2G2 



WRECKS ON THE PUEBECK COAST. 



[ Eead at the Museum, February 15 th, 1861. ] 



It IS not without a good deal of hesitation that I tender to 

 the Society a short piece of local history, the events of which 

 have of late been causing to the inhabitants of the southern 

 part of Purbock a good deal of excitement, and, I may add, 

 a good deal of trouble. Assuming that it is within our scheme 

 to note any matters of local interest, and tempted by the in- 

 dulgence shewn to me upon a former occasion, I bring before 

 the Society some circumstances connected with the total loss of 

 the Barque ** Hardy." 



From the ** formal investigation" held in pursuance of the 

 directions of the Board of Trade, at Wareham, it appears 

 that the ship in question, of 374 tons register, left London on 

 her intended voyage to Demerara, on January 7th in the pre- 

 sent year. She had, besides her master, a crew of 1 6 ; and a 

 Portugese gentleman his wife, and child, sailed as passengers 

 in the ** state cabin." The Captain had never previously 

 navigated the Channel— the Mate had once sailed up the 

 Channel. The ship appears to have been in every way in 

 good condition — ^registered in 1857, A. 1. at Lloyd's, of Colonial 

 build, and carrying a ** general cargo." Of the meaning of 

 this term the least commercial spectator must have become 



