A bit more of the story.
On the picturesque St Cwfans island, Anglesey `Church in the bay`
there is a gravestone for Frank Morley Gurney
who drowned in July 1869 aged 21.
“ To the memory of Frank Morley Gurney son of Mr F K Gurney of
Moore Park Villas Walham Cross London who was drowned in
Porth Trecastell the 31st of July 1869 in his 21st year.
I have visited this lovely place often and always wondered
about this young man, who was he, what about his family,
and more importantly are there any relations around now
that probably don’t even know that he existed.
The North Wales Chronicle August 7th 1869
Wreck of a Vessel and Loss of Life.
During a gale on Friday the Iron Barque Dalton (Capt. Towill )
bound from Valpairosso to Liverpool with a cargo of wheat,
copper ore, honey etc was driven out of her course
and struck between 12 and 1 o` clock on the rocks
near Trecastell in Anglesey. In getting to the boat to
save themselves one of the crew was thrown into the
water and drowned , and another received very serious
injuries from falling to the deck while trying to reef the sails.
The ship, which is the property of Captains Steel and Bell
is still on the rocks, but so far steady, and it is the opinion
of the owners and experienced engineers that she can be
got off without any serious damage should the weather continue fine.
All hands are hard at work to save ship and cargo,
and the owners and Captain Cawkit with the skilful aid of
Mr Paul the engineer and other of their staff are labouring hard for this object.
The Dalton was a very new vessel, registered at 592 tons,
she had been launched by Messrs Bowdler , Chaffer and Co
a few weeks earlier. Capt Towill was well known on the West Coast Trade.
Western Mail Cardiff Friday, August 6, 1869;
Obituaries
`On the 31st July drowned while nobly volunteering to
save papers of value from the ship Dalton wrecked in
Carnarvon Bay, Frank Morley the dearly beloved son of
Mr F K Gurney of Woodstock Street, and Moore Park Villas,
Fulham, in his 21st year. `
Even though he died in July 1869 the death wasn`t registered
until June Qtr 1870 at Anglesey.
Frank was the son of Frederick Kingston Gurney and
Matilda nee Morley; he was the youngest of three brothers.
Frederick Kingston, John Henry and Frank Morley.
From census records it seems that two brothers went to sea and John Henry became an Heraldic Artist.
Frederick Kingston was an engraver and draughtsman
with his own business.
His wife Matilda died in 1850 leaving him with three young sons.
He remarried ten years later.
Frederick Kingston Gurney died in 1906 at the age of 90.
