MARGARET LLOYD lost Cardigan Island 25-26 October 1859

Disgrifiad

The smack MARGARET LLOYD was built at Aberystwyth in 1854 by Thomas Watkins and became one of the shipping losses during the Royal Charter Gale, 25-26 October 1859. Its port of Aberystwyth registration entry shown above provides a technical description:
52 2289/3500 tons burthen. 1 deck, 2 masts, that her length from the inner part of the Main Stem to the forepart of the stern aloft is 56.4ft, her breadth in midships is 15.4ft, her depth in hold at midships is 8.5ft. Dandy smack rigged with a running bowsprit, square stern, carvel built; frame work and planking is of wood, is a sailing vessel.
If you move 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, the owner is shown lower down the page - William Lloyd the younger of Aberystwyth. His name also appears in the top right hand corner as the nominated master.
The smack was carrying a cargo of slates on its last fateful voyage. It was seen tacking to and forth off for some 3 hours (between 7 and 10 o'clock) about a mile off Aberystwyth in evident distress. As no light was being shown at the harbour, the master was unable to locate the entrance. The harbour master was informed by both members of the captain's family and other bystanders, but neglected to take any action. Consequently, the smack was forced to head down the coast and was eventually overwhelmed near Cardigan Island - its masts were seen above the water some 300 yards east-southeast of the island. The four crewmembers were drowned.
An inquiry into the behaviour of the Harbourmaster was subsequently held and reported in the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald, 14 November 1859, page 2, column 3:
Aberystwyth Harbour
An inquiry into the mooted neglect of the harbour mater (Mr Richard Pugh) of this port has been made by the trustees...
Captain Owen Enos, master of the VICTORIA (lost at New Quay during the storm that night), said - We were in company with the MARGARET LLOYD and MORNING STAR (the vessels lost as above stated) on the morning of Tuesday 25th from St Tudwal's Roads. The BRITANNIA (also lost), the SWANSEA TRADER of Aberystwyth. The ELIZA MARY of New Quay and others were also with us. The last time I saw the MARGARET LLOYD was between 5 and 6 o'clock in the evening, staying out about Pendinas. I was about three quarters of a mile to leeward of her.The wind was ENE. In about three quarters of an hour afterwards, it was quite dark, and the storm increasing, I saw the lights of the MARGARET LLOYD in such as position as would have enable her to fetch the harbour in safety if there was a light on the pier, I am positive she would have been in. I would have made an attempt to come in myself had there been a light. The MORNING STAR would also have attempted to have come into this harbour were the light exhibited, I showed a light occasionally myself. All the vessels but the MARGARET LLOYD were to leeward of me. There was plenty of water, and I had no doubt in my own mind that the MARGARET LLOYD was safely in the harbour by seven o'clock.
Captain H Rees of the BRITANNIA, also saw the MARGARET LLOYD tacking for the bar, There was sufficient water and saw her lights in such a position as to enable her to enter. She was then about a mile and a half from the bar.
Mr David Watkins, mate of the BESSIE - I saw the light on the Tuesday about half past 6. It was right abreast of the BESSIE on the north side of the pier head, distance about three quarters of a mile. She could have been in if there was a light on the pier. I saw the light from half 6 to 10 o'clock. She was tacking about, as if in great distress from the pier head to the castle. I was attending to my duty on board our vessel, and was down all night, but there was no light exhibited from the pier head. I was waiting with the boy on purpose to endeavour to take a boat out with a rope to her. The first light I saw was green, about half past 6. About 8 she had two lights. The wind was from the S to WSW.....
When the Trustees returned, the chairman said. Mr Pugh, it now becomes my painful duty to give the result of deliberation of the trustees in this unfortunate matter, which I will do by simply reading the resolution passed by them. Painful, I may say, because as far as I understand you are an old and valued servant of the trustees and no complaint has even before been laid against you, and they are therefore all extremely sorry for the unhappy occurrence which have led them to pass the following resolution:
Resolved unanimously: that the trustees are of the opinion that in the night of 25th ult., the harbour master was guilty of gross neglect of duty in not putting up their pier and guide lights, and that he be forthwith dismissed.'
Sources include:
Board of Trade Harbours of Refuge Inquiries 1859 pg121 (563)
Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 1 July 1858 - 30 June 1859, number 176 in M
Port of Aberystwyth Shipping Register 1853-1855, Ceredigion Archive Service AT/SHIP 4, folio 27
Troughton, W, 2006, Ceredigion Shipwrecks, pg13-14
Richard Pugh gave evidence in his defence at the inquiry. What were his reasons for not lighting the pier head lights?
http://www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk/items/44844
Use the historic Ordnance Survey maps provided by the People's Collection Wales to identify where shipbuilding took place at Aberystwyth harbour. Click on the MENU tab on the map to see which editions are available.
Was Margaret Lloyd a real person and a relative of William Lloyd's? Which local family history sources might be able to provide confirmation of the family link?
Ceredigion Archives, Aberystwyth (http://archifdy-ceredigion.org.uk)