Accidents and Incidents 

From The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser of Friday 10th December 1909:

THE GALES.

Milford Haven Fishing Smacks in Collision.

The tremendous gale which prevailed over the latter part of last week caused slates to be removed off the roofs of houses, trees to be uprooted, and numerous other accidents of this kind. Many families stayed up all night because of the danger incurred by the falling slates. There were also many anxious hearts amongst those who had friends or relatives on the sea, which, even in the harbour, was in a turmoil.

................

The smack "Beeorchis" [sic] owned by Mr. R. White of this town, collided with a buoy in the river and did considerable damage to her stern. The smacks “Claudine" of Brixham, and the “Triumph” of this port, were both caught in the gale and were very much damaged. The “Triumph” lost her anchors and chains beside other damage.

 

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From The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser of Friday 4th November 1910:

 

MILFORD HAVEN

THE STORM.

     Several of the fishing craft trading out of Milford Haven were caught in a violent storm which arose early on Sunday morning. Up to the present few casualties have been reported amongst the shipping, though, owing to the fierceness of the gale, the tale has undoubtedly yet to be told. News was received at Milford Haven on Tuesday evening that the fishing smack "Diamond Cross" had put into Tenby Roads after having had her main mast carried away. The smacks "Wilfred" and "Triumph" put into Dock on Tuesday evening both having carried away their main gaff, whilst on the way across from Rosslare. A large number of sailing vessels were obliged to return to port being quite unable to withstand the ferocity of the gale.

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Log book entries:

 

21.02.1911

Hakin Point

Carried away channel plate, split rail and damaged bulwarks.  Cause - ran into by smack 'Rosy' of Ramsgate.

    James Farr (Skipper)

    R. Wonnacott (Cook)

[ See letter below. ]

 

20.09.1912

10 miles ENE of Lundy

William Jarrod, age 16, Cook; British, born Ipswich, residing Hakin.

Severe scalds on face, arms and body.  Cause - boiler leaking into fire box.

    Richard Job (Skipper)

[ See newspaper article below. ]

 

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Copy of letter:

 

                                                                            c/o Hellings & Co.,

                                                                                        Docks, Milford Haven.

                                                                10th June 1911

To the Superintendent, Merchant Marine, Milford Haven.

 

Sir,

 

    In reference to my taking the boy Wonnacott as cook on board the fishing smack "Triumph", I could not get another cook at the time.  My owner, Peter Hancock, got this boy for me, and I took him, quite ignorant of the fact that I was not allowed to take him until the age of sixteen.

    I have been made aware of the fact by the Superintendent of Milford Haven, and I am very sorry to have made such an error, which you will see quite ignorance on my part, by the log book stating the boy's age at the time of the agreement as fourteen.

    Sir, I will be more careful another time, and enquire at the Customs before doing such a thing again.  From

    Yours faithfully,

            James Farr,

                                                        Skipper of the fishing smack "Triumph".

 

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From the Haverfordwest & Milford Haven Telegraph of Wednesday 25th September 1912:

 

    The fishing smack "Triumph", belonging to Messrs. S. I. Hancock and Sons, arrived in Dock at 11 o'clock on Friday night, with the cook apprentice, William Garwood, 17 years of age, suffering from severe injuries.  Whilst at sea, an accident occurred to the steam boiler, and the steam escaped with the result that the young man Garwood was badly scalded on his face, arms and abdomen.  The vessel was also rendered helpless to heave in her fishing gear, owing to the loss of steam.  Another fishing smack went to her assistance, and they managed to get the gear aboard.  She then set sail for home.

    On Saturday morning it was found necessary to send the injured lad in the ambulance car to Haverfordwest Infirmary.  The young fellow is not local, but a native of Ipswich.

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From "West Coast of England Pilot, 1960" (p. 77):

 

    Padstow harbour.— ...........

    ..................

    Channels.—  The channels are liable to extensive alterations and should not be attempted without local knowledge.  A heavy surf breaks across the entrance with even a moderate ground swell.

    The main channel lies along the eastern side of a large sandbank, known as the Doom Bar.  There are depths of 2 to 5 feet over the bar. ......

 

 

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