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

Event and Historical Information:
The MARY E WADHAM was a steel-hulled cargo vessel built by MacIlwaine & Lewis at Belfast in 1882 (yard number 12). Technical and configuration specifications are given as 737gt, 452nt; 192ft 3in length x 27ft 1in breadth x 15ft 7in depth; 1 deck, 5 x bulkheads, quarterdeck 32ft, boat deck 48ft, forecastle 58ft; screw propulsion powered by a single boiler linked to a compound engine producing 96hp; official number 83981. At time of loss on 8 January 1888, the vessel was owned by G Bargate & Co of Barrow and was carrying 707 tons of coal from Swansea to Belfast under the command of master C Holmes. The vessel left Swansea Dock between 1 and 2 pm on the 7 January and the master used the Mixon Buoy to establish his course. About 3.10 am they passed the Helwick Lightvessel and the master changed to a course he said woudl clear the Smalls. The master said that he intended to run on that course till 9 am, unless the weather cleared The master was roused by the ringing of the telegraph about 7 am, and before he got to the bridge the vessel was aground in Freshwater Bay (whether Freshwater Bay East or West is unclear). He ordered the boats out, as the water was reported to be rising fast and by about 7.30 am, the crew were in the boats. The master was the last to leave. Charles O'Neill, a fireman, tried to get on the rocks, which he could not do. A line was thrown to him, but on pulling him up he let go and was drowned. In the course of the day the other men landed at West Angle Bay. A discrepancy in the evidence 1 st and second mate presented the Court with difficulty in deciding the case, but evenutally suspended the master's certificate for three months.

Sources include:
Board of Trade Wreck Return 1888 Appendix C Table 1 pg132 (754)
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 1 July 1886 - 30 June 1887, number 241 in M

WWW resources:
Board of Trade Inquiry, number 3463, 26-27 January 1888, St George's Hall Liverpool
http://www.plimsoll.org/resources/SCCLibraries/WreckReports/15453.asp

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, October 2010.