatta of the Royal Northern Club, held at Largs on Thursday.

In the large-cutter match, his cutters "Neva" and "Cythera," obtained the first and second places; the 40-ton match, in which the famous "Britannia," and the no less famous "Myosotis," were engaged, was won by "Bloodhound," recently built for the Marquis of Ailsa, and in 10-ton match, "Lancer" (property of Mr. Rainy) beat quite a fleet of excellent boats.

The only competition in which the place of honour was not secured by a Fairlie yacht was the 3rd, a 20-ton match, which was gained by "Sunshine" of Liverpool.

Cutter "Cythera" gains second place in 1874 Largs Regatta

From "The Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 4th July 1874

Mr. Fyfe, the celebrated Fairlie yacht-builder, scored a series of triumphs at the regatta of the Royal Northern Club, held at Largs on Thursday.

In the large-cutter match, his cutters "Neva" and "Cythera," obtained the first and second places; the 40-ton match, in which the famous "Britannia," and the no less famous "Myosotis," were engaged, was won by "Bloodhound," recently built for the Marquis of Ailsa, and in 10-ton match, "Lancer" (property of Mr. Rainy) beat quite a fleet of excellent boats.

The only competition in which the place of honour was not secured by a Fairlie yacht was the 3rd, a 20-ton match, which was gained by "Sunshine" of Liverpool.

From "The Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 4th July 1874

Mr. Fyfe, the celebrated Fairlie yacht-builder, scored a series of triumphs at the regatta of the Royal Northern Club, held at Largs on Thursday.

In the large-cutter match, his cutters "Neva" and "Cythera," obtained the first and second places; the 40-ton match, in which the famous "Britannia," and the no less famous "Myosotis," were engaged, was won by "Bloodhound," recently built for the Marquis of Ailsa, and in 10-ton match, "Lancer" (property of Mr. Rainy) beat quite a fleet of excellent boats.

The only competition in which the place of honour was not secured by a Fairlie yacht was the 3rd, a 20-ton match, which was gained by "Sunshine" of Liverpool.

From "The Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 4th July 1874

Mr. Fyfe, the celebrated Fairlie yacht-builder, scored a series of triumphs at the regatta of the Royal Northern Club, held at Largs on Thursday.

In the large-cutter match, his cutters "Neva" and "Cythera," obtained the first and second places; the 40-ton match, in which the famous "Britannia," and the no less famous "Myosotis," were engaged, was won by "Bloodhound," recently built for the Marquis of Ailsa, and in 10-ton match, "Lancer" (property of Mr. Rainy) beat quite a fleet of excellent boats.

The only competition in which the place of honour was not secured by a Fairlie yacht was the 3rd, a 20-ton match, which was gained by "Sunshine" of Liverpool.

Cutter "Bloodhound" gains first place in 1874 Largs Regatta

From "The Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 4th July 1874

Mr. Fyfe, the celebrated Fairlie yacht-builder, scored a series of triumphs at the regatta of the Royal Northern Club, held at Largs on Thursday.

In the large-cutter match, his cutters "Neva" and "Cythera," obtained the first and second places; the 40-ton match, in which the famous "Britannia," and the no less famous "Myosotis," were engaged, was won by "Bloodhound," recently built for the Marquis of Ailsa, and in 10-ton match, "Lancer" (property of Mr. Rainy) beat quite a fleet of excellent boats.

The only competition in which the place of honour was not secured by a Fairlie yacht was the 3rd, a 20-ton match, which was gained by "Sunshine" of Liverpool.

From "The Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 4th July 1874

Mr. Fyfe, the celebrated Fairlie yacht-builder, scored a series of triumphs at the regatta of the Royal Northern Club, held at Largs on Thursday.

In the large-cutter match, his cutters "Neva" and "Cythera," obtained the first and second places; the 40-ton match, in which the famous "Britannia," and the no less famous "Myosotis," were engaged, was won by "Bloodhound," recently built for the Marquis of Ailsa, and in 10-ton match, "Lancer" (property of Mr. Rainy) beat quite a fleet of excellent boats.

The only competition in which the place of honour was not secured by a Fairlie yacht was the 3rd, a 20-ton match, which was gained by "Sunshine" of Liverpool.

From "The Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 4th July 1874

Mr. Fyfe, the celebrated Fairlie yacht-builder, scored a series of triumphs at the regatta of the Royal Northern Club, held at Largs on Thursday.

In the large-cutter match, his cutters "Neva" and "Cythera," obtained the first and second places; the 40-ton match, in which the famous "Britannia," and the no less famous "Myosotis," were engaged, was won by "Bloodhound," recently built for the Marquis of Ailsa, and in 10-ton match, "Lancer" (property of Mr. Rainy) beat quite a fleet of excellent boats.

The only competition in which the place of honour was not secured by a Fairlie yacht was the 3rd, a 20-ton match, which was gained by "Sunshine" of Liverpool.

Construction of the new dock at Ayr

From "The Irvine and Fullarton Times" dated 30th May 1874

THE NEW DOCK AT AYR

Several trucks with logs of wood, to be used in the piling work in connection with the construction of the new dock, arrived at Ayr on Thursday.
Operations will be commenced soon.

Brigantine SIR MICHAEL cleared at Miramichi (Canada) for Irvine (Scotland)

Brigantine SPRINGBACK cleared at Miramichi (Canada) for Irvine (Scotland)

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated 27th June 1874

Cleared at Miramichi, N.B., on 9th June, Brigantine "Sir Michael," Irvine, and "Springbank" of Belfast, both for Irvine.
"Chevalier" barque of Irvine, cleared at Quebec, for Clyde 18th June.

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated 27th June 1874

Cleared at Miramichi, N.B., on 9th June, Brigantine "Sir Michael," Irvine, and "Springbank" of Belfast, both for Irvine.
"Chevalier" barque of Irvine, cleared at Quebec, for Clyde 18th June

"Guluan" collides with "Sarah Jane" near Ailsa Craig

From "The Irvine and Fullarton Times" dated Saturday 20th June 1874

SHIPPING CASUALTY
Whilst between Ailsa Craig and Girvan on Sunday last, the "Guluan" of Belfast, bound for Troon, ran into the "Sarah Jane" of Stranraer, carrying away her starboard quarter and stern, and also mainsail.
As the "Sarah Jane" was light, she did not make any water.