Plymouth Ship and Aircraft Wrecks A to Z
For references used in this list please see the bottom of the page.
HM Submarine A7 (1914) ...
Royal Navy A class submarine
Aagtekerke (1721) ...
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR |
| Craft type | East Indiaman |
| Date built | |
| Date of loss | |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Outcome | Abandoned |
| Construction | Wood |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | |
| Destination port | |
| Hull length | |
| Hull beam | |
| Hull draft | |
| Hull displacement | |
| Cargo | |
| Armament | |
| Crew | |
| Built | |
| Master | |
| Owner |
Abelard (1916) ...
Armed trawler
Abraham Newland (1801)
| Location Description | Plymouth Hoe |
| Reference | NMR 877185 |
| Craft type | Schooner (3) |
| Date of loss | 10th December 1801 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Lisbon |
| Destination port | Topsham, Exeter |
| Cargo | Wine, Fruit (Oranges) |
| Crew | 5 (2) |
| Master | Capt. Morgan |
The Schooner Abraham Newland of Portsmouth was wrecked on the rocks under the Hoe, during the storms that battered Plymouth between the 9th and 10th of December 1801. The vessel had been carrying a cargo of wine and fruit, from Lisbon, bound for Topsham. She broke free of her moorings before daybreak of Thursday the 10th, going ashore near Lane's Hill in the East Hoe. Four of the crew made it ashore before the vessel went completely to pieces. The mate, however, was not so fortunate, he was last seen in the companion way of the vessel imploring for help, before a wave overwhelmed him (2). His body washed up on shore the following saturday, clad in only his shirt and trousers, as if in an attempt to swim to shore, on inquest the coroner deemed him 'drowned by shipwreck' (3).
The cargo of wine was mostly lost, save for 5 casks, the rest dashed to pieces on the rocks. The remaing cargo, of oranges, was left floating and attempts were made to recover them despite being of little value. One salvager attempting to collect oranges near the rocks was washed off and nearly drowned. When he was brought to shore little signs of life were present, but as medical assistance was immediately procured 'he was again restored to life'(1).
(1)"PLYMOUTH—Dec. 9." Caledonian Mercury, Edinburgh, Scotland, 14 Dec 1801, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2)"Wednesday's and Thursday's Posts." Trewman's Exeter Flying Post, Exeter, England, 17 Dec. 1801, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(3)"DREADFUL STORMS AT SEA, [ill]." Hull Packet, Hull, England, 22 Dec. 1801, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Agenoria (1869)
| Location Description | Mount Batten |
| Reference | NMR 1064633 |
| Craft type | Schooner |
| Date built | 1838 |
| Date of loss | 1869 |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
The 82 ton schooner Agenoria (ONO 13455) was registered in St Ives in 1838. On 3rd February 1869, the Agenoria was owned by John Richards of Fowey and under the command of Captain Hains when she was wrecked on Mount Batten reef while carrying coal from Cardiff. At anchor in the Sound, the schooner dragged or broke her anchor and was blown onto the reef tearing a hole in her bottom. It is thought that the ship went to pieces but the cargo of coal was saved and no lives were lost in the accident.
Agenoria (1901)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 106775 |
| Craft type | Dredger |
| Date of loss | 1901 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Crew | 2 |
| Master | S W Willing |
Vessel was stranded and lost in wind conditions S force 7, while dredging in Plymouth Sound (1).
(1) Parliamentary papers, Vol 92, Page(s) 147, 1902, Board of Trade Casualty Returns, Appx C.
Agnes (1890)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1066995 |
| Craft type | Fishing boat |
| Date of loss | 1890 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Master | J Masters, Turnchapel |
| Owner | J Masters, Turnchapel |
This fishing vessel, was stranded and wrecked in wind conditions W force 10, while at her moorings (A).
Ajax (1854) ...
Paddle steamship
Albion (1833)
| Location Description | Stoke Point |
| Reference | NMR 1060233 |
| Date of loss | 22nd December 1833 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Leith |
| Destination port | Lisbon |
| Cargo | Herring, lamp block |
| Master | Garson (3) |
The Albion was found wrecked off Stoke Head near Bigbury Bay on the 22nd December 1833 (1). She had been travelling from Leith, bound for Lisbon (2), carrying a cargo of herring and lamp-block. The craft had been rendered unmanageable due a severe gale leading to her being driven on shore, however the master and crew had taken to a lifeboat in which they reached Mothecombe (1).
(1) "PLYMOUTH AND DEVONPORT." Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser, Exeter, England, 26 Dec. 1833, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) Parliamentary papers, Vol 17, Page(s) 307(687) 1836, Select Committee on Shipwreck, Appendix 7,1833.
(3) "SHIP NEWS." Morning Post, London, England, 30 Dec. 1833, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Albion (1837) ...
Albion (1877)
| Location Description | Plymouth Hoe Baths |
| Reference | NMR 1065303 |
| Craft type | Schooner |
| Built | 1835, Plymouth |
| Date of loss | 14th October 1877 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull displacement | 59 tons |
| Destination Port | Charleston, Cornwall |
| Cargo | In Ballast |
| Master | D Davies |
| Owner | D Davies |
The Welsh schooner Albion was built in Plymouth 1835 and owned by D. Davies of Cardigan. The vessel ended up piled on the rocks beneath the Plymouth Hoe baths, surrounded by three shattered yachts(1). The incident occured on the night of the 14th October 1877, during the storm that also sunk the R.H Jones and Rothesay. She was in ballast while anchored off Drakes Island during the storm, shortly bound to pick up a consignment of china-clay from Charleston, Cornwall. The strong winds of the storm forced the small schooner to drag her anchors and wreck on the rocks beneath the Hoe. The captain and mate were the only crew on board at the time, as it appears that the remaining crew had not returned to the ship as planned in the morning (2).
(1) "THE GALE" Western Mail, Cardiff, Wales, 16 Oct. 1877, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) "The Weather" Times, London, England, 17 Oct. 1877 pg 6, The Times Digital Archive
Albion (1839)
| Location Description | Rame Head, Queener Point |
| Reference | |
| Craft type | Brigantine |
| Built | Topsham, 1811 |
| Date of loss | 27th September 1839 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Tonnage | 105 tons |
| Destination Port | |
| Cargo | Coal |
| Master | Samuels |
| Owner | Thomas Bowden, Caleb Cox, John Cox, Thomas merriman, Henry Brown |
On Friday night last, the 27th of September, the wind blew a heavy gale from the southward, which moderated towards the morning of Saturday, when, between the hours of two and three, The Albion brigantine of Exeter, Captain Samuels, laden with coals from Newport, was driven onshore against the rocks a little to the westward of Rame Head. The sea running very high at the time afforded but little hope of saving the lives of the crew. It was low water when the Albion first struck and swung her head in shore round Queener Point, on the most dangerous part of the whole coast. Two of her crew and a boy, seizing the moment of the vessels position, got out on the jib boom end and dropped on to the rocks. The two men were, by God’s providence thus saved, but the poor boy was taken off the rocks by the returning sea and overwhelmed in a moment. The captain and two of the crew were yet on board, the tide now rising, and the vessel beating against the sharp shelving rocks, under heavy breakers, must have rendered their position truly awful. It was between 6 and 7 o’clock before the coast guard and town of Cawsand were alarmed. Mr John Foot at West Head station instantly launched a boat, and taking with him two Cawsand men and two of the coastguard men, very gallantly and with imminent hazard, succeeded in throwing a rope to the three men aboard Albion who had lashed themselves to the vessels rigging; the Captain caught the rope, but, exhausted from the length of time the poor fellows had been in their awful position, they were unable to disengage themselves from the vessels rigging to which they were fastened and entangled. The vessel being on her beam ends with her masts inshore, and the sea beating over her and engulfing her momentarily in the waves, rendered it impossible for the boat to do more, and very dangerous was her position. The coastguard men and the men of Cawsand were active to desperation in their endeavours to throw ropes and grapnels to the vessels rigging, but the heavy surf baffled all their exertions. Several of them were thrown off their legs, and narrowly escaped being drowned. We lament to state the J. Drew, one of the coastguard men, an active energetic man, was washed off from an advanced position on the rocks and drowned; the poor fellow has left a widow, far advanced in pregnancy, and three young children, to lament the result of the daring philanthropy of her much-respected husband.
Albion (1817)
| Location Description | Breakwater |
| Reference | NMR 877295 |
| Craft type | Smack |
| Date of loss | 18th January 1817 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Southampton |
| Cargo | Bricks, hoops |
| Master | Coose (4) |
The smack Albion, mastered by Coose (4)(Case (3) or Close (2)) of Plymouth, coming from Southampton; carrying a cargo of bricks and hoops foundered off the 'back of the Breakwater'(1). The vessel and her crew were lost, after 'a violent gale of wind at about SSW attended with a very high tide was experienced at Plymouth...on Saturday night and Sunday morning' (2). Part of her stern was picked up near the Breakwater (4).
(1) West Briton; 24-Jan-1817
(2) Lloyd's, 1969: Lloyd's List 24-Jan-1817, No 5146
(3) The Morning Post, London, England, Friday, January 24, 1817; Issue 14356, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(4) Royal Cornwall Gazette, Falmouth Packet & Plymouth Journal, Truro, England, Saturday, January 25, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Alert (1898)
Refloated
When the wind shifted the three Plymouth trawlers Alert (Capt Lacock) Myra (Capt Williams) and Kite (Capt Reading) which had on Tuesday evening dropped anchor under the lee of the Queen Anne’s Battery, dragged their anchors and before aid could be summoned, went ashore on the rocks. As the boats heeled over the waves washed clean over their decks, the Myra suffering the most in this respect. The crews had to take to their boats and row ashore, and they waited until daylight for assistance. Fortunately the tide was flowing and after a few hours the three boats were towed off by the tugs Trevarno and Lucy. It is feared the hulls of all of the boats are more or less damaged as each has water in her; but it is impossible to say to what extent before they are beached or placed in dry dock.
Alfonso (1891)...
Alfred (1813)
| Location Description | Bovisand Bay |
| Reference | NMR 877274 |
| Craft type | Brig |
| Date of loss | 26th January 1813 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Sunderland |
| Cargo | Coal |
| Master | Shields |
The collier brig, Alfred, sunk on the 26th January 1813 in Bovisand Bay. She was coming from Sunderland with a 240 ton cargo of coal, bound for Plymouth, she struck a rock near the Mewstone and sunk in 5 fathoms of water. The crew were all saved, but the cargo was lost.(1)
(1) "SHIP NEWS." Morning Chronicle, London, England, 29 Jan, 1813, 19th Century British Library Newspapers
Alice (1901)
| Location Description | Millbay |
| Reference | NMR 1230241 |
| Craft type | Smack |
| Date of loss | 1801 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked | Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Cargo | Rock |
| Master | Weston |
Whilst carrying a cargo of dredged rock, was blown from her moorings and wrecked against the outer sea wall of Mill
Bay outer east pier. (A)
Allow Me (1911)
| Location Description | Penlee Point |
| Reference | Shipwreck Index |
| Craft type | Pilot Cutter |
| Date of loss | 19th November 1911 |
| Manner of loss | Collision |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Cargo | None |
| Master | Pilot John Tucker |
On 19th November 1911, the Plymouth pilot cutter No. 2, Allow Me (Built 1876, ONO 74626, 36 tons), whilst on station outside the port was run into and sunk by the steamer Broadmayne (Built 1888, ONO 95490, 334 tons) of London. At the time of the mishap there was only one pilot on board the cutter, Mr John Tucker, while another pilot and two men who form the crew of the vessel being some distance away in the ships boat. Pilot Tucker was rescued but the cutter disappeared beneath the waves within two or three minutes of being struck. The Allow Me sailed from the Cattewater about noon on Saturday, having on board six pilots and a crew of two hands. As the day progressed the number of pilots decreases as each vessel arriving who desires a pilot reduces the number on the cutter. Pilots Tucker and Brooks with the two crew were last on board to fulfil the duty of delivering sailing orders to Captain Phillips on Broadmayne off the port, to save time and minimal deviation from journey, from owners Associated Oil Carriers of London. The Broadmayne sailed from the river Tyne at the weekend and was sighted off Plymouth at 9am yesterday. About 11am she arrived near the pilot cutter, Pilot Brooks was in the ship’s boat which was manned by the two crew, they proceeded to the steamer and despite the heavy seas the pilot got on board. It was when the three men were on the way back to the cutter that the collision occurred and the Allow Me sank.
Amazon (1936)
| Location Description | Picklecombe Fort |
| Reference | NMR 1071798 |
| Craft type | Ketch |
| Date of loss | 23rd September 1936 |
| Manner of loss | Grounded |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Falmouth |
The Amazon, from Falmouth bound for Plymouth, grounded in the night near Picklecombe Fort, during a thick fog. She was refloated later in the morning and taken into the Cattewater by two tugs, for repair, however the vessel was leaking and appeared strained (1).
(1) The Times, London, England, Thursday, Sep 24, 1936; pg. 21; Issue 47488
HMS Amethyst (1811) ...
Royal Navy 5th Rate frigate
HMS Amphion (1796) ...
Royal Navy
Ann (1839)
| Location Description | Penlee Point |
| Reference | Shipwreck Index |
| Craft type | Sloop |
| Date of loss | 23rd March 1839 |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
The master of the Revenue cutter, the Stork, Andrew Gillespie, was awarded a Silver Medal for his part in the rescue of the four crewman from the Sloop, the Ann, on saturday 23 March 1839 (B).
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Anna II (1989) ...
Pilot vessel / Party boat
Annie (1896)
| Location Description | Nr Vanguard Buoy |
| Reference | NMR 1067492 |
| Craft type | Barge |
| Built | 1871 |
| Date of loss | 6th February 1896 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Plymouth |
| Destination Port | Calstock |
| Cargo | Gas Lime |
| Crew | 2 |
| Master | R Martin |
| Owner | R Martin Snr |
Vessel foundered and lost whilst carrying a cargo of `gas lime', in wind conditions SSW force 3 (A).
Ant (1819)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | Shipwreck Index |
| Craft type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 25th September 1819 |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
Stranded/ total loss (A). An account in the Morning Post states that the Ann was got off with very little damage and proceeded with her journey (1).
(1)"Ship News." Morning Post, London England, 30 Sept. 1819, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Antelope (bt 1906) ...
Brixham trawler
Apollo (1866)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1140293 |
| Craft type | Brigantine |
| Date of loss | 20th January 1866 |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | St. Ives |
Stranded/Total Loss (A).
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Argo (1799)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 877162 |
| Craft type | Snow Brig |
| Date of loss | 23rd September 1799 |
| Manner of loss | Grounded |
| Nationality | Sweden |
| Departure port | Barcelona |
| Cargo | Wine |
| Master | Kruse |
The Argo was Swedish Snow Brig (snaubrigg) bound from Barcelona with a cargo of wines for the vitualling stores of Plymouth. The vessel was coming into the harbour during a violent gale blowing W.S.W causing her to run onto the rocks near the Bear's head in the Cattewater (2). The main mast was quickly cut away in an attempt at her preservation; allowing her to be got off again after about twenty minutes, but with considerable damage (1). The accident was said to have occured due to the inattention of the pilot (2).
(1)True Briton (1793) London, England, Thursday, September 26, 1799; Issue 2110, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2)Courier and Evening Gazette,(London, England, Thursday, September 26, 1799; Issue 2216, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Arthur (Unknown) ...
Timber lighter
HMT Asama (1941) ...
Armed trawler
Astrea (1725) ...
Dutch East Indiaman
Augusta of Plymouth (1872)
| Location Description | Redding Point |
| Reference | NMR 1064782 |
| Craft type | Hooker |
| Date Built | 1861 |
| Date of loss | 31st August 1872 |
| Manner of loss | Collision |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Plymouth |
| Cargo | Fish (Mackerel) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | Johns |
The Augusta, a small fishing boat from Plymouth was returning to port through the western entrance of the Breakwater when she was struck by the trawl sloop Skimmer of the Sea. It is assumed that the collision occured due to neither vessel carrying lights (3). The Augusta was carrying a catch of Mackerel (1), when inbound she went under the bows of the Skimmer and sank immediately taking two men; William Forster and Richad Easter, with her. The remaining two crew were picked up by a passing boat.
(1)The Dundee Courier & Argus, Dundee, Scotland, Monday, September 02, 1872; Issue 5958, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) The Hampshire Advertiser, Southampton, England, Wednesday, September 04, 1872 pg. 4, Issue 2736, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(3) Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser,Exeter, England,Wednesday, September 4, 1872; Issue 5623, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Augustine (1861)
| Location Description | Batten Point |
| Reference | NMR 1060342 |
| Craft type | Brig |
| Date Built | 1861 |
| Date of loss | 20th February 1861 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | France |
| Departure port | Nantes |
| Cargo | Wheat |
| Crew | 6 |
| Master | Joseph Gautier |
The French Brig Augustine was wrecked on the rocks of Batten Point during a storm, she was carrying a cargo of Wheat bound for Plymouth (1). The Master, Joseph Gautier, Mate; Etienne Bigot and Seaman; Francois Boré were rescued after a group of Brixham Fisherman heard their cries of distress while rowing up the Cattewater; the men were then taken to the Admiral McBride tavern where they received medical treatment. However the remaining crew, Julien Davis, seaman; Louis Pastieux and a boy named Jullien; on his first passage, were lost after the ship parted from her cables and ended up on the rocks (2).
(1)"Multiple News Items." Royal Cornwall Gazette, Falmouth Packet, and General Advertiser,Truro, England, 22 Feb. 1861 pg8, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) Glasgow Herald, Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday, February 23, 1861; Issue 6590, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
HMS Augustus (1801) ...
Warship
Aurora (1795)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1062447 |
| Craft type | Transport |
| Date of loss | 18th February 1795 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Quiberon |
The Aurora, a British transport ship, ran on shore during a storm on the 18th February 1795. The ship had been attempting to get in Sutton Pool after having to cut their cables while anchored in the Sound. She was grounded along with the Sarah, and it was presumed she had broken her keel (1). However despite the damage both vessels managed to get off the following day as the weather abated (2).
(1) Oracle and Public Advertiser (London, England), Saturday, November 21, 1795; Issue 19 170, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) Morning Chronicle, London, England, Monday, November 23, 1795; Issue 8140, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Avon (1882)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1065987 |
| Craft type | Ketch |
| Date Built | 1873 |
| Date of loss | 1st November 1882 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Builder | Morris, Bristol |
| Crew | 5 |
| Master | George Bate |
This vessel was lying at anchor in the Cattewater, her starboard anchor out with 30 fathoms of chain, when she was overwhelmed by a SW hurricane accompanied by thick fog. She dragged her anchor until she drove shore on the rocks beneath Queen Anne's Battery. A steam tug and pumps were used in an attempt to refloat her, but failed, and she was abandoned as a total loss with a heavy list to starboard.(A)
Baroda (1890)
| Location Description | The Slimers, Mew Stone |
| Reference | NMR 1067028 |
| Craft type | Ketch |
| Built | 1871 |
| Date of loss | 10th December 1890 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Builder | Morris, Bristol |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | W F Chown |
"On Wednesday night a deep mist came off the land, and, combined with an atmosphere of intense darkness, made it impossible to distinguish at a distance the lights which pointed the way to Plymouth Harbour" (1)
The Baroda, an English trawler, was lost on the same night as the Nepaul, during a thick fog. Although being described as belonging "to a class of vessels that generally find their way home in all weathers and seas"(1), it would seem that she had elected to follow the Nepaul, assuming her to be on a correct course inside the Breakwater, the result of this being that both vessels ground within 100 yards of each other. The crew remained on board for about an hour before leaving the vessel, they were picked up by a pilot cutter and taken to the Barbican (2).
The Hampshire Advertiser when reporting on the incident, declared that "Plymouth possesses none of the natural advantages which make Southampton pre-eminently a port of safety. It would be practically impossible for such an accident to have occured within a stone's throw of our own port; but at the Western port just one little mishap occurs and a ..... vessel becomes a total wreck"(3). Clearly not letting reporting get in the way of making a point.
(1) "The Accident to the Steamer Nepaul." Times, London, England, 12 Dec.1890 pg5, The Times Digital Archive
(2) "WRECK OF A P. AND O. STEAMER OFF PLYMOUTH." Hampshire Advertiser, Southampton, England, 13 Dec 1890 pg2, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(3) "THE IRISH 'REBELLION'." Hampshire Advertiser, Southampton, England, 13 Dec 1890 pg5. 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Baron (1886)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1066296 |
| Craft type | Cutter |
| Date Built | 1853 |
| Date of loss | 8th September 1886 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Owner | J Germain |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | J Germain |
According to the Lloyd's agent at Plymouth, the trawlers Baron and Myra collided at 9:30, on the 8th September 1886, within Plymouth Sound. The collision cut the Baron down to the water's edge, sinking immediately; the crew all being saved. (1)
(1) "Multiple News Items." Morning Post, London, England, 9 Sept 1886, pg6 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Baron van Pallandt van Roosendaal (1881)
| Location Description | Batten Bay |
| Reference | NMR 1065973 |
| Craft type | Barque |
| Date Built | 1859 |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Date of loss | 27th November 1881 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | Netherlands |
| Departure port | Moulmein, Myanmar (Burma) | Destination Port | Liverpool |
| Cargo | Teak |
| Owner | J van Renswoud, Rotterdam |
| Crew | 13 (14) |
| Master | O D Duintgr |
The Dutch Barque Baron Van Pallandt had been making her way from Moulmein (Myanmar) to Liverpool with a valuable cargo of teak (1) and had lain at anchor in Plymouth sound, when she was drive ashore in SW force 10 conditions (A). On the morning of the 27th November 1881 the coastguard at Mount Batten observed the Baron drifting towards Jennycliff Bay and the lifeboat Clemency was sent rescue the crew of the vessel. By this time the vessel was upon the rocks. The Captain refused to quit the ship or allow his men to, until it was found that neither tugs sent to their assistance; the Carron and Vixen, had hawsers long enough to pull them from the rocks. At this point 10 of the crew took to the ship's boat and were picked up by the lifeboat; the captain, chief mate and steward remaining on board, despite the continuing storm (1). They remained on board until low water at which time they landed in their own boat (A).
Contemporary newpapers reported for several days that the Barque was in fact Norwegian (1) this was later corrected when the Lloyd's list of wrecks and casualties was published listing the vessel as Dutch (2).
(1) "Disasters At Sea." Times, London, England, 28 Nov 1881, pg6, The Times Digital Archive
(2) "Latest Shipping Intelligence." Times, London, England, 29 Nov 1881, pg11, The Times Digital Archive
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Belle (1843)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1060262 |
| Craft type | Schooner |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Date of loss | 13th January 1843 |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Owner | Banks, Plymouth |
| Master | Curtis (1) Avis (A) |
On the night of the Thursday 12th January 1843 a wind began to blow hard from the south, continuing to increase during the night reaching what the Plymouth Times described as a "perfect hurricane". Between 3 and 4 the following morning a thunderstorm and torrential rain began, with the wind shifting WNW unabating. As morning came it appeared that all was well in the Sound with the vessels at anchor there, but as the sea began to run 8 vessels were driven on shore (3). Among them was the Plymouth schooner Belle, owned by Mr Banks of Frank's Quay, the Bragila, the Southampton and the General Brock. The Belle went ashore in Deadman's Bay, however she was managed to be got off and taken to the Cattewater sands without any material damage (2).
(1) "Dreadful Hurricane." Times, London, England, 16 Jan. 1843, pg5, The Times Digital Archive(2) "Multiple News Items." Standard, London, England, 16 Jan 1843, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(3) "THE LATE HURRICANE.-SHIPWRECKS AND LOSS OF LIFE" The Morning Post, London, England,Monday, January 16 1843, pg. 5, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Belle Isle (1761)
| Location Description | Fowey |
| Reference | NMR 876534 |
| Craft type | Victualler |
| Date of loss | 10th October 1761 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Departure port | Guernsey |
| Cargo | Brandy |
`...drove ashore last Sunday at Plymouth, is bulged.'(A).
Betsey (1806)
| Location Description | Batten Point |
| Reference | NMR 1060195 |
| Date of loss | 11th Decemeber 1806 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | American |
| Departure port | New York |
| Destination port | Amsterdam |
| Cargo | Sugar, Indigo, Coffee |
| Crew | 14 |
| Master | Doyle |
Friday night it blew a tremendous hurricane at SW with a heavy sea in the Sound. All the men
o' war rode out the gale very safe and snug; but the BETSEY, a large American ship from New York to Amsterdam,
laden with sugar, indigo and coffee, that had been detained and sent into this port by the LION privateer of this place,
and was liberated yesterday by an order of the High Court of Admiralty, parted her cables in the Sound during the
height of the storm and went ashore on the rocks between Cobblers Reach and Withy Hedge. She soon fell on her
side and went to pieces. The captain and six men got safe ashore; but a boat with seven men trying to reach the beach
was upset in the breakers, and six were unfortunately drowned. Several trawl boats are hired to try to save the
remains of the cargo, which is estimated worth 20,000l [sterling] (1).
(1) Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle etc, Portsmouth England, 22 Dec 1806, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Betsey (1866)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1174711 |
| Date of loss | 31st October 1866 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Penzance |
Stranded/Total Loss (A).
Blackburn Iris (N238) (1931) ...
Flying boat
Blade of Wheat (1689) ...
Bon Ordre (1799)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1062448 |
| Date of loss | 11th February 1799 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | France |
The Bon Ordre was a french privateer that had been captured by the Navy. The vessel was driven ashore in the Cattewater after a hurricane, she was however refloated and taken to a place of security wihout much damage (1).
(1) Whitehall Evening Post (1770) (London, England), February 21, 1799 - February 23, 1799; Issue 8048, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Bon Pasteur (1884)
| Location Description | Breakwater |
| Reference | NMR 1066083 |
| Craft Type | Lugger |
| Date of loss | 26th January 1884 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | French |
| Departure port | Le Havre |
| Destination port | Bristol |
| Cargo | Phosphate |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | F O Renaud |
| Owner | Masson |
The French Ketch Bon Pasteur, bound from Le Havre to Bristol with a cargo of phosphate, was caught in a gale and demasted off the Eddystone (1). Captain Renuad put about with a damaged rudder aiming to enter the sound through the western channel, only to have the vessel driven onto the breakwater and then completely over it (A). The crew managed to save themselves by clinging to a crane at the east end of the breakwater, and were pounded by the sea for three hours. One of the crew was washed off twice, but each time rescued by his comrades. As the tide abated the crew made their way to the Lighthouse and were recieved by the keepers, who fired rockets as signals of distress. They spent the night in the Lighthouse and were taken ashore by a government tug in the morning (1).
(1) The Royal Cornwall Gazette Falmouth Packet, Cornish Weekly News, & General Advertiser,Truro England, Friday, February 01 1884, pg 7; Issue 4201, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Bonaventure (1627) ...
Bragila (1843)
| Location Description | Bovisand Bay |
| Reference | NMR 1060263 |
| Craft type | Barque |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Date built | 1826 |
| Date of loss | 13th January 1843 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Master | Heale |
The Barque Bragila had unloaded a cargo of American timber at Plymouth and had been making her way to her home port of Falmouth on the afternoon of the 12th January 1843, but found herself driven back by the weather. She was attempting to make her way inside the breakwater but her sails had "been blown to rags" attempting to pass the eastern entrance and began drifting towards Bovisand Bay (1).
Mr. W. Walker, the Queen's Harbour Master, observed the situation of the vessel and gave a signal as to which part of the bay to run for. The crew did their best and between 8 and 9 on the Friday morning she ran into the bay. One crew member, attempting affect a landing with a rope was washed against the rocks, fortunately saved by two men going to his assistance. The remaining crew were brought ashore through the efforts of Lt. Cornish R.M who launched a boat carried from Bovisand to the Bay by four of his men (2).
(1) "Multiple News Items." Standard, London, England, 16 Jan 1843, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) "THE LATE HURRICANE.-SHIPWRECKS AND LOSS OF LIFE." The Morning Post, London, England,Monday January 16 1843, pg 5, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Brilliant (1762)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Craft type | Frigate |
| Date of loss | 15th January 1762 |
| Manner of loss | Refloated |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
Lost after SW storm drove several vessels on shore. "The Brilliant, Tartar, and Senegal, main and mizen masts gone". It was reported that other vessels managed to ride out the storm, but the Brilliant ended up safe ashore under the victualling office at the entrance to Sutton Harbour. See Charlotte (1762).
British Tar (1804)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1062455 |
| Craft type | Brig |
| Date of loss | 20th January 1804 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Plymouth |
| Owner | Lockyer |
`Plymouth, Jan. 21.. On Thursday evening last, and until about 2 o'clock on Friday morning, we experienced here the most awfully tremendous storm that was ever remembered, and in its consequences very fatal to the shipping at this port: the gale was preceded by a bore of the sea, which ran into the harbour with great violence, and rose ten feet, in about as many minutes,after which it [...(damaged letters...] again with such rapidity as to occasion many vesels to break adrift. In the course of the night, scarce a vessel in this port remained at her moorings but were driven against each other, or on the different shores of the harbour...The BRITISH TAR, of this port, a brig belonging to Mr Lockyer, drove from her moorings, and is now sunk in Catwater.'
(1) Tyne Mercury,31 JAN 1804, No 88, Pg 3
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Briton (1913)
| Location Description | Mount Batten Bay |
| Reference | NMR 1070187 |
| Craft Type | Brixham Trawler |
| Date Built | 1895 |
| Date of loss | 16th April 1913 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Plymouth |
| Cargo | Fish |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | S. Brown |
| Owner | William Bardens |
On the morning of Wednesday 16th April 1913, the Brixham trawler Briton went ashore in Batten Bay in Plymouth Sound. The vessel had made the Barbican her home for many years and was returning to Sutton Harbour with her catch of fish in a SSW gale. A mishap occurred in the vicinity of the Batten Breakwater and during one of the heaviest squalls, the Briton, which had let go her anchor and 60 fathoms of chain was driven on to the reef of rocks at about 8am. An hour later she was full of water, the tugs Boarhound and Mildred were in attendance and they attempted to tow vessel off but without success, while the crew landed safely in their own boats.
The ketch Briton (ONO 102994, portmarks BM98, DH398, 46 tons) was built in Brixham in 1895 by Daniel Dewdney and was owned by Mr William Bardens of Brixham and manned by a temporary Plymouth crew comprising acting skipper S. Brown, James Redding, Frank Rice, and Alfred Brown. The regular skipper Mr James Maunder and one of the crew named Dyer were ill onshore at the time of the mishap. (JR)
Brothers (1852)
| Location Description | Mill Bay |
| Reference | NMR 1229225 |
| Craft Type | Schooner |
| Date of loss | 27th December 1852 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Cargo | Coal |
Due a heavy gale that battered Plymouth from 8pm Boxing day to 8 am the next morning, the Brothers, Schooner, of Brixham, broke from her moorings in Millbay and foundered
(1) "Multiple News Items." Morning Post, 29 Dec. 1852, pg 8, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Breakwater Barge
Unknown barge on the north side of Plymouth Breakwater.
C-293 (1941)
1941
Cabot (1868)
| Location Description | Batten Reef |
| Reference | NMR 1064440 |
| Craft Type | Barque |
| Date Built | 1861 |
| Date of loss | 28th December 1868 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Destination Port | Bristol |
| Hull length | 43.83m |
| Hull beam | 9.39m |
| Hull draft | 5.70m |
| Hull displacement | 597 |
| Built | Carmichael, Nova Scotia |
| Master | J Bell (A) Richie (1) |
The barque Cabot was lying in the sound, with both anchors down, when the vessel was caught by a WSW gale that struck Plymouth on the night of the 27th December 1868. One anchor parted during the night and the other followed next morning. As she drifted leeward she fouled and carried with her the brig Flying Cloud and the vessels were washed onto Batten Reef. Assistance was quickly rendered to the vessels and the crews were safely removed. The Cabot was later got off and towed into Sutton Harbour. (1).
(1) "DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF THE GALES." Daily News, 29 Dec 1868, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Caesar (1760)
1760
Lifting Camel (ASP)
Admiralty Salvage Pontoon, north of the Breakwater Fort
HMS Captain (1813) ...
Caroline (1809)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1062458 |
| Craft Type | Brig |
| Date of loss | 17th January 1809 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | France |
| Departure Port | Ile de France (Mauritius) |
| Cargo | Coffee, Peppercorns, Sugar |
While lying at anchor in the Cattewater the french Brig Caroline was struck by a passing transport. The fluke of the transport's anchor pierced the bow of the Caroline and she proceeded to sink in deep water. Although efforts were made to weigh her the cargo was thought to be so much damaged that it would have been of little value. The transport, though damaged, remained afloat, but was unable to put out to sea as planned. The Caroline had only been in port a week, taken as a prize from the French by the Eclair Sloop under Lt. Evelyn.
(1) "PORT NEWS." Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser, 19 Jan 1809, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Caroline (1853)
| Location Description | Laira, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060306 |
| Craft Type | Sloop |
| Date Built | 1801 |
| Date of loss | 1853 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Plymouth |
`A prize vessel which sank at her moorings at Laira.' (A)
Carouse (1796)
1796
Cassandra (1834)
| Location Description | 10 miles SE Eddystone |
| Reference | NMR 1060234 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 1834 |
| Manner of loss | Collision |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Poole |
| Destination Port | Liverpool |
| Cargo | Pipe clay |
| Master | Capt. Briscoe |
On the night of Sunday 8th October 1834, the weather being thick, the barque Thomas Harrison, bound for Hobart in Tasmania, rammed, and sank the brig Cassandra of North Yarmouth, sailing from Poole to Liverpool laden with pipe clay. This event occurred about 10 miles southeast of the Eddystone Light. The crew of the brig, with difficulty, saved themselves by hanging upon the bows and bowsprit of the barque as she passed over their vessel. Captain Briscoe of the Cassandra fell through the deck of the brig and was pulled from a watery grave by the grasp of one of his own men, as he hung upon the rigging of the Thomas Harrison. The unfortunate crew of the Cassandra were landed at Plymouth the next day and the Thomas Harrison was undamaged by the collision. (JR)
Die Frau Metta Catharina von Flensburg (1786) ...
Brigantine
Catharine (1786)
1786
Cato (1828)
| Location Description | Batten Reef, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060219 |
| Craft Type | Transport |
| Date of loss | 12th January 1828 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Master | Fairweather |
The transport Cato was driven onto the rocks of Batten Bay during a storm; eastward of another vessel, the Haydon. It was initially feared that she would be lost, with the rudder unshipped and damage to the keel (1). They removed casks from the vessel on the 16th of January and on the 17th she had been got off and towed into the Cattewater by the Brunswick Steamer.
(1) "SHIP NEWS." Morning Post, 19 Jan 1828, 19th Century British Library Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Cattewater Wreck (c 1540) ...
Armed merchantman
Centurion (1689) ...
Chancellor (1934) ...
Steam trawler
Charles and Henry (1689) ...
Charles and Mary (1757)
Sale of cargo from this wreck was held at Plymouth on 31st March 1757, no other details are available (JR).
Charles Francis (1900)
| Location Description | Deadman's Bay, Plymouth |
| Craft Type | Ketch |
| Date Built | 1883 |
| Official Number | 86506 |
| Date of loss | 11th December 1900 |
| Manner of loss | Scuttled |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Plymouth |
| Destination port | St Mary's, Isles of Scilly |
| Cargo | General and petrol |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | C.J Mumford |
The smack Charles Francis (ONO 86506, 76 tons) left the Great Western docks in Plymouth for Scilly with a general cargo and containers of petrol. At some point in the voyage the captain, William Charles Mumford of Scilly, discovered a fire in the forehold as sparks from the galley fire had ignited some of the petrol cargo stored below decks. Two stories were quoted, wither they found the fire on board when off Dodman Point or the ship returned to Plymouth windbound in a strong south-westerly wind. The ship arrived in Plymouth at 3pm and headed for Sutton Pool but went aground between the East and West piers as the tide was low. Two tugs came to her rescue, the Trevarno and the Belle, and the crews tried to put the fire out and removed the casks of petrol from her burning deck. As the tide rose the ship floated and by this time the vessel was a mass of flames, so they towed her to Deadman’s Bay and scuttled her to put out the fire (JR).
Charlotte (1762)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Date of loss | 12th January 1762 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Master | Leach / Leatch / Neath |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
On 12th inst. The following vessels were drove ashore in the Cattewater, viz: the Granville, Capt. Jones, from London to Dublin; John and Sukey, Capt. M’Adam, from London for Cork and the West Indies, who are both lost and little of their cargoes will be saved.
The Nossa Senora de Padron de Serra, Capt. Guimarins, from London for Lisbon, with corn and bale goods, who is like to be lost but the bales will be saved, The Good Intent tender of Falmouth and the Prussian Hero victualler, are bulged, as are also the Charlotte, Capt. Leatch, and the Sea Nymph, Capt. Grant, of this Port (Plymouth). (JR)
Charming Sally (1760)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Craft Type | Victualler |
| Date of loss | 3rd October 1760 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
Sunday 5th October 1760 – Last Friday night (3rd), about twelve o’clock, a victualler with provisions for the use of the Fleet under Admiral Hawke in Quiberon Bay grounded upon the Aurora’s Anchor in Catwater, which went through her bottom and sunk her. By the assistance of the victualing officer most of her cargo is saved which consisted of Bread, Butter & Flour. The victualler is the Charming Sally of London. (JR)
Christiana (1865)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1060361 |
| Craft Type | Schooner |
| Date Built | 1835 ? |
| Date of loss | January 1865 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull beam | 4.42m ? |
| Hull draft | 2.50m ? |
| Tonnage | 47 tons ? |
| Built | Douglas, Isle of Man ? |
| Master | Wilcocks |
On 17 January 1865, the schooner Christiana, under Captain Wilcocks, carrying 70 tons copper ore from Morwelham for Port Talbot in Wales, was moored with a single anchor in Cattewater when she broke adrift and was driven into the barque Florence Braginton. Before the Christiana could be got clear of the other ship her stern was damaged and she immediately sank. As this happened in the busy Cattewater, it was likely that the Christiana was salvaged, perhaps put back into service or broken up where she lay.
Note: This may not be the Christiana built at Douglas, IOM, ONO 21993 as reported by Larn in the Shipwreck Index as the Captain's name is different and the vessel seems too small to carry 70 tons of cargo.
Colonist (1824)
| Location Description | Teats Hill, Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1060208 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 22nd November 1824 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | London |
| Destination Port | Barbados |
| Master | James Smith |
"But we never deemed that it would be our painful duty to record the account of a ruin so vast and afflicting, as occurred on that night and on the morning of Tuesday. The desolation of our shores is of a most melancholy description, nothing but wrecks are to be seen in any direction, and valuable property lies floating about on the water without an owner"
The Colonist was left on shore after a hurricane hit plymouth on the 22nd November 1824. The winds blew at times from WSW to SE and the vessel found itself under Teat's Hill 'dismasted and full of water'. It had been bound from London to Barbados with a general cargo, the crew were all saved and by the 8th December the vessel had been got off the rocks at high water and taken into Sutton Pool.
Colosie (1838)
| Location Description | Raveness Point |
| Reference | NMR |
| Craft Type | Brig |
| Date Built | |
| Date of loss | 5th December 1838 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | France |
| Hull beam | |
| Hull draft | |
| Hull displacement | |
| Built | |
| Departure Port | Dunkirk |
| Destination Port | Bordeaux |
| Crew | 6 |
| Master |
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Commerce (1834)
Reported by Larn as being in Plymouth but sunk off Suffolk. (JR)
Commerce (1838)
1838
Commerzieweathin Haupt (1865)
| Location Description | Mount Batten Reef, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060368 |
| Craft Type | Brig |
| Date of loss | 24th November 1865 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Nationality | Germany |
| Departure Port | Taganrog |
| Cargo | Wheat |
| Crew | 11 |
| Master | Hendrick Peters |
During gales that battered Plymouth in November 1865 the Commerzieweathin Haupt, Meckenlberg, under Hendrick Peters, with a cargo of wheat, was attempting to make for shelter. A stranger to the port the Captain at first attempted to run towards Drakes Island, then after going inside the ships lying in the merchant anchorage. It was near to the Batten reef where the Commerzieweathin Haupt dropped anchor only for it to begin dragging immediately. The vessel went astern until it sruck the Batten reef shortly after Five a.m (1). Distress rockets were sent up from the Mount Batten coastguard station and the life boat The Prince Consort was launched. During this time the steam tug Napoleon had managed to saved five of the crew by making two attempts in a small boat to approach the stricken vessel. The tug then towed the lifeboat to the leeward side of the wreck and were successful in collection the six remaining crew. The rescued crew were then taken to the Royal William yard in lifeboat, under tow from the steamer, and from there to the Sailors' home (2).
(1) "Multiple News Items." The Royal Cornwall Gazette, Falmouth Packet, and General Advertiser,Tuesday, November 30, 1865, pg. 7,Issue 3256, Sourced from the British Library
(2) "Multiple News Items." The Standard,Tuesday, November 28, 1865,Issue 12888, Sourced from the British LIbrary
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Concord (1782)
1782
Concordia (1824)
| Location Description | Dead Man's Bay, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060209 |
| Craft Type | Ketch |
| Date of loss | November 1824 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Nationality | Sweden |
| Departure Port | Finland |
| Destination Port | Marseill |
| Master | Matson |
`Plymouth, 23d Nov. Last night a most tremendous hurricane was experienced here, exceeding in violence anything ever remembered, the wind blowing at times from WSW and SE and the damage done among the shipping and on shore has been immense, the extent of it within the limits of this port, cannot as yet be ascertained. In Deadman's Bay...CONCORDIA, Matson, Finland, for Marseilles, full of water.'(1)
(1) Lloyd's, 1969: Lloyd's list, 26-NOV-1824, No 5963
Conqueror (1760) ...
Royal Navy 3rd Rate warship
Constance (1862)
| Location Description | Drake's Island, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060351 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | September 1862 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
Foundered/Total Loss (A)
Constance (1888) ...
Steamship
Constantine (1866)
| Location Description | Drake's Island, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060409 |
| Craft Type | Sloop |
| Date of loss | 1866 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Cargo | Pigs |
| Crew | 2 |
| Master | Nicholas Neal |
`Vessel was loaded with pigs, shipped by Soc. Graster of Treginier. On Thursday 15.03, the weather thick and a strong SSE wind blowing, when 5 miles SSW of the Eddystone saw a smack 1 mile distant which bore down on them. The master of the CONSTANTINE waved his hand for the smack to pass astern of them, but her master took no notice, came on and carried away her bowsprit, main boom, sails and gaff. Only then was her name, SPRING of Faversham, obvious. The crippled sloop hoisted distress signals and made for Plymouth, just reaching Drakes Island at 1.15pm, when she filled and sank.' (A)
HMS Coquille (1798) ...
Cornelius (1700)
1700
Coromandel (1808)
| Location Description | Breakwater, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060210 |
| Craft Type | Ketch |
| Date of loss | 22nd November 1824 |
| Manner of Loss | Wrecked |
| Departure Port | Faro |
| Destination Port | London |
| Cargo | Cork |
The Coromandel, 110 tons, had been making her way to London from Faro when disaster struck. At four o clock the Master and two crew were below decks, the mate and one another crew member were on watch, with the hatches closed. About 10 minutes later a sea struck the vessel apparently doing no damage. However a second struck five minutes later and took the ship under near the bilge. Such was the force that the watch was washed from the deck. Beneath the crew and one passenger were thrown about and became trapped under the cabin furniture. They recovered to find that the cabin deck was flooded to about six inches, which steadily rose to four feet. The captain moved to the scuttle hatch and attempted to call for the others before they moved into the coal hole. After an hour the water began to come into the hole and for a further six hours they remained in darkness not knowing what was happening to the ship, the water slowly rising to their chins. When it looked hopeless they felt the ship strike and within a minute the water began to recede, garnering hope for the crew. A second strike shortly after and the crew could see daylight from under the ship. By chance the ship had driven onto the western end of the breakwater with the hatches being knocked off by the impact. The crew emerged onto the breakwater and managing to find a one of their own flags and raised it in distress. The flag was noticed by a local pilot who came to their assistance. Nothing but the bottom of the vessel remained with the cargo completely gone. (1)
(1) "SHIP NEWS." Morning Post,30 Nov 1824,19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Coronation (1691) ...
Royal Navy 2nd Rate warship
Coronel (1888)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1066774 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 26th November 1888 |
| Manner of Loss | Foundered |
| Departure Port | Plymouth |
| Cargo | Fish |
| Crew | 2 |
| Owner | J Toms |
| Master | S Chowen |
Vessel capsized and lost in squally conditions in Plymouth Sound. (A)
Cosmopolite (1803)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 877190 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | December 1803 |
| Manner of Loss | Wrecked |
`Plymouth 25...several vessels are drove on shore here in a violent gale, among the number is the COSMOPOLITE
privateer.' (1)
Larn states that the vessel was a French Privateer taken as a prize (A).
(1) Lloyd's, 1969: Lloyd's list, 27 DEC 1803, No 4414
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
HMS Crane (1808) ...
Cretabode (1955) ...
Concrete barge
Crystal Palace (1862)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060347 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | December 1803 |
| Date Built | 1850 |
| Manner of Loss | Foundered |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Cargo | Mackerel |
| Crew | 8 |
| Master | George Page |
The fishing smack Crystal Palace, from Hastings foundered while coming into harbour during a heavy SW gale. She was running for the sound around 11 O Clock on Sunday afternoon when the vessel was struck by heavy sea near Knap buoy causing her to capsize. The accident was seen by ships near by. The steamer Isabella Croll sent boats to the spot of the accident, the harbour-master despatching a boat also. The crew, however, were all lost. During the course of the afternoon the stern of the wreck was picked up. The wreck which had drifted towards Redding Point was taken back in under tow. It appeared that the bottom of the smack had been knocked out (1).
(1) "THE STORM OF SUNDAY.—THE LOSS OF EIGHT LIVES OFF PLYMOUTH." Daily News,11 Mar. 1862, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced by the British Library
Cygnet (1891)
| Location Description | Plymouth Hoe |
| Reference | NMR 1067186 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 16th October 1891 |
| Manner of Loss | Stranded |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Master | J F Hill |
Vessel broke from her moorings and stranded in wind conditions SW force 9 (A).
Czarowitz (1877)
| Location Description | Bear's Head, Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1065448 |
| Craft Type | Brig |
| Date Built | 1866 |
| Date of loss | 15th October 1877 |
| Manner of Loss | Wrecked |
| Built | Brixham |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Cargo | Minerals |
| Master | Bartlett (1) R Morman |
"The Brig Czarowitz, 190 tons, Captain Bartlett, belonging to Mr W.H. Smith, of Plymouth, arrived on Sunday from Huelva to discharge a cargo of mineral in Catwater; she dragged her anchors, and also drove ashore, sustaining considerable damage" (1). The vessel was towed off the rocks at high water and moved to a place of safety.
(1) "The Weather." Times , 17 Oct. 1877, pg 6. The Times Digital Archive
Dab/Dabb (1871)
| Location Description | Great Mewstone |
| Reference | NMR 1139639 |
| Craft Type | Dandy |
| Date of loss | 15th October 1877 |
| Manner of Loss | Wrecked |
| Built | Plymouth |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Brixham |
| Destination Port | Plymouth |
| Crew | 3 |
| Master | Francis Morley |
On her way from Torbay to Plymouth, in order to fit out the vessel for the upcoming Herring fishing season, the Dabb struck the wreck of the Ajax just of the the great Mewstone. It was found impaled on the iron of framing of the Ajax's engines; the paddle-steamer had sunk 16 years previous. No sign of the crew were seen and had most likely drowned. They included Francis Morley, Master; Lapidge (Gulley) a plymouth Fisherman and John stokes a boy of sixteen.
(1) "DISTRICT NEWS." Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1871, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Dahlia (1900)
| Location Description | Renny Rocks, Mewstone |
| Reference | NMR 1067732 |
| Craft Type | Ketch |
| Date Built | 1878 |
| Date of loss | 15th October 1877 |
| Manner of Loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Brixham |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | C J Mumford |
The trawler Dahlia went ashore just off the Mewstone while fishing out of Brixham. Although the weather was fine there was a heavy sea running. The crew made attempts to free the vessel, however they took to ther boat and made for Plymouth. (1)
(1) "THE UNITED KINGDOM." Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 25 Nov 1900,19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Daisy (1903) ...
Steamship
Dart (1833)
| Location Description | Bear's Head, Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1060230 |
| Craft Type | Brig |
| Date of loss | 20th February 1833 |
| Manner of loss | Standed, Bilged |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Plymouth |
| Cargo | Ballast |
| Owner | Ridley |
| Master | Drew |
The brig Dart was was driven onshore near the Bear's Head due to gales that struck Plymouth between the 19th and 20th of February 1833. The ship was bilged and a total loss, though most of her materials were saved. (1)
(1) "SHIP NEWS." Morning Post, 23 Feb. 1833, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Dawn (1890)
| Location Description | Plymouth Hoe, Near |
| Reference | NMR 1067023 |
| Craft Type | Yacht |
| Propulsion | Steam |
| Date of loss | 20th September 1890 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Plymouth |
| Owner | JC Barnis (A) Barber (1) |
The steam yacht Dawn, owned by Mr T.C. Barber of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club was washed ashore during gales that struck Plymouth on Saturday the 20th September 1890. The vessel was smashed to pieces. (1)
(1) "Wreck of a Yacht" Daily News, 22 Sept. 1890, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Dazzler (1886)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1066606 |
| Craft Type | Fishing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 10th November 1886 |
| Manner of loss | Collision |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Brixham |
Vessel sank following collision with the trawler Why Not (A)
Denbigh (1780)
1780
Dispatch (1756)
1756
Dover Prize (1689) ...
Drakes Island Barge (Unknown) ...
Barge
Drie Gebroeders (1800)
| Location Description | Queen's Battery, Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1062450 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 22nd April 1800 |
| Manner of Loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | Netherlands |
| Departure Port | Charleston |
| Destination Port | Altona |
| Cargo | Tobacco, Coffee |
| Master | Schew (A) Schow (1) |
"The Twee Gebroeders, Schow, master, which has been several months under repair at this port, with a valuable cargo of tobacco, coffee, &c. in turning out of the Catwater this afternoon, missed stays, and struck on the reef of rocks near the Queen's Battery, soon bilged, head under water." (1)
(1) "PLYMOUTH." Trewman's Exeter Flying Post, 24 Apr 1800, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Dunwich (1714) ...
Dutton (1796)
English East Indiaman
HMS Echo (1781) ...
Eclipse (1812)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 877264 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 19th October 1812 |
| Manner of loss | Driven on shore |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
`Damage at Plymouth during a violent gale at SW on Sunday night and Monday morning...the ECLIPSE, and the
GASCOYNE, were driven on shore.' (1)
(1) Lloyd's 1969, Lloyd's list, 23-OCT-1812, No 4713
Edwin (bt 1880) ...
Tamar barge
Edwin and Ann (1827)
| Location Description | Plymouth Harbour |
| Reference | NMR 1060216 |
| Craft Type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date Built | 1818 |
| Date of loss | 1827 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
Stranded/ Total Loss (A)
Elise (1883)
| Location Description | Plymouth Hoe, Needles Reef |
| Reference | NMR 1066046 |
| Craft Type | Barque |
| Date of loss | 2nd September 1883 |
| Manner of Loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | Norway |
| Built | Netherlands |
| Destination Port | London |
| Cargo | Deals |
| Crew | 9 |
| Master | Wright Wilhelm |
"At Plymouth the raged with great fury, and early this morning the Norwegian Barque Elise, from Pablio, dashed ashore. She had been driven to Plymouth, and there parted one anchor after another. She struck on the rocks stern first, and then swing round and broke her back on the ladies' bathing place. She parted in two near the bows. Here the crew of nine had gathered, and the Plymouth life boat, responding to signals burnt, agllantly succeeded in taking them off in a short time. The ship split to pieces, and great baulks were cast by mountainous waves on the high cliffs; and the coast was strewn by wreckage.." (1).
The crew were landed at the Barbican and then sent on to the Sailor's home (A).
(1) "HEAVY GALE AND WRECKS." Standard, 3 Sept. 1883, pg3, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Eliza (1852)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060300 |
| Craft Type | Sloop |
| Date of loss | 13th November 1852 |
| Manner of Loss | Collision |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | St Valery |
| Destination Port | London |
| Cargo | Vegetables, Potatoes |
| Crew | 2 |
Sank following collision at 8am, with the wooden brig George Robinson, causing the loss of one man and a boy. (A)
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Eliza and Ann (1860)
| Location Description | Batten Reef, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060339 |
| Craft Type | Schooner |
| Built | 1839 |
| Date of loss | 14th November 1860 |
| Manner of Loss | Driven Ashore |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Cardiff |
| Destination Port | Caen |
| Hull Displacement | 51 tonnes |
| Cargo | Coal |
| Master | Evan Lewis |
Forced into Plymouth Sound by bad weather, the Eliza and Ann anchored one mile offshore at 5pm. The wind increased to a WSW gale, and despite 40 fathoms of anchor chain being let out, it parted and she was driven ashore on the rock. Her hull was pierced in several places, causing her to become a total loss. (A)
Elizabeth (1) (1852)
Elizabeth (2) (1859)
| Location Description | Mount Batten. Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060334 |
| Craft Type | Schooner |
| Date Built | 1820 |
| Date of loss | 1st November 1859 |
| Manner of Loss | Driven Ashore, Bilged |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 85 tonnes |
| Built | Newport |
| Departure Port | Cork |
| Destination Port | Plymouth |
| Cargo | Oats |
| Master | Evan Lewis |
The Elizabeth left Ballinacurra at 3pm on 26th of October 1859. After arriving at Plymouth on Tuesday 1st of November she anchored at 6am in the Sound, but in the strong gale, parted both anchor chains and drove ashore under Mount Batten. The vessel was cleared of all her stores, fittings and cargo, since she was obviously going to become a total wreck, her sternpost having already pulled out and the vessel bilged. (A)
HMT Elk (1940) ...
Armed trawler
Ellen Rickmers (1882)
| Location Description | Penlee Point |
| Craft type | Barque |
| Date of loss | 29th November 1882 |
| Manner of loss | Collision |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom(a), Germany(1,2) |
| Hull Displacement | 307 tons |
| Cargo | Coco, Nuts and Ivory |
| Departure port | Guayaquil |
| Destination port | Plymouth |
| Crew | 11 tonnes |
| Master | Seqhorn L.A. |
The Ellen Rickmers, a German barque having made a collision with the Guide Captained by Mr. Nurse, the Guide taking great lengths to keep off her as much as possible, the Guide however lost her jib boom, headgear and retained damage to her cutwater. The Ellen Rickmers fate was destined one mile from the breakwater, her pilot and three crew members boarded the Guide but soon left on a fishing boat, landing in Plymouth later that night. Her Captain Mr. Legorn and the remainder of her crew landed the next day at 10:30pm again in Plymouth by a fishing boat. The complete loss of the Ellen Rickmers was the resulting outcome from the collision. (1)
(1)"SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE." Morning Post, London, England, 1 Dec. 1882, pg 8, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2)"REPORTED FOUNDERING OF A BARQUE." Sheffield & Rotherham Independent, Sheffield, England, 1 Dec. 1882, pg 2, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Emma (1889)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1066992 |
| Craft type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 22nd November 1889 |
| Manner of loss | Collision |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 1 ton |
| Departure port | Plymouth |
| Crew | 2 |
A spritsail rigged vessel, which sank following collision with a steam launch belonging to a Russian man o'war, in wind conditions SW force 3.(A)
Emmanuel (1863)
| Location Description | Mount Batten Reef |
| Reference | NMR 1060353 |
| Craft type | Brig |
| Date of loss | 7th January 1863 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
Stranded/Total Loss. (A)
Encourage (1940) ...
Brixham trawler
Endeavour (1798)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 877155 |
| Craft type | Cargo Vessel |
| Date of loss | 14th December 1798 |
| Manner of loss | Fire |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Cargo | Coal |
| Destination port | Guernsey |
The Endeavour was a cargo ship bound for Guernsey with coal when she caught fire. She had been close to the Frigate Coquille, and caught ablaze after the ship exploded. The ship and her cargo were completely destroyed, however all her crew were saved.
(1) Grocott T., 1997, Shipwrecks of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Eras, Chatham Publishing, ISBN 1 86176 030 2, p65
Enid (1891)
| Location Description | Devil's Point, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1067196 |
| Craft type | Cutter |
| Date Built | 1890 |
| Date of loss | 11th November 1891 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 6 tonnes |
| Owner | Naval Ordnance Dept, Plymouth |
Vessel broke from her moorings and stranded in wind conditions SSE force 9. (A)
Enterprise (1898)
| Location Description | Near Drake's Island, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1067594 |
| Craft type | Hopper Barge |
| Date of loss | 24th June 1898 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 100 tonnes |
| Departure Port | Plymouth (& Return) |
| Cargo | Silt |
| Crew | 3 |
| Owner | Relf |
| Master | T R H Corry |
The hopper barge Enterprise foundered whilst under tow leaving Plymouth Sound in wind conditions SW force 5. (A)
Enterprize (1812)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 877258 |
| Craft type | Sloop |
| Date of loss | 7th October 1812 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
`The sloop Enterprize, of Plymouth, was on shore at that port on Wednesday, and it was feared would be lost.' (1)
(1) Lloyd's, 1969: Lloyd's list,09-OCT-1812, No.4709
Erin (1) (1818)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 877301 |
| Craft type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 20th February 1818 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Liverpool |
| Destination Port | Savannah |
Stranded/Total Loss. (A)
Erin (2) (1833)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1060232 |
| Craft type | Brig (A) |
| Date Built | 1829 |
| Date of loss | 20th February 1833 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail (A) |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 331 Tonnes |
| Departure Port | Liverpool |
| Destination Port | Savannah |
| Crew | 10 |
| Master | George Gale |
The Erin, of Liverpool, was attempting to enter Plymouth Sound during gales when she struck the breakwater, the vessel soon becoming a wreck (1). Assistance was rendered by HMS Spartiate, however not by the 1st Lieutenant who asked for a volunteer from his officers due to the danger. The 2nd Master Francis Strong stepped foward. It was Strong's boat that was first to reach the Breakwater and succeeding in rescuing five people. After this feat Strong leapt into the water followed by two of his crew who succeeding in rescuing the 2nd mate of the Erin. It was noted that this was not the first time that Mr. Strong had been instrumental in saving lives in danger of being drowned (2).
At almost the same time the Erin, steamer bound for Ireland, which left Plymouth around the same time suffered a similar fate, though with the loss of fifty lives.
(1) "THE LATE STORM." Morning Post, 27 Feb. 1833, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) "The Erin, of Liverpool -" Times [London, England] 18 Mar. 1833: 2. The Times Digital Archive
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Erna (1914)
| Location Description | Drake's Island |
| Reference | NMR 1070203 |
| Craft type | Schooner |
| Date Built | 1909 |
| Date of loss | 21st February 1914 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | Germany |
| Hull Displacement | 91 Tonnes |
| Built | Bremen |
| Departure Port | St. Malo |
| Destination Port | Charlestown |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | Peter Kuhlke |
"While the gale was at its height at Plymouth on Saturday night the German schooner Erna, of Bremen, dragged her anchors and went ashore on Drake's Island. The Erna, a small iron-built vessel of 215 tons, owned and commanded by Captain Kuhlki, had a crew of five all told. She was bound from St. Malo to Charlestown, Cornwall, in ballast, and took shelter in Plymouth Sound on Saturday afternoon. Her anchors failed to hold her, and about an hour before midnight she drifted on to the island. Flares were burnt by the crew, and the lifeboat was promptly launched, while the Government tug Rover and another tug also made for the spot. The whole of the men were taken off and conveyed to the Sailors' Home. Last night the Erna was reported to be breaking up." (1)
(1) "A Stormy Week-End." Times, 23 Feb 1914, pg 5,. The Times Digital Archive.
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Espoir (1865)
| Location Description | Mount Batten Reef |
| Reference | NMR 1060365 |
| Craft type | Brig |
| Date of loss | 22nd November 1865 |
| Manner of loss | Collision |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | Belgium |
| Departure Port | Rio Grande (1) |
| Destination Port | Birkenhead (1) |
| Cargo | Bone Ash (1) |
| Crew | 11 |
| Master | Durand (2) |
The Espoir, Belgian Brig under Captain Durand, bound for Birkenhead with a cargo of Bone Ash drifted stern on to the rocks in Batten Bay; after she had collided with another ship and her bowsprit and topsail had been carried away. As high tide came she began to be floated but the wind kept her on the rocks. She was towed off by a steamer and berthed in Sutton Pool (2). Her crew of eleven, were saved by the Plymouth lifeboat Prince Consort.(A)
(1) "TERRIFIC GALE." Morning Post, 23 Nov 1865, pg6, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) "THE RECENT GALE." Morning Post, 24 Nov. 1865, pg6, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Eugenie (1893)
| Location Description | Great Western Dock, Plymouth |
| Reference | Larn |
| Craft type | Schooner |
| Date Built | 1856 |
| Date of loss | 4th February 1893 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 71 t |
| Departure Port | Plymouth |
| Destination Port | Hale |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | Guy |
Vessel stranded and lost in wind condition S force 4 (A).
Eureka (1895)
| Location Description | Sutton Harbour, Plymouth |
| Reference | Larn |
| Craft type | Cutter |
| Date Built | 1867 |
| Date of loss | 25th February 1895 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 37t |
| Departure Port | Plymouth (Fishing & Return) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Master | J P Hosking |
Stranded/Total Loss (A).
Excelsior (1902)
| Location Description | Shagstone Nr, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1067861 |
| Craft type | Ketch |
| Date Built | 1878 |
| Date of loss | 29th March 1902 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 43t |
| Departure Port | Plymouth (Fishing & Return) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Master | J Hill |
Vessel stranded and lost in fog and wind conditions SW force 1 (A).
Exeter and Portsmouth (1756)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 876488 |
| Date of loss | November 1756 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Master | John Ford |
Stranded/Total Loss (A).
Fair City (1919)
| Location Description | 100 yds east of Breakwater Fort, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1071475 |
| Craft type | Schooner |
| Date Built | 1877 |
| Date of loss | 8th January 1919 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 72t |
| Built | Milford |
| Departure Port | Fowey |
| Destination Port | Grimbsy |
| Crew | 5 |
| Master | Frederick Allison |
Vessel was carrying ballast in the form of stone and clay, and had two naval gunners on board. Having left Fowey the wind increased and, by the time she was seven miles west of the Eddystone, conditions were quite dreadful. Her master made for Plymouth, where he arrived at 7.35pm in a full SSE gale. Whilst trying to enter the east entrance, she drifted at great speed broadside onto the breakwater, going ashore at a point 100 yards east of the breakwater fort at 7.45pm. Her mainmast fell overboard and the noise caused the troops from the fort to turn on their searchlight, illuminating the wreck. Ropes were thrown from the breakwater and the crew scrambled ashore, losing all their effects, the vessel going to pieces along with all her gear and stores. The loss of the vessel was attributed to her having gybed at a critical moment (A).
Falcon (1971)
| Location Description | Cawsand Bay, Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1520856 |
| Craft type | Ketch |
| Date Built | 1971 |
| Date of loss | 1st February 1971 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail (auxiliary engine) |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
Blown ashore in Force 10 wind conditions and wrecked, two young children on board drowned (A).
Fame (1782)
| Location Description | Devil's Point, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 876598 |
| Craft type | Unspecified |
| Date of loss | 28th November 1782 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Newfoundland |
| Destination Port | Poole |
`The Fame of Poole, one of the Newfoundland ships, in going up Hamoaze, was driven on shore near the Devil's Point through the violence of the wind and bilged, and it is feared will be lost. Part of her cargo is saved.'(1)
(1) Sherborne Mercury, 2nd December 1782, pg3
Farmers Delight (1817)
| Location Description | Mount Batten, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 877291 |
| Craft type | Sloop |
| Date of loss | 18th January 1817 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
`A violent gale of wind at about SSW attended with a very high tide, was experienced at Plymouth...on Saturday night and Sunday morning... the sloop Farmer's Delight was lost on Mount Batten. Crew saved.' (1)
(1) Lloyd's, 1969 Lloyd's list, 24 Jan 1817, No.5146
Favourite (1824)
1824
Fearful (1872)
| Location Description | Cobbler Channel, Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1064803 |
| Craft type | Brig |
| Date of loss | 8th December 1872 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Built | Milford |
| Cargo | Coal |
| Departure Port | Sunderland (1) |
| Destination Port | Devonport (1) |
| Crew | 9 (2) |
| Master | Williamson (1) |
The brig Fearful anchored in the Sound to the W of Cobbler's Buoy. In bad weather, the harbour master asked her captain to move from this dangerous position, but, in moving, they had to pay out all their cable to avoid a schooner. A tremendous gust of wind then started her anchors dragging, but by the time the steam tug Trusty and the lifeboat arrived on the scene, the brig was already bumping on the rocks. Captain Williamson the master of the Fearful at first refused to leave, but with holes in her bottom and filling rapidly, her crew were eventually taken off and landed at the Barbican. The lifeboat in fact suffered major damage in this, her first rescue, as she was thrown against the rocks, and it says much for the spirit of the crew, that they were prepared to go out for a second time, knowing that much of their vital bouyancy had been lost (A).
(1) "VIOLENT GALES." Daily News, 9 Dec 1872, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) "THE HURRICANE." Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser, 11 Dec. 1872, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Fearless (1804) ...
Fidelity (1834)
| Location Description | Mewstone, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1133199 |
| Craft type | Unspecified |
| Date of loss | 28th November 1834 |
| Manner of loss | Stranded |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Teignmouth |
| Destination Port | Dartmouth |
Stranded/ Total Loss (A).
Firewater
Flirt (1891)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 1067152 |
| Craft type | Unspecified |
| Date of loss | 3rd July 1891 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull Displacement | 2t |
| Departure Port | Devonport |
| Crew | 2 |
Vessel foundered and lost in wind conditions W x S force 5 (A).
Flora (1800)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | Larn |
| Craft type | Brig |
| Date of loss | 22nd November 1800 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Destination Port | Gibraltar |
| Armament | 14 Guns |
| Master | Lt Carpenter |
The armed Brig Flora, 14 guns, under Lt. Carpenter was lost in mysterious circumstances while at anchor in Hamoaze. The ship had been victualled for a voyage to Gibraltar with Government dispatches. It was reported that there was very little wind the night of her loss, yet she drifted onto the rocks under Mount Wise. The crew cut away her masts but she heeled over and she sunk in deep water (1).
At low tide the vessel was seen on the rocks off Mount Wise and hopes were entertained that her stores and guns may be removed. However as she was fully laden at the time of her sinking the damage was extensive and any repairs may prove of great expense (2).
(1) "PLYMOUTH." Trewman's Exeter Flying Post, 27 Nov 1800, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
(2) "Plymouth Nov 22" Caledonian Mercury, 27 Nov. 1800, 19th Century British Newspapers, Sourced from the British Library
Florence May (1886)
1886
Florinda (1896)
1896
Fly (1) (1758)
1758
Fly (2) (1792)
1792
Flyvende Ulv (1691) ...
Danish East Indiaman
Fortitude (1791)
1791
Fortuna (1880)
1880
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
HMS Foyle (1915) ...
Royal Navy Torpedo boat destroyer
Francis (1884)
1884
Francis Patrick (1968) ...
French Frigate (1801)
1801
Friends (1852)
1852
Friendship (1) (1812)
1812
Friendship (2) (1862)
1862
Frolic (1860)
1860
Fylrix (1984) ...
Cargo ship
Gascoyne (1812)
1812
General Brock (1843)
1843
General Burton (1765)
1765
General Gates (1800)
1800
Glen Strathallan (1970) ...
Gentleman's yacht
Glenrose (1921)
1921
Glory (1785)
1785
Good Intent (1762)
Drove ashore in the Cattewater, the Good Intent tender of Falmouth, see Charlotte (1762)
Good Intent (1825)
1825
Granville (1762)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1062434 |
| Craft type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 12th January 1762 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | London |
| Destination port | Dublin |
| Master | Jones |
"... with the wind at S.W. an last night, or early this morning, the following vessels were driven on there in Catwater, viz, the Granville, Jones, of and from London for Dublin; and the John and Sukey, McAdam, from London for Cork and the West Indies, both which ships are lost and very little of the cargoes will be saved." See Charlotte (1762).
Graziona Annetta (1798)
1798
Greyhound (1867)
1867
Hariel Haar (1794)
1794
Harmony (1822)
1822
Harriet Thompson (1915)
1915
Harwich (1691) ...
Havering (1860)
1860
Haydon (1828)
1828
Henrietta (1689) ...
Henry (1810)
1810
Hiawatha (1861)
1861
Hibernia (1824)
1824
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Hope (1670)
1670
Hopper Barge No. 42 (1913) ...
Hopper barge
Horace (1812)
1812
Ida (1889)
1889
HMS Imogene (1840) ...
Indian Trader (1828)
1828
Industry (1757)
1757
Industry (1773)
1773
Industry (1851)
1851
Irex (1899)
1899
James (1833)
1833
James and Elizabeth (1811)
1811
SS James Eagan Layne (1945) ...
US Liberty Ship
James Hattie (1866)
1866
Jane (1804)
1804
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Jane Matilda (1866)
1866
HMS Jasper (1817) ...
Jeane Adelle (1814)
1814
Jeffrouw Ida Maria (1753)
1753
SS Jellicoe Rose (1938)
1938
Jersey (1764)
1764
Jessie Lawson (1828)
1828
Jeune Albert (1894)
1894
Johann II (1865)
1865
John (1824)
1824
John and Hannah (1752)
1752
John and Martha (1798)
1798
John and Robert (1828)
1828
John and Sukey (1762)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1062435 |
| Craft type | Sailing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 15th January 1762 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | London |
| Destination port | Cork & West Indies |
| Master | McAdam |
Driven ashore in the Cattewater. See Granville.
John Cutter (1800)
1800
John May (1880)
1880
John Munro (1866)
1866
John Pardew (1850)
1850
Jong Pieter (1813)
1813
Jonge Jan Swaarts (1803)
1803
JST (1883)
1883
Juffrow Edia Maria (1774)
1774
Julia (1891) ...
K32 (1795)
1795
Kate (1887)
1887
HMT Kingston Alalite (1940) ...
Armed Trawler
Kite (1901)
1901
Kitty (1796)
1796
L’Amiable Maria (1786)
1786
L’Effronteur (1804)
1804
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
La Louisa (1763)
1763
La Vutoire (1799)
1799
Lady Edgcumbe (1790)
1790
Lady of Avenel (1877)
| Location Description | Plymouth, Deadman's Bay |
| Reference | NMR 1065452 |
| Craft type | Schooner |
| Date built | 1874 |
| Date of loss | 15th October 1877 |
| Manner of loss | Driven ashore,wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull length | 30.24 |
| Hull beam | 7.01 |
| Hull draft | 3.72 |
| Built | Trethown |
| Master | W. Jordon |
In a severe gale in October of 1887 Plymouth was first struck by a southbound gale and then a north westerly, great damage was done to coast and vessel though-out the sound. Included in the loss was that of the schooner The Lady of Avenel, reported in local news on the 16th of October 1877 having been driven ashore from the gale it is assumed she also wrecked due to heavy damage that was reported. (1,2)
(1) The Daily News London, England Tuesday, October 16, 1877 Issue 9824
(2) The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent Sheffield, England Tuesday, October 16, 1877 pg 3 Issue 5863
Lancaster ED450G (1943) ...
Aircraft
Lapwing (1817)
| Location Description | Millbay |
| Reference | NMR 877292 |
| Craft type | Cutter |
| Date of loss | 19th January 1817 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
"The Lapwing Revenue cutter is on shore and bilged in Mill-Bay; crew saved"(1)
(1) "Saturday's Post." The Bury and Norwich Post: Or, Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridge, and Ely Advertiser,Wednesday, January 29, 1817; pg1; Issue 1805,19th Century British Library Newspapers
Laurel (1872)
1872
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
HMS Lavinia (1868) ...
Les Amis (1803)
1803
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Les Deux Amis (1803)
1803
Les Trois Anges (1872)
1872
Liberty (1838)
1838
Lily of Devon (1911)
1911
Louisa (1809)
1809
Lovely (1757)
1757
Loyal Comfort (1749)
1749
Loyalty (1783)
1783
Lucy (1890) ...
Lucy Maud (1908)
1908
Maejub (1970)
1970
Magdalen (1813)
1813
Main (1892)
1892
Maria (1760)
1760
Maria (1774) ...
Submarine
Marie (1895)
| Location Description | Bigbury Bay |
| Craft type | Steamship |
| Date built | 1863 |
| Date of loss | 23rd April 1895 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Propulsion | Steam |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Built | Klawitter, Danzig |
| Master | M. Cowper |
Three-masted screw steamship foundered in Bigbury Bay in 1895.
Marie Adele (1872)
1872
Marie Banche (1886)
1886
Mars (1809)
1809
Mars (1813)
1813
Martha (1779)
1779
Martha (1834)
1834
Mary (1759)
1759
Mary (1800)
1800
Mary (1795)
1795
Mary Ann (1828)
1828
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Mary Ann (1854)
1854
Mayflower (1843)
1843
Medoc (1940) ...
Patrol ship
Memory (1877)
1877
Mentor (1834)
1834
Mermaid (1693) ...
Fireship
Messerschmitt BF109 (13014) (1942) ...
Aircraft
Mewstone Ledge Site (17th C.) ...
Armed merchantman
Mewstone Submarine ...
Submarine
Minerva (1763)
1763
Miranda (1902)
1902
Mischief (1865)
1865
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Miura (1867)
1867
Mizpah (1899)
1899
Moor (1716) ...
Myra (1886)
1886
Mystery (1891)
1891
N.S. de Padron de Serra (1762)
1762
Nancy (1813)
1813
Nepaul (1890)
Neptune (1761)
1761
Newfoundland Convoy (1801)
No name (1813)
1813
No name (1804)
1804
No. 9 (1894)
1894
Nora (1895)
1895
Norman (1843)
1843
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Nossa Senora de Padron de Serra (1762)
Drove ashore in the Cattewater, Capt. Guimarins, from London for Lisbon, with corn and bale goods, who is like to be lost but the bales will be saved. See Charlotte (1762).
Nova Rosa (1883)
1883
Nuestra Senora de Almas (1763)
1763
Nuova Virginia (1885)
1885
Ocean (1853)
1853
Ocean Queen (1852)
The 206 ton brig Ocean Queen was built in Wells-next-the-Sea in 1851 and was owned by James Shepherd of Lime Street Square and her master was Joseph William Hore. The Ocean Queen was wrecked on the Little Mewstone on 26th December 1852 in a force 11 south-westerly gale, she was on a voyage from London to Jamaica carrying a mixed cargo. The wreck quickly broke up, drowning the 14 crew and two passengers on board whose bodies washed up on shore over the following days.
'The unfortunate ship totally lost to the eastward of Plymouth on Monday morning during the terrific storm which prevailed from the southward is estimated to burden about 400 tons. It is supposed that the master was endeavouring to make the port of Plymouth from the eastward, and, having caught sight of the breakwater light inside the range of the Great Mewstone, he erroneously considered himself in the fair way for the harbour, and did not discover his error until the ship became entangled on the dangerous reefs connected with the Great and Little Mewstones, or the Slimer's Rocks, inside. In either case she would be immediately dashed to pieces and all her ill-fated crew would perish. A portion of her wreck was washed ashore in Oker Bay on Wembury Church beach, which is west of the river Yealm. It consists of the stern frame, with a part of the tuck. The frame is painted black, and has on it, in large white letters, "OCEAN QUEEN, of London". From the description of those parts of the cargo washed ashore, it is conjectured that she was bound for the West Indies. They comprise quantities of unbleached calico in pieces 40 or more yards long, ladies' dresses, women's straw bonnets and turnovers, thousands of reels of fine cotton thread, warppers, men's shirts and woollen Scotch caps, sperm candles, new wooden hoops, empty casks, marked "Bass's ale", and numbers of hampers, one having attached to it a label, with the rods, "From F. Walton, iron chandler and oil merchant, 283, Wapping, London"; several pieces of deal board, being part headings of casks, marked "A.L." in a diamond, followed by "C"; also candle boxes, marked "M. F. x P." over "B. B. C.", and one of them, "1064". Mr Barnes, RN, chief officer of Coast Guard in Wembury, and Captain Thompson, Queen's harbour-master at Bovisand, are adopting measures for securing anything of value which may be drifted ashore. Lloyd's List of the 4th inst., states that the OCEAN QUEEN, 209 tons register, Captain Horn, belonging to Mr James Shepherd, of 1, Lime-street-square, cleared for Jamaica.' (4)
'Commander Kennedy, chief of Coast Guard in this district ... has been exerting himself in relation to the wreck of the OCEAN QUEEN. This officer made three unsuccessful attempts to-day to reach the great Mewstone, on the western side of which the two masts and part of the deck are visible. These attempts failed in consequence of the heavy swell. Captain Kennedy has secured the register, which states that the brig was built at Wells, Norfolk, in May, 1851, 206 tons register, and that Joseph William Hore became master May 10, 1852. Fourteen bodies were washed ashore - two, it is supposed, were passengers, and nine look like seamen; two are Mulattoes and one is a negro.' (4)
OCEAN QUEEN, brig, 206 register tonnage under the old Act, 209 under the new, yellow metal sheathing 1851. Not overstamped or cancelled during the life of the Register, but does not appear in the following year's Register (1853). (5)
NMR 1547892
(1) ADM Wk Rtn 1852;
(2) BOT Wk Summary 1859 p22
(3) Illustrated London News 01 Jan 1853 No 601 P7,
(4) The Times 29 Dec 1852, P8,
(5) Lloyd's 1964 Lloyd's register of British and foreign shipping, 1852, No.43(O)
Orion (1807)
1807
Orion (1808)
1808
Orion (1887)
1887
Brigantine
Scottish vessel stranded and lost in squally weather on the breakwater.(1)
Built: 1856
Where Built: Nova Scotia
Master: J Templeton
Crew: 5
Owner: R S McMorland, Greenock
NMR 1066739
Ottowa (1912)
1912
Ours
HMS Pallas (1798) ...
Royal Navy 5th Rate frigate
Palmyra (1867)
1867
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Pals (1933)
1933
Palsgrave (1637) ...
Patrick (1968) ...
Trawler
Patriot (1895)
1895
SS Persier (1945) ...
Steamship
Petrinick (1824)
1824
Phoenix (1811)
1811
Pinnace (1838)
1838
Pioneer (1897)
1897
Planet (1892)
1892
Plym (1967)
1967
Plympton (1828)
1828
Polly (1787)
1787
Polly (1890)
1890
Polly (1801)
6 November 1801
Sailing vessel from Bristol; 'the POLLY tender...is driven ashore at Plymouth, the crew saved'. (1)
LL No. 4, 201: 06.11.1801(Fri)(R)
FS Poulmic (1940) ...
Mine watching vessel
Pride (1882)
1882
Princess Mary (1817)
1817
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Prosperous (1774)
1774
Providence (1785)
| Location Description | Devil's Point |
| Reference | NMR 876611 |
| Craft type | Cargo Vessel |
| Date of loss | 4th January 1786 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | :Liverpool |
| Destination port | Teignmouth |
| Master | Manley |
The cargo vessel Providence went ashore by Devil's Point while attempting to go up the Hamoaze in December 1785, her cargo was removed by lighters and at the time it was hoped that she could be saved; despite being very damaged (1). However it was not to be and she was reported in the following January to have gone to pieces in the last gale, in reference to the storm that raged on the 3rd and 4th of January (2).
(1) Whitehall Evening Post, London, England, 22 Dec 1785, Issue 6022
(2) Public Advertiser, London, England, 14 Jan 1786, Issue 16113
Providence (2) (1786)
1786
Providence (3) (1796)
1796
Providence (4) (1798)
1798
Providence (5) (1812)
1812
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Providentia (1814)
1814
Prussian Hero (1762)
Drove ashore in the Cattewater, the Prussian Hero victualler, are bulged. See Charlotte (1762).
R H Jones (1877)
| Location Description | Breakwater Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1174731 |
| Craft type | Iron Barque |
| Built | 1875 Pembroke Dock |
| Date of loss | 14th October 1877 |
| Manner of loss | Foundered |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure Port | Karrachee (Karachi) |
| Destination Port | Newport |
| Master | J Roberts |
| Owner | William Jones |
The R.H Jones was a 726 tonne iron Barque built at Pembroke dock in 1875. She had been returning from Karachi, via Bremen to unload, and was proceeding in ballast to Newport when she foundered near the Breakwater (3).
It had been announced some days before, in a telegraph from New York , that a cyclone was moving across the Atlantic towards the UK shores. Although it was a talking point for the shipping classes of Plymouth, it may not have reached the crew of the R.H Jones as they were returning from Pakistan, via Germany. The storm hit on Sunday the 14th of October 1877, the Western Independent described the scene from sunset
“The wind at that time was blowing freshly, and as the darkness came on its force gradually increased until about eleven o’clock from which time until four o’clock on Monday morning a perfect storm raged over the whole locality…” (2)
It is recorded that the storm reached force 11 (6), a violent gale not seen since the East Indiaman, Dutton had been wrecked under Plymouth Hoe (2). It would seem that devoid of cargo the R.H Jones was no match for the high waves lashing the English Channel and she was thrown completely over the Breakwater. The evidence of this was witnessed with her chains trailed across the breakwater, and her anchors attached to the outside (1). The storm would also claim the Albion and Rothesay
The first to realise the disaster was Mr Cooney R.N, chief of the Mount Batten station, who noticed wreckage of a ship washed ashore in Jennycliff. At around 8am on Monday he found the body of the ship’s master, Captain Roberts, washed ashore, who he identified from the letters ‘J.R’ in his stockings. It appeared from papers containing accounts of the Seaman’s wages, found near to Roberts that the ship had gone down with all hands, sadly also Robert’s wife and child.
Yet nearby the crew of screw corvette HMS Turquoise, had contacted the Russian consuls at Plymouth claiming that they had picked up a member of the Jones’ crew; a Russian Finn, clinging to a piece of wreckage (5). The man had been rescued after being spotted by crewman F.Barnes aboard the Turquoise, who dived into the dark waters to save the man. Barnes was awarded £10 for his bravery by his captain. However it would later turn out that the man was not a Russian, but rather a German exhausted from his ordeal (4).
(1)"THE STORM.—GREAT DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY." Blackburn Standard: Darwen Observer, and North-East Lancashire Advertiser, 20 Oct. 1877 pg3,19th Century British Library Newspapers
(2)“The Gale” Western Independent, 17th October 1877, pg3
(3)"VIOLENT GALE." Reynolds's Newspaper 21 Oct. 1877, 19th Century British Library Newspapers
(4)"TERRIFIC GALE." Newcastle Courant etc19 Oct. 1877, 19th Century British Library Newspapers
(5) "Multiple News Items." Standard, London, England, 17 Oct. 1877 pg6, 19th Century British Library Newspapers
(6) Parliamentary papers, Vol 64, Page(s) 8, 1878-9, Board of Trade Casualty Returns
Rame Barge / Leen (1903) ...
Barge
Randolph (1869)
1869
Ranger (1) (1760)
1760
Ranger (2) (1811)
1811
Redness (1812)
1812
Resolution (1793)
1793
Retrench (1824)
1824
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Robert (1794)
1794
Roger (1933) ...
Trawler / Houseboat
Rosamond (1786)
| Location Description | Sutton Pool |
| Craft type | Cargo Vessel |
| Date of loss | 4th January 1786 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Departure port | :Newfoundland |
| Cargo | Fish, oil |
"The Rosamond, from Newfoundland, with fish and oil, sunk in the Pool and her stern stove in." (1)
(1) Public Advertiser, London, England, 11 Jan 1786, Issue 16110
SS Rosehill (1917) ...
Steamship
Rothesay (1877) ...
Rover (1) (1804)
1804
Rover (2) (1816)
1816
Ruby (1905)
1905
Sally (1) (1785)
1785
San Nicolao (1780)
1780
Sarah (1) (1758)
1758
Sarah (1795)
| Location Description | Cattewater |
| Reference | NMR 1336824 |
| Craft type | Transport |
| Date of loss | 18th February 1795 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Quiberon |
The British Transport ship Sarah, was driven ashore during a storm and refloated the following day.
Sarah (3) (1834)
1834
Sarah Stibbs (1865)
1865
Saudadoes Prize (1712) ...
Scotia (1824)
1824
HMS Scylla (2004) ...
Royal Navy frigate
Sea Flower (1889)
1889
Seagull (1798)
1798
Seanymph (1762)
Drove ashore in the Cattewater, the Sea Nymph, Capt. Grant, of this Port (Plymouth). See Charlotte (1762).
Selina (1812)
1812
Shamrock (1) (1899)
1899
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Shamrock (2) (1910)
1910
Silver Spray (1905)
1905
Sincerity (1797)
1797
Sophia (1858)
1858
Southampton (1) (1794)
1794
Southampton (1843)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060268 |
| Craft type | |
| Date built | |
| Date of loss | 13th January 1843 |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Built |
Speculation (1809)
1809
Speculator (1828)
1828
Speedwell (1) (1786)
1786
Speedwell (2) (1860)
1860
Speedy (1864)
1864
Splendid (1892)
1892
St Anthony (1757)
1757
St Lucar (1757)
1757
St Pierre (1897)
1897
Stafford (1759)
1759
Star of the West (1867)
1867
Sultan (1816)
1816
Sunbeam (1891)
| Location Description | Penlee Point, 2 miles SSE |
| Craft type | Hooker |
| Date of loss | 30 October 1891 |
| Manner of loss | Target Practice |
| Construction | wood |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Owner(s) | John & Henry Harkcom |
The Sunbeam was sunk in the same incident as the Alfonso.
Sunderland DD852 (1944) ...
Flying boat
Sunderland ML782 (1944) ...
Flying boat
Sunderland ML829 (1945) ...
Flying boat
Sunderland W6054 (1942) ...
Flying boat
Superior (1867)
1867
Sussex (1653) ...
Swallow (1777)
1777
Swanbon (1922)
1922
Swift (1892)
1892
Syd (1911)
1911
HMS Talavera (1840) ...
Tamar (1798)
1798
Tarrit (1362)
| Location Description | Plymouth Sound |
| Reference | NMR 876197 |
| Craft Type | Sailing vessel |
| Date Built | Unknown |
| Date of loss | 1362 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | Unknown |
| Departure port | Plymouth |
| Cargo | Wool, cloth, tin |
| Crew | Unknown |
Wreck of cargo vessel, called a "tarrit", which stranded in Plymouth Sound, while outward-bound from Plymouth with wool, cloth and tin; one of four vessels lost in this incident. Constructed of wood, she was a sailing vessel.
The shores of "Plimmouth" were strewn with the wreckage of several craft in 1362, and, like so many ghouls, the inhabitants settled on the Tarrit and its companion ships in misfortune, and carried off their contents. Hugh de Courtenaye held an investigation in the town, and the offenders were imprisoned and restitution made (Whitfeld, 1900).
Tavy (1) (1902)
1902
Tavy (2) ...
Trinity House pilot cutter
Taxiarchos (1843) ...
Tayrles Bay (1771)
Teazer (1867)
1867
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
HMS Telegraph (1817) ...
Temperance (1873)
1873
Thames (1781)
| Location Description | The Hoe |
| Reference | NMR x |
| Craft Type | Transport |
| Date Built | Unknown |
| Date of loss | 12 February 1781 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Departure port | Plymouth |
| Destination port | New York |
| Cargo | Government stores |
| Crew | Unknown |
The 600 ton transport ship Thames was loaded with 450 tons of govenment stores destined for New York. At anchor between Drakes Island and the shore, she dragged her anchors in the same storm that sank HMS Echo and was dashed to pieces with only two men saved. Very little of her cargo was saved and another seven people lost their lives while attempting salvage when their boat overturned.
The Brothers (1854)
1854
Thetis (1838)
1838
Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
Thetis (1880)
1880
Thistle (1913)
1913
Thomas (1800)
1800
Thomas and Elizabeth (1757)
1757
Thought (1859)
1859
Three Brothers (1800)
1800
Three Sisters (1758)
1758
Totnes Castle (1967) ...
Paddle steamship
Traveller (1795)
1795
Traveller (1811)
1811
Trende Brodre (1811)
1811
Trojan (1811)
1811
Twee Gezustus (1786)
| Location Description | Sutton Pool |
| Craft type | Cargo Vessel |
| Date of loss | 4th January 1786 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Departure port | :Bordeaux |
| Destination port | Amsterdam |
| Cargo | Wine, Prunes |
| Master | Mitchel |
During the night of the 3rd and morning of the 4th January 1786, Plymouth "had the severest gale of wind ever remembered by the oldest man living..." with a gale blowing SSE to S causing Sutton Pool to be "an entire scene of wreck". Amongst the wrecks was the Twe Gousters coming from Bordeaux with a cargo of wine and prunes bound for Amsterdam. She was reported to be sunk to her anchors in the pool and also had recieved considerable damage (1).
The gale also claimed the Rosamond and the Zeelust
(1) Public Advertiser, London, England, 11 Jan 1786, Issue 16110
Two Brothers (1757)
1757
Two Brothers (1834)
1834
Two Friends (1771)
1771
Two Sisters (1911)
1911
Tyger (1762)
1762
Britannia
Unanimity (1803)
1803
Uncle Jack (1868)
1868
Undine (1897)
1897
Unicorn (1923) ...
Steamship
Unidentified (1596)
1596
NMR 876200
1596 wreck of cargo vessel thought to have been English, which stranded on the rocks at Plymouth Harbour during a
storm. Laden with tin, she was a wooden sailing vessel (2).
'About 12 o'clock, a ship belonging to a Mr Superave was cast away and lost on the harbour by reason of the great
storm, and another of the town lost at the same time. I hope to save the tin, because she came on the rocks on a full
sea.'
C.SP.Dom.1596; Letter, James Bragg, merchant and one-time mayor of Plymouth
Unidentified (2) (1599)
1599
NMR 876201
1599 wreck of a craft which may have stranded near Plymouth. She was a wooden sailing vessel (2).
C.SP.Dom.Eliz. 1599, vol.CCLXX, p148
Unidentified (3) (1604)
1604
Unidentified (4) (1628)
1628
Unidentified (5) (1628)
1628
Unidentified (6) (1637)
1637
Unidentified (7) (1666)
1666
Unidentified (8) (1666)
1666
Unidentified (9) (1675)
1675
Unidentified (10) (1689)
1689
Unidentified (11) (1668)
1668
Unidentified (12 (1804)
1804
Unidentified (13) (1744)
1744
Unidentified (14) (1746)
1746
Unidentified (15) (1757)
1757
Unidentified (16) (1757)
1757
Unidentified (18) (1760)
1760
Unidentified (19) (1764)
1764
Unidentified (20) (1766)
1766
Unidentified (21) (1767)
1767
Unidentified (22) (1768)
1768
Unidentified (23) (1771)
1771
Unidentified Barge (1786)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060187 |
| Craft type | Barge |
| Date of loss | 4th January 1786 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Tonnage | 60 |
Unamed vessel lost in the gale between 3rd and 4th January 1786. "A barge, about 60 tons, and a large fishing vessel, destroyed." (1)
(1) Public Advertiser, London, England, 11 Jan 1786, Issue 16110
Unidentified Fishing Vessel (1786)
| Location Description | Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1060187 |
| Craft type | Fishing Vessel |
| Date of loss | 4th January 1786 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
See above reference
Unidentified (26) (1795)
1795
Unidentified (28) (1803)
1803
Unidentified (29) (1804)
1804
Unidentified (30) (1804)
1804
Unidentified (31) (1805)
1805
Unidentified (32) (1805)
1805
Unidentified (33) (1812)
1812
Unidentified (34) (1813)
1813
Unidentified (36) (1878)
1878
Unidentified (37) (1804)
1894
Unity (1689)
| Location Description | Mount Batten, Plymouth |
| Reference | NMR 1449020 |
| Date built | 1672 Captured from Holland |
| Date of loss | 27th December 1689 |
| Manner of loss | Driven Ashore |
| Outcome | Wrecked |
| Construction | Wood |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Hull displacement | 172 tonnes |
| Armament | 4 cannon |
'Plymouth, Decemb. 27. The 25th instant in the night there arose a very violent storm of wind at SW, blowing by gusts, and often shifting...At the same time went likewise from her anchors a Dutch man of war, called the UNITY, who falling foul upon the CENTURION frigat, they were both driven ashore and staved under Mount Batten within the Sound; of the former there were lost about 150, and of the later [sic] about 12 men.' (1)
NB: The name UNITY is clearly an English translation of the name. The Dutch version, EENDRACHT, attested from
other, contemporary, Dutch warships and merchantmen, is therefore given as the primary name of the vessel. It is
possible that this vessel is identifiable as the English fly-boat named the UNITY, which was originally captured from
the Dutch, and was given away about 1672, and was known to have been wrecked in the same storm; although the
description of the vessel in the present record as Dutch would appear to refer to a current nationality, and possibly,
therefore, not this vessel [NMR Note]
(1) London Gazette (London, England), December 30 1689 January 2 1690, Issue 2519, sourced from the British Library
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Unity (1806)
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Valentine (1883)
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(HMS) Vengeance (1766) ...
Venus (1891)
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Victory (1888)
1888
Viking Princess (1996) ...
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Vine (1898)
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Volunteer (1896)
1896
Vrouw Johanna (1810)
1810
W Woollven (1925)
1925
Wager (1746)
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We Three (1934)
1934
Wesley (1873)
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Western Star (1873)
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White Horse (1889)
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Widgeon (1871)
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Wierkelyk (1781)
1781
William and Ann (1854)
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William Phillips (1884)
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Wilson (1812)
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Wk A Crabber (?)
Young Fanny (1809)
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Yvonne (1920) ...
Barquentine
Zeelust (1786)
| Location Description | Sutton Pool |
| Craft type | Cargo Vessel |
| Date of loss | 4th January 1786 |
| Manner of loss | Wrecked |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Departure port | :Nantz (Nantes) |
| Destination port | Amsterdam |
| Cargo | Sugar, Prunes |
Bound from Nantz (sp) with a cargo of sugar and prunes the Zee Lust was drove from her moorings and sunk during the gale that hit Plymouth between the 3rd and 4th January 1786 (1).
(1) Public Advertiser, London, England, 11 Jan 1786, Issue 16110
References
(A) Larn R. & Larn B., 1995, Shipwreck Index of the British Isles Vol. 1, Lloyds Register of Shipping, ISBN 0 900528 88 5
(B) Alan Salsbury, 2003, A History of the Plymouth Lifeboats, Halsgrove, ISBN 1 84114 275 1
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