Delaware Wreck
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Wreck Category | dangerous wreck |
|
Delaware Wreck Location Marine Coordinates (DMM) |
49 56.326 N,6 23.084 W |
| Latitude, Longitude Decimal Degrees |
|
| Wreck Depth | 9 m |
| Water Depth | 13 m |
| Water Level Effect | always under water/submerged |
| Vertical Datum | Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide |
| Name | DELAWARE |
| Type | steam ship |
| Flag | GB |
| Length | 115.9 m |
| Width | 11.1 m |
| Draught | 7.9 |
| Tonnage | 3243 |
| Tonnage Type | gross |
| Cargo | personnel,general and mixed goods |
| Conspic Visual | not visually conspicuous |
| Conspic Radar | not radar conspicuous |
| Date Sunk | Dec 20, 1871 |
| Original Detection Year | 1969 |
| Last Detection Year | 1975 |
| Original Source | other |
| Surveying Details | H3542/68 21.5.69 WRECK VERY MUCH BROKEN UP IN 20-30FT OF WATER IN 495619N, 062230W. ENGINE MORE OR LESS INTACT. (R EDMONDS DS 5). NCA. H1247/69 23.6.70 LOCATED IN 495612N, 062302W. VERY HEAVILY SALVAGED. ONLY THE DOUBLE BOTTOMS LEFT. HIGHEST OBSTRUCTION FROM BOTTOM IS ABOUT 4FT. NO COMMERCIAL SCRAP LEFT IN HER EXCEPT FOR LEAD. NO BOILERS, NO ENGINE. (CPO R LARN, 20.6.70). NCA. H2568/71 14.11.73 NOT INVESTIGATED AND INFO ABOVE NOT CORROBORATED. (HMS HECATE, R-OF-S APPENDIX 2, 16.7.73). H3227/74 3.1.75 LOCATED IN 495615N, 062303W. WRECK WELL BROKEN UP ON ROCK/SAND BOTTOM IN 60FT. PIECE OF MACHINERY RISES TO 40FT. HAZARD TO SMALL CRAFT ANCHORING. (RAF HONINGTON SUB AQUA CLUB EXPEDITION REPORT, 1974). CHART AS FOUL. NE 34. H1280/76/24 22.1.76 LOCATED IN 495617.4N, 062301.8W USING HSA. WELL BROKEN UP ON A ROCK/SAND BOTTOM IN ABOUT 45FT. THE REMAINS OF THE LARGE GEAR CASING RISE TO A DEPTH OF 30FT. POSN QUOTED IS SLIGHTLY REFINED FROM THE POSN OBTAINED IN 1974 AND IS OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE WRECKAGE ADJACENT TO THE GEAR CASING. (RAF HONINGTON SUB AQUA CLUB EXPEDITION REPORT, 1975). AMENDED TO WK 9MTRS IN REVISED POSN. NE 34. |
| Last Amended Date | Dec 10, 1981 |
Circumstances of loss
STRUCK WHAT WAS TO BECOME KNOWN AS DELAWARE LEDGE AND SANK WITH A LOSS OF 48 LIVES EN ROUTE FROM LIVERPOOL TO CALCUTTA. (ISLES OF SCILLY MUSEUM PUBLICATION NO 3). 20.12.1871 REGISTERED IN LIVERPOOL. BUILT IN RAMSAY,ISLE OF MAN IN 1865. SHE WAS BOUND FROM LIVERPOOL TO CALCUTTA VIA SUEZ WITH A GENERAL CARGO WHICH INCLUDED COTTONS, SILKS, SHEET LEAD, TIN AND STATIONERY. IN A NW GALE ON 20.12.1871 SHE WAS SEEN STRUGGLING CLOSE INSHORE DRIFTING BETWEEN MINCARTO AND SEAL ROCK AND SANK SECONDS AFTER A HUGE WAVE HAD REMOVED HER BRIDGE STRUCTURE. ONE ACCOUNT STATES THAT HER ENGINES WERE OVERHEATING AND HAD TO BE STOPPED. TONNAGE GIVEN AS 3423 GROSS. (RAF HONINGTON SUB AQUA CLUB EXPEDITION REPORT - FROM CORNISH SHIPWRECKS VOL.3). BUILT IN 1865 BY THE ISLE OF MAN SB CO. AND OWNED AT THE TIME OF LOSS BY C DIXON. 42 LIVES LOST. (DODS).
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