ELIZA BEYNON, survivor of the Great Storm 25-26 October 1859

Description

ELIZA BEYNON was reported to have been wrecked at the Mumbles during the Royal Charter Gale, 25-26 October 1859. However, documentary evidence suggests that the sloop was a survivor, continuing in service for many subsequent years.

The ELIZA BEYNON was built at Llanelli in 1847 by John Vaughan. Technical specifications are given in her registration documents:

25 607/3500 tons burthen; 39.9ft length x 12.5ft breadth x 6.5ft depth, 1 deck, 1 mast, sloop rigged with a running bowsprit, square stern, carvel built, wooden planking, sailing vessel.

The sloop's records of ownership suggest that it was named after a real person - the surname Beynon (i.e. John Beynon, merchant of Swansea,) is featured as one of the individuals providing finance for the owner and master, George Williams of Porteynon.

George Williams used his 64 shares in the vessel to secure a loan or mortgage first from George Rolls and John Horace of Swansea, brewers and gardeners. The financing of this debt was passed to John Beynon and then onto Rosetta Marks, widow. Rosetta Marks foreclosed on the loan and then sold the ELIZA BEYNON to George Shepherdson of Swansea, merchant, on 14 November 1850. William Barrett became her master at that time.

ELIZA BEYNON and her crew survived going ashore during the gale, as her Shipping Register entries record her sale to Clifford Lymons, Charles Hunt and John Carter-Hunt, all of Bridgwater, in February 1864.

Sources include:
Mercantile Navy List 1858
Port of Swansea Shipping Register 1839-1851, West Glamorgan Archive Service D/D PRO/RBS/S 1/3, 2 in 1848, 18 in 1850.
Port of Swansea Shipping Register Transaction Register 1855-1876 West Glamorgan Archive Service D/D PRO/RBS/S 2/1, folio 99.
Pembrokeshire Herald, 11 November 1859, Welsh Newspapers Online.
http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3055400

Who was sloop’s namesake Eliza Beynon? Was she a relative John Beynon? How might we use census returns, parish birth and marriage records to find out?

The Mumbles is famous for a particular type of sailing trawler used to gather a local seafood delicacy. What was the local name given to the vessels? What were the most popular ways of cooking and eating the fishy delicacy in the 19th century?

What might be thought unusual in the fact that it was a woman, Rosetta Marks, that foreclosed on the George Williams outstanding loan? Who was this intriguing woman involved in shipping finance?

• http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=406/ (link opens in new window)