Sink of the Rising Sun

SINKING OF THE RISING SUN

A tradition prevails, that about the year 1700, a large vessel, supposed to be the Rising Sun, with three hundred and forty-six passengers on board, came without a pilot up Sampit creek to the place where Georgetown now stands, but finding no inhabitants there but Indians, the Captain made for Charlestown. On his arriving near the bar, he was boarded by a pilot who told him that his vessel could not enter the harbor without lightening. The Captain being in distress, sent his long-boat with the Rev. Mr. Stobo and some others to solicit assistance. Before the boat returned, a hurricane took place in which the vessel and every soul on board were lost. Tradition states further that the same hurricane broke open the north inlet, and that previously there had been only one inlet from the sea to Winyaw bay. The tradition, as far as respects the loss of the ship, the hurricane, and the preservation of Mr. Stobo, is supported by well known historic documents. The other particulars, that a vessel came over Georgetown bar without a pilot which could not cross Charleston bar with one, if true, is very remarkable. It is rendered probable from the circumstance that the bar of Georgetown has from that time to the present been constantly growing worse.

Source:
Ramsay's History of South Carolina from Its First Settlement in 1670 to the year 1808
by David Ramsay, M.D.
Preface dated "Charleston, December 31st, 1808.
Published in 1858, by W.J. Duffie, Newberry, S.C.
Reprinted in 1959, by The Reprint Company, Spartanburg, S.C.

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