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

Event and Historical Information:
The EARL OF CHATHAM was an iron-hulled sailing vessel built at Barrow-in-Furness in 1884. At time of loss, the ship was owned by the Earl of Chatham Ship Company Ltd and was managed by a London agent. On 4th October 1885, the ship was on passage from Liverpool to Rangoon with a cargo of salt under the command of master Thomas De Gruchy with a pilot on board, Thomas Hogan. It was proceeding under tow of the steam tug KNIGHT COMMANDER. The court of enquiry noted that a series of events which eventually necessitated the tow to be cut. As the ship and tug passed Point Lynas the weather worsened and the decision was made to head for Holyhead. At around 5.30pm, the master of the EARL OF CHATHAM realised that the tug had changed course to pass inside of the Skerries. The wind force increased to gale and soon after 7pm, the master noted that the tug had hove too under Carmel Head which caused the ship to loose way and point towards Carmel Head. The ship undertook a series of manoeurves to try and correct the ship's heading, but these led to having to cut the tow to prevent the tug also running ashore. The EARL OF CHATHAM ended up on rocks some 50 yards from the shore and very close to the West Mouse. The crew burnt blue lights and sent up rockets and the Cemaes lifeboat set out. However, it was the tug which managed to get alongside and take the crew off. It remained on station until officials of the Liverpool Salavge Company arrived to see if salvage was possible. However, the position was considered hopeless and the ship was abandoned as a total loss.

Sources include:
Evans, D E, 2007, Troubled Waters, pg89-96
UK Hydrographic Office Wrecks and Obstructions Database. ? Crown Copyright and database rights. Reproduced by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the UK Hydrographic Office (www.ukho.gov.uk).

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, August 2008.