'Design for the new proposed Asylum Harbour at Dun Leary 1817'. Tragedies such as the 'Rochdale' & 'Prince of Wales' in 1807 accelerated the plans for an asylum harbour in Dublin (now known as the East Pier), intended to protect ships from storms while they waited for high tide to access Dublin Port. On November 19th 1807 the 'Rochdale' & 'Prince of Wales' were transporting troops for the Napoleonic War, the next day both sank during heavy storms in Dublin harbour. The Irish men of the Militia on board the 'Prince of Wales' were allegedly locked below decks while the captain and crew escaped during the storm. Members of the North and South Mayo Militia joining the 97th Regiment of Foot and Cork Militia who joined the 18th Regiment of Foot. It's likely many would have been involved in the suppression of the 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion. It was said that a 12 foot plank could have saved many lives from the Rochdale as the ship went to ground immediately beside the Seapoint Martello Tower. There were no survivors from the 265 souls onboard the 'Rochdale', and only captain, crew and two soldiers from the 'Prince of Wales' were to survive. The passing of the 1801 act of Union which abolished the Irish Parliament was also a factor in precipitating the harbour design now that Irish M.P.'s would need to regularly travel to London.