CLAUDIA lost Porth Oer 25-26 October 1859

Disgrifiad

The smack CLAUDIA was built at Leri Bridge, Ynyslas, in 1850, and was one of the shipping losses during the Royal Charter Gale, 25-26 October 1859. Its port of Aberystwyth Shipping Register entry (shown in the image above) provides us with a technical description:

Official Number 19806. 29 1198/3500 tons. 1 deck, 1 mast, that her length from the inner part of the main stem to the forepart of the stern aloft is 41.6ft, her breadth in midships is 12.2ft, her depth in hold at midships is 7ft. Smack rigged with a running bowsprit, square stern, carvel built, framework and planking is wood, is a sailing vessel.

Others built within the Ynyslas National Nature Reserve, include the sloops MARY REES in 1842, MARY ELLEN in 1843, and PRISCILLA in 1845 (also lost in the Royal Charter Gale); the schooners GLEANOR and RESOLUTE in 1849, and another PRISCILLA in 1855; the brigantine ISLAND MAID in 1851; and the smack CATHERINE in 1864. A small section wharf is shown on the western side of the Leri on estate sale particulars dating to 1862 and it's likely shipbuilding activity centred on that wharf (National Library of Wales MAP7613).

If you pass your mouse over this image, you'll find more clues to the smack's working life and the Welsh people who were associated with it. For example, if you look at the top right hand corner, you'll find the master's name - William Francis of Llanfihangel Geneurglyn, master mariner. The smack was owned by the Francis family (William had registered the smack in his own name and that of his two sons, John and William).

The Board of Trade's reporting of losses for the year 1859 records that the CLAUDIA was lost at Porth Oer, along with the lives of three of the crew. Were these the father, WIlliam Francis, and his two sons? Over to you and your local history research to see if you can find confirmation of this tragedy.

Sources include:
Board of Trade Harbours of Refuge Inquiries, Parliamentary papers 1959 pg122 (564)
Board of Trade Wreck Return 1859 Table 19 pg26 (564)
Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 1 July 1859 - 30 June 1860, 535 in C
Mercantile Navy List 1858, pg119
Port of Aberystwyth Shipping Register 1848-1853, Ceredigion Archives Service A/SHIP/3, folio


Use the historic Ordnance Survey maps provided by the People's Collection Wales to identify where shipbuilding took place at Ynyslas. What industry replaced the shipyard after the coming of the railway in 1864? What is shown occupying the site today?

In July 1850, William Francis used his 40 shares to secure a mortgage with Thomas Jones the younger of Abersytwyth, merchant, and Rowland Evans of Morfa Nevin, merchant. What kind of profitable merchandise did Thomas Jones sell in at Aberystwyth? Is he listed in Slater's Trade Directory of 1868

(http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/index.asp)?