Cemaes Maritime Collection

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Type Iron Barque Sunk 7th March 1881
Gross Tonnage 1,061 tons Length 187 feet
Built  1862 
 
Captain Vincent was the Master while the GILBERT THOMPSON was completing a long voyage from Calcutta to her home port and was being towed by a tug, probably because of adverse wind conditions. Her crew of twenty two were looking forward to reaching her home port of Liverpool after a long spell at sea. But it was not to be. Having negotiated the North West corner of Anglesey, they were passing inshore of the Skerries with the West Mouse on the starboard bow when the ship suddenly swung to starboard, having struck and underwater reef just to the west of the tiny island. The ship began to sink, her iron hull seriously damaged, and the order was given to abandon ship.

All but one of the crew managed to scramble onto the island. Not so lucky was a cabin boy who was disabled with a broken leg. Not able to leave his bunk quickly enough, he was still in his cabin when the ship disappeared beneath the waves.

 

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