Massive storms batter the western coast of the British Isles and cause hundreds of deaths

A line of huge storms rolling in from the Atlantic caused havoc up and down the western coast of Britain.  In total, 198 vessels were wrecked and 684 people drowned. The heaviest loss was the passenger steamship Royal Charter, completing a two month voyage from Melbourne, Australia with more than 400 passengers and crew as well as five million pounds sterling in gold from the Australian fields. She was driven up onto the North Wales coast and only 39 people aboard survived.  (By John Osborne)