List of shipwrecks in the Bristol Channel

List of shipwrecks in the Bristol Channel

A number of ships have run aground or sunk in the Bristol Channel, a stretch of water between southern Wales and Somerset. Cardiff, Barry and Penarth were once the largest coal exporters in the world and the channel received significant traffic at the beginning of the twentieth century during exportation.

In 1948 there were 24 known wrecks in the Bristol Channel, but by 1950 14 had been cleared by demolition. One ship, a tanker of over 10,000 tons that was sunk off Nash Point, required the use of 129 tons of explosives by HMS Tronda to break-up the wreck [ [http://www.barrywales.co.uk/tomclemett/shipwrecks.asp Barrywales.co.uk] ] .

"Cambo"

The "Cambo" was an exporting ship that sunk at Barry in south Wales in 1912.

After hitting the Eastern breakwater and running aground, the badly damaged Cambo was towed off by tugs. Later that day, she caught fire and sank. She was later refloated and repaired at Barry Docks.

"Eiffel Tower"

The "Eiffel Tower" was a ship that ran aground at Cold Knap Point in Barry in south Wales in 1894. Owned by the Dunedin Steamship Company of Leith, and skippered by a Captain Campbell, the Eiffel Tower ran aground in thick fog. She was refloated at high tide the same day and towed to Barry Dock for repair.

"Pilton"

The "Pilton" was a ship that ran aground on Sully Beach in 1924. Owned by WJ Tatem of Cardiff, the Pilton ran aground during gale force winds in December 1924. She was aground for three months, and provided a steady source of income for Sully caterers from visitors.

"SS Bengrove"

The "SS "Bengrove" was a steamer type collier ship owned by the United Kingdom. Thousands of people on shore witnessed the ship explode and sink in the Bristol Channel on Sunday, March 7, 1915.cite web |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C0CE4D91238E633A2575AC0A9659C946496D6CF|title= THOUSANDS ON SHORE SEE SHIP BLOWN UP; British Collier Bengrove Is Sunk Without Warning In Bristol Channel.|accessdate=2007-10-19 |format= |work= ]

The ship left Barry at approximately 4:00 a.m. under sealed orders and carrying a cargo of 5000 tons of coal. Later that day [cite web |url=http://www.naval-history.net/WW1LossesBrMS1914-16.htm|title= BRITISH MERCHANT SHIPS LOST AT SEA DUE TO ENEMY ACTION, 1914-18, Part 1 of 3|accessdate=2007-10-25 |format= |work= ] at about 5 miles off the coast of Ilfracombe in the Bristol Channel an explosion occurred midship under the vessel. The ship's siren was activated and the crew entered the lifeboats, the siren was heard on shore and the Ilfracombe coast guard dispatched lifeboats to the area. There were 21 other steamers in the area when the explosion occurred, six of them offered assistance to the floundering vessel. All 33 crewmen were saved and taken to Ilfracombe pier. Early reports were unsure what caused the explosion with speculation pointing to a mine or torpedo, however it was determined to have been struck by a torpedo from German submarine Unterseeboot 20 (1912). [cite web |url=http://www.01271-ilfracombe.co.uk/20wrecks.htm|title= Ilfracombe Shipwrecks|accessdate=2007-10-25 |format= |work= ] [cite web |url=http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/WWI%20LOSSES-B.htm|title= BRITISH WORLD WAR I MERCHANT SHIP LOSSES - B|accessdate=2007-10-25 |format= |work= ]

"Tafleburg"

The "Tafleburg" was a ship that ran aground in Whitmore Bay in Barry Island in south Wales on January 28 1941. The Whale Factory Ship struck a mine in the channel and was beached to the West of Cold Knap Point. On 28 March she was refloated and moved to Whitmore Bay. She landed on a sand bar and broke into 2 sections. She was later repaired.

"Verajean"

The Verajean was an exporting ship that was driven ashore at Rhoose point near Barry in south Wales in 1908. The ship was stranded for a fortnight, and to lighten it, its cargo of coal bricks was unloaded onto the beach. Grateful residents filled their coal cellars with enough fuel for two winters.

ee also

*Sea Empress - an oil tanker that ran agroundat Milford Haven in February 1996.

References

External links

* [http://www.barrywales.co.uk/tomclemett/shipwrecks.asp A complete guide to shipwrecks in the Bristol Channel by Tom Clemett]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • List of disasters on the Severn — The following is a list of notable accidents on the River Severn and Severn Estuary, which runs through England and Wales. The river is the longest river in Britain and at its mouth has the second highest rise and fall of tide in the world. This… …   Wikipedia

  • List of disasters of the United Kingdom and preceding states — is a list of major disasters (excluding acts of war but including acts of terrorism) which relate to the United Kingdom since 1707, the states that preceded it (including territory that later became the Republic of Ireland), or involved UK… …   Wikipedia

  • List of United Kingdom disasters by death toll — is a list of major disasters (excluding acts of war) which occurred in the United Kingdom (including territory that later became the Republic of Ireland) or involved UK citizens, in a definable incident or accident, e.g. a shipwreck, where the… …   Wikipedia

  • List of reportedly haunted locations — This is a list of locations reportedly haunted by ghosts or other supernatural beings. Reports of haunted locations are part of ghostlore. Ghostlore is fueled by history and legend and is part of folklore.Australia * The Alkimos is a shipwreck of …   Wikipedia

  • Maritime history of the United Kingdom — The Maritime history of the United Kingdom involves events including shipping, ports, navigation, and seamen, as well as marine sciences, exploration, trade, and maritime themes in the arts from the creation of the kingdom of Great Britain[1] as… …   Wikipedia

  • Lightvessels in the United Kingdom — The history of Lightvessels in the United Kingdom goes back over 250 years. This page also gives a list of lightvessel stations within the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.HistoryThe world s first lightvessel was the result of a… …   Wikipedia

  • Wales — This article is about the country. For other uses, see Wales (disambiguation) …   Wikipedia

  • South West Coast Path — The starting point at Minehead Length 630 miles (1,014 km) Location England: Somerset, Devon, Cornwall …   Wikipedia

  • Isles of Scilly — Scilly redirects here. For the area of Surrey, see Scilly Isles, Surrey. For the atoll in the Society Islands, sometimes called Scilly Atoll, see Manuae (Society Islands). Isles of Scilly Syllan Map of the Isles of Scilly …   Wikipedia

  • Historic tsunamis — Location= Tsunamis occur most frequently in the Pacific Ocean, but are a global phenomenon; they are possible wherever large bodies of water are found, including inland lakes, where they can be caused by landslides. Very small tsunamis, non… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”