T and E F (1810)

Description

On Tuesday morning 29th December 1914, the T and E F, Captain Jack Jones, master, bound from Greenock for Millom with a cargo of coal, left Belfast Lough in company with the three other Duddon schooners: J H Barrow, Holy Wath and Maggie Barratt. All four schooners passed through Ramsey Bay the same evening bound for Duddon. On reaching Millom harbour the J H Barrow arrived in time to enter the harbour, but the other three schooners were too late on the receding tide so put out to sea again. In the early hours of Wednesday 30th December 1914 a gale blew up. All three schooners sailed for the shelter of Ramsey Bay. Two of the schooners, Maggie Barratt and Holy Wath, reached the Bay and were surprised the T and E F wasn't there as she was the fastest boat of the three schooners. The last they saw of the T and E F was her battling against the gale to the east of the Isle of Man. Nothing more was ever heard of the T and E F and it was presumed she foundered with all hands between Ramsey Bay and Duddon.A few days later her small boat was washed ashore at Kirkcudbright. Her crew was Captain Jack Jones, master, Richard Hughes, mate and George Torrington, seaman. 'Millom County Court. Sequel to the Loss of the T. and E. F.At Millom County Court yesterday, before His Honour Judge Gawan-Taylor and Registrar Lockhart McKelvin, a compensation case recalling the loss of the schooner, T. and E. F. was brought forward by Mr G H Scott, solicitor, Millom.Appearing on behalf of Mrs Sarah M Jones, Mr Scott stated that his client was the widow of John Jones, the skipper of the vessel, which was lost off the Manx Coast on the 30th of December last, with all hands. She was a trading vessel employed by the Hodbarrow Mining Co. for transporting iron-ore, timber, etc. £289 had been paid into Court and he proposed that a sum of £40 to be paid out to the widow out of her share of £89 to make payments for debts incurred, and that the balance might be paid to her to allow her to follow some profession or occupation. His Honour pointed out that the amount of £40 was an unusually large one in such a case, but was informed that the master of the vessel had to provide food for the crew on board ship, and in all the liabilities amounted to about £38. His Honour: It is an unfortunate position for the widow to be in. Mr Scott: That is so, your Honour, but it is inseparable, the way the boats are managed. It transpired that though the skipper was not a part-owner he was, according to the conditions, 'interested' in the freight, and the compensation agreed upon included an allowance. There were two children dependants, Mr Scott's proposition was that £112 be allocated to the youngest child, and £88 to the elder, to run out at the rate of 3s. 6d. per week per child.His Honour: But the mother's is the greatest loss, and it is very unfortunate that such a large amount by to be paid out for bills. Is there no other means of support for her? Mr Scott: I understand not. His Honour: I should like the mother to have more; the whole of the bills would have to be paid by her. and she is the chief dependant. It would be better to take payment for these bills out of the lot, and then divide the remainder. Mr Scott informed His Honour that the mother proposed to go out its a nurse (His Honour: 'A very excellent proposal!'); she had no relatives to whom she could look for pecuniary aid. Mrs Jones was called, and said that her father and mother were still living, and would take charge of the children. His Honour: This is a very sad case. Mr Scott stated that he would desire a weekly payment of 3s. 6d. for each child. His Honour: Well, let the £38 6s. 5d. be taken out of the funds and then begin to divide. In reply to His Honour, it was stated that the widow lived at Borwick Rails, and would be going into training a nurse about July 1st. She had had no previous experience. Mr Scott made an amended suggestion, that 2s and 2s. 6d. be paid per week for the keep of the children - aged 4 years and 5 months and 1 year and 6 months respectively, and to allow the mother £35 out towards her expenses whilst in training. The figures were gone into by Mr Scott and the Chief Clerk, and ultimately it was allowed that the sum be proportioned and paid thus: £73 6s. 5d., plus a further £42 19s. 1d. to the mother, £95 to John, the youngest child, and £78 to May, the daughter.'