On a beautiful spring morning, we took a trip out to Hook Head.  Rather than visit the lighthouse, however, I was keen to do a short video of the maritime exhibition. It sounded like a good plan during mid-week, but as it was Easter break, the place was hopping. I did get the video, but I also noticed an info board and anchor, pictured below, which was said to come from the Genovese barque Tempo sometime in 1878.  So I decided to do a bit of digging.

Not much to go on, but a name and a year certainly narrows things down; unfortunately, a name like Tempo can yield a lot of results, whether on Google search or newspaper archives. So here are the details that I found.

The Tempo – an Italian barque-rigged sailing vessel grounded at Hook Head at about 4 am on Sunday night/Monday Morning – 7th January 1878. I could find no details of the weather conditions or, indeed, the cause of the wreck.

Although the vessel was stated to be on a journey from Baltimore to New Ross with a cargo of maize, the Tempo had in fact arrived at Queenstown (now Cobh) on December 31st. I don’t know when she sailed, but most likely Sunday 6th with favourable weather. She had taken on the services of an unnamed coasting pilot at Cork. A local paper stated that they may have tried, unsuccessfully, to signal for a local pilot to take them up the harbour.

As I said, I have no information on why the accident occurred, but the ship ran ashore at the Hook, and elsewhere I read that the entire crew and, I’m sure, the pilot, got away from the vessel in their own long boat. The ship, it was claimed, rapidly broke up – suggesting that there were high winds or perhaps a gale blowing at the time.

It was reported thus in the Wexford and Kilkenny Express – Saturday 12 January 1878

Wreck in Waterford Harbour.—Shortly after four o’clock on Monday morning the Italian barque Tempo, bound from Baltimore to New Ross with a cargo of maize consigned to Messrs Alexander became stranded near the Hook Tower. On enquiry on Tuesday, we ascertained that all hope of getting her off was gone, and that she is certain we believe,to become a total wreck. Both vessel and cargo was insured. Mr A Stephens, Lloyd’s agent, on hearing of the casualty, at once visited the place where she was stranded,and gave the necessary directions under the circumstances.

Another report of the same date stated that the Italian Consul at Waterford, Signor O. Viacava, thought that the ship should have held closer to the Waterford shoreline.  There were also rumours of the local pilots failing to respond to a signal and a demand for a Board of Trade inquiry into the loss. I found nothing about the pilots in the harbour board minutes and no BOT inquiry reportage either.

The Italians didn’t hang about, as a wreck auction was advertised that same week.  It was advertised widely, including this piece from Waterford Mail – Saturday 12 January 1878

WRECK SALE. BE SOLD BY AUCTION, on MONDAY next, Tue 14th Inst, at 12 o’Clock, at the HOOK TOWER, County Wexford, the Hull, Masts, Spars, Sails, Ropes, Anchors, Chains, Hemp and Wire Rigging, etc, of the Italian Barque “ TEMPO” of Genoa, 437 tons register, coppered and copper fastened, as she now lies at the Point of the HOOK TOWER ; Also a quantity of Indian Corn, saved from the wreck, in lots to suit purchasers.

Purchasers to pay 5 per cent Auction Fees.

For further particulars apply to

O. VIACAVA, Italian Consul ;

V. MILON ; and

Capt PAGLIANO, at the Tower of Hook ; or to

JAMES HENNESSY, Auctioneer, Georges’ st, Waterford, Jan 10th, 1878

It seems the auction took three days. The Wexford and Kilkenny Express – Saturday 19 January 1878; page 4 listed the following purchasers:

WRECK SALE. —On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Mr James Hennessy, auctions, Waterford, put up for sale at Hook Tower the hull and gear of the Italian barque Tempo, recently wrecked in Waterford harbour. The principal buyers were Mr Walter Breen, Slade; Mr T C Spencer, P Dwyer, J Hoare, and — Murphy, of Waterford. The sale realised by the three days over £4OO.

Obviously, there are a lot of details I don’t yet have, but hopefully these will be filled in over time. It might be safe to assume Captain Pagliano was master of the vessel, as he was stated to be at the Hook. But again, it’s speculation.

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