DescriptionArchaeological 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 CRAIGROWNIE was a 434nt wooden barque from Windsor, Nova Scotia. At time of loss on 18 August 1868, the vessel on passage from Liverpool to Cardiff in ballast under the command of master John McNutt. The barque left the Mersey in tow of a steamer, which left it off the Bell Buoy. The CRAIGROWNIE sailed close to the wind all afternoon, and although the breeze increased, it was not to such an extent as to cause the capatin to shorten sail. At approximately 8.30pm the Skerries was sited. At about 10pm the captain suddenly called all hands on deck to turn the vessel about, as land was only two miles distant. However, the barque being light in ballast it was impossible to turn it about in time, and the CRAIGROWNIE was carried, bow first, onto almost perpendicular rocks. about quarter of a mile southwest of Middle Mouse (at Porth Llanllieana). The violence of the impact caused the barque to rebound, and because most of the sails were set, it was caught by the wind and dashed on the rocks for a second time. The jibboom and bowsprit were carried away, and the bows were smashed in immediately afterwards. The barque filled with water rapidly, and its masts gave way and fell into the water. The darkness was so great that the crewmen could only discern each other's movements by an occasional flash of light produced by the iron portions of the masts and rigging striking on the rocks. 9 of the 12 crewmembers (the boatswain and two able seamen were lost) managed to scramble up the rocks beyond the reach of the sea, which broke furiously beneath them. In their escape from the ship all were injured, especially the cook, whose flesh was torn from his legs down to the bone. During the night the CRAIGROWNIE parted, and the portion lying nearest to the rocks was broken to tiny pieces. At daybreak the captain and mate went in search of assistance, and were hospitably received at a farm near the village of Porthwen. A report in the Liverpool Mercury states 'The crew proceded to the farm, and after receiving temporary relief, some of them walked to Amlwch, whence they were forwarded to this port by the agent of the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, and arrived yesterday afternoon by the Prince of Wales from Bangor'.
Sources include:
Board of Trade Wreck Return 1868 Part II Table 21 p34(712) and Table 22 p40(718)
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Liverpool Mercury, 21 august 1868, issue 6418
North Wales Chronicle, 22 August 1868
Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, August 2008.
