The Wreck of the St George

This dramatic painting, in oil on canvas, shows the scene in Douglas Bay in the early morning of 20 November 1830. The Royal Mail Packet Steamer 'St George', commanded by Lieutenant Tudor RN was caught in a violent storm and was totally wrecked on St Mary's Isle (Conister rock). All twenty people on board were rescued, despite the extreme danger, by Sir William Hillary Bart, accompanied by Lieutenant R. Robinson RN, W. Corlett Esq., Hillary's veteran Coxwain Isaac Vondy, and fourteen volunteer boatmen.

The incident, along with others like it, led to Hillary petitioning for the construction of a shelter on St Mary's Isle, which became known as the Tower of Refuge.