John Tarrey's gravestone

Image: © Richard Hoare Taken: 23 Jun 2017

The Rothsay Castle (also spelt Rothesay Castle) was a paddle steamer built in 1816 for service on the River Clyde, Scotland, and was later transferred to Liverpool, England, where she was used for day trips along the coast of North Wales. At around midday on 17 August 1831, she left Liverpool carrying 150 passengers. She had been intended to leave at 10 am but was delayed by the weather and the late arrival of a passenger. At around 1 am on 18 August the Rothsay Castle ran aground on Dutchman Bank and after a while broke up. 130 lives were lost. Bodies were washed up over a wide area of Anglesey and the Welsh mainland. John died along with his father William who was land agent to the Earl of Derby, his mother, Alice and brother Thomas aged 11 and sister Betsy aged 12. Alice was William's second wife - they married 24/9/1828 William had had an earlier second marriage in 1814 to Margaret Cass, of which Thomas and Betsy were the offspring. How he comes to buried in this graveyard I have no idea. His relations do not appear to be buried with him.

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