History

The Swansea Pilot Boat Race

While recently investigating my family history at the Cooroy-Noosa Genealogical & Historical Research Group, I came across this article and was amazed at how journalism has changed in the last 200 years. Would the following story be written like this today? It was reported in Welsh newspaper, The Cambrian on the 20 June 1807.

SWANSEA BOAT RACE

Eleven pilot-boats, belonging to this port, started, on Tuesday morning, from the pier, to sail around a boat moored off the Mumbles, and then return; the first five that arrived, to receive the under-mentioned premiums, which had been collected by subscription. The winners reached the pier in the following order … (Results were listed) … The last boat, Rose in June, J. Bevan, received 5s. The day was remarkably pleasant, and a great crowd assembled to view the contest, but a most lamentable catastrophe attended this aquatic exhibition ...

It was not until a cheerful 102 words into the story before there is a mention of the possibility of a mishap. A further 170 words follow, describing another competing vessel belonging to Captain Roberts of the Prince of Wales Fusiliers, with

considerable detail of his party of landlubbers, invited aboard to witness the racing. The guests included Captain Logan – also of the Fusiliers –Messrs Collier, Williams, Thomas, Grove, Francis, Jenkins, two 14yo boys – Thomas Sylvester and Hopkin Williams, and Robert Baghott. The details of the tragedy are finally revealed after 272 words!

After a brief enquiry it was found that the vessel was insufficiently ballasted, poorly trimmed and the only man aboard that possessed any nautical knowledge was Mr Francis. When more than a mile off the pier the vessel encountered a sudden squall, dipping her leeward rail and shipping a wave over the gunnel. The inexperienced passengers panicked and rushed to the leeward side of the boat, and she immediately filled with water and sank. Seven members of the party perished including the 2 boys. The survivors consisted of Captain Roberts, Messrs Grove, Francis and Jenkins. Robert Baghott was my 3rd great uncle.

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