There were many reasons for loss of a ship at sea and not all to be blamed on the weather or the captain. In 1864 Captain Frederick Coombe Wale lost his barque Grahamstown to a fire caused by spontaneous combustion in his cargo of wool, hides, horns, etc. He was 300 miles north of Table Bay when the fire was discovered but managed to work his way back, saving seven passengers and his crew although the vessel and cargo were lost. On return to England he took command of a brand new ship Queen of the Bay. Full details at http://www.thornburypump.co.uk/Ancestry/QotB.php Best wishes Rosemary Rodliffe Newnes Round the Coast 1895 freely available on-line at: <http://www.thornburypump.co.uk/Ancestry/resources.php> http://www.thornburypump.co.uk/Ancestry/resources.php