Queen Victoria (Ss) Wreck

Field Value
Queen victoria (ss) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		53 21.604 N,6 3.062 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 53.360060
  • Longitude: -6.051030
Name QUEEN VICTORIA (SS)
Type steam ship
Date Sunk Feb 15, 1853
Original Source Bourke 1994, 20; Brady 2008, 202; 211-13; Brady et al. 2012, 31; de Courcy Ireland 1983, 55-57; Freeman's Journal 16th February 1853; Freeman's Journal 17th February 1853; Freeman's Journal 18th February 1853; Freeman's Journal 21st February 1853; Freeman's Journal 22nd February 1853; Freeman's Journal 21st December 1853; GSI Wreck Data; Hocking 1989, 573; Larn & Larn 2002; Lloyd's List 12, 137, Weds. Feb. 16th 1853; Lloyd's List 12, 144, Thurs. Feb. 24th 1853; Lloyd's List 12, 213, Tues. May 17th 1853; PP 1854 XLII (337); PP 1861 LVIII, 36.
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 53 21.604 N,6 3.062 W
Queen Victoria (Ss) on Wreck Map Queen Victoria (Ss) Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W00910, Place of Loss: Dublin, Howth Head, off, 230m S of the Bailey light, Source of Coordinate: GSI_144a; UKHO, Description: UKHO wreck no. 009000239. One of the more significant ships lost in Dublin Bay, the Queen Victoria was a 337-ton, 150-foot-long paddle steamer built in Liverpool in 1837. It was owned by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company and was capable of 11 knots with 250 horse-power, diagonal compound engines. Under the command of Captain Church, the Queen Victoria departed Liverpool in fine weather on Monday, 14 February 1853, en route to Dublin with a general cargo, a voyage it had made numerous times without incident. On board the vessel were 24 crewmen, 12 cabin passengers, 75 deck passengers and one stewardess, totalling 112 persons. On approach to Dublin Bay the vessel encountered a snowstorm, which obscured the lights of both the Baily and Kish lighthouses. In spite of the poor visibility, the steamer failed to reduce its speed. It ran aground on the cliffs below the Baily Lighthouse, on Howth Head. At that point, about eight people were able to scramble ashore safely. The steamer then reversed away from the cliffs in an attempt to run the vessel ashore. This manoeuvre proved fatal, and the Queen Victoria began to sink rapidly. Confusion and panic ensued, as most of those aboard had been asleep below deck. Although there were four lifeboats on board, only the port lifeboat managed to launch successfully in the challenging conditions the crew were facing. The Queen Victoria sank slowly into the dark, cold waters, drowning most of those who remained aboard. The single lifeboat made it safely to shore with 17 rescued people, then returned to try to find any remaining survivors. By that stage, only the mastheads and funnel were visible above water, with survivors clinging desperately to the masts. The lifeboat managed to rescue five of these tenacious individuals, while the steamer Roscommon rescued the others. A further eight brave passengers were able to make it ashore by swimming. The Roscommon saved about 40 passengers in total. There are differing accounts as to how many on board were lost, suggesting that between 50 and 83 may have drowned, including Captain Church. The wreck was rediscovered by Marlin Sub Aqua Club in 1983 and has been surveyed by a number of Dublin dive clubs since then. It now lies in around 18m of water in an area of strong tides, 230m S of the Baily Lighthouse, and is orientated NW–SE on the seafloor. It measures 17.5m in length, 7.5m in width, with a maximum height of 3.4m. The remains of the vessel are largely broken up, with debris and remains of the paddle wheels and boiler clearly visible on the seabed. A number of artefacts have been recovered from the wreck site, and the ship’s figurehead is presently housed in the Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. The Queen Victoria is one of less than a handful of paddle steamers that are diveable around the Irish coast. GSI ref. code 144a.

More Steam Ship Wrecks:

Nearby Wrecks:

FAQ

Where is the QUEEN VICTORIA (SS) wreck located?

The QUEEN VICTORIA (SS) wreck is located at coordinates 53 21.604 N,6 3.062 W.

When did the QUEEN VICTORIA (SS) sink?

The QUEEN VICTORIA (SS) sank on Feb 15, 1853.

What type of wreck is the QUEEN VICTORIA (SS)?

The QUEEN VICTORIA (SS) is classified as a steam ship.

Back to Wrecks