The history of the forecast goes back to 1861, when Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy developed a telegraphic messaging system to issue weather warnings to ships, following the loss of the steam clipper Royal Charter. The vessel founded (sank) in a violent storm off the coast of Anglesey on 26 October 1859, with the loss of more than 450 lives. The Royal Charter was the most prominent among about 200 ships wrecked by the Royal Charter Storm, prompting FitzRoy’s desire to prevent it happening again.

Subject: Tom Russell's Wales Song From: fsharpdim7 Date: 29 Jul 03 - 04:52 PM I just got Tom's Modern Art and was really surprised to hear "Isaac Lewis." Here is his explanation: "I'm not a sea-going man, but I heard the seed of this story in a bar in Northern Wales. Isaac Lewis sails around the world and drowns aboard a clipper ship, then washes up on shore right outside his father's door. I doubted the old drunk who told me the story, then the next day he gave me a book called "The Golden Wreck." It was all true. It's in the book. This may be one of the only songs I've written with a "message." The moral is: "Tell your loved ones what they mean to you before it's too late." Eliza Gilkyson sings harmony and Elana Fremerman plays string parts. This song goes well with a Guinness. And two shots of Tullamore Dew."