Charles Boyle

342

Maureen Withey on 11th August 2024

The Weller, of Whitehaven, Taylor master, from Limerick to Liverpool when off the island of Arranmore, on the 22d of November last, took pilot, named Charles Boyle, who carried the vessel through the wrong passage, and was the cause of her being wrecked, when she was completely plundered by upwards of 100 people, and Boyle was as active any of them in carrying off the cargo, was tried late Donegal Assizes, with Owen Gallagher, charged with plundering the vessel, when Boyle received sentence of death, but it has been commuted to transportation for life. Gallagher was acquitted. Bell’s Life in London, 23 April 1826. DONEGAL ASSIZES. .. Charles Boyle and Owen Gallagher, were indicted for feloniously plundering a vessel wrecked off the island of Arranmore. John Taylor examined—Commanded the ship Waller, in November last, bound from Limerick to Liverpool—cargo consisted of wheat, flour, oats, whiskey, tongues, and butter—remembers the 22d of November, it blew a gale of wind—had occasion for a pilot——were off the island of Arranmore, on the North-West coast of Donegal—took Charles Boyle, as Pilot—came thro’ a wrong sound by the direction of Boyle, who stated that it was the only chance of the vessel being saved—blowing then very the vessel was wrecked a short time after Boyle came on board—it was about nine o'clock in the forenoon—Boyle remained on board—-seeing a boat make towards them, asked for a musket, and one waved from the vessel as a signal —immediately after there came in boats as many as could fill the deck—nothing was done for some time in the way of plunder—all his own crew went ashore lo save their own property, who on their arrival on shore, were plundered by the people there these that had come on board, who exceeded one hundred, began to carry off the rigging, butter, flour, tongues, &e. in their boats— were fighting for them like dogs—hatches were at first closed, the fuur in with them but in vain—by the assistance of Boyle, got the halser, but Boyle was as busy as any one on board in carrying off the property, butter, tongues, &c.—was asked what right he had to interfere, by a man who followed in a menacing manner—the business of plunder continued for a long time, from nine to three o’clock—could not get a boat from the mainland—they did not cease plundering until the tide prevented them getting to the vessel—they divided the tongues among them—the coat which he now wears was taken from him, which he did not recover for a month—went on shore, made search afterwards, assisted by the police —found some flour in the rocks—went to the house of the prisoner Gallagher, to find the oars—got there tackle, but cannot swear it was his—Gallagher said he did not carry it into the house himself. Cross-examined by Counsellor: It blew very hard. Boyle was on board the vessel about fifteen minutes before she stranded; told him she was in danger; a great number of people assembled, eighteen or twenty in a boat, armed with axes, reaping hooks, &c.—Boyle was pilot; they were all round him; it is a very lawless place ; was not afraid of his life; the pilot was plundering; did not fire on the people; did not fire a shot, nor did any of his crew; Boyle asked for for protection; a boat was then approaching ; they came violently on board for more than 100 in number ; they would be very angry with any one who attempted to interfere with them; thinks the gun was not fired to deter because a man was waving a signal at the same time; Boyle rowed him to shore as they were all alike to him. I employed him next morning to save the rigging, as I considered them ail equally guilty ; Boyle did his duty the next day in saving the wreck as the water guard were with him; did not arrest him as he thought them all equally guilty; lodged examinations afterwards against him within three days; Boyle was very near where the vessel was stranded on the island; saw the prisoner after he lodged the ...; some days he saw him and some he did not; summoned him to appear, and he did so; does not know whether it was six weeks after he had him arrested. Henry Crosbie examined.— Was man before the mast on board the skip Waller; recollects, in November last being off the northern coast, wind then blew very hard; took a pilot off Arranmore ; made no signal for a pilot; persons in a boat waved them towards the shore; were preceeding on their course which they changed in consequence ,-—recognized and identifies the prisoner as the one who came on hoard as pilot; the master asked which was pilot, and prisoner said he was; vessel stranded in 15 or 16 minutes after prisoner came on board; witness remained at the helm until the vessel struck; another boat appeared; saw a musket fired but does not know by whom; saw the people … … believes that might have been carried away by the The Hon. Baron, in his charge to the jury, commented with severity on the testimony of the above witness, who belonged to the water guard. The jury retired for a few minutes, when they returned as their verdict,”Charles Boyle guilty— Owen Gallagher not guilty.” His Lordship having put on the fatal cap, passed, with extreme solemnity, the awful sentence of the law, dwelling at considerable length on the enormity of the offence, desiring the prisoner to entertain no hope, and pressing on him the necessity of losing no time in endeavouring to make his peace with his God. He was sentenced to be executed on the 4th of April. We understand the sentence has been commuted to transportation for life. Enniskillen Chronicle, 6 April 1826.

342

Maureen Withey on 11th August 2024

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Charles Boyle, age on arrival, 30, per Phoenix III (1826) Tried at Lifford Donegal Co. 1826, Life for Plundering a wreck. No former convictions. DOB, 1796, Native place, Donegal. Married, 2 children. Catholic. Trade, Sailor.