The Wreck of the Orion

In December 1846 the steamship Orion, described as “the beautiful new iron steamer Orion of 900 tons, length of keel 215 feet”, was launched from the Cartsdyke Yard of Caird & Co in Greenock.  The launch itself went well – “She went off the ways in gallant style – the long run lending unusual effect to a spectacle always grand in itself.  Her model is of perfect symmetry, a high specimen of marine architecture.  This fine vessel is intended for the Liverpool trade, and is to be commanded by Captain Main, whose long sea experience, high capacity, and urbanity of manner, have justly rendered him an universal favourite with passengers.  We will be much disappointed if Orion does not eclipse every sea star in the firmament.”  A wonderful description from the local newspaper.

Orion was built for the Glasgow and Liverpool Steam packet Company.  Fitting out was completed in 1847. The main salon was described as “exceedingly spacious and the fittings are of the most gorgeous description.”  It was 40 feet long by 17 feet broad containing two rows of table which could set 80 diners.  The tables, state-room doors and panelling were of carved rosewood.  The sleeping apartments were described as “well-aired and well-ventilated”.  

George Burns

At a dinner to celebrate the completion of the ship, owner George Burns commended Captain Hugh Main who would have charge of the ship, stating that he had known him for over twenty years and held him in high regard.

By June 1850 Captain Thomas  Henderson was in command of the Orion.  At 3 o’clock on Monday 17 June the Orion sailed from Liverpool with approximately 200 people on board including passengers and crew.   About two o’clock in the morning, when most of the passengers were asleep, the ship suddenly struck a rock within 150 yards of the Portpatrick lighthouse.  Very quickly, the ship began to take on water and sink. 

There was great panic on board as the awakened passengers realised what happening.  Many ran on deck in their nightclothes.  One of the four boats on board was launched, but got caught under the paddle wheel and was swamped.  Two of the other boats were launched, each could carry just 10 people.  There was no time to launch the fourth boat.  The sinking ship was seen from shore and boats were sent out to assist, but she was sinking so quickly that they had no time to reach her. 

A newspaper report tells the story – “Cries of every description were heard … Around were thickly strewn the bodies of the living and the dead, the former clinging to floating spars and to the rigging of the vessel, which had sunk under about fifteen feet of water, carrying down both dead and living in her vortex, and causing the calm sea to heave into high rolling waves.” 

“Those who were saved were taken to Portpatrick were attended to by Captain Hawes of the Coast Guard and the inhabitants of the village".  Next day the survivors were taken to Stranraer .  The Princess Royal, Captain Crawford, which was also travelling from Liverpool to Glasgow had managed to pick up 40 of the survivors.  Captain Henderson, the second mate and some of the crew, who were last off the Orion, had survived by clinging to the rigging.  The scene on the shore was awful as survivors searched for their relatives and friends.  Those who survived were aided and given shelter by the local people.  Later they were taken to Glasgow. 

A young Duncan Darroch, the son of Major Duncan Darroch of Gourock, aged just 14, and his tutor Richard Price had been travelling home to Gourock on board Orion.  When they realised what was happening, both ran on deck and jumped clear of the ship into the water.  Duncan Darroch would later describe his experience in a letter to a friend:- 

“When I had swam about forty yards, I came to a chest, on which a man was supporting himself.  I made for it, and reached it; but the seaman was in such an agony of terror that he knew not what he did, and in foolishly endeavouring to get to the top of the chest he turned it round like a tread-wheel.  I could not shift my hands as quickly as he pulled it over, and so I was pushed right under the water for about two minutes.  At that awful time, I felt the water coming in my ears and nose and thought on home and my parents, and felt that I should never see them more, and was giving up; but just then I felt new vigour in my limbs, and determined not to relinquish life without a struggle.  I dived down till I got free of the man and chest, and swam to some things which were floating near, and got something like a desk under my arm and kind of a wooden grating under the other; with these I kept up a long while". 

He was spotted in the water and hauled on board a boat which had come from the shore.  He continued his narrative – “I sat down shivering like half a dozen drowned rats”.  Fortunately he got to the shore where he was given shelter at the home of Captain Hawes of the Coastguard.  His tutor also survived.  He describes his eventual homecoming – 

“When I got home, I told mamma that the Orion was aground, not to alarm her; but she was so glad to see me that she never noticed my dress; but when she went into the dining-room, she told them, laughing, that I looked like a shipwrecked mariner.  Papa soon came home and told her, and she was most awfully frightened when she heard the dangers I had escaped”.

Others were not so lucky.  It was thought that about fifty people died.  Among the dead was Dr John Burns, brother of the ship’s owners J & G Burns, who had been drowned.  (George Burns would later be a partner in the Cunard Line.) 

Dr John Burns

At a later enquiry into the sinking of the Orion, it was discovered that at the time of the accident, Captain Thomas Henderson had been in his cabin having left the ship in the hands of the second mate John Williams.  This led to criminal proceedings being taken against the two men.  There was a lengthy trial in Edinburgh.  On sentencing, Lord Justice Clerk (John Hope) (1794-1858) stated – 

“Thomas Henderson, you have been convicted by the verdict of the jury, of culpable neglect of duty as an officer on board ship, whereby the ship is wrecked, and many of the lieges deprived of life; and there can be no doubt … that had it not been for that neglect of duty this vessel would not have been wrecked.  The sentence of the Court is, that you be imprisoned for the period of 18 calendar months.”

The second mate John Williams was sentenced - 

“you have been convicted of culpable and reckless neglect of duty, under similar circumstances.  The sentence to be pronounced in your case is no doubt one that must produce a great impression … The sentence of the Court is, that you be transported beyond seas for the period of seven years.”  (Transportation did not stop as a sentence until 1857 but effectively ended in 1868.)

The two men were taken to Calton Jail in Edinburgh.  It appeared that Williams accepted his fate quietly.  Henderson was later transferred to Perth Prison.  He called his sentence “unprecedented, disproportioned and cruel”.  He thought his punishment severe and that he was being used as a warning to other officers.

A collection was later taken and the proceeds given to the people of Portpatrick for their assistance to the passengers who made it ashore.  Several of those who drowned were buried in the churchyard at Portpatrick.  There is also a memorial in Glasgow’s Necropolis Cemetery to some of those who drowned.

Ship's bell from Orion

The ship was extensively salvaged over the years  and a curious relic – the ship’s bell, remains in the Watt Institution in Greenock.  A sad reminder of the Orion, a ship proudly built in Greenock.