Shipwreck of the Faithful Steward

The Faithful Steward, bound from Londonderry, Ireland, to Philadelphia, ran aground on a shoal on September 1, 1785, with 249 passengers aboard. Stormy weather drove the vessel toward shore, where it became stranded in 4 fathoms, 24 feet, of water within 100 yards of the shoreline. Strong winds capsized the ship, and 181 passengers, including 93 women and children, perished. Looters soon arrived, carried off trunks of personal cargo, and picked the pockets of the deceased. The ship carried 400 barrels of British copper halfpennies and rose gold guineas. The coins redeposit along the shore after strong storms, giving rise to the name, Coin Beach.

Delaware · United States