Portsmouth Schooner – (LARN) – Cargo GRANITE. Seen by the Coastguard, attempts were made in a force 10 gale, to rescue the crew. However, the vessel keeled over and all were lost. Broad Bench, W side of Kimmeridge Bay. BOT: USC 1868; The Telegram: 01/10/1868 & Farr: p83. This tragedy led to the RNLI to establish a further lifeboat station at Kimmeridge. See also Liberty of Southampton.
The Liberty – 1868
The Times: Tuesday, 29 September, 1868
“Since Friday last a gale from the southwest has been blowing, and in its train casualties are reported, in two instances with loss of life. At 2pm on Friday a schooner, which afterwards proved to be the Liberty”, of Southampton, Thomas DYER, Master and Owner, was observed unmanageable to the westward of Kimmeridge Coast Guard Station, (not far from St Alban’s Head). It was blowing very heavily at the time and the Coast Guard immediately launched their lifeboat and at the same time sent to the St Alban’s Station for further help. The rocket apparatus was used, but could not, on account of the fury of the elements be rendered effective. The Coastguards laboured, as for their lives, for one hour and a half, to reach the vessel, but were unable and about 6pm the “Liberty” was seen to founder. Immediately before two men were seen, one at the fore and the other at the mainmast head. On Saturday the body of a young man was picked up near the scene of the accident and also several articles forming the ship’s gear. Part of a letter from the Captain’s wife, who resides at Cottage View, Landport, was also discovered, in which she says” Give my love to the boys” from which it is supposed that the “Liberty” was owned and manned by the DYER family, and the body cast ashore is that of one of the sons. The nearest station of a lifeboat is at Chapman’s Poole, a considerable distance, and it is thought by experienced men that the lifeboat about to be placed at Weymouth through the liberality of Lord Strafford would be likely to be more serviceable if placed at Kimmeridge that at Weymouth.”
Day of Loss: 25
Month of Loss: 9
Year of Loss: 1868
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