Description
Times - Places - Ages - Alive People - Deceased People - Male Gender (#617bff) - Female Gender (#f377bf)
Sebastian "William" Seeton is caucasian British male going by a variation of nicknames such as "Wicket", "William" or "Will". He has short brown hair, brown eyes, and is around 183cm / 6,0ft tall. Sebastian is often seen walking around wearing a red necktie and/or bandana. He likes wearing a vast majority of colours but generally sticks around somewhat of a lost sailor theme.
Personality wise Sebastian is somebody who doesn't like to sit around and wait. He dreams of creating a safe haven for people around his age and to protect them against the hardships of the world. Every and all streetrats have to look out for one another and Sebastian is a perfect example or somebody who cares for people his age. Sebastian has the mindset on seeing where life takes him, he does what he wants whenever he wants without letting much stop him in doing so. By committing crimes, stealing from the rich and selling such items to make money he intends to build himself and the people around him a safe and more stable future.
Early Life
Our story begins on, March 15th, 1883 in the small civil parish of Hornsea located in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Over the course of the last couple weeks the temperatures were slowly starting to rise and people were highly anticipating warmer weather. It was that Thursday afternoon that a little miracle happened in the form of two baby boys and their sister being born. On a walk home from a trip to the store with her mother Sarah Hutton suddenly stood still on the side of the pavement as she started feeling strange cramps in her abdomen. The family had expected something like this to happen for quite some time, Sarah was a rather rebellious lady who had a hard time listening to advice, sometimes even at her own expense. Sitting around and waiting for things to happen wasn't exactly her sort of thing and today was a perfect example of such. Luckily for her, together with the help and parental instinct of her mother Phyllis Seeton the two ladies managed to way their through the last few streets before reaching their family home on Seeton Road. Walking down the last few roads surely wasn't an easy task as Sarah's contractions were getting stronger and both of them realised that the babies were coming. Fortunately for Sarah she had her mother around and with Phyllis's quick thinking she yelled out for some neighbors to assist them and bring them back home.
Present Life
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Affiliations
. Mother's side of the family. . | . Father's side of the family. . |
(Grandmother) Phyllis Seeton Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Hornsea Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. | (Grandmother) - Mary Hutton Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. |
(Grandfather) Kelton Seeton Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Hornsea Died: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. | (Grandfather) Hamish Hutton Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: 1881 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. |
(Mother) Sarah Seeton (Hutton) Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. | (Father) William Hutton Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. |
(Aunt) Lorem ipsum dolor Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. | (Uncle) Lorem ipsum dolor Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. |
(Uncle) Lorem ipsum dolor Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. | (Cousin) Lorem ipsum dolor Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. |
(Cousin) Lorem ipsum dolor Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. | (Cousin) Lorem ipsum dolor Born:Day, Month, Year ~ Place Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. |
. brothers and sisters . |
(Sister) Susanne "Phyllis" Seeton Born: Thursday, March 15th, 1883 ~ Hornsea Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. |
(Brother) Eddard "Hamish" Seeton Born:Thursday, March 15th, 1883 ~ Hornsea Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. |
(Brother) Julian "Kelton" Seeton Born:Saturday, May 17th, 1884 ~ Hornsea Died: Alive as per 24-08-2023 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. |
Quotes
"Well, clearly.. It doesn't take a scientist to figure that out."
"He who would pun would pick a pocket."
"May the lords and saints preserve us"
Roger Roger
Trivia
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Additional Information
. THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1890. WRECK OF A LARGE SAILING SHIP NEAR THE NEEDLES SUFFERINGS OF THE CREW SIX LIVES LOST SPLENDID RESCUE OF THIRTY MEN BY THE ROCKET APPARATUS EXCITING SCENES NARRATIVES OF THE SURVIVORS . |
. One of the most disastrous wrecks which have occurred for many wears on the island coast took place on Saturday night when the full-rigged shp Irex ran on shore, under stress of weather, in Scratchell's bay, off the Needles Battery. The Irex was a new steel-built full-rigged ship, of 2248 tons register, with a crew of 36 hands all told, commanded by Captain Hutton, on her first voyage with cargo of 3600 tons of iron sewerage pipes for Rio de Janiero. She was owned by Capt. Clink and others. We have recieved the following accounts from our corrsepondents: . |
. FROM OUR TOTLAND BAY CORRESPONDENT On receipt of a telegram about ten o'clock on Sunday morning at the Coastguard Station, Totland Bay, from Hurst Castle Signal Station, informing the officer that a ship near the needles was in want of the lifeboat, the usual rockets were fired and a mounted messenger was at once dispatched to summon the boat's crew. Whilst preparations were being made for the launching of the lifeboat, small bodies of men were already to be seen wending their way towards Scratchell's Bay, the scene of the wreck and by the time that the launch was effected some 200 persons had assembled on the cliffs overlooking the Bay. The lifeboat was taken in tow by the outward-bound steam collier hampshire. The captain of the hampshire, on hearing the lifeboat rockets, al though he had proceeded nearly as far as the Needles, immediately put back to render an in-valuable and most praiseworthy service. Steaming out at about half-speed the Hampshire rounded the Needles Lighthouse at a quarter to twelve, and this brought the crew in sight of a fine new steel three-master, the Irex. . |
. STRANDED IN SCRATCHELL'S BAY The collier still proceeded with the lifeboat in tow until 12.23, when she was cute adrift, and she pulled away with a steady stroke. However, after 20 minutes’ rowing, the red flag, which denotes danger, was seen flying from her bow, and soon afterwards she was taken in tow by the Hampshire again. During this time the crowd on the cliffs had considerably increased, and the general impression was that the lifeboat had come too far leeward and that another attempt was about to be made to gain the vessel from the windward. She left the collier the second time at 1.30, and as she did not get so near the vessel as in the first attempt, but turned back, all interest in the lifeboat seemed to drop and the keenest attention was paid to the rocket apparatur, which had arrived in the meantime from freshwater bay. It is noteworthy that the apparatus arrived on the downs outside the Needles Fort exactly at one o’clock and through the excellent management of the officer in charge (Mr. Spilman) the necessary arrangements had been made with the military authorities, and the first rocket was fired from the inside of the Fort at 1.10 It was a splendid shot, fired by Coastguard Hallet. The rope went clear over the fore yardarm, it was then carried to the foretop by one of the shipwrecked crew, and from that time the whole ship seemed to be alive with men coming forward to the assistance of one another or two who were in the fore rigging. The deck was being swept with heavy seas from stern to stern, and it was impossible for the men to get forward along the deck, so they had to proceed by way of the rigging, the men aft going from the mizzen-top to mizzen-top-gallantstay to fore-top. After sufficient strength had collected at fore-yard a haul was made at the rocket line, and by 2.40 the double while was lashed and the hawser was soon being pulled towards the ship, and it had been made fast to the mast by quarter past three just about two hours after the rocket had been fired. This time had not been idly spent on the shore. Through the great distance to the ship from the cliff, together with the height of the cliff, about 400 feet, it was apparent that there would not be enough rope with the apparatus, but through the king permission of Major Playfair, every available yard of rope was placed at the disposal of Mr. Spilman, whose men were busily engaged making long splices as fast as it was possible, every man using the utmost power to expedite matters. At one time it was found that hawser had become fastened under a rock at the bottom of the cliff, and a coastguard named Mayo at once descended, but only arrived at the bottom in time to see the rope freed by the combined energies of the workers on the top. This result did not, however, make his gallant attempt any the less brilliant. After the hawser had been tightened and the cradle was nearing the ship for the first time a lad was seen, in his attempt to get forward, to fall from the rigging onto the dock, which was covered in water. He reascended but afterwards came down on deck only to be washed overboard. . |
. THE ROCKET APPARATUS AT WORK The first man left the ship at five minutes to four, and the sight of his coming along inspired the worked to raise a real heartfelt cheer, the poor fellow named John Niccolls, being safely housed at four o’clock. Ample provision for the comfort of the rescued man was made in the Fort by Master Gunner Lloyd, who is in charge of the Needles Battery. Good fires were made in all the rooms, and beds with well-aired blankets, were arranged down both sides of the large room, which presented the appearance of a hospital ward. Dr. Dean was in attendance, and as each man was brought in he examined him, and gave the necessary instructions befitting each case. The second man to arrive was in a terrible plight, one arm and one leg being broken, and this case received the kindliest attention from Dr. Dean, who attended personally to the sufferer’s requirements. This poor man was soon followed by another with a broken leg and injured head, and he too received the utmost attention. The rescue work was still proceeding under great inconveniences, the gale, which had now become a complete hurricane making operations most difficult. The wind drove shingle and pieces of chalk with such violence into the eyes and faces of the rescuers that at times it was almost impossible to see ; still there was no lack of energy, and under the careful, cheering, and most skilful directions of Mr. Spilman, every man worked with will and with perfect confidence and in successful issue. His cheery “Pull away lads, we’re life saving,” worked wonders, and more than once helped a fagged-out one to hang on again. So the work went on. One by one the men were hauled ashore, and at five o’clock seven were saved and their several wants attended to. Messengers were despatched to Totland Bay for more necessaries, and the good supply of bread and meat, butter, Brand’s essence, Liebig’s extract, &c. was much appreciated. As the night was drawing on the crowd on the cliff dwindled down and the helpers in the Fort needed rest and food. . |
. SOLDIERS AID IN THE RESCUE Col. Owen, R.A., arrived on the scene and at once directed that the soldiers should be called in to assist. The first detachment arrived from Golden Hill about eight o’clock, and when they rook on most of the men who had been working at the ropes for four hours had either badly blistered hands of bloodshot eyes, and in some cases both. Wet through and very fatigued, it was a pity that some shelter could not be found for them. To prevent unauthorised persons gaining admittance to the inside of the Fort the gates had been locked, but before the military arrived it was found necessary to keep the gates secured with another object to allow no one to pass out of the Fort, so that there should be no luck of assistance at the ropes. Dr Hollis arrived a little later on, and his valuable help was much needed. The Rev. Eric J.S. Rudd came to offer what consoltation he could to the injured men, and his offices were gratefully accepted. He was again in attendance on Monday, together with Rev. P. Haythornthwaite. At a quarter to ten 23 had been rescued, and at half-past ten a fresh relay of soldiers arrived from Golden Hill. When the twenty-third (a stowaway) was brought ashore, he reported that there were sit more forward and one lad aft, who was afraid to venture along the main stays. It was determined to work on and clear the ship, but it was found impossible to get the boy that night. The last of the remaining six forward was got off at half-past 12. The Boy, wrapped in a rug and lashed to the mast. Was left there for the night. Communication was kept up with the ship all night. On the Monday morning Coastguard Machin and a coloured man belonging to the ship went off and brought the lad safely to land. The brilliant and skilful handling of the rocket apparatus by Mr. Spilman and his gallant corps of coastguards cannot be too highly praised. The record of the saving of thirty lives in such fearful weather bears witness to their heroism, skill and judgement. As for Mr. Spilman, those who was him can best testify to this untiring energy and cheerful demeanour, and to the confidence which he inspired in every one. Mr. William Rogers and Mr. David St. John are also deserving of notice for the support they gave to Mr. Spilman in working the gear. In the other departments of the work Major Playfair, Major Walford, Capt. Symonds, Master Gunner Lloyd, Sergt.-Major Thompson, Bomb. Reeves, and P.C. Helyer all distinguished themselves In rendering what assistance was possible. The Artillerymen generally worked grandly. Artificer-Stergt. Wilmot who had taken charge of the signal telescope in the early part of the day, keeping Mr. Spilman well informed of the movements on board, acted as cook and steward when the survivors were brought in. Mr. Orchard brought some spirits and Mr. George Trevanion some pillows and bedding, which proved useful. . |
. NARRATIVES OF THE SURVIVORS The following particulars of the vessel, voyage & crew, were supplied by different survivors, and are best given in their own words. One man said: Our ship is the Irex, outward bound from Glasgow to Rio de Janeiro, with a cargo of iron pipes used in gas-works, and each weighing about thirty-three hundred weight. She is a steel built ship and new ; this is her first trip out. She is owned by Clink and Co., Greenock and her registered tonnage is 2248 tons. We have be-tween three and four thousand tons aboard. We left Glasgow on the 10th December. The cargo shifted first day out, and we put back to Greenock, had cargo re-stowed, and started again. It was blowing a gale of wind all the time, and we have experienced rough weather ever since. We have been beating about in the Irish Channel, and once we got as far as the Bay of Biscay, but had to put back again. In the meantime, while knocking about two men were disabled, one with broken leg and broken arm, the other with broken leg. When off Falmouth we begged the captain to run in and put the injured men ashore, but he wouldn’t, but said to put them on board of any passing ship going in. So we came on. No one knew where we were going and the captain would not say. The mate was asked to run her into port but he replied that he would sink her first. The narrator went on to speak of the time when the vessel struck the shore at 10.30 on Saturday night. He saw the captain alongside a boat aft giving orders for the boat to be got out. The captain, the mate, and the boatswain were standing together. One man got in the boat, but soon got out again, and while taking together a big sea swept over the poop and washed them over-board. The seamen regained the ship and the others were not seen again. Since then continued the narrator, our troubles have been great. The sea was washing over us, and I went forward and got in the rigging, and remained there all night. At daybreak we made signals to the lighthouse, and waited for help. During this time the ship had been much damaged on deck. There were two berths left in the deck-house. One was used by the old seaman, “Harry”-we none of us knew his other name. He had a broken leg and couldn’t get up the rigging. He was an old man, and had been injured some days, and as the deck-house stood pretty firm, we thought he would be safe till the lifeboat came alongside, for we could see the lifeboat then, and we gave the lifeboat credit for being able to save “Old Harry” if nobody else ; but she went back, and when we saw the red flag our hearts went down ten degrees. About ten minutes after the lifeboat turned back we saw a temendous sea wash right through the house, carrying the old man with it. He washed about on deck for a little while and then got his finishing stroke through being thrown against the poop. He is now jammed between some pipes in one of the hatches. Another one drowned was a boy. He was a stupid boy, and seems to have lost his senses. When we told him to come aloft he wanted to go below, and no inducement that we could offer would make him come up. At last he sat under one of the hatches, until it was swept away ; and so he went from one hatch to another till five were swept away, and the last we saw of him was about three o'clock on Sunday afternoon trying to swim to the main hatchway, where he got jammed and was killed. . |
. I WAS THE MAN WHO WENT AND GOT THE ROCKET LINE. It was a grand shot,and our hearts went up thirty degrees. After the work was finished I was sent ashore first to try the rope, becasue we wanted the injured men to come easy in their minds. That poor man who came second with a broken arm and leg had been crushed all night between a spar and winch on the poop, and to hear his fearful agonizing cries would have made you pity him. The narrator went on to say that all the clothes, chests, and money, about twenty days pay, had all been washed overboard, but he was very thankful that so many kind friends had come to the rescue. The narrator added that he had been to sea 22 years, and he animadverted strongly on the ship and its management. Another survivor said, “God be praised we came ashore here” and then he described the voyage very similarly to the preceding one, but the point of interested was the immediate incidents before the vessel struck. He said “ We have had bad weather ever since we started on the 10th December, and the captain was like a madman. Poor fellow, he didn’t know where he was going and when we asked him he couldn’t tell. We beat up to St. Catherine’s light, the electric light, and then came on and we saw the Needles lighthouse light. I reported land to the captain and after my many telling him that he would not weather that light he ordered me aloft to one of the sails making the remark, “If we don’t weather it we must go somewhere else.” Directly I went aloft the captain went aft, and the ship was headed straight for shore, and she came in as you now see her. After she struck I went aft, and when the captain gave orders for the boat to be got out, I helped and got in the boat, but got out again quickly because there was no plug in the bottom. The sea then swept the captain, mate and boatswain overboard I could not say whether they were in the boat or not, but don’t think they were in the boat. When the captain, mate and boatswain were gone, and I had got back safe, I made for the rigging and was up about five minutes past eleven. When it was daylight, which we had been praying for all night, I could see where we were ; and as the tide went down I went below and got into the captain’s cabin, which was up to my waist in water, to see if I could find the ship’s papers and log book, but after making a complete search found nothing. So there was no account left of how the captain had been steering for the past two days, but it is very evident he was wrong somewhere, to be wrecked off the Isle of Wight outward bound from Glasgow to Rio. He then gave the following list of names as being aboard when the vessel left Glasgow : Captain Hutton ; mate, James Irvine ; boatswain, Ernest Hanson ; second mate, Mr. Reid ; boatswain's mate, Charles Campbell ; A.B. and O.S., James Andrews, Alex Thompson, Wm. Calquhoun. Robert Durrick, Stephen Carroll, James Murray, Thomas Weeks, Ned Collins, Harry Moore, John McIlroy, Dick Stearne, Sam Hughes, Isaac Rose, John Niccolls, Harry Duncan, George Brown, J. Durrick, "Old Harry" ; apprentices, Laker, Hatchett, Jones, Barnham, Bonner, Scaffield, two stowaways, Duffy, Robinson,cook, steward, sailmaker carpenter, boy Ogilvie - Thirty six all told. The captain, mate, and boatswain, the boy Ogilvie, “Old Harry,” and one other were drowned. When asked if they had any rule for the men coming ashore, the narrator replied that they were sent ashore in the same rotation as they came from the mizzen and main. In the course of Sunday morning, he further stated they had some condensed milk and port wine – all that could be saved. There were plenty of provisions on board, but they could not be got at. He added “She was a fine ship, but too much for three masts – she ought to have been a four-master. She was too much for the captain, and the boatswain was frightened of her all the way, and declared he would like to go under his father (who is a captain) again.” Several of them understood the rocket apparatus, but could not get to work at it until they had more strength. They were obliged to cut one of the ropes because it was tangled with the hawser, but once in working order it worked well. The second man with broken leg was operated on Monday morning and is as well as can be expected. The first one is very ill and little hopes are entertained of his recovery. The lad who was left aboard is well. . |
. A MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN The following telegram from Sir John Cowell at Osborne, was recieved by Mr. Todd, Totland Bay, at 12:50 on Monday. “Please to telegraph me to the Queen’s information how many persons have been saved and how many lost in the wreck of the Irex, and where the survivors are now.” The desired information was sent to Sir John as soon as it could be obtained, and the news that the Queen was making inquiries about them cheered the shipwrecked men very greatly. All the men who could be moved were conveyed to Yarmouth and put up at Mr. Butler’s on Mondaynight. They left Totland Bay at around 7.15 --------- The names of the six men left behind on Monday are as follow: second mate Mr. Reid ; carpenter James Gilmour ; able seamen, Moore, and Richard Sterne ; apprentices, Jones and Swaffield. The Irex has not moved, and she has been visited by the owners’ representative. The sea was comparatively calm on Thursday, and the decks of the ship were dry. The body of the seaman “Old Harry” has been removed from the ship. . |
. FROM OUR FRESHWATER CORRESPONDENT Freshwater, I.W., Monday. The Irex struck at 10 o’clock on Saturday night, and remained there without being discovered, until at nine or thereabouts on Sunday morning she was seen and the alarm was given. The coxswain of the Totland Bay lifeboat signalled the crew and proceeded thither in tow of a tug, but to the surprise of the anxious watchers on the shore the boat did not go near the helpless vessel. The life saving apparatus was then got into working order and the hawser made fast to the vessel, and to a secure fixing inside the Needles Battery. The news spread rapidly and brought a large number of persons on the scene from Freshwater village, and also from Brooke, Brightstone, Yarmouth, and other parts of the Island. While work of preparing for the rescue was going on the crew were seen huddled together in various parts of the rigging, and one young fellow was seen fall to the deck, but he quickly scrambled to the shrouds and got aloft before the next sea broke over her, although apparently much hurt. The first and second men were got on shore by sheer hard work through not enough men being on the rope. It was then found that an appeal was necessary to those who had been only too anxious to render assistance but were denied admittance to the Fort. The appeal was responded to in true British style, and many remained till late at night pulling the men ashore with characteristic pluck and endurance, and the officers of the R.A. were all there assisting with willing hands and valuable advice. . |
. FROM OUR YARMOUTH CORRESPONDENT The fine three-masted steel ship Irex of Greenock, from Glasgow to Rio Janeiro, with a cargo of pipes, stranded at 10 o’clock on Saturday night in Scratchell’s Bay, near the Needles. The vessel since leaving had encountered very bad weather and was running for shelter. An attempt was made to launch a boat, and the master and mate lost their loves. The vessel filling fast, the crew took to the rigging, where they had to remain all through Saturday night and the greater past of Sunday. The vessel was first observed at daybreak on Sunday, and the Totland Bay lifeboat was put off to the wreck in tow of a streamer. All endeavors, however, to make the Irex proved fruitless, owing to the tremendous sea running, and the boat returned. Subsequently, with the aid of the rocket apparatus, a line was got on board and a hawser passed to the wreck. The first man was landed on the cliff above the Bay at 4 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, and during the next hour five more were got to shore. One of these poor fellows had an arm and leg broken some days ago in a heavy galem and a seaman similarly disabled was washed out of the forecastle and drowned. The ship carried 36 souls, two of them stowaways. The men had taken refuge in all three tops, and those from the main and mizzen masts had to climb along the stays to the foremast, where the hawser from the top of the cliff was attached. One lad in doing this fell to the deck, but regained his feet climbed the rigging again. Six of the crew were drowned. The cliff on Sunday afternoon was lined with spectators, who could distinctly see the figures of the crew clinging for dear life to the rigging. The wreck lies near the spot where the sad fatality happened to the Corinne’s boat last summer. . |
. INQUEST On Wednesday morning the Coroner from the Island (E. F. Blake, Esq.) held an inquest at the Albion Hotel, Freshwater, on the body of James H. Irvine, first mate of the Irex, which was washed into Freshwater Bay and recovered on Monday evening. The following evidence was adduced: Mark Rutter, a pensioner from the Royal Artillery, living at Freshwater, deposed to discovering the body of deceased in the water near the Esplanade, Freshwater Bay, on Monday evening. He immediately gave information to the police. Two bodies has been seen during the afternoon, but it was not possible to secure them then. Thomas Estella deposed that he belonged to Belfast and had been steward on board the full-rigged ship Irex since December. On the 10th of December they started from Greenock for Rio Janeiro laden with iron pipes. The crew consisted of 34, and they afterwards ascertained that there were two stowaways on board. When they got off the Isla of Man the cargo shifted and they returned to Greenock. They started again on the 24th of December and anchored at Belfast Lough the following day, as the wind was against them. They stayed there till the 1st of January. There was a heavy gale on the 5th in the Channel and six men were injured, two badly. They were 14 days in the Bay of Biscay, and could not get beyond it. The cargo shifted again, and the crew went aft and asked the captain tor return, as the ship was making water and not fit to proceed. The captain then put back to Falmouth, off which place he lay for the night and the vessel rolled badly. The captain steered for Portland on Saturday, the 25th, the day was foggy and the captain could not take observations and we passed Portland. The same evening the captain looked for the Shambles light. He saw a light, which he took for that of a pilot. The captain ordered the ship to be steered for the light. In a minute they struck rock. This would be about 11 p.m. The captain at once ordered the four boards to be cut adrift. The mate was in one of the boat looking for the plug which fitted in the bottom of the boat and the captain was on the lee side of the boat. A sea then struck her and carried away the boat, mate and captain. Witness saw the boat afterwards in the water, and the deceased called out but no one could help him. Saw the boat for two of three minutes, going towards the rocks, and then lost sight of it. A second boat was washed away at the same time. All hands went to the rigging and stayed there during the night. One seaman, with a broken leg, named Harry Grayson, was washed out of the forecastle and drowned, and a boy named William Ogilvie was jammed under a spar. Two or three men tried to get him free, but owing to the heavy sea they were obliged to leave him and return to the rigging. A heavy sea, however released him, and he got into the main hold, where he was drowned. The boatswain Ernest Hanson, was drowned in the cabin and on Sunday an apprentice Hatchett was washed overboard. The rest of the crew and the two stowaways were afterwards rescued by means of the rocket apparatus. They were only 200 or 300 yards from the land. The captain was an experienced man and had been on duty ever since he left Belfast Lough on the 1st of January, never having been to bed. The Needles light is red, and a pilot’s light would be bright. Witness saw the light before the ship struck and could see it was red. A life boat came to their assistance, but returned, thinking they could not reach the ship. Witness was of opinion that they could have done so. It was a poor attempt. The deceased lived close to Dundee. In reply to questions by the Coroner and the foreman of the jury witness said he attributed the vessel in coming on shore to the foggy state of the day and to the captain’s mistakes at the position of the vessel and the nature of the light ; he did not think she was anywhere near the Isle of Wight. He was a man of great experience but greatly fatigued. He did his best to save the life and the ship. Could not account for the captain mistaking the Needles light for a pilot’s but that he really did so was shown by his ordering them to get ready blue lights and a line to get the pilot on board. Had no idea how the mate cam by his marks on his face ; probably he struck his chin in going overboard, There was no disagreement between the men and the officers ; they were all on friendly terms. Witness was of opinion that the lifeboat could have taken them off into safety. The crew might hot have thought so, because of the surf, but there was a good lee side to the vessel. Charles Campbell said he lived on Greenock, and was engaged as boatswain’s mate on board the Irex. This was her first voyage. On Friday witness was on duty the whole night. There was heavy sea. They saw the Portland light that night. He went below at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and soon afterwards hear the call “All hands on deck.” He went up at once and the deceased gave him orders to set the outer jib. Was doing so when she struck, and then came off the forecastle. Then saw one of the boats washed away and head some one calling for help, and looked over and saw a man in a boat. Could not see who it was, but knew it was the deceased’s voice. Witness had sailed with him before, but not with the captain. In reply to the Coroner, witness said he was of opinion that the captain did all that he could during the gale, and that all the crew performed their duty to the best of their power. Questioned by Mr. Reason, one of the jury, witness said he did not hear one of the crew request the captain to heave the ship to for the night. Never hear the captain say he would run her on the “white walls” The men were on friendly terms with the captain. The foreman said there were rumours to the contrary. The Coroner, in summing up, said the jury had pair great attention to the evidence. As far as he was capable of judging. The two men of the Irex had made their statements in a very satisfactory manner. They appeared to have given all the information in their power. The captain of the Irex seemed to have paid much attention to his duties. The evidence showed that he never went to bed at all since the ship left Belfast. No doubt the poor fellow did make a mistake as to the light. It seemed this was a pure accident. No one could prevent it, and no blame was attachable to anyone. They must not pay attention to any rumours which were circulated on such occasions as these. The duty of the jury was to be guided by the evidence. He did not think there was any other course to adopt than to return to a verdict that the deceased’s life was lost accidentally. The Foreman said he had heard there was a man on board who had been out past the Needles lots of times, but the Coroner said they could not go into that. In reply to a question by one of the juty, P.S. Matthews said there were several others witnesses, but the could not say more then these had. Mr. Spilman, of the coastguard, said a mistake had been made about the rocket apparatus. The first man was brought ashore at three o’clock and not four. Mr Reason said they could find different evidence to which had been heard now. One of the ship’s crew told him that they asked for the captain to put back. He swore, and said he would not but that he would run the lot into the “white walls” The Coroner: It is not likely he would talk to a man in that way. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally drowned.” . |
Sebastian "William" Seeton
Information
Status:
Alive
Gender:
Male
Age:
19
Height:
183cm / 6,0ft
Weight:
65kg / 143lb
Birthdate:
15-03-1883
Birthplace:
Nationality:
British English
Marital Status:
Sorta married to
Ezra "Numen" Astor
Relatives:
Father & Mother
Will "Roger" Hutton
Sarah "Phyllis" Seeton
Brothers & Sister
Julian "Kelton" Seeton
Eddard "Hamish" Hutton
Susanne "Phyllis" Hutton
Occupation:
Criminal entrepreneur
Aliases:
Roger
Wicket
Wick
Faction Affiliations: