The Triton

Last Updated on Sunday, 16 January 2011 14:23

1873 - The Triton, a Russian barque, en route to Germany with a cargo of salt, was driven up-Channel in a gale and looked for shelter at Mumbles.   But she struck the Mixon Sands.   "She soon started to break up and ... three of the crew took the ship's boat against the orders of the Captain.   The boat soon capsized and two of the men were drowned.   The third, a cabin boy, was miraculously saved when drifting past another vessel anchored in the Roads.   Meanwhile the paddle tug Digby Grand had with skilful seamanship managed to take off five men".   [The Gower Coast, George Edmunds]   A sixth man was rescued from the rigging by the Mumbles lifeboat.  The German Kaiser made awards in gratitude for this rescue:  a telescope to the master of the tug and binoculars to Coxswain Jenkins of the lifeboat.   The optics and an inscription can be seen in the lifeboat house.   9ref 092)