Wreck of the Ten Sail is a historic shipwreck event that occurred off the East End of Grand Cayman Island on February 8, 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 all of the ships' crew and passengers, eight from the convoy did not survive.
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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 cristened naval frigate and her seasoned captain, John Lawford, was 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. Along with the Convert, the nine other merchant ships making up the convoy were: RMS William and Elizabeth, RMS Moorhall, RMS Ludlow, RMS Britannia, RMS Richard, RMS Nancy, RMS Eagle, RMS Sally, and RMS Fortune.[1]
After sailing for nearly 24 hours, Lawford believed they had already passed Grand Cayman Island. Before going to bed the evening of February 7, 1794, the captain 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 notice of the Convert's watch. At 3 a.m. on February 8, 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 the Convert twice and forced it into the windward reef, causing the ship to become severely damaged and eventually swamped.[2] [3]
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.[4][5] Amongst those lost was the master of the Britannia, who went down with his ship.[6]
After rescue, Captain Lawford travelled to George Town, sending a number of distress messages, one of which was to the Governor of Havana, asking for assistance with the remains of the convoy; another was sent to his commander-in-chief, Commadore John Ford. Three days after the wreck, leaders among the inhambitants of Grand Cayman informed Lawford that they were unable to continue to house and feed the numerous merchantmen and sailors. In response to this reality, Lawford shipped off as many of the shipwrecked convoy members. Among those to first leave Grand Cayman following the shipwreck were Lady Emilia Cooke and the naval and military officers who were travelling home.[7] Within three weeks' time, a number of sloops and schooners arrived from Jamaica with provisions and assistance. Lawford and what was left of his crew proceeded to camp on the beach at Gun Bay. During this time, Lawford's crew attempted to rescue the guns from the submerged ships. While none of the guns were salvaged, the mail carried on the Convert was saved, along with a large proportion of the cargo from all the wrecked ships. Among the cargo salvaged from the merchant ships were loads of rum, cotton, and wood.
After Commodore Ford received Lawford's distress call, a rescue was sent to the shipwrecked remaining on the island. The HMS Success arrived at Grand Cayman in mid-March 1794, anchored only for a short time before taking Lawford and his crew back to Port Royal where he was court martialled aboard the same ship. Lawford was acquitted of all charges and went on to serve with distinction until his retirement in 1811.[8]
Residents of the Cayman Islands enjoy a tax-free existence; local legend has it that the reason for the absence of taxation is related directly to the Wreck of the Ten Sail. According to the legend, a member of the passenger list for the 10 vessels included a royal prince, one of the sons of Britain’s King George III. The legend further states that when the King was apprised of the bravery on the part of the Caymanians in saving the crews and passengers of the foundering ships, he decided to repay their bravery. The reward became a decree that the people of the Cayman Islands would thereafter be free from war conscription and taxes. There is, however, no documented evidence that the decree was ever issued or that there was a member of the Royal Family on board one of the ships. Regardless, the legend continues today and is oft repeated to travellers and tourists as well as amongst the residents of the Cayman Islands.[9]
Today, a park exists as a remembrance of the night of the shipwreck and the heroism of the residents who came to rescue those on-board all the ships. Beginning with the Maritime Trail that leads visitors to a view of the reef where the ships were wrecked and a cliff full of treacherous ironshore as well as brass and stone memorial to those who perished. Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, visited the spot and dedicated the memorial plaque and park in 1994 - the 200th anniversary of the event. Below and beside the plaque and viewing platform on a cliff made of ironshore are six embedded cement blocks - each a representation of the lives lost as a result of the shipwreck.