A
reader recently gave me the following extract from the 'Sligo Chronicle' dated
November 1st 1862 headed 'Shipwreck-loss of life on Innismurray.'
On
the night of Sunday 19th October, a vessel, the 'Margaret Night', of Blythe,
North of England, bound for South America, laden with coals, was blown on the
Western side of the Island of Innismurray, in Sligo Bay, and in a few hours
became a complete wreck. The mate and one seaman were saved, but the Captain and
six of the crew perished. The bodies of the Captain and three of the men were
washed ashore and buried on the Island. The other bodies have not yet been
found. The mate and the other seaman could not leave the island until Wednesday
last when they landed at Streedagh, where they reported themselves to O. Jones,
Esq., agent for Lloyds who had every attention paid to the poor fellows.
It
is pleasing to state that the inhabitants of the island behaved with the
greatest kindness to the survivors, supplying them with food and clothing.
Scene
of the wreck is 'Poll an Ancaire' on the N.W, shore beyond 'Poll an Seantuine'.
The anchor in still there. The bodies washed ashore were buried at the Sailors
Grave near (south of) the presumed megalithic tomb remains.
Cooper
and Noble were the names of the two rescued men and Seanin read out of a book:
"Anyone who takes anything of this ship will be transported or chanced to
be hung!" In consequence there was no pilfering of the wreck. (With thanks
to Finbar McCarthy).