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Clan Alpine - Shipwreck Research Information
By Kevin Heath on 17 September 2008
Cornish Telegraph: Wednesday 5th February 1873
WRECK OF S.S. “CLAN ALPINE”
Intelligence has reached Falmouth of the total wreck of the steamer “CLAN ALPINE”, of Liverpool, commanded by Captain Nelson,and the loss of thirteen lives. During the terrific gale on Saturday night she was driven ashore at the Blackhead, near Coverack, not many miles from Falmouth coastward’s. The tremendous sea soon made havoc of the ship. Of those on board, seventeen managed to get on shore, among them the second mate.
The “CLAN ALPINE”, 917-tons, is a screw steamer, belonging to the Parana Steam Shipping Company, and had put into Antwerp to discharge part of her cargo from the Brazils. She left Antwerp about six o’clock on Friday evening for Liverpool with thirty-one hands on board, including Captain, the ship’s husband. On Saturday evening, a tremendous gale from the Southeast sprung up at eight o’clock. She sighted the Eddystone, but the weather continued to get more severe with sleet and fog. The steamer was driven back, and was making for the Lizard Lights, the port-watch, including the captain, were on deck; the other half were in their bunks. On striking orders were at once given to put the helm hard to starboard, to give all power to the engines, and to shorten sail. The orders concerning the helm and the engines were at once obeyed, and the fore-staysail was got down, but, before the fore-trysail could be taken in, the vessel stuck. The engines, in thorough working trim, continued working until the stern of the vessel was carried away. The land was not visible more than a minute or two before the first bump was felt. In four or five minutes the ship struck four times; and then, what with the blows, and what with the violence of the waves, she went suddenly to pieces.
All were terror stricken. The vessel was not far from the shore, but surrounded by rocks. The second mate nobly volunteered to find, if possible, the way ashore. He got there safely, and was immediately followed by several others. Five minutes after the steamer stranded, a tremendous sea struck her, and parted her fore and aft. Captain Barnett was at that time seen on deck, but was then missed, as well as the captain. Eighteen men were washed ashore on the rocks, with no means of escape until the tide receded, which fortunately took place in an hour. Had the tide been flowing, they also must have been drowned.
A later narrative says:- The second mate states ,, ” As I reached the deck I felt the vessel strike. The seas began to break through immediately. I made for the bridge first, but found too many people making for the boats, and determined to try and save myself by the mainmast, to which I clung with one or two others: and which, breaking sometime afterwards, landed me in the surf among the rocks, over which I clambered ashore”.
This only faintly indicates the scene on board. The fury of the waves was such that nothing could stand against them ; and in about five minutes the vessel was shattered into fragments. Her stern was broken off and carried away bodily, and with it the Captain, who had just gone aft, calling upon the Boatswain to follow him. The Boatswain was about to do so, when the bridge ladder was carried away; and this in all probability saved him from sharing the Captains fate.
It would seem almost impossible – were not the men alive to tell the tale – that any should have been rescued and escaped. Hardly any two of the survivors were saved in the same way. The third mate went to the bridge by the order of the captain, who had told the men to save themselves, to clear away the starboard lifeboat. Whilst he was so engaged a heavy sea swept it partly away, and carried him into the water, where, after a struggle, he succeeded in reaching a rock. The chief engineer was swept away immediately he reached the deck, but also got safely to land. Three stuck to the boat, until it and they were thrown on to the rocks together. One man actually clambered on shore by the funnel, which for a moment, so near was the ship to the rocks, formed a bridge between her and them, with waves spouting through. One man lashed himself to the davits, and was thrown on the rocks with them. Some drifted on shore with pieces of the wreck, others knew not how they got there, only that they were saved, and but for the friendly hands of their predecessors they must have been lost.
The rescued seamen clambered over the rocks, and got safely to land. After walking two miles, they fell in with hospitable friends, who clothed them, fed them, and then sent them in an omnibus to Falmouth, where they arrived on Sunday evening. In three quarters of an hour not a vestige of the vessel could be seen, although her port light kept burning up to that time. The sea which parted the vessel killed the captain and washed the ship’s husband overboard. The chief mate William Bell and the second engineer Nicholas Elliot, were also drowned. In all thirteen lives were lost. The cargo was wool, dry hides, and copper. The men speak highly of their treatment at Coverack, and of the noble conduct of the second mate, John Kerr. The captain was a married man, as also was Capt.Barnett.
To be on shore was only a partial solution to the survivor’s difficulties. Let our readers imagine these men’s position, clinging to the rock’s on an unknown coast, with the cliffs rising high above their heads; bruised and exhausted; half clad nearly all, some in their shirts only; the winter wind piercing to the marrow; and utterly defenceless against the mingled rain and snow and hail which drove against them with the fury of the gale. This was their condition for a full three hours, at the end of which time the tide had ebbed sufficiently to enable them to seek shelter, but before then one of their number had succumbed to his accumulated misfortunes, and died upon the rocks.
It was about three o’clock when they began to move inland, the storm still continuing to rage and the darkness being intense,. By good fortune they found a cart track and followed it. When the bulk of their number, after wandering for many an hour, had found ready shelter at a farmhouse, they found some of their comrades had missed them in the darkness. Those best able at once went back with a lantern. One, thoroughly worn out by his sufferings, had dropped among the furze bushes, where, but for the aid given, the death he had escaped by sea would surely have overtaken him on land.
West Briton February 6th 1873
VIOLENT GALE WRECKS AND LOSS OF LIFE ON THE CORNISH COASTS
There was a violent easterly gale on Saturday afternoon, which increased as night approached and caused damage to shipping and loss of life on the Cornish coasts. At the Lizard a large steamer was driven ashore and thirteen lives lost. In Mount’s Bay there was a terrific gale, and at Penzance were wrecks and gallant lifeboat services. At St. Ives there were wrecks and two lives lost. At Falmouth there was quite a hurricane; several vessels were damaged, and some of the rails of the breakwater were washed away. At Mevagissey the lifeboat put out with a view of rescuing a ship that appeared to be in danger. In the north of the county, at Camelford, there was a heavy fall of snow on Saturday night, and there was snow also at Bodmin, but scarcely any at Truro. The following are details of the wrecks and damages caused by the gale.
WRECK OF A STEAMER AT THE LIZARD THIRTEEN LIVES LOST
The River Parana’s steamship Company’s steamer Clan Alpine, of Shields, l,538 tons, Nelson master, from Antwerp for Liverpool, was stranded at midnight on Saturday, at Blackhead, near the Lizard, and went to pieces. She was laden with wood, silver ore, copper bars, hides, potatoes,, flour, and rapeseed. Thirteen of the crew were drowned, including the captain, and eighteen saved. Mr. E.C. Carne, of the firm of Messrs E.C. Carne and Co., Falmouth, the company’s agents, went to the scene of the disaster, and brought the surviviors to the Falmouth Sailors’ Home, where they now are.
Another account says;—Mr. Cheesman, the collector of Customs at Falmouth~ has taken the depositions of the second mate, Mr. Keir; the third mate, Mr. Gem; the chief engineer, Mr. Haswell; and of a seaman named Pradell. The Clan Alpine as already stated, belonged to the Parana Steamship Company. She was 965 tons register, brigantine rigged was built of iron at Glasgow in 1862, and had a crew of 30 hands all told. At the time of the wreck she had also on board one passenger, Mr. Burnett, the ship’s husband. She had made the voyage from South America to Antwerp, and was on her way from Antwerp to Liverpool when the wreck occurred. She had a general cargo from Buenos Ayres, Monte Video, and Antwerp, but was very light.
The Clan Alpine left Antwerp at six on the morning of the 31st with a moderate east wind. All went well until six o’clock on Saturday evening, when the wind increased from the S.E. with frequent showers of hail and snow. At 7-40 the Eddystone was made, which at eight o’clock was bearing N. and W., at a distance which the second mate-the chief officer saved—puts at six or seven miles; and the third mate at nine or ten. The weather, however, was so thick that it was impossible to form an accurate estimate. The engines were working full speed, as they had been ever since the ship left the Scheldt, and she had her fore gallant stysails and foretopsail set. About nine o’clock the second mate gave the chief mate the course, W.1/2. S. and went below.
At 9-30 the third mate states that the vessel was steering W.1/2.N., by the standard compass. The wind was abaft the port beam, increasing, and the vessel going about ten knots. Thus matters went on until about 11-30, the wind still gaining in strength, and the incessant showers of snow and hail rendering it impossible for objects to be seen any distance off. At the last mentioned time a light was reported on the starboard bow. The third mate was then sent below by the chief mate, whose watch it was to set the clock. When he came up he was told to go forward. As he did so he saw the light again (this Seems to have been the lights at the Lizard), and at the same time land on the starboard beam. Orders were at once given to put the helm hard a starboard, to give all power to the engines, and to shorten sail. The orders concerning the helm and the engines were at once obeyed, and the fore-staysail was got down, but before the fore-trysail could be taken in the vessel struck. The engines, which were in thorough working trim, however, continued working until the stern of the vessel was carried away. The land was not visible more than a minute or two before the first bump was felt. In four or five minutes the ship struck four times, and then, what with the blows and what with the violence of the waves, went suddenly to pieces.
At the time of the wreck all the officers were on deck. The captain, who, with the chief mate, was perfectly sober and capable, had been on the alert all the night. The second mate was called immediately the danger was perceived. Several of the men were in their berths, and so short was the warning that they had time only to scramble on deck just as they were. The second mate states:- I reached the deck, I felt the vessel strike. The sea began to break through her immediately. I made for the bridge first, but found too many people making for the boats, and determined to try to save myself by the main mast, to which I clung with one or two others; and which breaking some time afterwards landed me in the surf among the rocks, over which I clambered to the shore.”
This only faintly indicates the scene on board. The fury of the waves was such that nothing could stand against them and that in about five minutes the vessel was shattered into fragments. Her stern was broken off and carried away bodily, and with it the captain, who had just gone aft, calling upon the boatswain to follow him. The boatswain was about to do so, when the bridge ladder was carried away; and this in all probability saved him from sharing the captain’s fate.
It would seem almost impossible—were not the men alive to tell of the tale of their rescue—that any should have escaped. The Blackhead is a bold, bluff headland, midway between the Lizard and the fatal Manacles. The water where the Clan Alpine was lost is deep enough to have allowed her to lie touching the rocks in fine weather. To this, and to the facts that she was, driven broadside on, and that the tide was on the ebb, it is.. due that any of the crew survive. Had she struck but a very short distance off it is impossible, humanly speaking, that one life would have been spared. Hardly any two of the survivors were saved in the same way. We have already stated how the second mate reached the land. The third mate went to the bridge by the order of the captain-who had told the men to save themselves-to clear away the starboard lifeboat. Whilst he was engaged a heavy sea swept it partly away, and carried him into the water, where, after a struggle_, he succeeded in reaching a rock. The chief engineer was washed away immediately he reached the deck, but also got safe to land. Three stuck. to a boat until it and they were thrown on the rocks to-ether. One Tan actually clambered on shore by the funnel, which for a moment, so near was the ship to the rocks. formed a bridge between her and them, with the waves spouting through. It is curious to note how little indicents like this will at such supreme moments fix themselves in men’s minds. One man lashed himself to the davits, and was thrown on the rocks with them. Some drifted on shore on pieces of the wreck, other knew not how they got there, only that they were saved, and that but for the friendly hands of their predecessors they must have been lost.
But to be on shore was only a partial solution of their difficulties. Thanks to the ebbing tide they were out of immediate danger, but let our readers imagine if they can these men’s position, clinging to rocks on an unknown coast, with the cliff rising high above their heads, bruised and exhausted; half clad nearly all, some in their shirts only; the winter wind piercing to the marrow, and utterly defenceless against the mingled rain and snow and hail. This was their condition for full three hours, at the end of which time the tide had ebbed sufficiently to enable them to seek shelter. but be fore then one of their number had succumbed to his accumulated misfortunes, and died upon the rocks. It was about three o’clock when they began to move inland, the storm still continuing to rage and the darkness being intense. By good fortune they found a cart track, and followed it as best they could* When the bulk of their number, after wandering wearily for many an hour, had obtained ready shelter at a farmhouse, they found that some of their comrades had missed them in the darkness. Those best able at once went back with a lantern, and happily, soon came upon them. Happily, indeed—for one, thoroughly worn out by his sufferings, had dropped among the furze bushes, where, but for the aid given, the death he had escaped by sea would surely have overtaken him on land. Let any one who known’s what a winter’s walk in broad daylight along the cliffs of the Lizard country when well clad and in reasonably fine weather is, try what their condition Would be traversing the same ground by night in a violent storm, with no better protection than a shirt, and no light to keep them from wandering off the road amongst the heather and furze. They will then be able to form some idea of what these poor seamen underwent and will wonder how they have escaped without more serious injuries, for though, all are more or less bruised and sore, there is only one who Has been compelled to keep his bed—Murray—one of the firemen. The poor fellows were sheltered at the farm for a while, and in the morning taken to the village of Coverack, whence later in the day they were removed to the Royal Cornwall Sailors’ Home, at Falmouth. They are loud in their praises of the hearty hospitality and kindly sympathy which have been shown to them. The Cause of the wreck is stated by the third mate, in his opinion to be “an error in judgment in the course steered sufficient allowance not having been made for the drift of the vessel from the wind, sea, and current.” The compasses were not correct, but allowance~ was made for this in the ship’s course from the Start to the Eddystone, the error having been found out between the Bill of Portland and the Start. So says the second mate; and the third mate further states that there was a difference of one Point between the standard compass and the one in the wheel house; and that the standard compass was half a point out when the Clan Alpine left the Scheldt. Had not the vessel been light in cargo and under sail she might still have Escaped.
Nothing of the vessel is to be seen at Blackhead. Being of iron, the various portions into which she was shattered have sunk; but such of her spars as have come ashore are split into matchwood. A quantity of hides, cotton, and wool have been washed in and salved. The heavy portion of the cargo, including the silver ore, may, it is believed, be got up by diving in fine weather. On Monday the body of the captain washed on shore, and was identified by the second mate.
Falmouth Packet 15th Feb 1873
The Blackhead – much of the cargo of the steamer, “CLAN ALPINE” wrecked near the Lizard, has been or will be recovered, a considerable portion of which has been sold by auction. Such of the bodies of the crew as have been recovered and have been either sent home or decently interred.
Falmouth Packet Feb 1873
A STORY OF CORNISH WRECKERS
A statement has appeared in a Bristol paper to the effect that Capt. Nelson of the “CLAN ALPINE”, wrecked at Blackheadcame on shore in a mutilated state, two fingers of the right hand which had rings on were cut off. This appears to be a foul calumny. Mr Clinton Carne agent of the “CLAN ALPINE” states that when the Captain’s body came ashore it was quite perfect not even a scratch on it and the hands intact. He wore a ring on the little finger of the right hand but with being sometime in the water it might have been rubbed off. A policeman was on the spot a few minutes after the body came onshore. The drowned were cared for and now sleep side by side in St.Keverne churchyard. The Captain’s body was taken to Liverpool and I have seen those who placed him in his coffin.
Falmouth Packet 22nd March 1873
WRECK OF S.S. CLAN ALPINE
The owners of the S.S.CLAN ALPINE having opened a fund for the relief of the widows and orphans of the sailors who drowned on the Blackhead on the 1st of Feb last. Messrs.W & E.C.Carne will be glad to receive subscriptions …...
The Scotsman Monday, February 3, 1873
SHIPPING ACCIDENTS TERRIBLE WRECK OF A STEAMER ON THE LIZARD
During the hurricane on Saturday night (telegraphs our correspondent) the River Parana Steamship Company’s steamer Clan Alpine, Captain Wilson, 1500 tons, belonging to Shields, bound from Antwerp to Liverpool, with a cargo of wool, silver ore, copper bars, and flour, went ashore at Blackhead, on the Lizard coast. The tremendous sea running made her almost instant destruction inevitable, and she went to pieces in an hour or two. The captain and twelve of the crew were lost, but the following eighteen were saved: – Kerr, second mate; Gem, third mate; Eddington, boatswain; Manson, carpenter; Howell, engineer; Melrose, fourth engineer; Fulton, donkeyman; Gallichan, Kendrick, Randel, Turner, M’Donald, Menhear, seaman; Murray, Lyons, Connor, fireman; Lloyd, cook. The lost are Wilson, master; Burnett, ship’s husband; Bell, chief mate; Elliott, second engineer; Toland, Hayes, and Jones, stewards; Moor, cook; Warley, seaman; Gray, Ling, Smith, firemen; Jones, boy. But little of the cargo will be saved. The survivors were lodged last night at the Falmouth Sailors’ Home.
The Scotsman Tuesday, February 4, 1873
SHIPPING ACCIDENTS: THE WRECK OF THE CLAN ALPINE
Our Plymouth correspondent telegraphs details of the melancholy wreck of the steamer Clan Alpine on the wild and lonely coast between the Lizard and Manacles. The narrative (he says) is one of tragic interest. The Clan Alpine belonged to the Parana Steamship Company. She was built of iron at Glasgow in 1862, and had a crew of 30 and one passenger, Mr Burnett, and the ship’s husband. She had come from South America to Antwerp, and was now from Antwerp to Liverpool, with a general cargo, but was very light. All went well until six o’clock on Saturday evening, when the wind increased from the S. E., with frequent hail and snow showers. At 7.40 Eddystone was made, but the weather was so thick that it was impossible to form an accurate estimate of its distance. The engines were at full speed. At 9 o’clock the second mate gave the chief mate the course and went below. The wind increased until 11.30, when a light was reported on the starboard bow. This seams to have been a light at Lizard. Orders were at once given to put the helm hard starboard, to give all power to the engines, and shorten sail. Before the latter could be done, however, the vessel struck. The engines continued working until the stern of the vessel was carried away. The land was not visible more then two minutes before the first bump was felt. Within 4 or 5 minutes the vessel struck four times, and then suddenly went to pieces. All the officers were then on deck. The captain had been on the alert all night. Several of the men were in their berths, and had time only to scramble on deck half-naked. Seas began to break through the ship immediately. The first mate says that finding too many were making for the boats, he was determined to try to save himself by the mainmast, to which he clung with others, and which breaking, landed them in the surf among rocks, over which they clambered to the shore. The fury of the waves was such that nothing could stand against them, and in five minutes the vessel was shattered into fragments. Her stern was broken off and carried away. In all 13 (including the captain) were drowned, and 18 saved.
CREW LIST. S.S.CLAN ALPINE. FEB 1873.
NELSON…... CAPTAIN (*). DONKEYMAN…SEAMAN
BELL…..... CHIEF MATE (*). FULTON…... ” ”
KIER…..... 2nd MATE. GALLICHAN… ” ”
GEM…...... 3rd MATE. KENDRICK…. ” ”
EDDINGTON…BOATSWAIN. PRADDLE….. ” ”
MOORE….... CHIEF COOK (*). TURNER…... ” ”
LOYD…..... 2nd COOK. McDONALD…. ” ”
HAYES….... MESS ROOM STEWARD (*). MENHEAR….. ” ”
JONES….... 2nd STEWARD (*). WALREY…... ” ” (*)
TOLAND…... STEWARD (*). MURRAY…...FIREMAN
MANSON…... CARPENTER. LYONS….... ” ”
HOWELL…... CHIEF ENGINEER. CONNER…... ” ”
ELLIOT…... 2nd ENGINEER (*) GREY…..... ” ” (*)
MELROSE….. 4th ENGINEER. LING…..... ” ” (*)
JONES….... SHIPS BOY (*). SMITH….... ” ” (*)
PASSENGER…... MR.BURNETT. = SHIPS HUSBAND (*)
DROWNED…...(*)FALMOUTH, [2nd Feb.]
“The CLAN ALPINE (s), Nelson, of and for Liverpool, from Antwerp, struck on the Black head about midnight, and has become a total wreck; 17 lives saved, including the second mate, the only officer up to the time of the despatch leaving Coverack.”
(Lloyd’s list February 4 1873 column 22)
THE LIZARD, [2nd Feb.]
“A large steamer is on shore on Blackhead point; cargo copper and cotton; 13 of crew drowned, including master and officers; 17 saved.”
(Lloyd’s list February 4 1873 column 23)
LIVERPOOL, [3rd Feb.]
“A telegram states that 70 hides, about 70 sheep skins, and a quantity of loose wool were saved last night from the CLAN ALPINE (s); probably most of the pig copper will be saved in fine weather; machinery and hull entirely broken up; broken bales of wool passing along the coast; a gang of salvors organised at eight shillings per tide.”
(Lloyd’s list February 4 1873 column 25)
“The salvage from the wreck of the CLAN ALPINE continues. Several hundred hides were stored and salted yesterday, and about 250 ready for storing; 30 sheep skins, and from five to six tons of wool, and several pigs of copper stored.”
(Lloyd’s list February 6 1873 column 29)
“Up to the evening of 6th Jan. (sic), 1,385 hides, 132 skins, and half a ton copper had been saved ex CLAN ALPINE (s) from Antwerp to Liverpool, wrecked at the Lizard, 1st Feb.”
(Lloyd’s list February 8 1873 column 20)
FALMOUTH, 8th Feb., 10.17 a.m.
“The following goods have been sold from the wreck of the CLAN ALPINE (s) up to yesterday: 5 tons wool, 1418 hides, 132 sheepskins, 3 tons copper, 1 ton copper for machinery, 4 sails, ship’s bell, and sundry other articles.”
(Lloyd’s list February 10 1873 column 17)
FALMOUTH, [By telegraph]
“A portion of the cargo of the CLAN ALPINE (s) from Antwerp to Liverpool, wrecked at the Lizard, 1st Feb., consisting of 1,638 hides and some refuse, has been sold for £2,107.”
(Lloyd’s list February 20 1873 column 24)
FALMOUTH, 5th Dec
Some materials saved from the CLAN ALPINE (s) which was wrecked at the Lizard, 1st Feb., are advertised to be sold 19th Dec.
(Lloyd’s list December 10 1873 column 21)
The following report from the Royal Cornwall gazette of 8 February 1873 is reproduced in the Shipwreck atlas of the British Isles, vol. 1 by Richard & Bridget Larn (Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, 1995):-
“The ship left Antwerp at 6 a.m. on the 31st with a moderate east wind. All went well until 6 p.m. Saturday, when the wind increased from the SE with frequent showers of hail and snow. At 7.40 p.m. the Eddystone was sighted the weather now very thick. She was proceeding at full speed and had both foregallant straysails and fore topsail set. At 11.30 p.m. with the wind still increasing and incessant showers of snow rendering it impossible for objects to be seen any distance . . . lights were then seen on the starboard bow and at the same time land . . . in 4 or 5 minutes she struck four times and then what with the blows and what with the violence of the waves, she suddenly went to pieces . . . several of the men were in their berths, and so short was the warning that they had only time to scramble on deck just as they were . . . boats were launched . . . some men washed overboard . . . one man actually clambered on shore over the funnel so near was the ship to the shore . . ..”
Shipwreck Research Information
Ships Name : Clan Alpine
Date Lost : 02\02\1873
Ex :
Official number :
Ship Type : Brigantine Rigged, Steamship
Cargo: Silver Ore, Copper bars, wool, Wood, Hides, Flour, Rapeseed, potatoes,.
Cause: Stranded then broke up
Wind :SE Gale
Sea State: Rough
Crew : 30
Crew Lost: 12
Pass:1
Pass Lost :1
T/Lost :13
P of Registry: Sheilds
Flag : United Kingdom
Owner: River Parana S.S. Co
Shipbuilder:
Construction : Iron
Where Built: Glasgow
Year Built: 1862
Propulsion: Sail and steam
Machinery:
Boilers:
Hp:
Gross Tons : 1,538
Net: 965 (tons)
Length :
Breadth :
Ships Draft: ( )
Armament : NA
Voyage From : Antwerp
Voyage To : Liverpool
Location A : Coverack
Location B : Blackhead
Latitude : 50.00.172 N
Longitude : 005.06.093 W ( osgb)
Depth : 5-15m
Captain: Nelson
Diving info:- Wreck is on the rocks below the Blackhead CG station, well broken and buried in sand. Welsh divers found a porthole, brass hand lamp and a silver bowl on the site in 1992. a cannon was also seen maybe from Dispatch! .Andrew Ladbrooke and Paul Hanson found a brass stand in 1994.
Contact
Author: Kevin Heath
Email: info@travel-dive.com
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