Elegant white and gilded half-length female figurehead, apparently in an evening gown with a high waistband and shawl, the hair dressed high, supported on a black and gilded scroll. The wooden barque ‘Mary Hay’ was approaching Broad Sound, Scilly, in April 1852, inward bound from Jamaica with a mixed cargo including rum and sugar, and with a local pilot on board. Just after he went below to take a meal, rather than eating on deck, she hit Steeple Rock and began to make water. She anchored near Samson, pumping continuously but to no avail since several hours later she turned over with a sudden lurch.

All hands were saved, being on deck or in the boats alongside at the time. Next day rum, limejuice and over a thousand bags of pimentos were saved, with clothing, stores and some gear. The sugar was ruined but the rest of the cargo was included in the sale of the wreck for £72, four days later. In calmer weather she was refloated and broken up alongside St Mary’s pier.

‘Mary Hay’ details at time of wreck. Wooden barque of 258 tons, registered in London. Built: Peterhead, 1837. Dimensions (in feet and tenths): not known. Owner: Volum & Co. Registered voyage: Jamaica to London. Cargo: As above, also ebony, coconuts, logwood and fustic (woods from which dye is extracted). Master at loss: Hogg. Wrecked: 13 April 1852.

The ship was probably named after the Scottish ballad: 'Bonnie Mary Hay'.