Maritime record LWT 781 - Wreck of the Hope

1807 wreck of English brig which stranded on the Holm Sand. The circumstances of this wreck are unclear, since wreckage was found in the area, but it was later claimed that the HOPE, bound from Copenhagen to London with sick and wounded soldiers, was in fact chased and captured by the Dutch. Those on board cast their effects overboard in an effort to lighten the vessel, gain speed and evade capture. However, a man was rescued at sea in the area who may have been from a different wreck so that it seems a wreck did occur in this area at the right time. The confusion may, perhaps, have been occasioned by a similarity of name: HOPE was a common name for ships of this period.
Status: Casualty

'A vessel is lost near Lowstoffe, supposed to be the brig HOPE, Millward (a transport) from Copenhagen.' (1)

'A vessel, supposed the HOPE, Millward, a transport with troops, has been cast away off Lowestoffe, and every person on board, except one, perished.' (2)

'The HOPE, Millward, of Dartmouth, a transport mentioned in our last, as being lost off Lowestoff, and all on board excepting one perished, contained the sick and wounded of the army from Copenhagen; and Drs Jones, Stewart, Martin and M'Gregor; all of them highly respected by the profession, and by the army at large. The man who was saved is named Wm. Henley, the carpenter. He was picked off the wreck by the PROVIDENCE, Sims, of London, and brought into the Tyne. The ship struck on the Home Sand in the afternoon of yesterday se'nnight, and broke up about 3 o'clock next morning. Henley was discovered on the quarter deck holding by the capstan, about 9. There were 61 people on board, of whom 60 unfortunately perished.' (3)

'On Saturday the 31st ult. about 9 o'clock at night, the snow PROVIDENCE of London, William Simms master, on her passage to Shields, about 6 miles SSE from Lowestoff, fell in with a great deal of wreck floating, as if some vessel had gone to pieces; and about 8 o'clock the following morning observed a man floating on part of the quarter deck of a ship, holding by the capstern, then blowing hard at NE, the PROVIDENCE in close-reefed topsails. Immediately called all hands to endeavour to save life; hauled up the foresail, and hove the ship to, both topsails aback, and secured the boat with range ropes fore and aft, the sea then running very high. We got the boat out, and at the great risk of our own lives, went to the assistance of the unfortunate man, the sea then making a passage over him. In the first attempt we failed...we then made a second attempt, and happily succeeded in bringing him off, and got safe on board again with difficulty. The man is now on board the PROVIDENCE, and in good health. He proved to be Wm. Henry, carpenter of the transport brig HOPE, of Dartmouth, Nicholas Mould master, 176 tons register, which struck on the Holme Sand on her passage from Copenhagen with 39 wounded soldiers, 6 surgeons, 3 captains, 1 woman, and 10 men belonging the ship, all of whom perished, except the above-named Wm. Henry, who was taken up as before stated. Wm. Simms.' (4)

'The Transport Board have received intelligence that the HOPE, hospital ship, having on board 42 wounded men, and the following medical Staff Officers, viz., Mr Robert Jones, Surgeon to the Forces; Mr Alexander Stewart, Apothecary to ditto; Mr Avelin, of Newcastle, Purveyor to ditto; with Mr Martin and Mr Macgregor, Hospital Mates, were not lost, as we have already stated, in the tremendous gale of the 30th October, but was captured and carried into a place called Camphiel, on the Dutch coast. The whole of the baggage of the above officers, which was washed on shore, appears to have been thrown overboard during the chace to lighten the vessel. No doubt whatever can be entertained of the above statement. Another letter received, says that the HOPE was captured off the Dutch coast. Drs Stewart, Martin, and Macgregor are on their parole in Holland.' (5)

29th October, 1807: 'A severe storm occurred off the Norfolk coast, and several transports were lost at Yarmouth, where Admiral Gambier arrived with 32 sail of the line, several Dutch prizes, and a great number of frigates.' (6)

Master: Millward (1)(2)(3); Nicholas Mould (4)
Crew: 10 (4)
Crew Lost: all but 1 (2)(3); 9 (4)
Passengers: 47 (5); 49 (4)
On Board: 61 (3)
Lives Lost: 60 (3)

Date of Loss Qualifier: Actual date of event