WRECKS ON THE CUMBERLAND COAST

WRECK OF A SWEDISH BARQUE AT WORKINGTON

MAN LOST OUT OF THE WHITEHAVEN LIFEBOAT

On Thursday afternoon about five o’ clock, during the severe storm
which prevailed on the West Cumberland coast, the Swedish barque
Cignes, from Galveston, bound for Maryport, with a cargo of oilcake,
stranded on the south side of Workington Harbour. Signals of distress
were fired from the vessel, and in a short time the members of the
Workington Rocket Brigade assembled in charge of CAPTAIN GRICE. A
heavy sea was running at this time, and the vessel was beating about
at the mercy of the waves, CAPTAIN VAUGHAN, the Harbour Master,
telegraphed to Whitehaven for the lifeboat, which was soon got ready,
and put to sea shortly before seven o’ clock. About eight o clock the
lifeboat approached within hailing distance of the distressed vessel,
and was observed to burn red lights. The Rocket Brigade then showed a
brilliant white light for the purpose of enabling the lifeboat crew to
see the position in which the stranded vessel was lying. The red light
was, however, observed to pass the barque and was lost to sight. It
was afterwards discovered that the lifeboat had capsized when
approaching the vessel. On righting again, one of the crew, JAMES
HENNEY, was missing, and the lifeboat afterwards was obliged to run to
Maryport. Meanwhile the Rocket Brigade went to the north side of the
pier, the better to render assistance to the barque, which had changed
its position and was now lying opposite the pier on the north side to
the entrance of the harbour. Whilst the Brigade were getting ready to
fire a rocket line over the barque, signals of distress were observed
to come from the south side of the harbour, and it was soon
ascertained that the steamer Shark had touched the ground, but she
fortunately got off again without sustaining any serious damage. She
was got safely into the harbour and berthed in the Lonsdale Dock. The
members of the brigade not being able to fire a rocket over the
stranded barque from their position on the north side of the pier,
next proceeded to the pier, where they arrived about two o’ clock on
Friday morning. A rocket line was fired by MR C. LARKIN, which was
seen to pass between the two remaining masts (the mainmast of the
barque had fallen some time previously). No response was received from
the crew of the barque, and it was feared that all on board had
perished. It was afterwards ascertained, however, that the crew had
taken refuge in the rigging in consequence of the heavy seas which
were washing over the vessel, and they were unable to avail themselves
of the opportunity of escaping from their perilous positions. A second
rocket was fired for the purpose of ascertaining if there were any men
in the rigging; but as the crew were on the opposite side they could
not be seen. Between three and four o’ clock on Friday morning the
brigade made another effort to save the crew. The tide had ebbed
considerably, and the storm had also somewhat abated; but the barque
was a complete wreck. It was a joyful surprise to those on shore to
find that the crew were still on board the vessel, and the lifeboat
belonging to the Grace steam tug was launched, and proceeded to rescue
the crew. Six men were taken off in the boat, the remaining three
being carried ashore with the help of members of the Rocket Brigade
and others who waded into the water. The crew were benumbed with cold,
and one of them, an Englishman, was in an unconscious condition. It
was ascertained that one of the crew had been washed from the vessel
and drowned at the time the mainmast gave way. His name was JOHANN
AIKLUND, about 22 years of age, belonging to Jeffle. The crew were
taken to the Coffee Tavern, Marsh-side, where they were supplied with
dry clothing and refreshments by Mr and Mrs JOHN HUGHES, the Manager
and Manageress of the Tavern. Dr. HIGHET was also sent for to attend
the men. The barque lies stranded, with her bow facing westwards. Her
foresail and topsail are in tatters. The rudder is gone and the
rudderpost is started. The bulwarks are smashed, the deck and cabin
considerably damaged, and a part of one of the boats is jammed into
the after part of the cabin. On Friday morning the body of HENNEY was
found at Maryport and the body of AIKLUND was found at Siddick.