"Huntcliff" Stranded

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iBase ID

234963

Reference identifier

NST20120222012

Title

"Huntcliff" Stranded

Place

St.Annes on Sea

General notes

The Steamer Huntcliff was grounded close to the Ormerod Homes during storms of 12th February 1894. The press report from the Lytham Times of 17th February tells us "The Huntcliff it seems, sailed out of the Mersey on Sunday morning for Cardiff, loaded with ballast........On getting out into the open sea the vessel made little progress owing to having to face a violent gale. Eventually the Captain decided to shelter somewhere, and when off Great Orme's head, he tried to get into Llandudno Bay, but failing to do this, the anchor was let go" . The ship drifted and the captain tried , but failed , to get back in to Liverpool. Eventually she was carried into the Ribble Estuary .... "The ship fortunately escaped striking on the banks.........but a huge wave carried her along into the middle of the channel, into fifteen fathoms of water and then another still larger wave carried her ashore.

The beach became a temporary fairground whilst the vessel was there and she was refloated 11 days later.

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