Wreck of the Ellen Southard off Liverpool

Background. Ellen Southard was an American full-rigged merchant ship built in 1863 in Bath, Maine. On 12 August 1875, the vessel departed Saint John, New Brunswick, bound for Liverpool carrying a cargo of tropical deal. The ship was commanded by Captain Henry Woodworth. The voyage proceeded normally until the vessel approached the River Mersey in late September, where it encountered extreme weather conditions.

The Storm. On 26 September 1875, as Ellen Southard approached the River Mersey, a violent storm struck the region, described as the most severe in 36 years. The ship wrecked in the mouth of the Mersey River at Liverpool during this hurricane-strength storm. A tug attempted to assist but was unable to offer further help and became grounded, leaving the ship to fend for itself.

Rescue and Loss. Liverpool and New Brighton lifeboats responded to the wreck. Some crew members jumped into the lifeboat, while others were roped in. The Liverpool lifeboat eventually cleared the wreck to return to the dock. Twelve people died, including six crew members, the captain and his wife, the pilot, and three lifeboat men from Mersey Docks. A court later found no one to blame for the losses.

Recognition. General Lucius Fairchild, the US consul at Liverpool, recommended recognizing the gallantry of the English rescuers. In 1877, the US government awarded Gold Lifesaving Medals to 27 surviving lifeboatmen. Families of the three deceased lifeboatmen received $200 in gold. The medals were presented in a public ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall on 27 February 1877.