Wreck of the Ten Sail

Wreck of the Ten Sail is a historic shipwreck event that occurred off the East End of Grand Cayman on 8 February 1794. Ten ships that were part of a convoy on its way from Jamaica to the United States and Britain wrecked on the surrounding reef. While local residents braved the stormy waters and successfully rescued the ships' crews and passengers, eight people from the convoy died.

Following the British Royal Navy's capture of the French 12-pounder frigate, l'Inconstante, off of St. Domingue, the British took charge of the ship in November 1793, renaming it HMS Convert. The newly christened naval frigate and her seasoned captain, John Lawford, were ordered to escort a 6-vessel merchant convoy from Jamaica to Britain. The convoy was also joined by three other vessels bound for the United States. The nine merchant ships in the convoy were: Britannia, Eagle, Fortune, Ludlow, Moorhall, Nancy, Richard, Sally and William and Elizabeth.

After sailing for nearly 24 hours, Lawford believed they had already passed Grand Cayman Island. Before going to bed the evening of 7 February 1794, he gave permission for a change of course several points to the north, heading directly for the western end of Cuba and the Florida Channel. With most of the convoy to the south of the lead ship, six or seven merchantmen ships moved ahead of the leading ship and without attracting the attention of Convert's watch. At 3 a.m. on 8 February Lawford was called on deck following the discharge of a distress gun. With a Convert watchman yelling, "Breakers ahead. Close to us!", Lawford gave orders for the rest of the fleet to disperse, hoping to avoid disaster. A merchantman ship on the opposite tack, however, struck Convert twice and forced it into the windward reef, causing the ship to become severely damaged and eventually swamped.

One vessel, Diana, Thompson, master, saw the disaster but not having any boats, could not render any assistance and so sailed on to Britain, arriving at the Downs on 16 March. An initial report appeared in Lloyd's List on 21 March.

Caymanians living on the East End and in Bodden Town came to the aid of the 10 ships and rescued the crews and passengers. Despite their efforts, eight lives were lost as a result of the wreck. Amongst those lost was Captain Martin of Britannia, who went down with his ship.

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