Woodlark Technical Specification

W.H. Wise & Co. was formed with the purchase of their first steamer Woodlark in 1871. The Nellie Wise followed in 1872. The company continued trading until 1902 when their last ship, Bewick, foundered in September of that year.

Family History:

William Henry Wise (senior) was born in London in 1822 and became a banker in Backhouse Bank.  He married Dorothy Shevill in 1847. By 1861 the family had moved to Hartlepool and were living at Stranton, West Hartlepool. William (senior) died at Fern Villas, Stranton on 3 February 1881 aged 59. He left effects of £6,307.

William Henry Wise (junior) was born in 1850 at Darlington to parents William Henry Wise and Dorothy (nee Shevill). He married Alice Clarkson in 1884 at Dewsbury.  On the 1891 census the couple were listed as staying at Yewtree Cottage, St Briavel, Gloucestershire with their son and daughter. By 1901 William and Alice were living in Grange Road, West Hartlepool with their three sons and three daughters and by 1911 the family had moved to Seabank, Falmouth.

William died aged 84 at Mount Hawke near Truro on 27 April 1935 leaving effects of £4,775.

Official No. 65515: Code Letters LCKV.

Masters: 1874 William George Elener (C.N. 26985).

Voyages: 14 August 1872 arrived at Shields from Carthagena.

The Woodlark left Sulina in the Danube towards the end of October 1874 bound for Rotterdam with a cargo of rye & a crew of 20. She experienced heavy weather in the Mediterranean until she reached the English Channel where she put into Harwich leaving that port on 13 November. Near the North Hinder Light the master tried to obtain the services of a pilot but was unsuccessful. On 15 November about 8 miles off the Goerce Lights the vessel took the ground about 5 miles from land & remained fast. The boat was launched & remained nearby until high tide when the vessel lost her sternpost, rudder & propeller. The crew then left the vessel & were picked up by the steamer South Holland& landed at Hellevoesluis. The following day a tug was employed but the weather was too heavy for any assistance to be given & the Woodlark became a wreck. At the inquiry the master was found in want of due care in the navigation of the vessel in continuing an in shore course after decreased soundings which denoted extreme danger. His certificate was suspended for 6 months. He was granted a 1st mate’s certificate for that period.

Crew October 1874:

Francis, Charles, boatswain

Gaskin, David, able seaman

Mitford, Joseph, mate

Russell, John George, chief engineer