1907 - Loss of s.s. Gatesgarth - William Bywater b.1865 began his maritime career at 15 years of age on the brigs Ocean Belle, Ellen Greaves, the schooner Pilgrim and the barques Snowdon, Hawarden Castle, Rose Hill and the Glendovey, all with Borth links. In 1888 William was awarded his Second Mates certificate at Liverpool and served in that position on the barque Glendovey and then the steamer Nieto in 1890. A year later he passed his Masters exam at Liverpool. He was now 32 years old and heading for a distinguished career but fate intervened proving the hazardous nature of seafaring. In 1907 when acting as Second Mate on the S.S. Gatesgarth he and all the crew lost their lives. This vessel had left Liverpool for the short voyage to Penarth, South Wales carrying a dangerous cargo of gas coal. After being seen rounding Bardsey Island she simply vanished and it was presumed that the cargo had exploded with the loss of the ship and the crew of 23. The only evidence was wreckage and a lifebelt marked Gatesgarth strewn along the beaches surrounding Porthmadoc. - Borth Maritime History [1305].

See also : The Lloyd's Register at Penarth Dock reference to the loss of s.s. Gatesgarth.