The second vessel was the brigantine Reaper, of Guernsey, from London to the Tyne, with chalk, and commanded by Captain George Game. The master says that, although his vessel struck so near the Ann, he had not previously seen her. They could see nothing for the hail storm prevailing the time. When she struck her head went round the sea, and huge waves broke over her bows, sending the spray nearly to the topmasts, and the waves washing the decks from stem to stern. Above the shouting of the men could be distinctly heard the yells of fine terrier dog, which was also saved, and which appeared to "general favourite among the crew. The mate of the vessel brought it ashore in his arms. The Reaper had crew of nine hands, of whom the following are — Captain: George Game. Mate: F. Marriott. Cook: A. Harrison. Able Seamen: John Collivet, Peter Pearce, and Elias Falle. Ordinary Seamen: George Robins, Theodore Eve, and Albert Amy. The Reaper was built at Guernsey, in 1864, and belonged to Mr Richard Martin Lelean, of High Street, Guernsey, who was also the owner of the brig Durham Packet, which was wrecked at Seaham on Monday, the 7th inst. The Reaper was insured. Both vessels came well up the beach, and it was ebb tide at the time, they were soon hard and fast upon the sand. The crews were all safely in the Brigade Watch House in a little more than hour from the time that the alarm guns boomed forth the intelligence that they were in peril. The South Shields lifeboat William Wouldhave, in charge of John Wells, was launched from her house on the sands, for the purpose of going to the rescue of the crew of the Reaper, but the time she had been got afloat the brigadesmen had obtained communication with the stranded ship. - The lifeboat was therefore brought back, and taken to her station again. The shipwrecked men were provided with dry clothing, and also with hot coffee, cheese, and ship biscuits. They appeared none the worse for their exposure to the weather, and they all seemed to enjoy heartily the capital meal provided for their comfort. In the absence of Deputy-Captain T. A. Wilson, through illness. Mr Youlton officiated as cook. The detachment of the brigade who worked the apparatus at the Ann was in the charge of Mr G. R. Potts, and those at the Reaper were under the command of Deputy-Captains A. Whitelaw and James Wood. Assistance was also given by several members of the Tynemouth and Cullercoats Volunteer Life Brigades. The captains of both vessels reported that there was a heavy gale outside from east and by south, and that the sea was very high. While the crews were being hauled ashore there was a heavy squall of rain and hail, but notwithstanding this a sailing vessel made for and entered the harbour in safety. About nine o'clock the weather moderated somewhat. The wind gradually became less violent, and the sea fell in proportion. Considering that the wind had been so fierce during the afternoon and early part of the evening, the sea was not so high as former south-easterly gales. At midnight, as the tide flowed, the Reaper drove further in shore, and came upon the Ann. Both vessels knocked violently against each other as the tide rose, and ultimately they went to pieces. They are now complete wrecks, the broken portions of the hulls lying together upon the stones at the side of the Pier, and the loose portions are lying higher upon the beach at high water mark. Several men are engaged this morning in saving as much material as possible, such as rigging, anchors, spars, etc. The scene of the wrecks has been visited by a large number of persons. The wind has gone down to a dead calm, and the sea is comparatively smooth. The weather, however, has still an unsettled appearance
Source Shields Daily Gazette 15th of February 1881