The Sinking of the Faithful Steward -Nearly 227 years ago
The Faithful Steward left Londonderry, Ireland, on July 9, 1785, for Philadelphia with 249 passengers, mostly Irish immigrants, and many related.
On September 1, 1785, Captain Connolly McCausland threw a party to celebrate the journey’s end. He and the first mate drank so much they passed out. The ship ran aground on the Mohoba Bank near Indian River Inlet, south of Rehoboth, Delaware.
Though the ship was fewer than 150 yards from shore, many passengers could not swim, and the waves threatened to sweep away those who could. Many bodies washed up on the beach. Only 68 people survived the disaster. Of the 100 women and children on board, seven survived. Many perished within sight of survivors on the beach.
Along with passengers, the Faithful Steward carried about 400 barrels of British pennies and halfpennies. It is thought that these are the coins that wash ashore near Delaware Seashore State Park at Lewes, Delaware, giving rise to the name Coin Beach.







