La Surveillante Wreck

Field Value
La surveillante Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 42.230 N,9 32.467 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.703830
  • Longitude: -9.541120
Name LA SURVEILLANTE
Type frigate
Date Sunk Jan 2, 1797
Original Source Bartlett, T., 1997, 72; Brady et. al. 2012 28-9; Breen C. 2001; Bourke 1994, 145-46; Freeman's Journal Thursday 12th January 1797 Vol. XXXV1 No 25; Hildred, A., 1990; O'Mahony & Cadogan 1988, 23-24; Lloyd's List No. 15, 256, Thursday 15th July 1886; Quinn et. Al. 2002; UKHO Wreck Data 1996.
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 42.230 N,9 32.467 W
La Surveillante on Wreck Map La Surveillante Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W08507, Place of Loss: Bantry Bay, 1.2 miles NW of Whiddy Island, Co. Cork, Source of Coordinate: GSI Wreck Data (Wreck No_258), Description: UKHO Wreck No. 011400560. La Surveillante was a 620-ton French frigate built in Lorient in 1778. It measured 43m in length and carried 32 guns. The vessel had three masts and was copper sheathed to protect the hull from damage by marine organisms. The vessel was involved in a number of successful naval engagements with British warships during the American War of Independence (1775–82). However, La Surveillante is probably best known for its defeat of the English frigateQuebec in 1779, off the coast of Ushant. In 1796 La Surveillante took part in the unsuccessful attempt by France to invade Ireland. The enterprise seemed doomed from the outset, with bad weather and poor leadership resulting in the 48-strong French invasion fleet being scattered and dispersed. Although most of the storm-battered fleet arrived off Bantry, Co. Cork, on 19 December, continued bad weather, poor decision-making by the captains and further loss of ships forced the fleet to return to France without ever setting foot on Irish soil. La Surveillante was considered unseaworthy for the return journey and was scuttled by its crew in Bantry Bay. Its crew and all 600 cavalry and troops on board were transferred safely to other French ships in the fleet. Of the 48 ships that left Brest on 16 December 1796, only 36 returned to France: the rest were either captured by the English Navy or wrecked The wreck of La Surveillante was discovered in 1981 during seabed clearance operations following the Betelgeuse oil tanker disaster. Two years earlier, in 1979, the Betelgeuse had caught fire and blew up at the Whiddy oil terminal, with the loss of 60 lives. Prior to this, one of La Surveillante’s anchors had been trawled up by fishermen and put on display in Bantry, but the presence of the wreck itself had remained unknown, until the events in 1979–81. In 1987 two 12-pound cannons were raised from the wreck, and in 1997 the UAU lifted the ship’s bell. The bell is currently on display in the Bantry Armada Centre, at Bantry House. The wreck of La Surveillante measures 42m in length, 10m in width and 4.3m in maximum height and is orientated NE–SW, with her bow to the NE. Copper sheathing is visible along the length of the wreck. The galley area, cannon, cannon balls and an anchor are also visible on the wreck

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FAQ

Where is the LA SURVEILLANTE wreck located?

The LA SURVEILLANTE wreck is located at coordinates 51 42.230 N,9 32.467 W.

When did the LA SURVEILLANTE sink?

The LA SURVEILLANTE sank on Jan 2, 1797.

What type of wreck is the LA SURVEILLANTE?

The LA SURVEILLANTE is classified as a frigate.

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