About midnight on the 4th December, during a strong wind from the S.W., and in a heavy sea, the ship Castilian, of London, bound from Quebec to Liverpool with timber, took the ground on the south side of Portmadoc Bar.

Early on the morning of the 5th December her position was seen from the shore, and the life-boat John Ashbury, stationed at Criccieth, was immediately launched and proceeded, in tow of a steam-tug, to the wreck. There was a heavy surf near the vessel, but with great difficulty 18 men were rescued by the life-boat and placed on board the steamer. Three of the vessel's crew had, unfortunately, perished in at- tempting to reach the land in one of the ship's boats..