1883
The first Mumbles lifeboat disaster occurred in 1883, but what is known about the lifeboat men who perished, along with Jessie and Margaret Ace?
But first, the lifeboat, the ‘Wolverhampton’
 |
| 'Wolverhampton' naming ceremony |
The naming ceremony took place at Showell Pool, Bushbury. The additional photo, of the naming ceremony
of the ‘Wolverhampton’, shows from left to right: Dr. Troysell, Charles
Burkitt, Arthur Tudor, George Meanley, Oliver Williams, Alfred Hinde, John
Ridges, John Smith, Joseph Ford (Mayor of 1872), John Ford, Joseph Crowther
Smith (residing Mayor), James Langman (Mayor of 1868), Joseph Lloyd, Edward
Bagley, Henry Willcock, Joseph Pringle, Edward Whitehouse, Richard Dean,
William M. Fuller, George Pennell, Thomas Skidmore and Samual Hand (Secretary).
The gentleman in the boat (coxswain) is Mr. E. Whitehouse of Horseley Fields
In September 1866, the lifeboat was dispatched to Swansea
Station and subsequently accommodated in the Lifeboat House at Mumbles. Between
1866 and the tragic event of 1883, the lifeboat successfully rescued a total of
78 individuals. Following the disaster,
the replacement larger lifeboat was also called ‘Wolverhampton’, which
was housed in the new lifeboat house at Mumbles.
 |
| Swansea and Glamorgan Herald |
On the early morning of the 'Great Storm' on January 27th,
1883, the 'Wolverhampton' was launched to assist the 885-ton barque, Admiral
Prinz Adalbert, from Danzig, Germany, after it drifted onto the outer
island of Mumbles Head and was wrecked below the lighthouse.
The Admiral Prinz Adalbert, a German three-masted
wooden barque, sailed from Rochefort, France to Swansea with pit wood timber
for merchant James Davies. It had a crew of 15, led by Captain Ludwig Leibauer.
The journey had proceeded smoothly for the most part;
however, upon entering the Bristol Channel, they encountered deteriorating
weather conditions.
Shortly after midnight, the Admiral Prinz Adalbert passed
Caldey Island. Concerned by the dangers of the Bristol Channel and the
approaching storm, Captain Leibauer decided to request a coastal pilot for safe
guidance into port.
Following an anxious night, the next morning revealed the
approach of a steam paddle tug named the Flying Scud. This vessel, owned
by Rosser Rosser of Swansea, frequently departed from Swansea to seek
employment opportunities in the Bristol Channel.
William Harvey, the skipper of the Flying Scud,
initially offered to guide the Admiral Prinz Adalbert into harbour
safely. However, when the weather made this impossible, Harvey offered to tow
them into dock. Harvey requested £500 for this service, which Leibauer
accepted.
After several failed attempts, the Flying Scud
returned to port to inform Mumbles Coastguard, leaving the Adalbert anchored
near Limeslade Bay.
Unfortunately, as the Flying Scud departed, the Admiral
Prinz Adalbert’s anchor cables failed, causing the ship to drift
uncontrollably towards the rocks.
The lifeboat ‘Wolverhampton’ was launched in Mumbles
with a 13-man crew. Coxswain Jenkin Jenkins was joined by his sons John,
William, George, and Jenkin, son-in-law William Macnamara, nephew John
Williams, as well as George Davies, William Rosser, Thomas Michael, John
Thomas, David John Morgan, and William Rogers.
Steering the 'Wolverhampton' as close as possible,
Coxswain Jenkins instructed John William Bowman to drop anchor. The crew
attempted to keep the 'Wolverhampton' steady, and a line was thrown from
the Admiral Prinz Adalbert to the lifeboat.
The first crew member of the Admiral Prinz Adalbert was rescued to the lifeboat, followed by the
second. While a third man was being pulled aboard, a large wave swept over the
lifeboat, causing it to capsize and throwing most of the crew into the sea.
As the wave struck the lifeboat, John Williams was thrown
onto the deck of Admiral Prinz Adalbert.
Other crew members were cast against the jagged rocks. The carpenter of the Admiral Prinz Adalbert, Peter Rahberg,
drowned.
As the ‘_Wolverhampton_’ stabilized, William Rosser, John
Thomas, Coxswain Jenkins, and his eldest son John managed to board. Together,
they successfully brought the injured William Macnamara onboard.
Jessie Ace and her sister Margaret Wright, who were on the
lighthouse island, quickly went to assist the stranded sailors. They helped
William Rosser reach the shore using a rope made from their shawls. At the same
time, Gunner Hutchings, a soldier stationed at the island’s fort who had also
spotted the ship, pulled John Thomas to safety.
Coxswain Jenkins was swept to Middle Island, and amidst the
storm, he heard his son John cry, 'It's
over, father; my head is cut open.' Despite his injuries, Jenkins pulled
his son ashore, but John had already died.
Jenkins' other two sons, George and Jenkin, sustained severe
injuries but managed to swim to Bob's Cave, located beneath the lighthouse,
where they were rescued by Abraham Ace.
The 'Wolverhampton' was carried to calmer waters
where a tugboat would transport it back to Swansea dock. The two rescued
sailors remained alive.
During low tide, the surviving crew of Admiral Prinz Adalbert reached the island. The bodies of Peter
Rahlberg, John Jenkins, and William Jenkins, sons of Coxswain Jenkins, were
recovered.
William Macnamara’s
body washed ashore two weeks later.
William Rosser’s
body was never recovered.
However, who were the crew members who had lost their lives?
John Jenkins
John, who was born in 1846, was the eldest son of John
Jenkins and Mary Bevan.
John married Jane Rees at All Saints Church in Oystermouth
in August 1868.
 |
| John Jenkins and Jane Rees marriage certifcate All Saints church, Oystermouth |
According to the 1881 Census, John and Jane, along with
their family, were residing at 9 Tichborne Place.
 |
| 1881 Census |
John, who was aged 35, was a Mariner and Jane was 30 years
old. Their children were
Jenkin, 11; Frederick, 9; Charlotte, 5; David, 2; and Lilly,
1 month.
By utilising the various censuses from 1921, it will be
possible to determine what happened to the children.
Jenkin Jenkins, 51, a house painter, lived with his wife
Eleanor Ann and their children at Lewins Cottage, Higher Lane.
 |
| 1921 Census |
Herbert, 23 years old; Mildred Amanda, 21 years old; Jenkin
Thomas, 19 years old; Eleanor Jane, 16 years old; William George, 14 years old;
and Lily Kathleen, 8 years old.
Frederick, aged 49, who worked as a mill engine driver,
resided on Masons Road in Gorseinon with his spouse, Emma Jane, and their
children.
 |
| 1921 Census |
Frederick Joseph, aged 20; Francis John, aged 18; Phyllis
Lillian, aged 14; and Estella John, aged 9.
Charlotte, 45 years old, married William J. Dixon, and they
resided with Charlotte’s mother Jane at 3 Tichbonre Place.
 |
| 1921 Census |
Jane, 70 years old; William, 50 years old, employed in the
gas industry; and his daughter, Ellen, 16 years old.
Both David and Lilly, did in childhood.
William Jenkins
William, the second son of John Jenkins and Mary Bevan, was
born in 1848.
William married Grace Boden Libby at All Saints church,
Oystermouth in October 1868.
 |
| William Jenkins and Grace Boden Libby marriage certificate All Saints church, Oystermouth |
According to the 1881 Census, William and Grace and their
children resided at 186 South End, Oystermouth.
 |
| 1881 Census |
William, aged 30, was an Oyster Dredger, while Grace was 32
years old. Their children were:
Ellen, 11; and Mary J. 7.
By utilising the various censuses from 1921, it will be
possible to determine what happened to the children.
Elizabeth Ellen, aged 50, is married to Walter Surman. They
live at Western Moor Cottage in Neath with their children.
 |
| 1921 Census |
Walter, 48, was a Gardener, and the children, Flora Mary, 23,
and William Henry, 19.
Niece B. Ethel Proudfoot, 32, and her children, Ellen, 4,
and Charles, 2, were also present at the property during the census.
Mary Jane, 47, married Edwin Delve. They reside at 14
Frogefield Terrace, Norton, with their children.
 |
| 1921 Census |
Edwin, aged 49, works in transport. Their children are
Irene, who is 19 years old; Clifford, who is 16 years old; and Leonard, who is
13 years old.
William
Macnamara
William, son of David Macnamara and Elizabeth Jenkins, was
born in Tailbach, Glamorgan, in 1842.
By the time of the 1851 Census, Elizabeth had remarried, to David
Pugh, following the death of David. They
were living in 71 Mumbles. David’s
occupation was recorded as a Victualler.
Their son, John, was 4 years old at the time of the census.
Also present were Elizabeth’s children from her previous
marriage, along with two servants.
In 1869, William married Sarah Jenkins at All Saints Church
in Oystermouth.
 |
| William Macnamara and Sarah Jenkins marriage certificate All Saints church, Oystermouth |
According to the 1881 census, William and Sarah were living
at George Bank.
 |
| 1881 Census |
William, aged 39, was employed as a Pilot. Sarah was 30
years old. Their children were
William John, 10; Eliza, 4; Jenkin M., 2, and Sarah J., 3
months old.
By utilising the various censuses from 1921, it will be
possible to determine what happened to the children.
William John, aged 50, is married to Mary Thomas. His occupation is recorded as a dock labourer.
 |
| 1921 Census |
Their children are Florence, 19; William H., 24; and his
wife May, 25.
Eliza had died in 1891
Jenkin had died in 1918.
Sarah had married John Schroffer, their marriage having
taken place in All Saints in 1902. By the
time of the 1921 Census, they were residing at 6 Upper Church Park.
 |
| 1921 Census |
John, aged 44, was employed as a carpenter and joiner. Sarah
was 40 years old. Their children were
Elizabeth Mary, 17; John Barnes, 12; and Aileen Peggy,
7.
Boarders William Batt, 26; Mabel Hockridge, 25; John Leslie
Beale, 30; and Edith Bale, 34, were also present at the property.
William
Rosser
William, who was born in Oystermouth, 1828, was the son of
Thomas Rosser and Sarah Ace.
In August 1851, William and Ann Morgan were married at St.
George’s Church in Reynoldston.
 |
| William Rosser and Ann Morgan marriage certificate St. George's church, Reynoldston |
According to the 1881 Census, the Rosser family lived at 219
Park Street.
 |
| 1881 Census |
William, aged 53, worked as a fisherman, while Ann was 54
years old. Their children were
Thomas, 22; Sarah, 19; William, 14; and George, 12.
By utilising the various censuses from 1921, it will be
possible to determine what happened to the children.
Thomas, aged 62, is married to Annie Jones. They reside at
Nicholaston Place. Thomas owns his own business as a Boot and Shoe Dealer and
Bootmaker. They have a daughter named Freda.
 |
| 1921 Census |
Although there are no available census records for Sarah and
William or George, it is documented that Sarah passed away in 1923.
 |
| All Saints church, Oystermouth burial register |
The three men, John Jenkins, William Jenkins and Peter Rahlberg were buried at All Saints church.
 |
| Blue Plaque |
 |
| Jessie Ace and Margaret Wright |
Situated at the top of the steps leading down across the beach and onto the lighthouse, there is a blue plaque which honours the Ace sisters. Jessie Ace and Margaret Wright nee Ace, who came to be known as ‘The Women of Mumbles Head’. These two sisters were ‘ordinary’, yet during the disaster, they heroically risked their lives in the attempt to save the members of the crew of the lifeboat.
 |
| The Graphic |
 |
| Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Empress of Germany |
But what do we know Margaret Wright and Jessie Ace?
Both women were daughters of Abraham Ace. Abraham Ace, who
served as the lighthouse keeper, continued the family tradition that began with
his grandfather, also named Abraham. Each Abraham served as the lighthouse
keeper for approximately 75 years.
Abraham was born in Devonport, Devon, in 1820. At the age of
20, he married Margaret McLean in Glasgow.
According to the 1841 Census, Abraham and Margaret were
residing at the Lighthouse, along with Abraham and Sarah Ace.
During the subsequent decade, three children were born:
Abraham in 1843, Elizabeth Sarah in 1846, and John in 1849.
By the 1851 Census, Abraham's occupation was recorded as
Lighthouse Keeper. This occurred after the death of his father earlier that
year.
Four children were born during the following decade: Sarah
in 1852, Margaret in 1854, James in 1856, and Jessie in 1860.
In the Censuses of 1861, 1871, and 1881, Abraham is recorded
as residing at the lighthouse.
In 1885, Abraham passed away at Langdon Place, Mumbles.
Margaret Wright nee. Ace
Margaret was married at the time of the disaster. She and
Charles Wright were married at All Saints church, Oystermouth in 1874. Charles' occupation was
listed as Gunner R.A., and his residence was listed as the Fort.
 |
| Charles Wright and Margaret Ace marriage certificate All Saints church, Oystermouth |
According to the 1891 Census, Margaret was 35 years old and
a widow. She was employed as a servant and resided at Castle Mead, the
residence of Samuel Home, a solicitor.
 |
| 1891 Census |
According to the 1911 Census, Margaret, aged 56, was
employed as a nurse at Boverton House in Llantwit Major, which was the
residence of William Edward Osborne Williams, an electrical engineer.
 |
| 1911 Census |
The 1921 Census records Margaret, aged 66, as a visitor at
41 Park Place, Swansea. Her occupation is listed as a servant employed by the
General Hospital, Parc Wern Hospital.
 |
| 1921 Census |
 |
| Margaret Wright unmarked grave Bethel Welsh Congregational Chapel cemetery |
Jessie Ace
The 1881 Census records that Jessie, aged 20, was the only
child still residing with her father, Abraham, at the lighthouse.
 |
| 1881 Census |
After her father died in 1885, Jessie married John Dunstan, a 37-year-old widower. The ceremony was held at St. James Church. At that time, Jessie lived on Argyll Street.
 |
| John Dunstan and Jessie Ace marriage certificate St. James church, Uplands |
Two years later, they had a son, Courtenay Ace Dunstan.
 |
| Passenger Lists Garonne |
 |
| Garonne |
The family emigrated to Australia, travelling aboard the
Garonne. The ship arrived in Adelaide in June 1888.
Additional children born were Jessie Ace Dunstan in 1891,
who passed away the same year; Gladys L. J. Dunstan in 1892, who died the
following year; and John Llewellyn Dunstan in 1895.
 |
| Sydney Morning Herald |
Decree nisi was granted.
In April 1905, the New South Wales Police Gazette
reported that Jessie of "Osborne," Renwick Street, Marrickville had
her watch stolen.
Jessie passed away in 1936 at the age of 76 in Coonamble,
New South Wales. She is interred at Rookwood Cemetery, within the family grave
of the Neagle family, by whom she was employed.
Also buried at Rookwood Cemetery, is her son, Oscar Reginald Dunstan,
who died the same year.
Comments
Post a Comment