The SS Berganza

She was a 507 ton iron schooner built in by Smith & Rodger, Glasgow (official number 13588). She was launched on 1st January 1856 and completed in December that year. She had additional auxiliary power from an 80HP 2 cylinder compound engine with a single boiler and her dimensions were 180.7 x 25.2 x 15.0 feet. She was owned by Bibby & Co., Liverpool.

On Thursday 30th September 1869 she was voyaging from Liverpool to Lisbon under Captain John Hyne with a full crew and carrying general (and valuable) cargo and a few passengers. Around 4am on Friday she was about 4 miles off Point Lynas under steam and making 7 knots. In the distance the masthead light of Booth and Co.’s SS JEROME was seen and, as the lights of the JEROME became visible BRAGANZA adjusted her course to avoid her. Unfortunately the JEROME (under Captain Hutchinson) continued on her course and collided with the BRAGANZA, striking her port side near the mizen rigging. The impact caused so much damage that the BRAGANZA was said to be almost cut in two and she foundered immediately taking only a few minutes to sink. While the vessels were together seven people managed to clamber onto the JEROME, however the BRAGANZA filled with water quickly, heeled over away from the JEROME and sank stern first. The Captain, 5 of her crew (John Owen, Second Engineer; James Draper, William Edwards and Robert Scott, seamen; and Patrick Lynch, fireman) and Mr J.R. Liston, a passenger, were lost. The rest of the officers and crew; and Mr Taylor (a passenger) were rescued by the JEROME and taken to Liverpool after the JEROME had spent some hours at the scene looking for survivors.

It is reported that Bibby did not insure their vessels, so it is unsurprising that following the incident a damages claim for £25,000 was made in court on the 15th October. The JEROME was held entirely responsible in the subsequent hearing on the 5th November. The JEROME had apparently mistaken the light of the BRAGANZA for that of a pilot boat.

Some further information available here: http://www.cemaesmaritimecollection.co.uk/braganza/

She was positively ID'd in 1993 with the recovery of her bell.

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