19-FEB-1873: Foundered (1)(2), after collision (1) Lower Reach, Gravesend; composite construction. (1)(2)

'Court of Admiralty, March 25 and 26.

' . . . There were cross cases of damage in respect of a collision in Gravesend Reach between the bark LARNAX and the steamship C M PALMER, on the 19th of February last . . . On the evening of the 19th of February last the LARNAX was lying at anchor in the river Thames, about two miles below Gravesend, when the C M PALMER ran stem on into her starboard side, and did her so much injury that she sank in a few minutes, and the master's child and nephew and the steward were drowned. On behalf of the C M PALMER it was contended that the LARNAX did not exhibit a riding light, or take proper measures to warn the C M PALMER of her position . . .

'The Court came to the conclusion that, though the night was intensely dark, those on board the C M PALMER saw the LARNAX herself in time to have avoided her by dropping the C M PALMER's anchor; that his was not done, and that the C M PALMER was alone to blame for the accident. His Lordship therefore considered it unnecessary to come to a conclusion as to whether the LARNAX had her riding light properly exhibited - a question which, his Lordship said, involved more than the usual conflict of evidence.' (4)

The decision of the Court was reversed on appeal on 1st May, concluding that the anchor light of the LARNAX had been taken down, and not reinstated until the C M PALMER was too near to avoid the collision, as alleged by the representatives for the C M PALMER. (5)

Mentioned in Hansard, the captain's daughter being named as Lily Frail. (6)

The Board of Trade Inquiry took place on 16-APR-1873.

'In opening the proceedings, Mr. Hamel stated that at the time of the collision, at half-past 9 on the night in question, the weather being dark and hazy, the LARNAX was at anchor, and the principal question to decide, and respecting which there was contradictory evidence, was whether the anchor or riding light was properly exhibited, those on board the LARNAX averring it was, and those on board the steamer declaring that it was not visible until the steamer was close upon the bark, which was struck upon the starboard side, near the stem, to the water's edge, resulting in the loss of life stated.' (7)

Built: 1868 (1)(2)
Builder: Thompson (1)(2)
Where Built: Sunderland (1)(2)
Construction: felt and yellow metal (1)(2)
Master: J B Fraie (1)(2); J B Frail, by inference from (6)
Crew: 13 (1)(2)
Crew Lost: 1 (1)(2)
Passengers: 4 (1)(2)
Passengers Lost: 2 (1)(2)
Owner: A Smith and Co. (1)(2)

Date of Loss Qualifier: Actual date of loss

Additional sources cited in Shipwreck Index of the British Isles:
Board of Trade Wreck Return 1873 Pt.II Table 21 p44

<1> United Kingdom shipwreck index, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6340.

<2> Larn, Richard and Bridget, 1995, Shipwreck index of the British Isles, volume 2 : Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent (Mainland), Kent (Downs), Goodwin Sands, Thames (Bibliographic reference). SKE31910.

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year Two Report (Unpublished document). SWX12323.

<3> Lloyd's, 1969, Lloyd's list 1741-1945 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6342.