With a cargo of 450 tons of coal, en route from Cardiff to Arcacton, the Rene, from Nantos, ran into trouble along the Bristol Channel on 8th January, 1886. Snagging itself on the treacherous sand bank of Helwick during an abrupt storm, the ship was then forced ashore at 2 a.m., where it broke up on the eastern side of Kilboidy.
The Rene’s frightened crew jumped ship to swim ashore but the ship’s master and three of its crew drowned. The recovered bodies were buried at Dan y Graig Cemetary, Swansea.
In a shallow pool, near Kilboidy, still lays an iron stanchion belonging to the ship.
Rene
