Site Record

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 DORCHESTER was a wooden barque built at Quebec in 1832. It was sold to Liverpool in 1837 and, at time of loss, had been transferred to the port of Bristol (18 in 1838). Technical and configuration specifications are given as 416 tons; 111ft length x 29ft breadth x 20ft 7in depth; 1 deck, 3 masts, barque rigged with a standing bowsprit, square sterned, carvel built, a male bust figurehead. It was owned by Mark Whitwill, ship-owner (16 shares); George Whitwill, ship-owner (16 shares); Joseph Buckle, gentleman (16 shares); and James Frenfield, gentleman (16 shares). On 19 July 1839, it was on passage from Quebec to Bristol, under the command of captain Cockerill, when it was driven ashore Ragwen Point. It was later beached and broken up at Tenby. The Tenby artist Charles Norris sketched the breaking up.

Sources include:
Goddard, T, 1983, Pembrokeshire Shipwrecks, pg144
Lloyds List 22 July 1839, issue number 7916
Larn and Larn shipwreck database 2002
Port of Bristol Shipping Register 1835 - 1839, folio 138, Bristol Record Office 37908/1/5

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, January 2010.