Surprise

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 May 2010 16:23

1883 – The Surprise, a schooner from Brittany laden with timber and heading into Swansea, seems to have torn its bottom out on the Helwick Bank before being driven in under Overton cliffs where it was dashed to pieces.   The alarm was raised after a soaking black labrador was seen running through Overton - but it was too late for a rescue.   The bodies of the crew, all badly mutilated, were washed ashore the following day.   This wreck followed the losses of the  Agnes Jack at Port Eynon, the Admiral Prinz Aldabert at Mumbles and the James Grey off Porthcawl.  A report in the newspaper read:  “The number of lives lost on the Glamorgan coast during the last fortnight has now reached the appalling total of fifty-three.   This is a tale of death and disaster such as has never been approached.”  This series of disasters led to the establishment of the lifeboat service at Port Eynon. (Ref. 029)