Welsh Wreck Web Research Project (North Cardigan Bay) On-line research into the wreck of the: Syren of Beaumaris Ketch Syren Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society Report compiled by: Graeme Perks Report Title: Welsh Wreck Web Research Project (North Cardigan Bay) On-line research into the wreck of the: Syren of Beaumaris Compiled by: Graeme Perks [email protected] Sutton Coldfield, UK On behalf of: Nautical Archaeology Society Fort Cumberland Fort Cumberland Road Portsmouth PO4 9LD Tel: +44 (0)23 9281 8419 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.nauticalarchaeologysociety.org Managed by: Malvern Archaeological Diving Unit 17 Hornyold Road Malvern Worcestershire WR14 1QQ Tel: +44 (0)1684 574774 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.madu.org.uk Date: September 2020 2 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society Report Ref: Leave blank 1.0 Abstract Syren was built as a schooner by Nicholsons of Annan who became famous for building Clipper ships, but she was a coaster converted later to a ketch. Syren traded initially between Annan and Wales, later being involved in carrying slate from Wales to particularly to Ireland. After the initial owners who were the Nicholson’s and the vessel’s master, Syren was operated by Owner/masters. Syren was in use for over fifty years in this mode with some mishaps including being trapped in Siloth when the harbour part collapsed, and having a crew member swept overboard and lost. Syren survived a collision and groundings until her anchors dragged off Pwllheli in 1905 and she grounded again. The master and the one crewman were rescued by the lifeboat, they returned and took Syren into Pwllheli the next day. There is no record of her sailing again and her listing ended that year. 3 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society 2.0 Index 2.1 Table of Contents Page No. 1.0 Abstract --------------------------------------------------------------- 3 2.0 Index ------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 2.1 Table of Contents 4 2.3 List of Pictures 4 2.4 Contributors 5 2.5 Abbreviations 5 3.0 Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------- 6 4.0 Background ----------------------------------------------------------- 7 5.0 Research Methodology ---------------------------------------------- 10 6.0 Results ---------------------------------------------------------------- 12 7.0 Analysis --------------------------------------------------------------- 27 8.0 Conclusions & Recommendations ---------------------------------- 29 9.0 References ------------------------------------------------------------ 30 Appendices: Appendix A – Table of Lloyds Shipping entries --------------------------- 31 Appendix B – Timeline for Syren -------------------------------------------- 32 Appendix C – Mercantile Navy list ------------------------------------------- 59 Appendix D - Crew lists -------------------------------------------------------- 60 Appendix E – Details of Masters ---------------------------------------------- 72 Appendix F – Table of original owners -------------------------------------- 74 Appendix G – Appropiation book Entry ------------------------------------- 75 Appendix H – Port locations -------------------------------------------------- 76 2.3 List of Pictures Page No. Front Cover: Ketch -------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Fig. 1 Silloth Dock -------------------------------------------------------------- 14 Fig. 2 Waterfoot Dock, Annan ------------------------------------------------- 25 4 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society 2.4 Contributors MADU 2.5 Abbreviations GAT Gwynedd Archaeology Trust IJNA International Journal of Nautical Archaeology L. R. Lloyds Register of Shipping MADU Malvern Archaeological Diving Unit NAS Nautical Archaeology Society NPRN National Primary Resource Number OS Ordnance Survey RCAHMW Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales URL Uniform Resource Locator M. N. L. Mercantile Navy List W/E Week ending 5 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society 3.0 Introduction I chose Syren to research partly because it was registered in Beaumaris and I had been able to find information about another vessel registered there on line, and I was hoping that was the case for Syren. It was lost in the 1900’s and I had just researched three vessels lost in the mid to early 1800’s and I wanted a change. I was hoping to find out about the builders, owners, masters, cargo and any mishaps or incidents involving the vessel during its lifetime. The Syren was built as a schooner by Nicholson ship builders of Annan, Dumfries in 1856. She was 66 feet long, 16 feet 6 inches breadth, 9 feet deep, 85 tons gross and 38 tons net. Syren was later converted to a ketch. The first owners included the master Henry Douglas who held 16 shares, the remainder being owned by the builders and family. The Syren was in Silloth Dock when the structure collapsed and was trapped for two weeks until the dock gates could be moved aside. During her time at sea on two different occasions a member of crew was washed overboard and lost. She grounded more than once and was involved in a collision. Syren operated as a coaster with mainly owner/masters sailing between Scotland and Wales, and later Wales and Ireland often with slates (a route unaffected by the railways). The Syren was on passage from Pwllheli to Runcorn when she anchored off Pwllheli near Gimblet Rock in a strong south westerly gale and dragged her anchors, going aground. The master and the one crew member stayed on board while the Pwllheli lifeboat stood by, until the tide lifted the vessel and the gale changed direction. They were then taken ashore by the lifeboat, and returned next day to sail her into Pwllheli. There is no record of Syren sailing again and the registry was closed at the end of the year. I have found no previous reports on the Syren. 6 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society 4.0 Background Syren was a ketch registered in Beaumaris which sank at Pwllheli on 8th March 1908 PWLLHELI AND GIMBLET ROCK 7 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society PWLLHELI 8 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society LLEYN PENINSULA AND PWLLHELI 9 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society 5.0 Research Methodology I first searched Google and found 1881 list of ships in port in the UK and found Syren of Dumfries. I also found the records of the registration of shipping and seamen at Beaumaris including Syren I searched the Welsh Newspaper Archive on line for “Syren of Beaumaris”, then “Syren Douglas “,“Syren Lomas”, then “Syren Lewis” , “Syren Jones “,“ “Syren Hughes” and “Syren Jarret” and with numerous matches. A search for Syren produced hundreds of matches for the new craze of installing syrens, including newspaper offices which were sounded when important news was received. There was also a controversial newspaper called Syren Shipping. I checked some years but almost all records of the voyages of Syren were found. I searched the British Newspaper Archive on line, that I still have a subscription with for “Syren of Beaumaris”, then “Syren “,“Syren Lomas”, then “Syren Lewis” , “Syren Jones “,“Syren Hughes” and “Syren Jarret” and found Numerous matches. I was confused from 1883 when the Syren disappeared except for two sailings with Hughes as the master. I then looked at the M. N. L. and it showed that Thomas Lewis was the new owner from 1883, I had already found that Syren, Lewis was visiting similar ports to Syren’s previously visited, but this confirmed the identity. I searched “Nicholson shipbuilders Annan” on google and found a Galloway & Dumfries web site of Dumfries ships 1836 – 1904 which found a match for Syren. This included the first owners of the vessel and their shares, a Henry Douglas owned 16 shares and was a master mariner. I then Searched the British Newspaper Archive on line for “Syren Douglas” and found entries including the vessels launch. I searched “Annan Waterfoot dock” and “Silloth dock” and found matches. I searched crew list for Syren and found her registered number, appropriation book and some crew lists that were available as transcripts on line at Beaumaris. The majority of the remainder at held The Maritime History Archive, St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. I also searched for the masters certificates but only Henry Douglas is recorded as holding a certificate. The records showed vessels where Thomas Hughes was master in addition to Syren. I searched the lifeboat magazine archive for “Syren” and found a match. 10 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society I searched wrecksite with no match. I searched the National Archives but there are none recorded as held on line, but there may be crew lists documents held. 11 Welsh Wreck Web Research Project Nautical Archaeology Society 6.0 Results Vessel Name/s Syren Type Ketch Built Date August 23 1856 Builder Nicholson Annan, Dumfries Construction Materials Wood Decks 1 deck Bulkheads Propulsion Type Sail Details Fore and aft sails with top sails Engine Details N/A Boilers Drive Type Number Dimensions Length 66ft ins Beam 16ft 6 ins Draught 9ft ins Tonnage Gross 85 Net 38 Owner First Benjamin Nicholson Annan, Dumfries Last Mary Jarrett 40 Fountain Street, Bangor, Wales Others Robert Lomas, Annan – Thomas Lewis, Beaumaris - Thomas Hughes, Bangor Registry Port Dumfries, changed to Beaumaris