Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - 'Windjammers' and Penarth Dock . . . .

Coal Cargoes Alight.

Coal in iron hulls was a cargo which required very careful ventilation and attention. In 1894 no less than seven coal-laden sailing ships went missing and in 1895 as many as eight were posted.

Amongst these were such well-known ships as:

Colintrave, 1747 tons, on passage from Australia to San Francisco ; Seafield, 1533 tons, on passage from Clyde to Monte Video ; Sierra Madrona, 1430 tons, on passage from Liverpool to Rangoon ; Afon Cefui, 1966 tons, on passage from Swansea to San Francisco ; Iron Duke, 1435 tons, on passage from Blyth to Iquique ; Lady Lawrence, 1407 tons, on passage from Australia to Valparaiso.

Though some of these ships may have fallen victims to Cape Horn, quite a number of them were in all probability burnt at sea through their coal heating.

Wreck of the "Primrose Hill"

I think this account of the loss of a vessel and life is so poignant. The four-masted, iron-hulled barque 'Primrose Hill' was wrecked on Stag Rock, Christmas Day 1900, five hours out, Liverpool to 'Frisco (San Francisco). She was built by Thomas Royden & Sons of Liverpool and launched in 1886. She was c.301½ feet in length and capable of loading a cargo of 4,000 tons. From 1888 her Captain was Joseph Wilson and Hugh Hughes was the mate. She was sadly lost with all hands. [1338] [499] [1281]

Dawn by the dockside, cold wind blowing,
A clipper cleared to sail ;
A gangway lantern lights the snowing
Deep on her deck and rail.

Lamps by the dockside, early dawning,
The warehouse roofs are white,
Voices call in the chill sea morning,
A towline stretches tight