PS Queen Victoria (1838)

The PS "Queen Victoria" was a paddle wheel steamer built in 1838 for the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company and which was shipwrecked in 1853 with the loss of over 80 passengers and crew.

History

"Queen Victoria" was built by Wilson shipbuilders of Glasgow, Scotland in 1838 for The City Of Dublin Steam Packet Company. The ship had a wooden hull, was 150 feet long and was powered by a two-cylinder steam engine.

On February 15, 1853, "Queen Victoria" was bound for Liverpool with cargo and passengers when she encountered a snow storm at night off Howth Head, north of Dublin, Ireland. She struck Howth Head, then having backed off, struck below Baily Lighthouse, sinking about 100 yards south. Over 80 passengers and crew were killed in wintry conditions.

A subsequent Board of Trade inquiry blamed the ship's captain (nautical) and first officer, as well as the lighthouse crew. A fog bell was supposed to have been installed in the lighthouse in 1846, seven years earlier, but was delayed due to costs of other construction projects. The bell was finally installed in April, 1853, as a result of the "Queen Victoria" shipwreck and the subsequent inquiry.

At least one attempt to raise the ship was made afterwards, which failed, and the ship was salvaged where she lay. The wreck is still in place, and has been protected by The National Monuments Act (Historic Wreck). It is a favourite dive site, the location is lat 53° 21.50 north, 06° 03.00 west.

References

* [http://www.irishwrecksonline.net/details/QueenVictoria663.htm Info from Irish Wrecks Online]