“The Mexico”

Description

Mexico is wrecked on Keeragh rocks when the captain "lost his bearings." Fourteen Fethard men set out to rescue the crew "but their boat was smashed upon the rocks": Nine are drowned; the remaining five get the crew to an island and 12 are rescued.

Notes

February 20, 1914: "Nine members of the Fethard lifeboat were drowned when going to the assistance of the Norwegian steamer _Mexico_.... Eight of the Mexico's crew were saved by the five lifeboat survivors. All but one of the stranded survivors were saved with great difficulty the next day." (source: Bourke in _Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast_ v1, pp. 52-53) - BS

We note that at least four poems were written about this disaster (see the cross-references); one suspects a campaign to raise money for someone's family. - RBW

Historical references

  • Feb 20-21, 1914 - The Mexico wreck

Cross references

References

  1. Ranson, pp. 28-30, "The Mexico" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. BI, Ran028

About

Author: John Codd
Earliest date: 1937 (Ranson)
Found in: Ireland