On January 8, 1890, the SS Torridon displayed distress signals off the Wexford coastline while anchored in a fierce south-southwest gale. The ship had suffered a collision three days earlier in the English Channel, leaving it adrift for two days before being towed towards Ireland. Concerned about the possibility of anchor cables breaking, Captain Miller requested assistance. This account delves into the rescue effort and the fate of the Torridon and its crew.

The Collision and Damage

The Torridon, a screw steamer of 1,700 tons launched in Aberdeen, Scotland, in May 1885, belonged to Messrs A. Nicols Co. and held an A1 classification at Lloyd’s. On January 5, at 1 a.m., the steamer collided with the French vessel La Bourgogne while en route from Algeria to Liverpool with a cargo of esparto grass. The collision tore a gash through the Torridon’s stern, from deck to keel, and cut away the quarter-deck up to the first bulkhead. The bulkhead held firm, preventing water from flooding the hold, but the steering gear and rudder sustained heavy damage, leaving the vessel unmanageable.

Towing Toward Safety

Reports suggest the Clyde vessel Ballycotton from Waterford likely towed the Torridon towards the Irish coast. Anchored approximately five miles off Slade, the Great Western Railway Company’s steamer, Waterford, commanded by Captain Thomas Pearn, found the Torridon showing distress signals in Slade Bay. Despite several attempts to secure a wire hawser, the increasing wind and rough seas made the task nearly impossible. After two hours of effort, Captain Pearn abandoned the attempt, as the Torridon had moved to a safer anchorage near Baginbun. He completed his journey to Waterford and reported the situation.

Lifeboat Launch from Dunmore East

RNLB Henry Dodd at Dunmore East. Image courtesy of Brian Gordon via David Carroll

The distress signals reached the lifeboat station at Dunmore East, prompting an immediate response. The lifeboat Henry Dodd launched at 12:15 p.m. on January 8, just 12 minutes after the alarm was raised. Battling the gale and heavy seas, the lifeboat faced significant challenges. Near the Hook Peninsula, the foremast broke and required repairs before continuing. Undeterred, the lifeboat resumed its mission and reached the Torridon at 3:15 p.m.

The Torridon’s master chose not to abandon the ship, as conditions had slightly improved. However, six crew members, who were reportedly working their passage rather than being regular crew, decided to leave. The lifeboat safely transported these men to Fethard On Sea. Due to the ongoing storm, Henry Dodd could not immediately return to Dunmore East.

Final Rescue Efforts

The Clyde Shipping Company dispatched the tug Flying Fox from Cork, which towed the Torridon into Passage East on January 9. Reports suggest the Fethard On Sea lifeboat Helen Blake may also have participated in the rescue, though details remain scarce.

Resolution and Aftermath

The Lloyd’s List newspaper reported that the Torridon reached Waterford Harbour on January 9 at 10:20 a.m. The vessel continued its journey under the tow of two tugs, the Liverpool and Commodore, arriving in Liverpool on January 14. Meanwhile, La Bourgogne arrived in New York with significant bow damage, having spent 16 hours in the Channel conducting emergency repairs after the collision.

The Torridon likely resumed service following the incident, though further research is needed to confirm its post-rescue history.

According to Brendan Power in an article in On The Hook 2023, the Fethard On Sea lifeboat Helen Blake was also involved in the shout, but he did not give any details. See pages 8-9.

For more on the Dunmore East crew side of the story see David Carroll’s wonderful history of the service – Dauntless Courage pp 56-59

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