These ships were initially travelling together carrying soldiers and their families to Cork at the end of the Napoleonic War, and were wrecked with heavy loss of life.
The two other ships, which had been travelling in company with Sea Horse and carrying the rest of the battalion and members of the 82nd Regiment of Foot (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) were also wrecked nearby, killing a further 12 (Lord Melville) and 190 (Boadicea) people respectively.
[2] The vessels sailed to the Downs on 25 January 1816, where they were joined by the brig Boadicea carrying 290 troops, and 34 women and children of the 82nd Regiment of Foot (Prince of Wales's Volunteers).
[2] The weather had deteriorated during the day, and at 4 pm on 29 January Sea Horse's mate, John Sullivan, who was the only member of that ship's officers who was familiar with the Irish coast around Cork, fell from the foremast and died three hours later from his injuries.
[2] At 6 am on 30 January the ship attempted to reach the sanctuary of Waterford harbour, but at 10:30 am the foretop was brought down, severely injuring a seaman.