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"Tragedies" From time
to time tragedy would strike as the residents of Bardsey crossed over from the
island to the mainland. One of the greatest tragedies happened about 1722 when
several of the islanders lost their lives, most of them women. They were
returning to the island with a supply of flannel which they had exchanged for
wool from the island at the wollen mill at Pencaerau. They set off from Porth
Meudwy rowing close to shore, but as they approached Pen y Cil and close to the
Sound itself a huge wave came and the boat hit a
sharp rock which created a big hole in the side of the boat. The boat
began sinking immediately and capsized seaward throwing the passengers out and
into the deep water. Had the boat capsized to leeward, there may have been some
hope, but not much considering the heavy clothing worn at that time. Even though
many many years have passed since then, the rock remains and is known as
‘Carreg Pobl Enlli’ (The rock
of the people of Bardsey.) Another
tragedy that occurred was the one that happened on the last day of November 1822
when a boat hit a rock near the Cafn ( the island’s harbour) with the loss of
seven lives. Amidst the dead were Thomas Williams 49 years old and his daughter
Sydney who was 20. Thomas Williams
was the master of the Bardsey Light Tender. He and his daughter were buried in
St Hywyn’s churchyard and the inscription on their grave stone reads thus.
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