Moritz Rechenheim

Loss of a Prussian Vessel Near South Shields
Nine Hands Drowned

From the information have been able to gather, it appears that the steamtug Reynard, belonging to the Tyne, while out looking for vessels, fell in with one in the early part of the night, labouring in the gale very heavily, some few miles off the Tyne. The Reynard succeeded in getting hold of her, and proceeded to bring her to the Tyne. It seems, however, that both had been caught in the gale which came away between nine and ten o’clock and it is stated that when they reached Marsden, or the Trow Rocks, tow-line, broke owing to the terrible sea that was running, broke, and the vessel, which turned out to be a Prussian brig, was driven ashore. Although the Life Brigade were assembled in the watch house in large numbers, during the whole of the night, they noticed no signals of distress, and, of course, could not render the stranded vessel any assistance. Indeed, brigade were not aware that any vessel had been ashore until about five o'clock this morning. As soon as the information reached them, they hurried to the Trow Rocks with all possible speed, but on arriving there it was found that the vessel had gone to pieces —not a little bit of her could be seen. But the most melancholy part of the story remains to be told, and that is—nine of the crew have been drowned. Only one seaman belonging to the unfortunate vessel has been left, and even he, poor fellow, had a narrow escape of his life. It appears that he succeeded in getting himself tied to a spar to which he clung to until driven ashore half dead with cold. We are informed that, after getting ashore—being stranger to the port—he wandered about the beach, and at times took refuge under the rocks until the break of day. He was found by the brigade men and kindly provided for. The bodies of the rest of the crew have not, so far so far as we have been able to learn, been recovered

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 19th of October 1869

The Loss of the Prussian Brig at Manhaven, Near Marsden

As reported in our impression of yesterday, a Prussian brig, in tow of the steamtug Reynard, while making for Shields harbour, during the gale on Monday night, was driven ashore at Manhaven, near Marsden, the captain and eight of the crew having been drowned. Only one the crew of ten was saved, and, from information gathered from him, it appears that the vessels name was Muritz Reickenheim, of Zengst, from Shoreham for Shields, in ballast. None of the bodies have, so far as we have been able to learn, been found. The brig was the property of the same owners as the Iduna, wrecked Marsden, Oct. 30th, 1865. Mr George Fawcus, consul for the North German Confederation, has, it is stated, given orders for the saving of the stores for the benefit of all concerned.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 20 October 1869

On Tuesday morning the Prussian brig Moritz Rechenheim, of Zengat, Captain Schutts, from Shoreham, for the Tyne, was wrecked at Manhaven, to the South of the Tyne. No one on shore saw lights or heard cries from the crew. The master and eight of his men were drowned. The survivor of the crew, Albert Shunrock, floated ashore on a spar, and had to wander about the rocks until daylight, when he found shelter in Marsden Cottage, and was kindly looked after.

Source: Ipswich Journal 23 October 1868

Tuesday 19th of October 1869 continued

Time

Wind

Barometer

Members present

6 a.m.

 

 

N Riddle

W Wright

 

 

 

T Houlsby

B. Birch

 

 

 

R Venus

W Haken

 

 

 

J Skee Blair

Tom Purvis

 

 

 

Richard Young

W. Purvis

 

 

 

James Stephenson

Tom Marshall

 

 

 

John Stewart

James Davison

 

 

 

James Heron

J Whitelaw

 

 

 

Jacob Harrison 2nd

James Ramsey

 

 

 

Remarks

 

 

 

Gale still tremendous with a fearful sea

 

 

 

Served out provision for above

 

 

 

After breakfast proceeded to Marsden with a party of 4 to ascertain positively whether a vessel had come ashore or not. A little before arriving at Manhaven saw some wreck & on proceeding into
Manhaven found the bulk of the wreck no doubt that of the ship just off as mentioned last night met the coastguard who informed us that 1 man had got ashore on a spa & was then at Mrs Shaws house Proceeded there & found The only survivor of a crew of 10 belonging to the Prussian brig “Mauritz           “ Captain Shutt from Shoreham for Shields (ballast) which ship. Had been in tow of the “Reward” tug when the gale came on. He informed us that the rope broke about ½ past 10 opposite the rocks end & that she caught with her head inshore. They then made sail on her to force her up & a few minutes afterwards she struck, going to pieces in about
(the man thinks) ¾ hours after striking. He lashed himself to a spar & got a shore after an awful struggle having been among the rocks & water. Until nearly 6 o’clock when he managed to crawl up to Marsden Cottage where he knocked and obtained everything he wanted.
Ship belonged to Zengat. Man’s name Albert

Source: South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade Storm Book

Two Bodies Washed Ashore at Roker

About mid-day, yesterday, one of the Coastguardsmen stationed at Roker, and some others, picked up two bodies floating at sea, near the Holey Rock. On one of them were the papers of the unfortunate Prussian ship lost at Manhaven, showing the body to be that of the captain, and about £40 in English and foreign money. The other body was that of one of the crew—at first supposed to be the captain. They were removed to the Monkwearmouth Dead House; and the men took the ship's papers and money to Mr Martin Wiener, the Prussian Vice-Consul at Sunderland. We understand four bodies have been washed ashore Whitburn.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 21 October 1869

The Shipwreck at Manhaven

Inquest on the Bodies at Sunderland

Yesterday morning. J. M. Favell, coroner, held an inquest at Whitburn, on view of three bodies which had, on the previous day, washed ashore in the neighbourhood.—The bodies having been viewed, James McAndrews deposed to finding two of them to the north of Souter Point, and William Hutchinson deposed to finding the other little to the south of Whitburn.—Albert Schonregge, seaman, lately belonging to the North German brig Mauritz Reichenheim, of Bart, Prussia, was examined through a sworn interpreter, and deposed that he had seen the bodies viewed by the jury, which he identified as those of Joachim Borgwash, 29 years of age, mate; Johann Scanberg, 41 years of age, cook; and Heinrick Papst, 16 years of age, ordinary seaman, all belonging to the above vessel, which was on Monday, the 18th inst, taken in tow by the Reynard, the wind at the time being west, a moderate breeze, but changed to north-east by east, and increased to a gale. When the vessel was nearing Shields, for which place she was steering, the tow rope broke, and the wind being then dead on the land, blowing a gale prevented them making an offing. The staysail was accordingly set to assist them in running the ship on the land in come place where there might be a possibility of saving the crew. There were ten men board the ship, of whom nine were drowned. He got hold of a piece of wood on which he was washed ashore after being about ten minutes in the water. He was considerably bruised. The captain did all he could to save the ship and crew. The sea was breaking over the ship to such an extent that they could not make a raft, and as they were on the rocks it would have been no use launching a boat. The ship's lanterns were all broken, so that they could not show any distress signals. The steamboat showed a light, and stood by them long as she could. When the wind changed the steamer endeavoured to take them off the land, but the rope broke, and they could not get another one on board. —The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased had been accidentally drowned. —The same gentleman afterwards held a second inquest at Mr Kennedy's, Golden Fleece Inn, Dock Street, Monkwearmouth, on view of five bodies which had washed ashore at Roker, on the previous day.—James Gouldburn, gunner, Coast Brigade, Royal Artillery, stationed at Roker battery, and George Frances, seaman, deposed finding, near the Holy Rock, the five bodies viewed by the jury, on one of which were seven £5 Bank of England notes, £2 10s in gold, two sixpences, and 71/2d in copper, also seven foreign notes, some photographs and other papers, which were handed to Mr M. Wiener, North German Consul, at Sunderland.—The witness then identified four of the bodies as those of Heinrlch Christopher Schutt, master; Joachim Boahl, carpenter; Brandaniss Schwemer, boatswain; Auguste Bahls, cook's assistant, of the Mauritz Reichenheim, and repeated the evidence given above. The remaining body, which was without either head or arms, and was minus a great deal flesh, was not identified, but was supposed be that of one of the poor fishermen lost in the great storm some months' ago. — A similar verdict to the above recorded was returned In this case, —The Consul expressed his gratification at the way in which those who had found the bodies had acted.

The Internment of the Bodies

The seven bodies of the crew of the unfortunate vessel were interred this afternoon, in the consecrated side Monkwearmouth Cemetery. They were all laid in one grave, or trench, the captain in the middle, with three others on either side of him.

Source: Shields Daily Gazette 22 October 1869