Heroes All

‘Those brave local men on the shore, became known as the Moelfre 29’

Of the countless shipwrecks that lie beneath the sea around the Anglesey coastline, the destruction of the Royal Charter, 150 years ago, is the most dramatic and tragic disaster.

The trauma inflicted on this part of Anglesey was chronicled by Charles Dickens, and his account was published in ‘The Uncommercial Traveller’ as ‘The Shipwreck’.

Commemorative events will be held in 2009 to remember those who perished, 459 in all, including all the women and children on board. Many of those who drowned, mostly unidentified, are buried in local churches, notably St Gallgo’s Church, near Moelfre.

The Royal Charter was a luxurious, fast moving steam and sail clipper of 2719 tons, built nearby on the Dee Estuary. Even her launch was problematic, as she became stuck in the river mud. Heads shook – it was a bad omen...

Four years later on 26 August 26, 1859, with a crew of 103, she set out from Hobson’s Bay in Australia, laden with sheepskins, wool and a cargo of gold, but more importantly with 324 passengers, first class and steerage, with many of them bringing home personal fortunes of gold after working in the Australian mines.

Rounding Anglesey, and bound for Liverpool, the Royal Charter was suddenly confronted by the worst storm ever recorded in British waters.

Her anchors were lowered, but they snapped. Her masts were cut down, but it made little difference. In a short time, the ship’s bottom was dragging along the gravel floor towards the coastal rocks. She was helpless and doomed.

Joie Rodriguez, a Maltese seaman, volunteered to jump into the ferocious sea to set up a bosun’s chair to link up with a human chain of 29 local people. Rodriguez was awarded the RNLI’s gold medal for his bravery. Those brave local men on the shore became known as the Moelfre 29.

Visit the Moelfre Seawatch centre and recall the exploits of those lifeboat men past and present - a truly humbling experience.