Sarah King was a brigantine of 123 tons built for Rawling & King in 1850.

John Rawling, a master mariner from Burton, was John Wray's brother in law, having married his sister Alice.

His partner Daniel King, another master mariner, in 1850 teamed up with Samuel Bullard to form Bullard, King & Co, owners of the Burton Stather, Silvery Wave and Verulam.

On the 25th of January 1873 she was on route from Cardiff to Kings Lynn with a cargo of coal. She had a new skipper, William Robert Smith of Kings Lynn, who was on his first night in command of the Sarah King, having previously captained the schooner Johns for Rawling & King.

It was a foggy night in the Bristol Channel with a fresh southerly breeze. At about 8:25pm off Morte Point, Devon (51°11'15"N. 4°13'54"W), she collided with the Hayle steam packet Bride which was heading for Bristol.

As the vessel founderd Captain Smith apparently leaped across onto the Bride's rigging and demanded she launch her boat and save his crew. The ships boat was launched, but in their haste they forgot to insert the spiel (drain plug) and needed to bail it out before rescuing the crew.

The Sarah King sank within five minutes, but fortunately the crew of four were taken on board by the steamer.

Written by S Ablott

Burton Stather Heritage Group