03 June 2022

The loss of the 'Anna Helena', 13th November 1890

The Crew

George Crosby, 17, apprentice, of Wivenhoe
William Goodwin, 42, Master, of Wivenhoe
Frederick Hubard, 42, A.B., of London
Charles Kitching, 16, apprentice, of Whitby
John Langlands, 17, apprentice, of Gateshead
August Ludquest, 25, O.S. of near Copenhagen, Denmark
William Stonhold, 35, mate, of Wivenhoe

Hampshire Independent - Saturday 22 November 1890

A VESSEL WRECKED NEAR THE NAB.
SUPPOSED LOSS OF ALL HANDS.

On Friday afternoon last week an object was discovered, just awash, between the Nab and Owers light ships. Upon examination it proved to be the topmast of a submerged vessel.

Information of was promptly reported to the Coastguard, and the authorities at once placed a beacon on the spot to caution mariners of the danger to passing vessels.

The captain of the Java steamer which arrived at Southampton on Sunday reported having seen the mast of a sunken vessel when about four miles to the southward of the Putter buoy, which is in close proximity to the spot buoyed by the Trinity authorities.

In response to a telegram, the Trinity schooner Mermaid left Cowes on Saturday morning for the scene of the disaster. Two of the masts showed above water, and from soundings made by the Mermaid, it was evident that a collision had occurred, and that the sunken ship was cut in two. The wreck lay in eight fathoms of water, four-and-a-half or five miles S.S.E. of the Nab light.

The exact position of the wreck was about midway between the Boulders shoal and the Bullock patch, but to the southward of them, and, in all probability, the lost vessel was steering a course for some port inside the Solent. The steamer Schmiditan arrived in the Thames having been in collision with a sailing vessel, name unknown, to the south-west of Selsea Bill.

On Tuesday it was reported that bodies had been seen floating, and it was reported that one of these was a lady. The topgallant yard and square sail were picked up and left at the Portsmouth Custom House, the sheet measuring 27ft. by 11ft. and having the word "Glasgow" stamped upon it.

The ill-fated craft eventually proved to be a brigantine, which apparently had been in collision and cut down by a steamer. On Wednesday the Trinity Schooner Mermaid proceeded to the spot from Cowes, and with a charge of 120lbs. of powder blew up the wreck, which was a danger to navigation, the mast and other spars being towed into Cowes.

The crew consisted of eight hands, and as none of them have reported themselves it is feared they all perished. The Mermaid returned to Cowes at midnight. The wreck is the brigantine Anna Helena, of West Hartlepool, laden with coal. Her destination is unknown. The boats are missing from the wreck, and there is a faint chance that some of the men may have been picked up.

East Anglian Daily Times - Monday 24 November 1890

ESSEX SEAMEN MISSING.

A disquieting rumour is in circulation as to the supposed drowning of Captain William Goodwin, of Wyvenhoe, whose vessel, the Anna Helena (brigantine), of Hartlepool, became a total wreck near the port of Cowes. It to hoped, however, that the captain together with William Stonhold, the mate, who is a Colchester man, have been rescued by some outward-bound vessel.

Southend Standard - Thursday 27 November 1890

Three Essex men, W. Goodwin (Wyvenhoe), W. Stonehold (Wyvenhoe), and G. Crosby (Colchester) were drowned on Friday by the foundering of the Anna Helena.

Stockton Herald - Saturday 29 November 1890

THE LOSS OF THE ANNA HELENA, OF WEST HARTLEPOOL.

Further information received by Messrs Leonard and Danby, of West Hartlepool, goes to confirm the impression that their vessel, the Anna Helena, was run down, probably by a steamer. The wreck lies in two pieces off the Nab Light, and right in the track of vessels passing down channel. The ill-fated vessel had arrived within nine miles of Portsmouth, her port of destination, when the disaster happened, and the blow which sent her to the bottom must have also carried away her boats, as there were no signs of any boats near the sunken wreck. The chances that the crew escaped in a passing vessel are remote, as if this had been the case the probabilities are that they would have been heard of before now.

Essex Standard - Saturday 6 December 1890

AN APPEAL.
LOSS OF THE ANNA HELENA.

Sir, — I beg the favour of space in your columns to inform the public that a fund has been instituted for the relief of the family of the late William Goodwin, of Wyvenhoe, master of the above-named vessel, which was lost in a gale while on a voyage recently from Hartlepool to Portsmouth, having been found on or about the 12th November, 1890, sunk at her anchors near the Nab Lightship.

The widow, who is in a very delicate state of health and suffers from heart disease, is left entirely without means, and with a family of eight children, the eldest being under 16 years of age and the youngest an infant, all of whom may be said to be dependent on the widow, as the two elder ones only are earning small wages.

It is intended to apply any fund which may be raised to the relief also of the widow's mother, Mrs. Stonhold, of 4 Morgan Cottages, Bourne Pond, Colchester, who is 75 years of age and an imbecile, and has been supported solely by her son, who sailed as mate in the ill-fated vessel, and was lost in her at the same time. The widow is thus doubly bereaved by losing her brother with her husband.

I sincerely hope this sad case may commend itself to the public as being in every way worthy of their aid, and that they will contribute generously to the fund.

Mr. Claude E. Egerton-Green has consented to act as treasurer, and cheques and postal orders may be made payable to "Goodwin Family Relief Fund," and crossed "Round, Green, Hoare and Co., Colchester."

A list of subscribers and balance sheet will be published as soon as possible after the closing of the fund, showing the disposition or investment of the money subscribed, as may be determined upon by the Committee.

— l am, &c,

D. HAM, Hon. Sec.

The Quay, Wyvenhoe, Essex,

Dec. 3. 1890.

Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 12 December 1890

A fund is being raised for the relief of family of the late William Goodwin, of Wyvenhoe, master of the Anna Helena, which was lost in a gale while on a voyage from Hartlepool to Portsmouth. The widow, who is in a very delicate state of health, is without means, and has eight children dependent upon her. Her brother was lost on the same ill-fated vessel, and he leaves a widowed mother, who is 75 years of age and an imbecile, without support.

Essex Standard - Saturday 13 December 1890

The Loss of the Anna Helena.

Captain Ham of Wyvenhoe, has received from the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society a donation to be applied to the temporary relief of the relatives of the captain and mate of the Anna Helena, which was recently lost at sea.

Essex Standard - Saturday 13 December 1890

Loss of the Anna Helena.

On behalf of the fund for the relatives of W. Goodwin, of Wyvenhoe, and W. Stonhold, of Colchester, an attractive entertainment is to be given on Thursday next, Dec. 18, at the Board Schools, Wyvenhoe, by Colchester amateurs. Tickets and programmes may be had of Mr. Goodwin, Post Office, Wyvenhoe; Mr. H. L. Griffin, High Street, Colchester; Mr. Ernest S. Beard, Church Street, Colchester; or at the Essex Standard Office. Admission: Front seats, 2s.; Second seats, 1s.; back, 6d.

Essex Herald - Saturday 20 December 1890

On Wednesday evening an entertainment was given at the school in aid of the fund being raised for the widow and orphans of the late Wm. Goodwin, captain of the Anna Helena, recently lost at sea. The sum of nearly £4 will be handed over to the fund.

The Misses Owen and Miss Gale opened the proceedings with a pianoforte trio Young England, and later on the Misses Owen played a pianoforte duet. Songs were given by Mrs. Pettifer, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Phillips, Mr. H. Peacocke, Mr. Chell and Mr. Hoather. Dr. Pettifer played two viola solos, and the Misses Harvey and Barttelot sang duet. Variety was given by Miss Parker reciting Sims' Life boat and Mr. Owen reading The wreck of the Hesperus and The station master’s story. Messrs. Chell (piano), Phillips (1st violin), Cosgrove (2nd violin), and Hoather (’cello), played a lively polka, by Coote. The accompaniments were played Miss K, Owen, Mrs. Smith, and Mr. Chell.

Essex Standard - Saturday 27 December 1890

The loss of the Anna Helena

Death of Mrs Stonhold

With reference to the fund being raised for the relief of the late Wm. Goodwin, of Wyvenhoe, master of the Anna Helena, of West Hartlepool, which was lost in a recent gale, it was intended by the Committee who are interesting themselves in the matter to apply the fund also to the relief of the widow's mother, Mrs. Stonhold, of 4 Morgan Cottages, Bourne Pond, Colchester. Mrs. Stonhold, however, died on Monday, Dec. 22, so that the fund will now be applied entirely to the relief of the widow and family. Mrs. Stonhold, who was 75 years of age, was an imbecile, and had been for some time supported solely by her son who sailed as mate in the ill-fated vessel and was lost in her at the same time.

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