List of shipwrecks in the Bristol Channel

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

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

"Cambo"

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

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

"Eiffel Tower"

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

"Pilton"

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

"SS Bengrove"

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

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

"Tafleburg"

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

"Verajean"

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

ee also

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

References

External links

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