The iron steamship Tyrconnel was launched from the yard of John Fullerton and Co Ltd., Paisley (Yard No 103) on 29th February 1892. She measured 130.2′ x 22.1′ x 9.6′ and her tonnage was 276 gross tons, 83 net tons. She was powered by a compound steam engine by Ross and Duncan, Glasgow delivering 55 nominal horse power. She was owned by Hammond and Herdsman Ltd. of Londonderry and registered in Belfast. Her official number was 99794.
Steamship Tyrconnel underway
Lloyds register 1894
Tyrconnel departed from Dundalk on the evening of 21st December 1894 en route to Belfast with 135 tons of general cargo and, although the weather at the time was noted as boisterous, her skipper, Captain Rogers, decided to hug the north east coastline for shelter. Just after midnight the wind increased to hurricane force and the small steamer was pushed further offshore and eventually had to run with the mountainous seas towards the Galloway coast. Out of control she was eventually driven ashore in Ward Bay, just north of the harbour entrance at Portpatrick.
The Tyrconnel ashore Ward Bay, Portpatrick
As can be seen from the photograph, the Tyrconnel stranded well up the beach. This and the quick action of the local rocket brigade enabled all the crew to get ashore safely.
Wigtown Free Press 26th December 1894
The Tyrconnel was eventually refloated in April 1895 after surviving a number of storms during her short stay ashore. Other vessels lost in the same storm along this section of coastline such as the Australia, Oswald, Seamew and The Prince were less fortunate and all became total wrecks.
