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 LERRY or LERRY FACH was a 33ton smack built at Ynyslas in 1871. The smack had been owned and operated at Aberdyfi for many years, but at time of loss, the vessel was owned by David Davies, Aberystwyth. On 18 December 1895, it was carrying a cargo of coal for Captain Doughton, a retired sea captain turned Aberystwyth coal merchant. On board were the owner/master, his son Edward, and crewman John Henry Thomas. Shortly after 1pm, the harbour master raised the flag to show that there was sufficient water over the bar for smack, which had been waiting offshore, to make an attempt on the harbour. A hobble boat was waiting in the entrance to attach the rope to winch the vessel around the 90 degree turn into the harbour proper, but as the LERRY entered the turning zone the wind drop and it was left at the mercy of the breakers rolling in through the harbour mouth. The breakers rolled the vessel about with immense force and pushed it towards the groynes on Rofawr and the trap between them. Two lifebelts were thrown, one with a rope attached, and by which means the crew were able to plunge into the surf and be hauled ashore. By the next day the vessel had been dismasted and was breaking up. A brief respite allowed 6 tons of coal to be unloaded. But the next tide saw the vessel laid over onto its beam ends, exposing the deck to the sea, and the coal was washed out. The LERRY became a total wreck.

Sources include:
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Morgan, D W, 1948, Brief Glory: A Story of a Quest, pg241
Troughton, WE, 2006, Ceredigion Shipwrecks, pg85-6

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, May 2008.