The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
3 NOVEMBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN - BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY AT ARDROSSAN

A Board of Trade inquiry into the wreck of the steamer CHUSAN at Ardrossan, during the recent storm, was opened yesterday in the Town Hall, Ardrossan.

The sederunt consisted of – Presiding justices, Messrs Anthony Mack and William Mutter; nautical assessors, Captain Pryce and Wilson; solicitor for Board of Trade, Mr Thomas Kirkhope, J.P., Fiscal for Ardrossan; solicitor for owners of CHUSAN (Messrs Baring Brothers & Company, London), Mr Charles Stewart, advocate, London; solicitor for builders of CHUSAN, also Ardrossan Harbour, Mr Ross of Messrs Roberton and Ross, Glasgow; Clerk of the Peace, Mr J. C. Shaw.

Captain Robertson watched the case for the Lifeboat Institution.

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GLASGOW HERALD
4 NOVEMBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN - BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY AT ARDROSSAN

The Board of Trade inquiry into the loss of the CHUSAN was resumed at Ardrossan yesterday morning - Messrs Anthony Mack and William Mutter, J.P.'s presiding, assisted by Captains Pryce and Wilson, nautical assessors.

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GLASGOW HERALD
5 NOVEMBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN - BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY AT ARDROSSAN

This inquiry was resumed at Ardrossan yesterday – Messrs A. Mack and W. Mutter presiding, assisted by Captains Pryce and Wilson, nautical assessors.

The Earl of Eglinton and Colonel Mure, M.P., were present in the course of the day.

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GLASGOW HERALD
6 NOVEMBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN

The body of SAMUEL MUNRO, the coloured seaman who leaped from the fore part of the CHUSAN while it was entering the harbour, and fell into the water, was found on Thursday morning on the beach at Burnfoot, about a mile from the spot where he fell. The body was very much decomposed, and identification was difficult.

On Thursday morning a service was conducted at the hospital in the harbour over the remains of the late Captain Johnson, of the CHUSAN, previous to the removal of the body to Glasgow.

At the hour appointed a number of the officers saved from the wreck of the vessel were present, among whom were Captain King, Mr Johnstone (chief officer), Mr Humphreys (purser), etc.

The Rev. George Lakeman, M.A., Ardrossan Episcopal Church, conducted the service, and read in an impressive manner the burial service of the Church of England.

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GLASGOW HERALD
6 NOVEMBER 1874

ARDROSSAN HARBOUR - NOTICE TO MARINERS

The steamer “CHUSAN” has sunk on the north side of the entrance to the harbour, about 200 yards inside the Crinan Rock, and 100 yards north of the steamboat quay; and until the wreck has been removed two red lights will be exhibited at night (weather permitting), one on the inside paddle box, and the other on the poop. No sailing vessel should at present enter the harbour at night and all vessels entering during the day should use the greatest care in doing so. Steamers entering at night should keep the red lights well on the port side.

Harbour Offices, Ardrossan.
5 November 1874.

[George Ardrossan]

The map below shows the site of the grounding on the Crinan Rock. There is no breakwater as it was not built until the early 1890s.


George

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GLASGOW HERALD
7 NOVEMBER 1874

THE ARDROSSAN ROCKET BRIGADE

The members of the Ardrossan Brigade were brought together for practice yesterday, the scene of the operations being the wreck of the CHUSAN, now stranded off the harbour.

The practice was conducted under the superintendence of Captain Wilson, of the Board of Trade.

When the preliminaries had been all arranged, a rocket was sent off, which passed across the sunken steamer towards the stern. The triangle was then erected, and the life-saving apparatus passed on board. A man took his seat in the cradle, and was brought from the steamer and landed on terra firma. A period of 40 minutes elapsed from the time the rocket was fired till the man was landed.

The general idea among onlookers was that the brigade ought to have more frequent practice.

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GLASGOW HERALD
7 NOVEMBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN - BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY AT ARDROSSAN

This inquiry was resumed at Ardrossan on Thursday - Messrs Anthony Mack and William Mutter presiding - assisted by Captains Pryce and Wilson, nautical assessors.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 NOVEMBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN

The adjourned Board of Trade inquiry into the circumstances attending the wreck of the steamer CHUSAN, on the 21st of last month, was resumed at Ardrossan yesterday - Messrs Anthony Mack and William Mutter, J.P.'s, presiding; and captains Pryce and Wilson, nautical advisers.

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GLASGOW HERALD
11 NOVEMBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN

Another body from the CHUSAN came ashore yesterday morning at the North Crescent beach, a short distance from where the captain's body was found. This is the sixth body which has been recovered.

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GLASGOW HERALD
11 NOVEMBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN

The Board of Trade inquiry into the loss of the CHUSAN on the 21st of October, was resumed yesterday at ARDROSSAN - Messrs Mack and Mutter, J.P.'s, presiding, and Captains Bryce and Wilson, nautical assessors.

A full report of the day of the day's proceedings appear under the above heading, and the article closed in the following terms: -

"The court is unanimous in the opinion that the loss of the Chusan is in no way to be attributed to the conduct of the officers of the ship, whose certificates are before the court, and which we have pleasure in returning to the officers.”

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GLASGOW HERALD
17 NOVEMBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN

Yesterday morning, the body of a coloured seaman was found on rocks at the Inches, Ardrossan, close to the spot where the others were found on Saturday.

The body was interred in Ardrossan Cemetery in the course of the forenoon. It is the ninth body which has been washed ashore since the CHUSAN was wrecked.