Cofnod Safle

Archaeological remains associated with the loss of this vessel are not confirmed as present at this location, but may be in the vicinity.

Event and Historical Information:
The HARLEQUIN was a wooden schooner built by W Westacott of Barnstaple in 1879. Technical and configuration specifications are given as 95gt, 77nt; 84ft 6in length x 22ft 1in breadth x 9ft 4in depth; official number 80209. At time of loss, the vessel was owned by Kinsale Shipping Company Ltd. The HARLEQUIN sailed from Courtmarsherry on 23 October, in ballast on a voyage bound for Newport, Monmouthshire. The vessel had a crew of four hands all told, and was under the command of Mr. W. G. Parker. At around 9.30pm on the 24th, the HARLEQUIN was about one mile east-southeast of Barry Island and off Bendrick Rock, and making 3.5knots under double-reefed mainsail, whole foresail, two topsails, also balloon jib and staysail. The master observed a steamer showing a masthead and green light nearly right ahead, steering about aouthwest by west about two miles distant. The vessels continued to approach each other, but the steamer kept altering her course. When about a length and a half distant from him, the steamer put her helm hard-a-port, and came on without slackening her speed and struck the schooner on her starboard side, just on the fore side of the main rigging, with the bluff of her starboard bow. The vessels remained locked together, and the crew of the HARELQUIN clambered on board the steamer over her bows. After getting the schooner's crew on board, the gear which kept the schooner up was cut, and she sank almost immediately. The Baord of Inquiry found that the loss was caused by the neglect and default of Captain John Ball, master of the steamship OUSE and ordered his master's certificate be suspended for six months.

Sources include:
Board of Trade Wreck Return 1896 Appendix C Table 1 pg150 (588)
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Mercantile Navy List 1894 pg480 (H)

WWW resources:
Barod of Trade Inquiry, number 5443, 8-11 December 1896, at Baord Room, Mercantiel Marine Office, Cork
http://www.plimsoll.org/resources/SCCLibraries/WreckReports/17064.asp

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, May 2009.