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Lotus

Came to grief: 19th October 1862 at/near Rocken End

Captain William McNicol

Cargo: rum and sugar

Crew of 13

Carrying 1 passengers

The Lotus, bound from Demerara to London broke up on Rocken End, probably as a result of being disabled in storms over the weekend and the fact that she was old and unseaworthy. She ran aground in, some say a nor' westerly, others say south by east, unable to weather St Catherine's Point. She fell apart in a matter of minutes and twelve of the fourteen men onboard perished. Casks of rum washed out on to the shore and were quickly seized upon by some of the locals. Accusations of drunkenness were made regarding the rescue services such as "too drunk to save lives". The survivors journeyed to Cowes, where they boarded the steamer 'Emerald' on Tuesday October 21st. Their shipmates were laid to rest in Chale churchyard.

Fatalities: 12

Bibliography:     Back of the Wight - Fred Mew     Shipwrecks of the Wight - J.C.Medland     Shipwrecks of The Isle of Wight - Ken Phillips     The Lifeboats of Brighstone Bay - Christopher J. Willis and Edward H. Roberts