Memorial Type:

Information Board

Does the monument still exist?

Yes

Inscription:

This incident took place on 13 September 1653, when a Cromwellian task-force under Colonel Ralph Cobbett invaded Mull to wipe out the staunchly royalist Macleans of Duart.

With three of his ships lost, and the remainder damaged, Cobbett called off the attack and returned overland to Dumbarton.

In 1979 a shipwreck was found off Duart Point and identified as one of Cobbett's vessels - probably the Swan. It is now protected as a historic wreck. An exhibition of the archaeological work is displayed in the castle.

"there hapned a most violent storme, which continued for 16 or 18 hours together, in which we lost a small Man of Warre called the Swan that came from Aire, the Martha and Margrett of Ipswich, wherin was all our remayning stores of ammunition and provision, only the freat Guns and Morterpeeces were saved. But that which was most sad was the loss of the Speedwell of lyn, where all the men that were in her, being 23 seamen and souldiers (except one) were drowned..... and all this in sight of our Men att land, who saw their friends drowning, and heard them crying for helpe, but could not save them"

Allegiance:

Parliamentarian

Condition:

Very Good

Condition Description:

The information board is in good condition.

Memorial Notes:

The expedition to Mull was put together to crush a minor rebellion of the Maclean Clan who were based on the Isle of Mull. Duart castle was the home of Clan Chief and was therefore identified as a key strategic objective. The castle was taken by the expedition before the storm of 13 September 1653. A book 'A Cromwellian Warship' by Colin J M Martin, published in 2017 gives the historical background and covers the archaeological work that was done at the wreck site.