A New Screw-Steamer Ashore At South Shields
This morning, about four o'clock, the new screw-steamer Mabel, of Montrose, got ashore about 200 yards to the south of the South Pier, while attempting to enter Shields harbour. The casualty occurred during the prevalence of dense fog. The crew saw the glimmer of the harbour lights, but failed to take the bearings correctly on account of the fog. The crew of four hands landed in their own boat, and were taken to the Volunteer Life Brigade watch house at the South Pier, where they were supplied with refreshments and dry clothing. The following are their names:—Captain George Burgess. Mate, David Young. Engineer: John Gribb. Deckhand Robert Brown. The Mabel is the property Mr David Morrison, of Montrose, and is quite new vessel, this being her first voyage. She left Montrose on Saturday morning, bound for Newcastle, with a cargo of grain, consisting of wheat, barley, and oats. The Mabel is small steamer of 50 tons register. The sea is making clean breach over her, but there appears to little or no damage done, and, if the weather continues fine, it is expected she will be got off. It is feared, however, that the cargo will be considerably damaged.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 11 February 1878
Owing to the high sea which has prevailed since yesterday morning, the screw-steamer Mabel, of Montrose, ashore at South Shields, has sustained considerable damage
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 14 February 1878
Storm On The North-East Coast
During yesterday rain fell heavily, and towards evening the weather became very stormy. The north-easterly wind which had prevailed all day increased to gale, and was accompanied by high seas. Several vessels made for and entered the Tyne in safety. The brigadesmen at Tynemouth and South Shields were on duty, and the lifeboatmen were on the alert in case their services might be called into requisition. The position of the new screw-steamer Mabel, of Montrose, ashore at South Shields, has become more dangerous, owing to the vessel having shifted. She now lies with her decks to the sea, which makes a clean breach over, dashing the spray high into the air. The cargo of grain, all of which is destroyed by salt water, has been discharged, and it has been found that the bottom of the vessel is holed. She lies upon the side of the wrecked barque Henry Cooke, and a large bolt in the wreck has penetrated the plates of the Mabel. Owing to the “working" of the steamer at high tide the hole has been increased size since it was first discovered. The operations for getting the vessel off have been suspended until the weather moderates. The gale abated last night, and to-day the weather has a more settled appearance. The Mabel was got off at noon to-day, and towed into Shields harbour.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 15 February 1878