Coastguard ship `Curlew'

[busyglen]

I recently found `by accident' a memorial stone in Queenborough Churchyard, that appears to relate to the deaths of four people, on the ship Curlew.

Being interested in Coastguards, I jotted down as much information as I could read, as it is split in two and a lot is eroded. The bits I can read say:

"Sacred to the memories of the crew of HMC Curlew, which vessel was run....
and ...steamer?......mouse light. These bodies are interred April 185?
Wm. Shepherd - Commander
Ed. White - Mariner
Wm. Redding
Jn. Mathews - 2nd C. Boy

? is erected by HM Coastguards and ? friends, as a....."

I want to put these names on my web site as they relate to the Island, but I would like to find out a bit more on this. I did a search for HMC Curlew, and came up with HM Canada, Navy, CGS Curlew. I suppose it `could' have been a Canadian ship, although what a Coastguard ship from Canada was doing here I don't know. Does anyone have an idea? I could go to the library and search 9 years to see if anything is shown in the local paper, but that's a lot of newspapers! I also looked for CG ships by name, but so far found nothing.
If anyone has an idea where else to look, I would be grateful.

Glenys

[Peter Goodey]

You're in Kent so I know you have access to The Times ;)

Try "The Times, Monday, May 11, 1857; pg. 12; Issue 22677; col D "

It's a report of the inquiry into the accident.

[Mythology]

I could go to the library and search 9 years to see if anything is shown in the local paper

I recommend working backwards rather than forwards. ;)

'The Times', 24 April 1857, page 7 ...The Scout, Coastguard cutter, Mr. Leaman, Commander, arrived at Sheerness at 10 a.m. yesterday, having on board Michael Hawkings, ordinary mariner, being the only survivor of the crew of the Curlew, Coastguard cutter, Mr. William Shepherd, late second mate in command.I'll save my fingers and let you read the rest yourself, but basically it was clobbered by an Antwerp based steamer called the Baron Osy.

[Mythology]

Beaten to it again - I shouldn't have spent ten minutes typing, should I? :D

[Peter Goodey]

For those who want to know the ending...the captain of the Curlew got the blame for failing to show a light (the accident was at 1am).

[busyglen]

Thank you so much Peter & Myth! :)

I didn't think about The Times for some reason....as it was local my mind was geared to local news! I knew that someone would put me straight, which is why I asked. I shall definately now look up the report, and with the pieces you have mentioned, it make sense of some of the bits missing from the headstone.

Thanks again boys, I really appreciate your help. ;)

Glenys

[busyglen]

I now have the full story and outcome, thank you! Rather sad, especially as it needn't have happened if the Master had shown a light.

I'm now engaged in trying to find where the Mouse bank was, which is where the light vessel was situated. I've never heard of it and hubby has been looking at some old local history books to see if he can find it. I imagine it's something like the Goodwin Sands bank, which had a light vessel. I know there is a sort of bank close to Queenborough near the entrance to the River Thames, but I have never heard the name Mouse around here. I will also go to the library if I have time this week, to look at the local newspaper, to see if there is any more information. I'm really interested in this.....typical, just before I go on a weeks holiday!

Thanks again for the rapid response boys, I can always depend on you. ;)

Glenys

[AnnB]

Hello Glenys

I've found the Mouse on a map of Essex by Robert Morden (circa 1695). The map shows part of the Thames Estuary and the Mouse appears to be beside something called the Swin. I did try to scan the map, but as it is behind glass I can't get a good image. However, I found a reference to it at http://thames.me.uk/s00010.htm It isn't far into the site, but if you search for 'mouse' it will be easier than me telling you where to find it ;)

Best wishes
Ann

[busyglen]

Hello Ann,

Thank you very much for looking for me. :) I've searched that site, but can't find the reference. I'm going to give it another go, but it looks like a third storm looming, so will switch the PC off. I tried searching for `mouse' but couldn't pick it up.

We've found an old map which we think is in the area, but can't make out the names.

Oh dear.....hear comes the thunder and lightning yet again!! We've had hailstones twice and our garden was a pool of water. I felt sorry for the lady living in the house at the bottom of our road, as all of the water rushes down to her garden! I've had three attempts to get to grips with this, but been thwarted by the blessed weather! :(
Will have another go in an hour.

Thanks again.

Glenys

[AnnB]

Hello Glenys

A quick guide to where the mention is on the site - are you sitting comfortably (thunder and lightning permitting ;) )

First heading is 'Estuary'
-then there is a map
-then there's a lot of red writing
-then there's 'Shivering Sands Fort' in a blue box
-then - in the next lot of red writing - 4th paragraph down (begins 'The channel through which the Nora passed...') is where you'll find reference to the Mouse,

Hope you find it - bit like a treasure hunt |biggrin|

We've had a lovely sunny afternoon, for a change, but it's a bit breezy. You can keep the hailstones and storms!!

Best wishes
Ann

[busyglen]

Thanks Ann, just popping off to have another look.

I hate to say this, but the sky is pitch black again, so looks like more thunder and lightning. Hope we don't get anymore hailstones, it's caused havoc with our garden, which was really beginning to look great.

Will let you know if I find it before the storm! ;)

Thanks a lot for your trouble.

Glenys

[busyglen]

Found it!! Thanks very much.....believe it or not, I had passed over this several times before, and missed it!! Oh well, put it down to watching the weather, as I don't want my computer to get caught in these storms!

Oh no.......here we go again...it's thundering and starting to rain....that's the fourth lot today....why are they picking on us??

I will have to write out that information, as it won't let me copy and paste...of course it's copyrighted, which it should be, but I just want it for my notes, sigh.

Oops....more lightning! Bye!

Glenys

[rogercarol19]

I recently found `by accident' a memorial stone in Queenborough Churchyard, that appears to relate to the deaths of four people, on the ship Curlew.

Being interested in Coastguards, I jotted down as much information as I could read, as it is split in two and a lot is eroded. The bits I can read say:

"Sacred to the memories of the crew of HMC Curlew, which vessel was run....
and ...steamer?......mouse light. These bodies are interred April 185?
Wm. Shepherd - Commander
Ed. White - Mariner
Wm. Redding
Jn. Mathews - 2nd C. Boy

? is erected by HM Coastguards and ? friends, as a....."

I want to put these names on my web site as they relate to the Island, but I would like to find out a bit more on this. I did a search for HMC Curlew, and came up with HM Canada, Navy, CGS Curlew. I suppose it `could' have been a Canadian ship, although what a Coastguard ship from Canada was doing here I don't know. Does anyone have an idea? I could go to the library and search 9 years to see if anything is shown in the local paper, but that's a lot of newspapers! I also looked for CG ships by name, but so far found nothing.
If anyone has an idea where else to look, I would be grateful.

Glenys

Today I was looking through some old local history notes I made some years ago and found the same grave stone details you had found in Queenborough churchyard as this was some time ago maybe there was more inscription that was readable. Anyway heres what I saw.
SACRED
To the memory of the crew of HMC Curlew
Which vessel was run down and sunk by the steamer Baron Osey off the Mouse Light on the morning of 23rd of April 1857
Some of whose bodies are here interred
Mr Wm Shepherd Commander
Ed White Mariner
Wm Redding
Jn Mathews 2nd C Boy (presumably cabin boy)
This stone was erected by HM Coastguards (here part of the stone was worn away) and a few friends
I was going to post this on another forum but thought I might Google the HMC Curlew first and your post was first in line
I hope this helps
Roger

[Candy]

Being interested in Coastguards.........

I want to put these names on my web site

Glenys


Hi Glenys,
I also have an interest in Coastguards. My ancestry contains many WARREN men who were Coastguards from as far back as 1841 to the 1910s on the Isle of Wight, Co. Cork, Dorset and Sussex. Is your website about Coastguards in particular? Would love to take a look if you could let me know the address.
Candy.

[busyglen]

Hi Glenys,
I also have an interest in Coastguards. My ancestry contains many WARREN men who were Coastguards from as far back as 1841 to the 1910s on the Isle of Wight, Co. Cork, Dorset and Sussex. Is your website about Coastguards in particular? Would love to take a look if you could let me know the address.
Candy.

Hi Candy,

Off the top of my head, I am not sure if there are any Warren men on my site, but if you would like to look yourself, Google `Coastguards on Sheppey, or you can click on the link on my profile, (forgot that it is there) !


They are mostly Coastguards that were found on Sheppey during the Censuses but a few marriages and births etc. Take a look anyway. If you find anything and would like further help, please let me know.

Glenys :)

[busyglen]

Hi Glenys,
I also have an interest in Coastguards. My ancestry contains many WARREN men who were Coastguards from as far back as 1841 to the 1910s on the Isle of Wight, Co. Cork, Dorset and Sussex. Is your website about Coastguards in particular? Would love to take a look if you could let me know the address.
Candy.

Hi again Candy,

Sorry I didn't have time to look for you the other day, hope you managed to check the site out. There are several Warrens and a christening at Minster as well. They come from a variety of places such as Hampshire, Essex, Cornwall, to name a few.

Glenys