Capricorn Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure
Capricorn Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM)
51 41.342 S,57 53.368 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: -51.689033
  • Longitude: -57.889467
Water Depth 2 m
Water Level Effect covers and uncovers
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name CAPRICORN
Type sailing vessel
Flag GB
Length 37.8 m
Tonnage 380
Tonnage Type gross
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Feb 1, 1882
Bottom Texture Mud
Original Detection Year 1882
Last Detection Year 2006
Original Source other
Surveying Details H6778/68 22.2.71 SUNK IN 514137S, 575318W APPROX. (CONDEMNED AT STANLEY). 19.5.76 HULK IN 514137S, 575322.5W. (AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY RN END 22/76, DTD 14.3.76 INDEX NO.1186, MS5 PHOT). 5.10.78 CHART AS STF IN 514137S, 575322.5W. NC 2550. 4.2.80 SAP POSN: 514120S, 575306W. NC 2550. 2.3.82 PICTURED ON STAMPS ISSUED BY FALKLAND ISLANDS. 7.10.82 SHOWN AS ST ON NC F2550. H2316/84 17.9.85 JETTY NO LONGER EXISTS. WOODEN STEM & UPPER ENDS OF RIBS & A FEW STRINGERS, IS ALL THAT SHOW ABOVE WATER. SEE PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FEB 1985. (HMS ENDURANCE, HI 226A). 15.1.88 SHOWN IN 514119.3N, 575306.4W. NE 1614. 7.11.91 VESSEL'S CAPSTAN WAS STILL LYING ON THE SHORE IN 1979. ALL THAT CAN NOW BE SEEN ARE HER FRAMES, & STEM & STERN POSTS STICKING OUT OF THE MUD & KELP. (FALKLAND ISLAND SHORES, PUBLISHED 1985). HH690/460/03 5.6.06 AN AREA WITHIN 100 YARDS OF THE CENTRE OF THE SITE OF THE VESSEL CAPRICORN, LYING WRECKED IN STANLEY HARBOUR, FALKLANDS ISLANDS, DESIGNATING IT AS A RESTRICTED AREA WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PROTECTION OF WRECKS ORDINANCE, SECTION 3, (PROTECTION OF WRECKS (DESIGNATION) ORDER 1979 (NO 1 OF 1979), WITH EFFECT FROM 23 FEB 1979. (FI GOVERNMENT, FAX DTD 23.5.06). HH690/460/03 5.6.06 CONFIRMED AS LYING IN 5141.342S, 5753.368W [WGD]. SOME FRAMES AND STEM POST SHOW ABOVE WATER. (J CLARKE, EMAIL DTD 1.6.06). AMEND POSN OF ST. INS REST'D AREA RADIUS 100MTRS. - NM 3154/06.
Last Amended Date May 12, 2010

Circumstances of loss

CAME TO STANLEY IN 1882 & DECLARED UNSEAWORTHY, USED AS FLOATING HULK, BUT SUNK IN 1942. (CONDEMNED AT STANLEY). STATED TO BE THE COPPER ORE BARQUE 'CAPRICORN', LOST ?1829. (FALKLAND ISLAND FOUNDATION TRUST). BUILT IN BIDEFORD IN 1859 FOR COPPER ORE TRADE. IN 1882 OWNED BY W CLAMPITT OF VALPARAISO. PASSAGE SWANSEA FOR W COAST S AMERICA. ENCOUNTERED HEAVY WEATHER OFF CAPE HORN WHICH CAUSED SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF COAL CARGO. SCUTTLED IN SHALLOW WATER IN LEE OF STATEN ISLAND TO PUT OUT FIRE. BROUGHT TO STANLEY FOR REPAIR BUT CONDEMNED AS UNSEAWORTHY. USED AS A STORAGE HULK UNTIL PLANKING ROTTED & SANK IN HARBOUR. REFLOATED IN 1942 & MOVED TO S SHORE, W OF STANLEY, WHERE A SMALL JETTY WAS BUILT TO CONNECT HER TO THE SHORE FOR MILITARY USE. SOLD IN 1948 & STRIPPED ABOVE WATERLINE FOR FIREWOOD. (FALKLAND ISLAND SHORES, PUBLISHED 1985).

General Comments

SOME FRAMES AND STEM POST SHOW ABOVE WATER

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 41.342 S,57 53.368 W
Capricorn on Wreck Map Capricorn Wreck on Google Map

Nearby Wrecks:

FAQ

Where is the CAPRICORN wreck located?

The CAPRICORN wreck is located at coordinates 51 41.342 S,57 53.368 W.

How deep is the seabed around the CAPRICORN?

The seabed around the CAPRICORN lies at approximately 2 meters deep.

When did the CAPRICORN sink?

The CAPRICORN sank on Feb 1, 1882.

When was the wreck of the CAPRICORN discovered?

The wreck of the CAPRICORN was discovered in 1882.

What country did the CAPRICORN belong to?

The CAPRICORN belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the CAPRICORN?

The CAPRICORN had a tonnage of 380 tons.

What type of wreck is the CAPRICORN?

The CAPRICORN is classified as a sailing vessel.