December 1874 – News of Gales, Shipwrecks and Christmas Celebrations
Introduction
December 1874 newspaper stories reported on the consequences of recent gales, associated shipwrecks, and Christmas events 150 years ago..
GALES AND FLOODS
SHIPWRECK AT SAINT JOHN’S POINT, COUNTY DOWN – Northern Whig 1st December 1874
On 1st December the Northern Whig reported on the impact of the severe gale experienced the previous weekend resulting in the beaching of a vessel, ‘The Lancashire Lass‘, with the loss of the captain, Christopher Halliday, and the mate.
Sailing from Drogheda to Whitehaven (a port on the English north west coast close to the Lake District National Park in Cumberland, Cumbria) the vessel was caught in the gale and, unable to withstand the strong winds, shipwrecked off St. John’s Point, County Down.
The captain and mate were lost. The body of the captain was recovered, with the head severed from it, and otherwise disfigured. The body of the mate has not as yet been found.
Northern Whig 1st December 1874
At an inquest held on 30th November a surviving crew member, Patrick Woods, described how the schooner sailed from Drogheda on Friday night, at about eleven o’clock. There was no wind at all but by Saturday morning the skies had changed and ‘it was blowing a fearful gale’. The gale increased in intensity on Saturday night with very heavy rain.
The ship would not answer her helm, and we could not get sail on her so as to make her go through the water to answer her helm. We had lost our reckoning, and we could not tell where we were until we saw St. John’s Point Lighthouse. This was at half- past one o’clock on Sunday morning. We knew the light to be that of St. John’s Point as soon as we saw it. We were about seven miles off the lighthouse at this time, and we were heading 8.8.W. We then put the vessel round and tried to run for Belfast Lough.
Patrick Woods, Crewmember of The Lancashire Lass
With the captain at the helm, Patrick and the mate fought to keep the vessel off the shore but schooner was too close to the shore with the gale driving the vessel towards the rocks ahead at a furious pace. Seeing that there was no hope of saving the ship, ‘the captain saw that there was nothing for us but to beach her’.
The Lancashire Lass was severely damaged on hitting land with the following waves sweeping the three men overboard. “I did not see the captain or mate afterwards“.
Patrick Woods clung to a rock and was then washed ashore noting that
“No vessel could have lived that night if similarly circumstanced to what we were. I considered the vessel light-handed, but she had her usual quantity of men on board. If the vessel had had twenty men on board she could not have been saved”
Patrick Woods, Crewmember of The Lancashire Lass
Captain Halliday’s body was found on Sunday morning about three-quarters of a mile distant from the wrecked ship. Constable Farrell, of Killough, reported that he had communicated with the relatives of the deceased, and the captain’s body lies in St. John’s Point Lighthouse at present.
The mates body has yet to be found.
THE WRECK OF THE BRIGANTINE TORRANCE NEAR GLENARM – Northern Whig 1st December 1874
On 1st December the Northern Whig reported on an inquest in the Londonderry Arms Hotel, Carnlough, ‘on the bodies of Thomas Kendal, John Bulger, and Charles Gregan, who were lost on Sunday morning last at Drumunasole’ in the loss, by shipwreck, of the Torrance.
James Jeffry, mate of the Torrance stated that they set sail from Irvine for Belfast on Saturday afternoon. The weather deteriorated during the day with driving winds preventing the ship reaching Belfast Lough. They got on very well till about ten o’clock. From Corsill Point they steered for Belfast. Finding themselves to leeward of Black Head, the Captain made for Larne Lough instead but when they got round Larne Point the ship would not answer her helm. The captain then gave orders to head north for Lough Foyle.
Though very effort was made to keep the ship off the land it struck the rocks at Drumnasole, County Antrim.
After she struck the captain called all hands aft. All that he said was “God bless us all.” At that time he was perfectly sober…
He ordered the men to try the boat again, A heavy sea then struck the vessel and filled the boat. They all stuck by the ship till the starboard side was gone
James Jeffry, mate of the Torrance
When asked if the loss of the ship was down to the captain’s conduct James replied that ‘the captain had some drink when he left Irvine, but he was all right when in the channel’.
Ambrose Byrne, cook of the Torrance, and Alexander M Murtrie, seaman, testified that the bodies in the Town Hall were those of the master (T. Kendall) and of Bulger and Gregan, one of whom is believed to be from Malahide, and the other from Arklow. Mr Murtrie believed the vessel to be seaworthy and to be properly manned and commanded.
O. D. Allen, M.D., of Glenarm, deposed that there were marks of violence on the bodies consistent with being dashed against the rocks. From what he had seen, and from the evidence of the witnesses he was in no doubt that the men were accidentally drowned.
The jury returned the following verdict:
That the three men were drowned by the accidental wrecking of the vessel Torrance, of Irvine, at Drumnasole, on the morning of the 29th November 1874
SUMMARY OF THE IMPACT OF THE GALE – Northern Whig 1st December 1874
The Northern Whig reported, 1st December 1874, on the consequences of the recent storms in all parts of Ireland.
DOWNPATRICK
Owing to the recent heavy rains, the low-lying grounds in Downpatrick and neighbourhood have been flooded to a greater depth than has been experienced for a number of years. The grounds surrounding the railway terminus were surrounded to such an extent that it was feared traffic would have to be suspended. However, within the last four days the floods have gone down somewhat, and as far as the rails are concerned, they are perfectly free from the water. The bad condition of the flood gates helped to increase the floods.
NEWRY
During the gale James M’Cabe, of Chapel Street, Newry, was drowned by falling into the Albert Basin. He was in the act of hauling a lighter to her moorings at the time the accident happened. At the inquest, on Friday, a verdict of accidental death was recorded.
LURGAN
A melancholy case of drowning is reported from Termoyra, on the road to Lough Neagh, about a mile from Lurgan. On Thursday night Mrs. Quinn, the wife of a respectable inhabitant of the place, was escorting home a friend who had spent the evening with her. They were caught in a terrible shower of rain, and, missing their way, fell into a stream. Mrs. Quinn’s companion was pulled out of the stream all right, but Mrs. Quinn herself was drowned.
DROGHEDA
The severe gale which raged on Thursday night is reported to have caused some damage to shipping. Intelligence was received on Friday evening at the office of Messrs. Smith & Smyth of the loss of the schooner Woods, of Newry, 150 tons, owned and commanded by Mr. Moses Hunter, of that town. The vessel left Newry with a cargo of wheat, and in the course of Thursday night was driven ashore at Geenore, ship and cargo becoming, as reported, a total loss.
LONGFORD
Never, in the memory of “the oldest inhabitant,” has this county been so much inundated with water. Every valley presents the appearance of a lake, and every rivulet has become a gigantic river. The Camlin is now navigable from its source to the Shannon, covering hundreds of acres along its course.
On Thursday night there was a heavy fall of snow, which lasted from five to ten o’clock, but then a downpour of rain set in, which continued till ten o’clock. From Ballinalee to Longford, and thence to the Shannon, is all one sheet of water, covering a large portion of the railway at Ballyminion. The River Shannon with all its tributaries, is swollen to a vast extent.
ENNIS
The storm and floods of Friday morning and throughout the night reached the highest climax of the season. At early dawn the inhabitants were amazed at seeing the whole country one broad sheet of water. The mountain floods had come down in torrents, filling streams and rivulets, which, combined with the force of an incoming tide, strengthened by a strong north-west wind, covered the fields and banks of the river in every direction.
The town of Ennis was inundated in several parts to an extent of three feet deep. Mill Street, Church Street, the Club- house, Constabulary Barracks, Victoria Road, Mill View, and other places were for hours impassable. On Friday night, owing to the state of the roads, none of the mail cars arrived in time, and it is rumoured that in and about Tullagh much damage has been done.
LIMERICK
On Friday morning, about one o’clock, the storm of Tuesday night was renewed with all its violence. Rain and hail descended in torrents, while the wind swept through the streets in the most terrific manner. Considerable apprehension was entertained by those residing in proximity to the River Shannon, as, consequent on the incessant rains of the past few days, it continued to rise very rapidly. The height was beyond that attained for years past. The river assumed a bright yellow colour, indicative of the violence of the storm along the country through which it passes. No further casualties have been reported.
CHRISTMAS EVENTS – Belfast Morning News 28th December 1874
On 28th of December the Belfast Morning News provided a summary of Christmas celebrations in Belfast noting that the weather was delightfully fine and seasonable at Christmas and that
Pedestrians ventured forth in thousands to take their pleasure as they pleased, and vehicular locomotion maintained its usual high standing in popular esteem…
Neighbours met with cordial greetings and customary congratulations. Smiles were seated on every face, while a general deliverance of well-meaning compliments put people in the best of spirits with themselves and their fellow-men.
Belfast Morning News 28th December 1874
CHRISTMAS SKATING
The Belfast Morning News noted that the weather over the Christmas weekend was all that the skating public could have hoped for.
The frost happily continued, and the dry, crisp, bracing air greatly enhanced the pleasure both of those who spent their holiday season in town, as well as those who proceeded to the country. Although the hills around the town had not on the mantle of snow with which they were decked in the early portion of the week, the rural districts bore quite a seasonable aspect, while the frigid state of the streets contrasted favourably with the mud with which for some years past we have been so liberally favoured at Christmas tide.
Belfast Morning News 28th December 1874
“Immense numbers proceeded to Ballydrain, that favourite resort of skaters, and on the spacious pond in the demesne of Captain Montgomery, J.P.” where a sheet of ice entertained lady and gentlemen skaters from dawn to dusk.
Skating was also enjoyed in several other areas of the neighbourhood including the People’s Park. It was noted that, at the Peoples park, in addition to those skating, that “a large number of the working classes spent the greater portion of yesterday in the more primitive amusement of sliding“.
No serious injuries were reported at any of these locations.
Christmas Charity
The paper highlighted that the poor were not neglected at this time with “Kindness and charity and thoughtful benevolence” doing their noble work. A summary of Christmas Events was provided:
THE WORKHOUSE
The “inmates of this institution” were treated to a Christmas dinner through the kindness of the Board Guardians.
There was an abundance excellent beef, soup, and bread served out to all in the large apartment set apart for the purроsе. The dull routine of workhouse existence was for a moment relieved of its cheerless monotony, and a brief spell of enjoyment bestowed upon the unfortunate recipients of Union charity. The poor pauper sees little comfort, and when it crosses his path his heart is filled with gladness.
The children enjoyed the ‘toys innumerable provided‘ and the workhouse band performed a choice selection of popular airs during the day.
THE GENERAL HOSPITAL
Through the kindness and generosity of the Managing Committee, a plentiful dinner was given to the patients of the General Hospital on Christmas Day. The wards were appropriately decorated for the occasion, and the arrangements were most satisfactorily carried out under the supervision of the superiors. All were permitted to partake, depending on their state of health, enjoyed themselves to the full.
THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTION
The customary annual meal was supplied to the inhabitants of this institution on Christmas Day. Children were delighted to receive Christmas toys.
THE DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION
Christmas festivities took place on Friday (Christmas Day) for the children belonging to this institution with many of Belfast’s most eminent citizens in attendance.
“Christmas comes but once a year,” and with no class of our community is it looked forward to with greater interest and delight than the afflicted inmates of this society’s trust.
Belfast Morning News 28th December 1874
The large dining hall of the institution was the scene of the day’s festivities. At two o’clock precisely the dinner was served up consisting of meat pie, bruised potatoes, and a dessert of plum-pudding.
Youthful appetites well whetted having been satisfied, thanks were returned on behalf of the deaf and dumb by one of the mutes in his own peculiar language, and also for the blind: after which the children retired to the school-room.
Belfast Morning News 28th December 1874
In the school room each child was given a “snowball” filled with presents, greatly appreciated by the pupils.
There was also a very large attendance of the children’s friends, and about thirty adult deaf and dumb, who make it a point to come annually and visit the scene of their youthful days, where they received that instruction which turned darkness to light.
Belfast Morning News 28th December 1874
THE CARMEN’S RACES AT GLENGORMLEY
The Carmen’s Races were held in a field at Glengormley on Christmas day with thousands of people in attendance.
The first race involved seven participants – Bessie, Mountpottinger, Restitution, Terror, Legate, Snap and Miss Middleton. After an exciting contest the race was won by Terror. Other races followed.
THEATRE ROYAL
In the Theatre Royal there was a morning performance of “The School for Scandal” starring the popular Mr. Barry Sullivan. His portrayal of “Charles Surface” was described as magnificent.
Noting that “in Belfast the pantomime is reserved as a rule for Easter” the newspaper reported that “even the clown and pantaloon, seasonable as they might be, could not draw such houses as does this great tragedian (ie Mr Sullivan)”.
BELFAST UNION WORKHOUSE
The inmates of this institution were entertained to the usual dinner of bread, beef, and soup, and in the evening they had tea, bread, cheese, fruit, &c., for supper… In the main building, at one o’clock, the dinner bell rang, and the hundreds of paupers came trooping in from all parts of the house to partake of the good things put before them.
Belfast Morning News 28th December 1874
Patients in hospital and infirmary were not forgotten, receiving “supplies of food and luxuries“. In the school, the children also enjoyed a dinner and were supplied with large quantities of toys kindly contributed by benevolent friends.
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Those in the General Hospital enjoyed a fine dinner and tea.
ULSTER HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN, 12 CHICHESTER STREET.
“Christmas Day was a treat of rare enjoyment and happiness both to the little inmates and those who visited the Hospital. Unbounded joy was exhibited by the sick children at the decorations and sumptuous entertainment provided for them…
The little sufferers appeared to have forgotten their ailments for the day… The amusing remarks of some of the children were very striking. One exclaimed that he hoped to be there next Christmas, a sentiment which was endorsed by almost all.
Belfast Morning News 28th December 1874
Dinner was followed with apples, oranges, light cakes and bon-bons.
The Courts – December 1874
A BEGGING IMPOSTOR – Northern Whig 1st December 1874
The Belfast Police Courts featured the usual list of drunk & disorderly, theft and assault cases. One case was a little more unusual.
A middle-aged man, William Woodhouse, was charged by Head Constable Bodley with disorderly behaviour in Union Street on Saturday evening. Bodley’s attention had been drawn to a large crowd on Union Street surrounding the prisoner who was lying on the ground groaning and claiming that he was weak with hunger and in some pain.
As one woman approached and gave him 2 pence, Head Constable Bodley suspected that the man was feigning his situation and searched the ‘starving beggar’, finding a shilling in his pocket. Declaring that the man could not be starving with a shilling in his pocket Bodley arrested him. The prisoner was fined 20s and costs.
THEFT OF TWO BRUSHES – Belfast Newsletter 4th December 1874
In the Custody Court session on 3rd December, Sub-Constable Sloey provided evidence against James McNamara. In evidence, the constable reported that he had encountered the prisoner on John Street with two brushes in his hands. Suspicious that the prisoner “did not come by them honestly“, Constable Sloey interrogated him but McNamara was unable to say how he came to be in possession of the brushes and was therefore arrested.
Subsequently Mr. Charles, a hardware merchant in North Street, reported that the brushes had been stolen from the door of his shop. The prisoner pleaded guilty and was jailed for three months.
SLIDING ON THE SHANKHILL ROAD – Belfast Newsletter 24th December 1874
Christmas Eve in the courts demonstrated an uncharitable lack of Christmas Spirit
Three boys, named Samuel Graham, William Templeton, and James Haslett, were charged by Sub-Constable O’Neill with sliding on the previous day on the Shankhill Road.
The offence was proved; and the prisoners were fined in the sum of 5s and costs, or seven days’ imprisonment.
Belfast Newsletter 24th December 1874
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