THE DAY THE WHITING FOUNDERED
Padstow in 1816
The old men who sat on the seat by the harbour known as The Long Lugger passed their time talking about just about anything. There was little that someone in the group did not have an opinion on whether it was the goings on in London with the King and his “illness”, the antics of the Prince Regent, or some item of clothing they had seen around the town. “Modern fashions”, they would mutter. Only three months before the news of victory at Waterloo had filtered through. They fired off the little cannons up at Place that day and they talked of nothing else for a week. Someone had even brought home a drum, come in handy for May Day that would. Not since Trafalgar eleven years before had there been so much excitement.
Not that there wasn’t plenty happening closer to home to set the tongues wagging. There was always the latest incident at sea . There was never any shortage of them as Padstow grew in importance as a port.
The talk that September day was all about the Navy ship HMS Whiting that had foundered on the Doom Bar. She was a tidy size and although no one had lost their lives, she was stranded in an awkward position near the mouth of the estuary. One person had heard that the Captain had refused to wait for a pilot. They took time to get out from Padstow in those days. “ That was the cause of all the trouble” he said. He was old enough to have sailed with Capt Cook in ’79 and claimed to have known Capt Bligh and the boy Quintrell before he signed for the Bounty. They called him Quintall there but he was born in Padstow , “those Navy men couldn’t always spell proper” they all agreed.
Someone had spoken to some of the crew of the Whiting and had more to tell. “She had been a Baltimore built Schooner captured from the Americans” they said. They had all heard about that little war. Three years ago the British had occupied Washington and set fire to the White House. Early in the year before the Americans got their own back at New Orleans. The boys on the seat couldn’t understand why you would want to fight our own. Not sure if the men up to London new best.”. The crew had said about the Whiting,. “ Interesting raked masts and was a very fast mover” “Out sailed our boys a few times” they had told him. Another “expert” had a story that they were difficult to manage. Had that contributed to the wreck ?.
Little did they know that for decades the Whiting and the sand that would build up about her would be the subject of so much debate even reaching the ministry in London.
Not much escaped the eagle eyes and ears of this local “parliament”. They noticed the comings and goings at the old place known as Abbey House. They all knew about the tunnel going up to Place. Funny thing no one had ever seen it.
They watched as cargoes were unloaded and stowed into warehouses. The Rawlings’ business empire was at its height. They had even opened The Padstow Bank and were issuing notes . Some had been up Sanders Hill to see the fine mansion the family had built. Rival to Prideaux Place, some said.
More town talk again was that there was trouble between them and the Avery’s. Thomas Rickard Avery was Controller of wrecks, he lived up the coast at Boscastle and he had a relative that lived in the old Court House believed to have been visited by Sir Walter Raleigh in Elizabeth’s time.
Up at the Parish Church William Rawlings was the |Vicar, he was the banker and merchant’s brother. Most people went to the Parish Church on Sundays and sat in the Box pews they had at that time. The choir with the musical instruments were at the West end in a special gallery. When the congregation sang the hymns they turned to face the music. The gentry had their special seats. People knew their place.
Down on the Long Lugger there was talk of the Methodists who were making their presence known in the area. One young preacher with a particularly evangelical style had impressed many who heard him. He was William O’Bryan and he would form the “Bible Christians” although he himself later separated from them. He continued to preach both in England and America helping to fuel an appetite for emigration that would rise to significant levels in the years to come.
Often the conversation would be interrupted by the sound of caulking hammers. “Quite musical” said someone who had obviously never had to use one all day long. Often they heard the hammering from the Blacksmiths shops and the distinctive sound of the large Pit Saws associated with the shipbuilders who were a growing number. John Tredwen being one of them already established in the Higher Yard just around the corner and living in his fine slate hung house nearby which he had called Marine Villa.
Up at Place the home of the Prideaux family things were happening too. The Rev Charles had arrived from Bath with his wife who was fond of the kind of social life they had enjoyed there. She soon had local musicians performing for her fashionable dances. Caleb Boney the Clockmaker was one of these, several locals had seen the fantastic Astronomical Clock he had made for the squire and heard the stories of these gatherings. Rev Charles had made a name change too. Now he was Prideaux-Brune. The Long Lugger gang did not need to ask where the new found money came from. Some of it was finding its way into local pockets via the building projects. Very Grand they were told “just like they houses up London” Martha who worked in the kitchen had told them. The Surgeons wife who had read the latest Jane Austen (Emma published 1816) told her maid that life up Place was “just like something out of a novel”. They could believe that and many an hour was passed imagining the scene. When they heard that young master Charles, was travelling all the way to Eton College by Coach, the speculated at the expense. He was the one they later called “Charles of London Town” though perhaps not to his face.
They would often talk about one day in the year that was a special day in Padstow. The old boys on the seat said it was “ for the young people really” but nevertheless they put on their best clothes and wore a posy of spring flowers in their buttonholes and paid particular attention to the ladies who were generally busy in the home while they “put the world to rights”. This was May 1st except of course when it fell on a Sunday. Preparations would last several days. Ham joints from home kept pigs. Pasties and Saffron Buns would be much in evidence as Padstow enjoyed their May Day Celebrations as they had done since “time immemorial” so they said. The streets would be decorated with greenery and the better off would be visited on May Eve to see if they could spare a “shilling” or a “cup of ale” to lubricate the antics of the Hobby Horse on the following day.
It could get a bit rough with “smut” rubbed on fair faces and pistols fired in the air and some said it “should all be done away with”. On the seat they weren’t sure but even the critical hoped that it would continue.
There were several Inns around the harbour mainly catering for the transient population of merchant seamen and seaborne travellers. As well as the Ship there was the White Hart and the Caledonia, the Britania, Duke of Wellington, George and Dragon, the Hope and the Golden Lion. In the latter many sales of salvaged goods took place in the “Long Room” behind the Inn.
Not far behind them was the Market Place with its Market House containing the Butchers Stalls. Occasionally a lady who had been shopping there or at one of the stalls in the street would stop by and join them. One was quite shocked to hear the stories being told about a Redruth man called Trevithick who had built a steam carriage. “Whatever next she said” and left before she heard any more. If she had she might have heard about the invention of the miners safety lamp by Humphrey Davey another Cornishman or the Rocket Apparatus, that would save many a life at sea . Designed by a Helston man Henry Trengrouse. Things were definitely happening down here in Cornwall and up country too. Times would never be quite the same again.
John Buckingham.
With grateful thanks to all those sources that help me to unravel my love of
local history. The Bill for Charles Prideaux – Brunes trip to Eton was
transcribed from information held at the County Record Office by Roger Lacy.
An Incomplete History
of the
Michael P. Higgins, Chmn.,
Baltimore Clipper
Arrow
During the War of 1812
Navy League of the United States
Committee on Merchant Marine Affairs
Greater Golden Isles Council
November 2006
Construction
Ownership
Her Master
Voyages
Career as HMS Whiting
Her Commanders
Cruises
Loss in 1816
The Wreck
Current Disposition
Search and Recovery
Artifacts
The Privateer Arrow
Construction:Built:
Built by:
Builders Plans:
Particulars:
Length over Deck: 98'
Length over Keel: 75', 8'-7/8"
Breadth: 23', 7'- 5/8"
Depth: 9' 10"
Displacement: 225 Tons, 250 Tons - British Measurement
Armament: 12 guns: 2 x 6pdrs, 10 x 12pdrs (carronades)
Crew: 50 men
Ownership:
Commander:
Cruises: Captured enroute Bordeaux, France; to Baltimore
Capture of Privateer Arrow: 8 May 1812, Capture of Arrow by HMS Andromache. Arrow sent to Plymouth with 6 seamen and 2 marines. ADM 52/4414. [I could look for a report by the captain via the ADM 12 indexes, though under WHITING, formerly ARROW, the only references are to the Navy Board.]
Disposition: ARROW was seized pursuant to British Orders in Council, as she was trading with France. ARROW was captured by the Royal Navy frigate (38 guns) HMS Andromache, on 8 May 1812. She was one of the final captures under the Orders in Council as they were repealed on 16 June 1812 – two days prior to America’s declaration of war. Arrow's crew arrived in Plymouth before the declaration of war by America, in which case there’s no special reason for them to have been taken to Dartmoor Prison. Perhaps, some were pressed into service on their own ship in its new guise - the paybook ADM 35/4002 might show this. But in any case the compiled Dartmoor indexes are on the open shelves at the National Archives, and using the copy sorted by date I might find them easily if the source is noted.]
Adjudicated: In Plymouth, 10 May 1812 [The papers of the Prize adjudication are probably in HCA 32/494-501, High Court of Admiralty: Prize Court: Papers, 1793-1817, ships’ names beginning with A, 1-65; key should be in HCA 32/1849, index to papers in prize causes 1811-1815]
Determined fit for Royal Navy service: from Navy Board [to Admiralty] stating that Mr. Edward Lockyer has tendered for H M Service the American schooner Arrow of 250 tons, Prize to HMS Andromache. Response of Admiralty to Navy Board: to be surveyed [should be in ADM 1/162]. 10 Oct 1812 Report from Navy Board on the Arrow Prize Schooner. Response of ADM to N Bd.: to purchase and register her by the name of the Whiting. [Should be in ADM 1/163] It is quite possible, being a Baltimore-built vessel, her lines were of considerable interest to the Royal Navy. There may be a record of her lines at PRO-Kew..
Career as HMS Whiting
Commissioned: Pay book shows service starting 5 Jan 1813. Captain’s log starts 12 January 1813: cat entries for ADM 35/4002 and ADM 51/2965. No relevant reference in ADM 12 index for 1812. Could check in 1813; something should be in correspondence with the Ordnance Board, ADM 1/4020,4021 and ADM 2/162,163. But, this is unlikely if Ordnance Board is not referenced in ADM 12] [ADM 8/100, List Book, 1812-1813, might contain a useful reference: monthly returns showing the disposition of ships, names of officers, etc.]
Cruises: 1813 Lieut. George Hayes, Jan./1813, Bay of Biscay. With HMS Medusa and HMS Scylla, Whiting captured the Tyger of 263 tons taking brandy from Bordeaux to New York in March 1813. The famous American privateer Fox, out of Bordeaux and bound for Philadelphia (Baltimore), was taken on 6 April 1813 after a chase of more than 100 miles. The Fox mounted eight guns, two of which were thrown overboard during the chase. Fox had a complement of 29 men. Fox was captured some 200 miles southwest of Cape Clear (Ireland’s southernmost island). Lieut. Hayes sent Fox into Plymouth were she arrived on the 8 May escorted by HMS Pheasant and HMS Scylla. 1814 Attached to Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn's Squadron for the invasion of Georgia. Her station would be the north end of Cumberland Island to guard the Inland Passage to St. Marys. Took part in a raid on St. Simons plantations. In March, she returned to Bermuda. 1815 Lt. John Little, took command in Halifax. 1816 Lieut. John Jackson, took command of HMS Whiting at Plymouth. She was wrecked near Padstow, abandoned 21 September 1816.
Loss in 1816: Seeking shelter from a gale, she was wrecked on Dunbar Sands near Padstow, Cornwall, England on 15 September 1816, being abandoned on 21 September 1816.
Courts Martial for Lt. John Jackson, RN: Lt Jackson was found negligent in the loss of HMS Whiting and lost one-year seniority. Three crewmen were given 50 lashes with nine-tails for desertion.
The Wreck:
21 Sep 1816 Wrecked abandoned by RN.Courts Martial proceeding in ADM 1/5455. There is a string of correspondence in the ADM 12 reference for WHITING: 17 Oct 1816 Letter from Capt Hanchett to J W Croker [sec to ADM Board] with suggestions for disposing of wreck; ADM 1/1953 [sent]. Note the 20-foot tide at Padstow.
[Hanchett suggests either paying £400 on results or else selling the wreck where she lies; there’s a note on Hanchett’s letter, dated 23 Oct, directing that the Navy Board should sell the vessel on the spot - if that happened, the wreck no longer belonged to the Crown]
1827 Clearance
According to Gosset's The Lost Ships of the Royal Navy 1793-1900, sand accumulated around the wreck, so much so that "by 1827 a sandbank had formed" which threatened to block the harbor. According to Gosset, eventually the hull was refloated by pontoons. This is not confirmed and may only be speculation.
"21 June 1827 sending petition from merchants of Padstow asking for clearance of the wreck." Response [based on sight of Hanchett’s letter and the note on it] noted in the ADM 12 digest: “Acquaint the parties that the Vessel was sold and that HRH could not therefore (if so disposed) comply with the request”. [No date for the responding letter in the digest, nor on the inward letter.] Gosset says “eventually the hull was refloated by pontoons”. Need to go back to see if there’s any source given.
Search and Discovery - N/A
Survey Results - N/A
Artifacts Recovered, Conservation - N/A
The Other Privateer ARROW - from New York Sources Samuel Tooker and the Privateer Arrow
New York merchant Samuel Tooker operated a store in Manhattan at 13 Coenties Slip. In 1806, he took in as a partner Benjamin Mead, and the firm was S. Tooker & Company. That house went largely into the privateer business in 1812, as did many other houses of that day. One vessel that he fitted out had a singular career, a detailed account of her follows to show how the business was done at the time. Mr. Tooker fitted out a brig called the "Arrow" with fourteen guns. He selected for her commander Captain Conkling, a favorite captain, who had been in the East India trade. The stock was $65,000. The shares were $1,000 each. As soon as it was known that Conkling had charge of "Arrow," shares were all taken, for it was known that Captain Conkling's East Indiaman had been captured by the British, and that in the "Arrow" he would do all in his power to injure British commerce and property.
The supercargo or purser was to be William Bogardus, who had been a clerk with Mr. Duffie, but had started on his own account in 1800, as a salt merchant, and after a few years failed, in 1808. Mr. Tooker determined to give him a start and chance. Mr. Tooker was the agent who got up the privateer, and if she succeeded would have the selling of her prizes, thus earning large commissions, besides owning the principal shares. Everything looked bright for the privateer "Arrow." She eventually was destined to hit the mark. Just as she was ready to sail, a United States vessel of war discharged her crew. One hundred and twenty of them went at once on board of the "Arrow," and bid her fair to do well. Of course the harbor was blockaded closely; but one dark night the "Arrow" and her gallant captain and brave crew, sailed. Two other privateers left the same night, one named the "Whig." and the other the "Warrior." They returned successful, after some weeks, but the "Arrow" was never heard of from that day until this. She of course was presumed a total loss. Arrow carried no insurance. Source: THE OLD MERCHANTS OF NEW YORK CITY Second Series, By Walter Barrett, Clerk 1863 MERCHANT DESCRIPTIONS, CHAPTER 37
The Two HMS Whitings Whiting, Built 1804 Type: Cutter ; Armament 4 Completed: 1804 ; Disposal date or year § : 22 Aug 1812 Disposal Details : One of the first Naval actions of the War of 1812 was the capture of the Bermuda sloop, HMS Whiting, Captain Lewis Maxey, in the Chesapeake. She was captured by the French privateer, Diligent. WHITING was later returned to Britain. On 22 August 1812 WHITING was captured a second time while at anchor in Kingston Roads, Jamaica. Notes: 1805 Halifax Station, 1812 Bermuda Station.
Whiting, Built 1812 Type: Cutter ; Armament 14 Completed: Taken 1812 ; Disposal/Loss date or year: 21 Sep 1816 Disposal Details : Wrecked on Dunbar sand, harbour of Padstow, crew saved. Lt. John Jackson, RN, commanding.