The wreck of the Seahorse

[Sceach kelly]

The ship named the seahorse was wrecked in Tramore bay Ireland in 1816 with a loss of over 300 soldiers and their wives and children from the British 59th foot bat. I am trying to find out more information on the ship itself., where it was constructed, the designs etc. The reason for this is that we have found a potential relic of this ship, the front portion, the prow, concealed for years in an old building. we need to try and find out more about this but have found that the details given on all websites, historical references, books etc have mistaken this ship with another ship also named the seahorse. The Seahorse that was shipwrecked in tramore bay in 1816 is not listed anywhere. in 2016 it will be the 200th anniversary and we hope to remember the dead and the tragedy of the last leg of a long journey home from war of the 59th foot battalion. The Seahorse listed in all websites, books etc is a British Navy Frigate converted to transport ship built 1874 (also incorrectly listed as 1894). Seahorse was paid off for the final time in March 1784, and was sold on 30 December 1784 for the sum of £1,115, to Richard Buller. Seahorse was subsequently rebuilt by John Randall, of Rotherhithe, and entered mercantile service under the new name of Ravenscroft. This is not the ship involved in the tragedy in 1816. i am trying to trace any details of the actual seahorse that sunk in Tramore Bay in 1816 and any information on its crew, passengers and soldiers.

[Drosybont]

There's a very detailed account of the incident including people saved, people died, in The Scots Magazine of Thursday 1 February 1816.  I found it on a subscription site, British Newspaper Archive, though it may be available elsewhere on the web. 

Drosybont

[giblet]

Will of Edward Waldron Showel or Showell, Officer belonging to His Majesty's Ship Seahorse and being Number 250 on the said Ships Books
Date: 18 April 1816

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D568370

I know the will wont help any but at least you have another name of someone on the ship at the time.

I have also found some newspaper articles. If you would like a copy of them just PM me your email and i will forward them onto you 

[Richview]

33 persons among them 11 children & some women were buried in Drumcannon Churchyard.
Officers lost
Major Douglas
Capt M'Gregor
Surgeon Hagan
Assistant Surgeon Lambe
Lieut Veale
Lieut Gent (Adjutant)
Lieut Scott
Lieut Gillespie
Ensign Ross
Ensighn Hill
Quarter Master Baird

R

[t mo]

hi and welcome to rootschat .
also have you looked in the wreck site www.wrecksite.eu  they have a little info .
and this one may help www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/articles/wreck_sea_horse.htm

also I just found a description of seahorse as a transport brig so another one to add to the list .
it seems it was the 2nd bat 59th foot that were on board also 2 other ships went down on the next day , the lord Melville also carrying men of the 59th and Boadicea this one carrying men of the 82nd foot .
regards
trevor

[jess5athome]

Bookmarked the thread, following with interest.

Regards.
Frank.

[Richview]

QM Baird was lost with his wife & 2 children
R

[alpinecottage]

Have you also tried Lloyds Lists?  http://www.lr.org/about_us/shipping_information/Lloyds_Register_of_Ships_online.aspx

There are several Seahorses from the relevant era, the problem is searching for them because of the old typeface using an f for a lower case s.  Search using the words nymph or gull, then scroll up or down from Sea Nymph or Sea Gull to find  Sea Horse.  From other information about the owner or captain you may have, you may then be able to work out the type, size and other features of "your" Seahorse.

[Drosybont]

From earlier newspaper reports it seems that prior to serving as a transport, Seahorse was a 36 gun frigate.  In August 1814 it was involved in action on the Potomac during the attack on Washington.

Drosybont