This record consists of a documentary reference to a shipping casualty which has been assigned to the maritime named location BARRY ROADS pending more information which may allow a more precise location for the loss to be assigned (see UNKNOWN, NPRN 240158).

Event and Historical Information:
The CLYTHA was an iron-hulled steamship built by Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Willington, in 1881 (yard number 32). Technical and configuration specifications are given as 819gt, 511nt; 220ft length x 30ft 8in breadth x 13ft 3in depth; 1 deck, 4 bulkheads; screw propulsion powered by a single steam boiler linked to a compound engine producing 98hp; machinery by J. Dickinson, Sunderland; official number 82553. At time of loss on 17 February 1895, the vessel was owned by Stephens, Mawson & Goss, and was registered at Newport. The CLTHA left Bute Docks with 1000 tons of coal for Southampton. The master, Henry John Satterby, had only held his certificate for three weeks. On arriving outside the Lavernock Buoy the pilot left the vessel, which was then proceeding at half speed on a course of south 1/2 west. The weather was thick rain, mist, with occasional squalls from the south-southwest. Nevertheless speed was increased to 10 knots. After proceeding for about ten minutes or quarter hour, the lookout reported a light on the port bow, and half a minute later, not hearing an acknowledgment of the first report, again reported it. The master ordered the helm to be starboarded, thinking, he said, that he saw a sail inside the light, and that it would be therefore safer to pass the light starboard to starboard. His vessel, he stated, did not appear to answer the helm quickly, and then, realizing his danger, he ordered it hard-a-starboard, and still proceeding at full speed and thinking he so might clear, he quickly repeated the order "hard-a-starboard." Immediately thereupon, seeing collision inevitable, he telegraphed "stop, full speed astern," and a few seconds later the starboard side of the CLYTHA, just at the bridge, crashed against the stem of the CADOXTON. The CLYTHA immediately began to sink bow first, with a strong list to starboard. Immediately after the collision, the master and chief officer of the CADOXTON shouted to the crew of the other vessel to jump aboard; they threw all available ropes to them; two boats were got out with the utmost despatch, and every effort was made to save life; but seven lives, namely, the chief and second engineers, the boatswain, mess-room boy, a fireman, the donkeyman, and the steward belonging to the CLYTHA were lost. The Baord of Trade Inquiry concluded that the CLYTHA was not navigated with proper and seamanlike care. The master alone was in default and his certificate was suspended for twelve months.

Sources include:
Cardiff Court of Petty Sessions, Board of Trade Inquiries 1894, Glamorgan Archive Service CL P/S Cbo BT 121
Jones, G M, and Scourfield, E, 1986, Sully; A village and parish in the Vale of Glamorgan, p141
Larn and Larn shipwreck Database 2002
Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping 1 July 1889 - 30 June 1890, number 688 in C
Port of Newport Shipping Register: Transactions 1855-1905, Gwent Archives D1847/6, folio 129

WWW resources:
Board of Trade Inquiry, number 4881, 7-8 March 1894, at Cardiff
http://www.plimsoll.org/resources/SCCLibraries/WreckReports/16392.asp

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, May 2009.