Bell Hill Wreck

Field Value
Bell hill Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		53 37.660 N,6 11.160 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 53.627670
  • Longitude: -6.186000
Name BELL HILL
Type barque
Date Sunk Feb 26, 1875
Original Source Bourke 1994, 12; Brady 2008, 143; Condrot et al. 1984, 52; de Courcy Ireland 1983, 93; Saunders Newsletters, 26th February 1875, London Times; Lloyd's List 18, 986, Sat. Feb. 27th 1875; Lloyd's List 18, 987, Mon. Mar. 1st 1875; Lloyd's List 18, 988, Tues. Mar. 2nd 1875; Lloyd's List 18, 990, Thurs. Mar. 4th 1875; Lloyd's List 18, 996, Thurs. Mar. 11th 1875; Lloyd's List 18, 996, Thurs. Mar. 11th 1875; Lloyd's List 19, 003, Fri. Mar. 19th 1875; Lloyd's List 19, 004, Sat. Mar. 20th 1875; Lloyd's List 19, 007, Weds. Mar. 24th 1875; Lloyd's List 19, 040, Mon. May 3rd 1875; Lloyd's List 19, 045, Sat. May 8th 1875; Lloyd's List 19, 051, Sat. May 15th 1875; Lloyd's List 19, 060, Weds. May 26th 1875; Lloyd's List 19, 071, Tues. June 8th 1875; Lloyd's List 19, 141, Sat. Aug. 28th 1875; PP 1875, LXX, 421; Times (London) 28, 250, 27th February 1875.
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 53 37.660 N,6 11.160 W
Bell Hill on Wreck Map Bell Hill Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W00543, Place of Loss: Meath, Bremore, Newhaven Point, 300 yards from shore., Source of Coordinate: National Monuments Service, Description: 500-ton iron barque of Liverpool. Built in Seacombe in 1866, official no. 29,998. Classed A1 by Lloyd’s. Owned by John Banks Walmley of Liverpool, master was Edward Edgar. En route from Liverpool to Valparaiso, sixteen crew, general cargo. Encountered strong ESE gale, foggy conditions. Fog cleared, Balbriggan lighthouse seen c. 4 miles off starboard bow. Vessel began to drift ashore. Port, starboard anchors dropped to prevent drifting, but dragged. Struck ground 800 yards from shore. Drifted onto rocks off New Haven Point, c. 300 yards from high-water mark. Rockets fired by coastguard in an attempt to rescue crew. Crew appeared ignorant of the workings of the apparatus, made no effort to save themselves. Masts fell overboard, vessel began to break up rapidly. Crew thrown into the water, three were rescued. Two died soon after from exposure. Court inquiry was unable to arrive at any conclusion as to why the Belle Hill became wrecked. Cargo salvaged from wreck, including bar iron, gas pipes, pipes, kegs of paint, bales of bedsteads, 11 tonnes of iron. Wreck sold for £293 at auction. Locals salvaged some cargo. Seven bodies recovered and buried at old Balrothery cemetery, although local tradition states that some of the Belle Hill victims were buried in the cairn on the shore edge at Newhaven. Framing timbers of the vessel remained visible in the sand until the 1950s.

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FAQ

Where is the BELL HILL wreck located?

The BELL HILL wreck is located at coordinates 53 37.660 N,6 11.160 W.

When did the BELL HILL sink?

The BELL HILL sank on Feb 26, 1875.

What type of wreck is the BELL HILL?

The BELL HILL is classified as a barque.

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