Earl Of Abergavenny Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category distributed remains of wreck
Status historic
Earl of abergavenny Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 36.143 N,2 24.554 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.602383
  • Longitude: -2.409233
Water Depth 17 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name EARL OF ABERGAVENNY
Type sailing vessel
Flag GB
Length 49.5 m
Width 12.5 m
Tonnage 1182
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo general and mixed goods,non-ferrous elements and ores: unrefined and refined,metal: concentrate and products
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Feb 6, 1805
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1929
Last Detection Year 2024
Original Source other
Surveying Details H5798/29 1.11.29 WK IN APPROX 503600N, 022430W USING CROSS BEARINGS: INNER EDGE OF THE PORTLAND B'WTR FORT IN LINE WITH W SIDE INNER OPENING IN PORTLAND BREAKWATER [SOUTH SHIP CHANNEL], WHITEHEADS CHY WITH THE FORT ON THE END OF THE N ARM OF B'WTR ON N SIDE OF THE N SHIP CHANNEL. (LT COL W R THOMPSON RA, DTD 20.10.29). NCA. H3971/52 30.6.52 NDW PA IN 503600N, 022430W. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). NE F6840. 16.2.1805 [NO DATE] THOUGHT TO BE WK OF HMS EARL OF ABERGAVENNY WHICH FOUNDERED 2M OFF PORTLAND BILL ON 16.2.1805. (A J HARPER, READING BSAC). H1286/86/304 19.5.87 CARGO WAS SALVAGED BY BY ENOCH TONKIN IN 1806 USING HIS DIVING APPARATUS [ILLUSTRATION SUPPLIED]. (P BENNETT, DTD 8.5.87). H1270/86 22.7.87 IN 503608N, 022428W USING DECCA. (M SKELSEY). CHART AS F. NE 2268. H2928/83 24.2.88 EXAM'D 4.10.86 IN 503606.5N, 022428.5W [OGB] USING TRISPONDER [3 LOP]. LEAST E/S DEPTH 16.3 IN GEN DEPTH 17.1MTRS. NO SCOUR. CHELMSFORD ARCHAEOLOGICAL GROUP DIVERS REPORT THAT 140FT OF KEEL HAS BEEN UNCOVERED AND HIGHEST POINT IS NO MORE THAN 1FT ABOVE SEABED. DIVE SITE IS MARKED BY RED FLOATS IN SUMMER DURING DIVING SEASON. NO NAVIGATIONAL HAZARD. (HMSML GLEANER, HI 207). INS AS WK 16.3MTRS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. 5.11.05 EUT POSN: 5036.143N, 0224.554W. NE 2268. HH091/217/01 - SEP 2009/000158351 2.11.09 NOT LOCATED BY M/B. ONLY A DISTINCTIVE HOLLOW IN THE SEABED LOCATED SOME 40MTRS E OF CHARTED POSN. DEPRESSION HAS LENGTH 41MTRS, WIDTH 15MTRS, DEPTH 0.5MTR. (HMSML GLEANER, HI 1217). POSSIBLY REMAINS EXIST. AMEND FOUL IN CHARTED POSN. BR STD. RSDRA2024000214709 30.07.24 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIVING UNIT ASSESSED THE SITE FOR PROTECTION UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WRECKS ACT 1973 IN 1996 AND DETERMINED THE SITE WAS NOT UNDER THREAT. IN NOVEMBER 2021, PORTLAND MUSEUM LAUNCHED A PROJECT WHICH PROVIDED SUFFICIENT NEW EVIDENCE TO REASSESS THE SITE UNDER THE 1979 ACT. HISTORIC ENGLAND HAS NOT CONDUCTED A SITE VISIT.THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL REMAINS LYING ON THE SEABED, COMPRISING VESSEL PLANKING, FRAMES AND SHIPS FITTINGS, MEASURING APPROX 50M X 10M, LYING NE TO SW, 16M DEPTH WITH THE BOW POINTING NE. INCLUDES A CHAIN PUMP AND A NUMBER OF IRON KNEES. THE SURVIVING STRUCTURE IS MAINLY THE PORT SIDE OF THE VESSEL, WITH THE KEEL CANTED OVER TO PORT BY ABOUT 10 DEGREES. THE SITE IS HEAVILY SILTED AND NOT ALL OF THE REMAINING STRUCTURE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED. RSDRA2024000214709 30.07.24 EARL OF ABERGAVENNY LOCATED IN 5036.134N, 0224.554W [WGD] HAS BEEN AWARDED SCHEDULED MONUMENT STATUS UNDER THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREAS ACT 1979 (E-MAIL RUSSELL MAN DTD 18.07.24, LISTING OFFICER, HISTORIC ENGLAND; LIST ENTRY NUMBER 1487263). AMEND OBSTRN TO WRECKS (DIST REMAINS OF WRECK), ADD
Last Amended Date Jan 1, 2050

Circumstances of loss

BUILT 1789 BY PITCHER, GRAVESEND. AN EAST INDIAMAN. PASSAGE PORTSMOUTH FOR EAST INDIES WIHT FOUR OTHER VESSELS ESCORTED BY HMS WEYMOUTH. STRUCK THE SHAMBLES OF PORTLAND BILL AND STRANDED WHILE SEEKING SHELTER IN PORTLAND ROADS DURING BAD WEATHER. LATER BROKE UP AND SANK. ALL CARGO RECOVERED. CREW OF 160, 222 PASSENGERS, 234 LOST THEIR LIVES. (SYDNEY EVENING NEWS SUPPLEMENT, SIBI).

General Comments

HISTORIC

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 36.143 N,2 24.554 W
Earl Of Abergavenny on Wreck Map Earl Of Abergavenny Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY wreck located?

The EARL OF ABERGAVENNY wreck is located at coordinates 50 36.143 N,2 24.554 W.

How deep is the seabed around the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY?

The seabed around the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY lies at approximately 17 meters deep.

When did the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY sink?

The EARL OF ABERGAVENNY sank on Feb 6, 1805.

When was the wreck of the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY discovered?

The wreck of the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY was discovered in 1929.

What country did the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY belong to?

The EARL OF ABERGAVENNY belonged to GB.

What cargo was the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY carrying?

The EARL OF ABERGAVENNY was carrying general and mixed goods,non-ferrous elements and ores: unrefined and refined,metal: concentrate and products.

What was the tonnage of the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY?

The EARL OF ABERGAVENNY had a tonnage of 1182 tons.

What type of wreck is the EARL OF ABERGAVENNY?

The EARL OF ABERGAVENNY is classified as a sailing vessel.

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