Blockade Runner Lelia That Didn't-- Part 3: Huge Storm

Continued from earlier this month.

The Lelia was already low in the water because of her heavy cargo and the storm was getting worse.  This account of her last hours was put together from the few survivors of the sinking.

When the Lelia arrived off the Grand Orme, she had been running into the teeth of the storm for four hours.  Captain Skinner, fearing the weather would get worse and the more exposed run to decided to slow down and hoist the anchors inboard.

As the crew struggled to carry out the orders, a huge wave crashed into the ship, causing the pea of one of the anchors to crash through the deck.  Another huge wave crashed into the ship, washing away the iron of a scuttle and the ship began to fill with water.  With more waves crashing over the Lelia, the ship became unable to answer her helm.

By now the ship was helpless and drifting in the battering waves.  Her four boats were ordered to be lowered as confusion and panic set in.  Commander Sinclair,CSN, and the pilot were lowered in the first boat which was swamped as soon as hit the water.

The second and third boats were lowered and got away with about 30 men.  It is not known if the fourth boat got off before Captain Skinner was seen to go down with his ship.

--Old B-Runner