The vessel 'Tunisie', mentioned on the previous page in the 1892 newspaper reports as a wreck off Penarth interested me and I undertook some research into the circumstances of her demise. The s.s. 'Tunisie' was of 1,800 tons burden and sailed from Cardiff in February 1892 laden with coal for Marseilles. She went ashore on Lundy Island during a snowstorm and remained fast on the rocks.

The crew were in imminent danger under a high cliff and there being no life-saving equipment on the island. The inhabitants of Lundy saw their predicament and used great initiative by attaching a fishing line to a signal rocket and getting it successfully aboard the stricken vessel. A rope was 'procured' from the lighthouse, pulled aboard the vessel and then the men were hauled from the deck of the ship to the top of the cliff, 80 to 100 feet above the rocks. There they stayed for eight days, there being no telegraphic communication with Lundy and it was not until Sunday evening that the captain of a tug boat 'Elliot and Jeffrey' saw signals from the island and reported their situation at Cardiff the following day.

An interesting narrative of events was published within The Western Mail provided by the only member of the French crew who could speak fluent English. M. Amant Fraufer stated that:- 'At two o'clock on the 19th the wind was hard. Shortly afterwards a snowstorm came on, which made it impossible to see the steamer's length.' Asked how the stranding occurred Fraufer continued:- 'We were going down Channel very slowly, but the snow was so thick that we hadn't the slightest idea where we were. At five o'clock we struck on Lundy Island. The shock was so great that we at first thought the ship had broken her back, and there was a good deal of excitement on board. The sea was so rough and the wind blowing so hard that almost everything on deck was swept away. Out of the four boats, three were smashed, and the forth could not be launched. The steamer filled with water, the crew sought refuge in the wheelhouse, where we were huddled together when the first line was thrown from the cliffs above. After a great deal of difficulty we got ashore.

We were invited at a farmhouse most hospitably, and were provided with every accommodation. We were eight days on the island awaiting assistance, and at last we were brought to Cardiff by the tug 'Sea Prince'. The ship still lies on the rocks, and can scarcely sink, although a strong wind may shift her position.' - The Western Mail [164] [361] 27th February 1892