Whitford wrecks

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 May 2010 16:01

1868 – This was the site of a terrible disaster.  A fleet of 19 colliers had been held

up for several days by stormy weather at Llanelli but conditions improved and they

headed out to sea, some independently and some towed by tugs.   On the ebbing

tide the ships hoped to reach the open water beyond Burry Holms before the flood

set in.  But the wind died, the tide turned and most of the fleet was caught  by

enormous waves and wild water and were broken on the beaches or pounded on

the bar.  Sixteen or seventeen of the ships were wrecked and there remains

confusion over how many men lost their lives.   An inquest dealt with the deaths of

eighteen men but there was talk of more buried at Llanmadoc.    The named wrecks

included the Water Lily, the Onward, the Huntress, the Jeune Celine, the Ann, the

Brothers, the Roscius, the Amethyst and the Mary Fanny (the latter was rebuilt - and

finally sunk, 50 years later, by a U-boat).   The Elizabeth & Ann had managed to

clear the bar and limped in to Tenby the following day, and the Eliza, undamaged,

completed her original journey to St Malo. (Ref. 004)