Loss
On 3 December 1909, Ellan Vannin left her home port of Ramsey at 01.13 am, under the command of Captain James Teare, who had some 18 years of experience. She was carrying 15 passengers and 21 crew as well as mail and 60 tonnes of cargo. The weather on departure was moderate, and though the barometric pressure was falling, the captain did not expect a significant deterioration in the weather. However the weather rapidly worsened and by 06:35hrs when the ship arrived at the Mersey bar light ship, the wind had risen to a severe storm force 11, and waves were reported to be exceeding 20 feet (6.1 m) in height. The ship foundered, (a nautical term for filling with water and sinking), between the bar light ship and the Q1 buoy in the Mersey approach channel. It is believed she was broached by a large wave, which overwhelmed the ship. She sank by the stern with the loss of all passengers and crew.
News of the disaster reached Douglas on the Friday evening, and the directors sat in almost continuous session until Monday. Communication was by telegram and information was difficult to ascertain. Then the Liverpool agent reported that two lifebuoys, bags of turnips and a piano had been sighted floating near the Formby lightship. It was five days after the ship went down that the first bodies were recovered.
In January 1910, Captain Teare's body was found washed ashore on Ainsdale beach in Southport. It was subsequently returned to the Isle of Man for burial.
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