CS Faraday (2)

The CS "Faraday (2)" cable ship was built as a replacement for the aging CS "Faraday" built in 1874.

The "Faraday" carried out a number of cable laying and surveying exercises both in home waters and the Pacific until 1939 when she was chartered by the Admiralty to recover German cable off Ushant with intention of refurbishing the cable and relaying it to Narvik.

This plan was cancelled after the evacuation from Narvik and the ship was then laid up until requisitioned by the Admiralty, first for training of Naval cadets but then for cable work around the African coast. (Some of the civilian crew had remained on board).

On 25 March 1941 the "Faraday" and four other ships set sail from Falmouth bound for Milford Haven. The ships became separated in poor visibility and about 7:45 p.m. the "Faraday" was attacked by a Heinkel 111 which strafed and bombed the ship, killing eight and wounding 25 of the crew, and caused a major fire in the oil bunkers forcing the crew to abandon ship. The aircraft was itself shot down by the ship's crew.

She later ran aground off St Annes Head. The cable was recovered, however the wreck of the "Faraday" still lies in shallow waters and is a popular attraction for divers.

References

* [http://www.atlantic-cable.com/Cableships/Faraday(2)/index.htm Atlantic Cable History ]
* [http://www.dive-pembrokeshire.com/wrecks.html Dive Pembrokeshire]