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THE WRECK OF THE CHICAGO

On the 14th January 1868, a two masted, brig-rigged ship, which, in the fashion of the age, was also equipped with two steam engines, ran aground on Brohogue rocks, off Guileen. This unfortunate incident set in course a train of events which must have added greatly to the excitement in that most picturesque of hamlets over the following weeks. These contemporary accounts are taken from the Cork Examiner of the period.

" A fine steamship named the Chicago belonging to Gina Line, was wrecked at Guileen at the mouth of Cork Harbour on Sunday evening. She left New York on 2nd January.

Out on the sea the weather was charming, and everything promised a pleasant and quick voyage. On Sunday evening the Old Head of Kinsale was sighted at four o'clock, the light on which the captain says, he saw pretty distinctly, but after this point the weather changed from South to S.S.W, and the weather became thick with a dense fog, so thick, indeed, that he head of the vessel could not be clearly discerned, and anything beyond it was out of the question.

The captain, in order to escape Daunts Rock, thought it necessary to use utmost caution, and speed was slackened to half. This done he steered eastward, and unfortunately missed the harbour light, and when veering around the vessel's stern got on a reef of rocks in Guileen Bay. just as the vessel touched the reef an order was given to reverse engines, but it was to late. There was no hope now of keeping off the reef, and when the engines where reversed, she rolled about from side to side, the edge of the rocks serving as a pivot. From the time the engines where reversed to the time she struck the rocks, was no more than two or three minutes. The water now rushing in through her bottom, completely flooding the engine room and extinguishing the fires. he rock penetrated her bottom, and it was thought necessary to employ divers for the recovery of the specie {minted coinage}.

Soundings were taken just before she foundered, and showed fifteen fathoms. As the night came on the grounded vessel's head veered around to the land a Guileen Bay, which placed her right across the edge of the rocks, on which she settled down in perfect safety. The rock is situated about one mile and a half from Poor Head, and her bow is not more than four hundred yards from land.

The instant the signal for distress was given the coastguardsmen fired two rockets to the ill-fated vessel, the rope from one of them going right into the centre of the deck, but a rope was not needed as the wind calmed somewhat, which was most providential, as had the gale blown strong the vessel may have drifted on her side and thus endanger the lives of those on board. As it was however, the captain and officers entreated those on board to remain still as there was no danger, and all the energies of the crew were now directed at lowering the ships boats, of which five were soon in the water and manned.

The passengers were first attended to, and were landed on the strand in front of a cluster of thatched cabins, the residences of the fishermen, and into these they were received and provided with any comforts the poor inhabitants could afford. The luggage of the passengers was then landed safely.

The Chicago was built on Tyne, two thousand tons register and launched on October 1866.Her cargo on this voyage consisted principally of cotton, and 300,000 dollars in specie, with forty nine steerage and sixteen cabin passengers, everyone of whom are as well provided for in the houses around as circumstances can permit. About fifteen or sixteen of the passengers were for Queenstown and the vessel was making for this harbour."

Courtesy of :- "Down Paths of Gold"