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 DANUBE was a 987ton full rigged ship built in Quebec in 1854. Lloyd's Register notes that the vessel was sheathed in felt and yellow metal in 1857 and that it was fastened with iron. The vessel was owned by David Grainger and Son, Belfast who were one of the largest shipowners in Belfast at that period with ships that worked almost exclusively in the New Orleans cotton and Australian passenger trade. The company began shipowning in the 1840s with several full-rigged ships of 500-600tons. By the end of the 1850s, the company had five full-rigged ships of over 1,000 tons register as well as a number of smaller vessels, all built at Quebec. Technical specifications for the DANUBE are given as 1103tons; 171ft 1/10th in length x 20ft 9 1/10th breadth; three masts; one deck; poop deck; ship rigged with a standing bowsprit, square sterned, carvel built, scroll head; wooden planking and frames. First registered at Quebec on 19 August 1854 (no 75 in that year). The DANUBE left New Orleans on 2 February 1861 with a cargo of staves and nearly 3,000 bales of cotton. At the enquiry into the loss, the master McAuley that the ship was abreast of the Tuskar Rock (17 miles off) at noon on 5 March 1861 (by dead reckoning). From noon until 8pm, the ship was steered on a proper course for Liverpool for a distance of 50-55 miles. At 8 pm., for reasons which the Master was unable to explain further than the supposition that he was approaching the Irish Coast too close, he wore ship and stood back to the south, and then east, on which course he continued until 6 am on 6 March when land was sighted which the 1st Mate considered to be Strumble Head. From 4-6 am, the boson took charge of the watch, the 1st Mate being ill. At 6 am instead of going on the port tack to weather Bardsey Island, she bore up on an north-easterly course, running further into Cardigan bay until a red buoy was seen. All sail was set to work out of the bay but when breakers were seen, an anchor was let go but the ship immediately struck. During the afternoon, the DANUBE drove over the Sarn Badrig reef and was once more afloat, but with bulwarks gone, masts cut down and with 5-7ft feet of water in the hold. Seven of the crew landed at Dwffrun Beach in their longboat. One man was drowned when the boat capsized. A second anchor was then let go, but the ship grounded again on the causeway, and became a total wreck. The cargo was reported as likely to be strewn all over the bay. The remainder of the crew were taken off by the Criccieth lifeboat.
Sources include:
Anderson, E B, 1950 (?), Sailing Ships of Ireland, pg11-13
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Lloyd's List 8 March 1861
Lloyd's List 9 March 1861
Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping 1st July 1859 to 30th June 1860, entry 37 under D
Public Record Office Northern Ireland: Port of Belfast Shipping Register 1854
Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, August 2008
