The Tory vessel on its return to Sligo from Liverpool in January 1856, struck rocks and sank with the loss of five lives. The owners of the vessel, both inhabitants of Sligo, John Hodgson and James Browne were on business in Donegal fatefully sighted their vessel and decided to come on board likely a quicker route by sea back to Sligo. The vessel hit a reef of rocks near the island Roughly O’Beirne (Rathlin O’Birne), Hodgson jumped over board and was washed ashore. He witnessed the vessel break up and all others on board perish. The crew were all Sligo men and left behind wives and children.
