'Bristol Channel Disaster' - Two G.Wehrley & Co. images were published within the Weekly Mail during December 1909 to illustrate the loss of a ship during a 'violent S.W. gale during the night and early morning of the 2nd/3rd December 1909.' Weekly Mail [067] [361] 11th December 1909

The inquiry into the loss of the Sunderland steamer 'Thistlemor' in the Bristol Channel was held in Bideford during May 1910 and stated that in the course of the gale 'heavy seas broke open her forecastle and well deck, tearing from their fastenings the ventilators and sockets. Through the openings thus made in the deck, large quantities of water penetrated into No.1 hold, bringing the vessel so much down by the head that she became unmanageable. Other seas were shipped down the fidley gratings and engine-room ventilators, which soon after led to the vessel foundering with her master and 20 crew. The Court is of the opinion that the large loss of life would not have occurred had prompt steps been taken to call out the Clovelly lifeboat . . .'

The ship had departed Alexandra Dock, Cardiff bound for Cape Town loaded with 4,575 tons 15 cwt. of coal. The s.s. 'Arndale' of Whitby came to the rescue of the 'Thistlemor' as she was 'drifting helplessly towards the shore of Barnstaple Bay.' The crew witnessed the ship founder and as she steamed away saw her bottom appear several times above the water before she finally disappeared. The Clovelly lifeboat arrived at the scene of the disaster only after the ship and 20 crew members were lost. [396]

images - G. Wehrley & Co., 97 Glebe Street, Penarth, S. Wales. [395]