Family Tales

Grandad's Shipwreck

The Hodbarrow Miner

Grandad ( Joe Warricker ) was shipwrecked twice. The second time was on the 114-ton topsail schooner Hodbarrow Miner. which was launched by Charnleys of  Ulverston,  in Morecambe Bay in 1871, for William Thomas & Co of Amlwch, who were closely connected with the Hodbarrow Mining Company of Millom, Carnforth  The Hodbarrow Miner for many years plied in the Cumberland iron ore and the Lancashire coal trades

On 2nd March 1908, she left Runcom for Newham Quay, Truro, with a cargo of coal. But two days later, while rounding the Longships against a hard northerly gale. Captain Richard Tyrran was knocked overboard by the boom. As he was the only one capable of navigating the schooner, the rest of the crew feared the worst, except, that is, for able seaman Joseph Warricker of Falmouth.

Warricker, who had been wrecked in the Shields steamer Corporal off Norway only eighteen months before, took command of the crippled schooner. Distress signals were flown by day and flares burnt by night, but no help came. When a light appeared, even Warricker was dismayed to find that it was not Lundy, where they could shelter, but Trevose. On the evening of the 5th a Penzance coaster stood by for two hours, but other steamers ignored the schooner's plight, and by dawn she was well to leeward of Newquay.

A sailing trawler stormed past but her crew did not give assistance, and Warricker, still remaining resolutely at the helm, decided to run for the beach.

At 2 p.m. the Hodbarrow Miner drove into the surf at Mawgan Porth, and fearing that the masts would come down, Warricker gave the order to abandon ship, and slipped off his heavy sea gear, an example which the others refused to follow.

Inevitably the punt, half-filled even before it left the side, capsized. Mate Griffith Owen, wearing neither lifejacket nor bouy, sank at once; able seaman Walter Mouisdale was sucked down, and the boy, Evan Evans, disappeared under a breaker. Only Warricker reached the shallows and was dragged out by coastguard Matthews and Richard Yelland of Mawgan.

The Hodbarrow Miner, though gutted by the surf, kept her masts and ebbed dry well within rocket range, and the papers of Captain Tyrran, who had commanded the schooner since 1892, were among the first things washed ashore.

Mate Owen, Walter Moulsdale and the boy, the son of a poor Aimwich family who had exchanged a paper round for a life at sea, lie buried in Mawgan churchyard.

Gwen Renfree- Mum- Nana

On 7th January 2003. Gwen ( Mum ) passed away. She had been ill for a number of years, having been rushed into hospital some 4 years ago with heart failure, and been particularly unwell for the whole of 2002. She suffered from Parkinson's Disease and Osteoporosis causing her considerable pain which she bore with typical stoicism. We all shared her suffering in the last 2 months as she became unable to eat or drink properly and her body began to shut down. Through most of this time however, her mind remained as sharp and alert as ever. Although , in her last few weeks, she spent most of the time sleeping, when she was awake, she continually amazed us with her sense of awareness. She was a little person with a big heart. She was tough without being hard. After her husband, William, died in 1947, she raised her family ( Shirley, Brenda and Roger ) by her own efforts, and it is a tribute to her that the Renfree family has gone from strength to strength through grandchildren and great grandchildren. She has gone from our every day lives but her example and influence will remain with us through many generations to come.

At the funeral, Julia read from Corinthians 1 Chapter 15 Verses 34-44 and Brenda read the following tribute which was composed largely by Shirley:

TRIBUTE TO GWEN RENFREE

MARCH 8^TH 1912 – 7^TH JANUARY 2003

Gwen was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great- grandmother, or ‘Little Nanny’ as she was called by Alex, Katie and Jack, and she was looking forward to the arrival of a fourth great- grandchild in February.

Her main concern was always the care and welfare of the family. As we grew up she encouraged us in our education, sporting activities and careers. She took an interest in every aspect of our lives and provided wise counselling when it was needed. Home was a warm, welcoming place, not only for us, but for our relations and friends as well. She was a skilled needlewoman and a superb cook – she made the best pasties in the world!

It was typical of her character and outlook to think of others before herself. She was always ready to lend a helping hand or offer a listening ear and, for many years, she helped to care for her sister, Mollie, who was crippled by rheumatoid arthritis.

Her life has not been easy, even right to the end it was a struggle, but, as well as a sense of humour, she had an inner strength and faith which sustained her, and which she used to support those around her.

As the family grew, this caring, loving, unwavering support embraced her grandchildren as well as the wider family.

Her life was love in action, and we, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, loved her in return.

We are proud of her and we miss her greatly.

Read at Gwen’s funeral – Tuesday January 14^th 2003