Shepton Mallet

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 May 2010 15:55

1731 – The Shepton Mallet was one of the earliest recorded wrecks.  Driven ashore on the rocks below Pilton, the  Captain and five men scrambled ashore safely.  Her cargo was detailed as:  “72 hogshead of sugar, 19 tierces [wine containers], 19 barrels and 81 bagges of cotton and 204 elephants teeth [tusks?]”.   The customs entry continued that “... some small part of which has been carried off by the country people.   51 of ye teeth are saved and secured under the King's lock.”   In spite of official efforts little of the rest of the cargo was recovered.    [I recollect having read of an elephant tusk being in the garden of a house in Middleton - but I can't trace the source.   A.F.]  (Ref. 021)