Friday, September 9, 2011

So Very Excited...

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I was delighted to come across this news article this morning while trolling around online.  It's about the shipwreck that my 3rd great grandfather, Manus Boyle, died in.  It's not famous in America (at least not any more), but was a big deal at the time.  The shipwreck was the subject of my very first blog post.  It's what made me start blogging.  You can read the post by clicking here.

Anyway, the shipwreck happened off the coast of Wales and they are going to broadcast underwater footage of the wreck.  I've often wondered about it.  I'm told that you can see the wreck from shore still today.  That's one of the things that makes the story even sadder...they died so close to shore.  And if you like tales of gold and riches, well this shipwreck is a goodie as well...many of the people (including my 3rd great grandfather) were on their way back from mining for gold in Australia.  The ship was absolutely laden with gold when it sank.  It looks like my Irish ancestor found his pot of gold, and then a hurricane got in the way.

The ship sank back on October 26, 1859.  More than 150 years ago.  The Chester Chronicle will be publishing a full report next week.  It looks like I may have to ask one of my friends in the UK to get a copy for me!  I hope I can view the video of the broadcast when it's played, but I don't see BBC America showing it.

You can read the brief article on the underwater photos at The Chester Chronicle here.