Loss of the Full Rigged Ship

CRICCIETH CASTLE

The CRICCIETH CASTLE was a full rigged ship managed by R.Thomas and Co of Criccieth and Liverpool. The story of her loss off Cape Horn in 1912, and the subsequent journey by the survivors , including the Captain's pregnant wife, in an open lifeboat through the bleakest and most unhospitable conditions, to safety in the Falklands is an epic tale of survival.

The ships managed by the former Nefyn school teacher were (and still are) well known throughout the world. Vessels such as the MAELGWYN, EDNYFED, PENRHYN CASTLE and many others were amongst the last of the great square riggers. Click here to see R.Thomas & Co Fleet List

In 1889 R.Thomas purchased the SILVERDALE built by Williamsons of Workington two years earlier. She was a full rigged iron ship of 1877 registered tons with dimensions of 263.9/39/23.7. In the usual manner, a single ship company was set up.- The Criccieth Castle Ship Co.

These ships were mostly manned by local men and their crew articles are full of Roberts's, Davies's, Thomases and Joneses. They traded world wide - to Australia with generals, coal from there to the west coast of South America (WCSA), Nitrates (guano) from there to Europe, Coal from Cardiff, fertiliser, grain - you name it, they carried it. Homeward bound Cape Horn would have to be rounded - it was a hard, dangerous life. In 1906(?) she lay at anchor at Valpariso when an earthquake destroyed the town. In that same year, she lost all her sails and lifeboats and went on her beam ends in a cyclone off Norfolk Island in the Pacific. The next voyage was also beset with trouble. Bound from Barry to Tocopilla , while in the vicinity of Cape Horn, the cargo of coal caught fire and she put back towards Montevideo. Strong winds and damage to the rigging made matters worse. The second mate had both his legs broken and he died, of gangrene in hospital. The homewards trip, loaded with nitrates, was no better with gales all the way and much damage to the yards and rigging.

Since 1905 the CRICCIETH CASTLE had been under the command of Captain Robert Thomas of Criccieth, later Llangybi. He had served thirteen years, from an apprentice, on the ship. In the voyages mentioned above he was acommpanied by his new wife. This was a common practice and it from her account of the subsequent loss of the vessel that I take the following story.

During March/June 1912 the CRICCIETH CASTLE had loaded 2,800 tons of guano at Ballistas, an island off the coast of Peru and was bound for Antwerp. Heading down the WCSA the weather had been foul and it had taken three weeks to sail from level with Valpariso and weather the Horn when disaster struck. On the 14th July a tremendous gale sprang up from the north west. The next morning a huge sea struck the quarter, breaking off the rudder and forcing the stock through the plates which parted from the stern post. Water poured in and all attempts to pump it out failed as the bilges were full of guano and wheat, from the previous cargo. The vessel was doomed and there was no alternative but to take to the boats. This was no easy matter because of the high sea running and the two boats were only got away after a very hazardous operation.

The mate, Mr W.Gale, and six crew members in the smaller one, the Master, his wife and four year old son and the remaining seventeen members of the crew in the bigger sailing lifeboat. They pulled clear with the CRICCIETH CASTLE's decks awash, the old vessel soon to founder. Captain Roberts decided to head for the Falklands about 180 miles away, and taking the mate's boat in tow they set off. However the wind increased to hurricane force and they had to separate to lie to sea anchors. That was the last seen of the mate's boat and its seven occupants. The next morning, as they huddled freezing cold in the bottom of the boat, a barque was seen running before the storm. Despite frantic signalling with blankets it sailed by.

The next few days were a nightmare. The cold was intense and one by one the crew members succumbed , three in one night. Their oilskins were given to Catherine Roberts and her son who was in a bad way. The boat leaked and the ice cold water washed about the bottom. The bread had become tainted and the water supply was low. The terrible weather continued and the boat in constant danger of broaching. Once, Captain Roberts was washed over the side and only recovered with great difficulty as everyone was suffering from frostbite.

After six days Beauchenes Island was sighted. Later that day the boat landed on East Falkland. The occupants were in a deplorable state, all suffering from frostbite and thirst. There was no succour in this place however, as this part of the Falklands were uninhabited. Despite their appaling condition they had to set of again to round the islands to Port Stanley. There was no respite. The weather remained atrocious and another A.B. died (the sixth crew member to perish). After an heroic struggle Cape Pembroke was sighted and on approaching the coast the lighthouse keepers bravely waded out and grabbed the lifeboat. A launch was despatched from Stanley with supplies and a nurse.

The survivors gave thanks as they huddled before a blazing fire in the lighthouse, eating warm food and drinking hot coffee. A doctor arrived and he had to cut the frozen clothes off their bodies. The little boy's feet were badly affected and it was thought he would loose them but circulation returned.

They were taken by the launch to hospital in Port Stanley where despite the care and attention, two more crew men died. Several of the others had to have fingers and toes amputed because of frostbite. After they had all recovered the survivors returned to Liverpool on the steamer OROPESA. Two months after landing at Port Stanley, Catherine Thomas gave birth to a little girl who was named Mercy Malvinas Roberts.

Captain Roberts was killed during the first world war when the minesweeper he commanded struck a mine. Catherine Thomas lived to the 1970s in Llangybi.

The lifeboat of the CRICCIETH CASTLE lay preserved, as a memorial, at Port Stanley for many years.

Reading List

Last of the Windjammers Vols I and II by Basil Lubbock

The Nitrate Clippers by Basil Lubbock - Has full description of the earthquake at Valpariso

Growing up amongst Sailors by J.Ivor Davies of Nefyn whose father was master of the GWYDR CASTLE which was also at Valpariso during the earthquake

The Last of the Cape Horners by Cmdr L.A.Woolard R.N. - Contains a full account with photos and line drawings

Hwylio'r Moroedd by Capt. W.E.Williams. The full story in Welsh

Machlud Hwyliau'r Cymry/Twilight of Welsh Sail   by Aled Eames - Follows the subsequent lives of the Thomas family

Ventures in Sail by Aled Eames - History of the North Wales ship owners including R.Thomas Ships

Sea Breezes magazine

Maritime Wales/Cymru a'r Mor periodical

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