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The wreck of the collier Bessie, with all that remains of the wrecked Vulture in the surf beyond, Carbis Bay, Lelant, Cornwall. 1893
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The wreck of the collier Bessie, with all that remains of the wrecked Vulture in the surf beyond, Carbis Bay, Lelant, Cornwall. 1893
A view of the Bessie wrecked at Carbis Bay, broadside to the surf, with the machinery of the Vulture beyond. SS Bessie (ON 49984) was an iron three masted brigantine rigged steamer of 287 tons gross, built in 1865 for the busy Hayle to Bristol trade and launched by Harvey and Company of Hayle. She was sold in 1889 to James Richards of Penarth and ran aground at Carbis Bay on 18th November 1893 while carrying coal from Cardiff to Portland, under the command of Captain David Moloney. Cintra and Vulture were wrecked on the same occasion. On page 84 of Cornish Shipwrecks, by Clive Carter, is a description of the days events: On 17th November 1893 came the Cintra Gale. It had been a particularly stormy month, and soon after the 418-ton iron collier Cintra of Liverpool left Newport old dock for Dartmouth on the night of the 15th the wind again freshened from the ESE. It increased, and at 4pm next day Captain Henry Green of Brixham anchored in seven fathoms a mile off Carbis Bay. A few hours later another collier fled for shelter, the 345-ton Vulture of Cardiff, Hole master, and likewise bound for Dartmouth. At dusk they were joined by none other than the Bessie, whose anchor clattered down only half a mile from where she had grounded in 1866. She was bound from Cardiff to Portland under the command of Captain David Maloney. Captain Green of the Cintra prepared to slip and steam seaward, but huge seas were already smashing on board. Stanchions were buckled, ventilators snapped off, and at 2am the windlass seized up, jamming the anchor chains solid. As dawn broke the gale made its final shift to NNE; the Cintra was ready to sink at anchor, and men who tried to cut the fouled chains with hammers and chisels were driven back to shelter of the bridge. Captain Green hoisted a distress signal and gave orders for the lifeboat to be lowered but it capsized as it touched the water, and chief engineer Rogers, fire-man Summers and two able seamen disappeared in the surf. As Cintra lurched on to the sands it was every man for himself. Captain Green, steward Jones, two engineers and a fire-man jumped overboard, but able seaman Ash of Brixham, though handed a lifebelt by the captain, stayed behind, hoping the collier would ebb dry. The others were dragged ashore by coastguards and rocket men, but the chief engineer and the fireman died half an hour after rescue. Meanwhile, the crew of the Vulture, all of whom came from St Ives and Hayle, were landing by breeches-buoy. A few minutes after Captain Hole came ashore the Cintra, which lay only 100 yards away, suddenly broke up, drowning able seaman Ash. The Bessies crew were also soon rescued, though the gale at this time was sufficient to stop dead both morning trains a mile from Carbis Bay, where the GWR branch line from St Erth crossed the exposed dunes. Later in the day the 936-ton iron screw steamer Rosedale of London, Dickenson master, in ballast from Southampton to Cardiff, wallowed past St Ives pier and went broadside on to Porthminster beach. Photographer: Unknown. Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture. © From the collection of the RIC
TRURI : SB.0003.1
Media ID 19674405
Coast Coastal Coastline North Sand Ship Shipping Shipwreck Steam Vessel Victorian Wreck
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This print captures the aftermath of a devastating shipwreck off the coast of Carbis Bay, Lelant, Cornwall in 1893. The focal point is the wrecked collier Bessie, broadside to the powerful surf, with remnants of another wrecked vessel, Vulture's machinery visible beyond. The SS Bessie was a sturdy iron three-masted brigantine rigged steamer that had served faithfully in the Hayle to Bristol trade since its launch by Harvey and Company in 1865. However, on November 18th, 1893, tragedy struck as she ran aground while carrying coal from Cardiff to Portland under Captain David Moloney's command. The events leading up to this fateful day are described vividly on page 84 of Cornish Shipwrecks by Clive Carter. A fierce gale known as the Cintra Gale had been tormenting ships for days prior. On that ill-fated night, both Cintra and Vulture sought refuge near Carbis Bay alongside Bessie. Despite their efforts to weather the storm at anchor, disaster struck when huge waves battered Cintra until it sank at anchor. Desperate attempts were made to save lives but were met with tragic consequences. Meanwhile, crew members from Vulture managed a successful landing using a breeches-buoy system before witnessing Cintra break apart just yards away from them. Eventually, all crew members from both vessels were rescued amidst treacherous conditions. This haunting photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by seafarers during tumultuous storms and stands as a testament to their resilience and bravery in such harrowing circumstances.
Framed Prints of The wreck of the collier Bessie
Introducing the Media Storehouse Framed Print of "The Wreck of the Bessie and Vulture," a captivating image from the archives of the Royal Cornwall Museum. This evocative photograph captures the moment of the iron-hulled brigantine steamer SS Bessie (ON 49984), stranded at Carbis Bay, Lelant, Cornwall in 1893. Broadside to the relentless surf, the Bessie is dwarfed by the remnants of the wrecked Vulture beyond. With a rich history of 287 tons gross, these steamers were once integral components of the maritime industry. This timeless piece, expertly framed, is the perfect addition to any nautical-themed room or office, showcasing the raw power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. Bring a piece of maritime history into your home with this stunning Media Storehouse Framed Print.
Photo Prints of The wreck of the collier Bessie
Discover the rich maritime history of Cornwall with our stunning photographic print from the Media Storehouse collection. This captivating image, sourced from the Royal Cornwall Museum, captures the wreck of the SS Bessie at Carbis Bay in 1893. The three-masted brigantine steamer, with a gross tonnage of 287 tons, is shown broadside to the relentless surf, while the remnants of the wrecked Vulture lie beyond. Experience the raw power of the elements as they clash against the steel hulls, frozen in time in this evocative and intriguing photograph. Bring a piece of Cornwall's maritime past into your home or office and start a conversation with this unique and beautiful print.
Poster Prints of The wreck of the collier Bessie
Introducing the Media Storehouse Poster Print of "The Wreck of the Bessie and Vulture, Carbis Bay, Cornwall, 1893." This captivating image, sourced from the Royal Cornwall Museum, showcases the haunting scene of the wrecked SS Bessie, broadside to the relentless surf, with the remnants of the Vulture in the distance. With an intriguing history, the SS Bessie was an iron three-masted brigantine rigged steamer of 287 tons gross. This evocative poster print is a must-have for maritime enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone who appreciates the raw power of nature. Bring a piece of the past into your home or office and relive the tales of the sea with this stunning, museum-quality print.
Jigsaw Puzzles of The wreck of the collier Bessie
Discover the captivating history of the English coastline with our exquisite jigsaw puzzle from Media Storehouse. This intriguing puzzle features an iconic image from the Royal Cornwall Museum, depicting the wreck of the SS Bessie at Carbis Bay, Cornwall. Dated back to 1893, this fascinating scene showcases the SS Bessie, a three-masted brigantine rigged steamer of 287 tons gross, broadside to the surf. Beyond the Bessie lies the remnants of the Vulture, adding an extra layer of mystery to the puzzle. Immerse yourself in the rich maritime history of Cornwall while enjoying the satisfying experience of piecing together this beautiful and intricate puzzle.