Archaeological remains associated with the loss of this vessel are not confirmed as present at this location, but may possibly be in the vicinity. The loss of the ship has been associated with UKHO 7507 (NPRN 240531), although that identification is far from certain.

Event and Historical Information:
The HORNBY was a wooden brig built at Chester in 1812. It is listed in the Lloyds Register as 241 tons, built with a single deck and beams, and having been sheathed with copper in 1821 and 1824, with previous repairs in 1817. At the time of loss the vessel was owned by Hornby and Co. Ltd

On 1 Jan 1824 the vessel was carrying a cargo of dry good valued at £60,000 from Liverpool to Rio de Janeiro, along with two passengers, under the command of Master W. Wade. Strong north westerly winds prevented the brig from reaching the safely of Holyhead and for two days the vessel tacked between the Great Orme and Point Lynas. Between four and five bells of the middle watch on 1 January 1824, the first mate tried to persuade the master to make for Beaumaris. A delay in going about brought the vessel onto the rocks in a cove which now bears the ship's name. John Williams, the sailor sent to release the HORNBY's jib in order to start bringing the ship about, jumped down onto the rocks and was the only survivor. Nineteen people were later sent to Caernarfon gaol for plundering the wreck, ten were convicted and three were acquitted. The wreck was noted as still visible in 1877 for the visitors to the cove.

Sources include:

Gater, D, 1992, Historic Shipwrecks of Wales, pg48-9

Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002

Lloyds Register of Shipping 1824 H836

UKHO ID 7507: Contains public sector information, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, from UK Hydrographic Office.

Wynne-Jones, I, 2001, Shipwrecks of North Wales, 4 ed, p107-8

J. Whitewright, RCAHMW, August 2024.