Vesper (Ss) Wreck

Field Value
Vesper (ss) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		53 16.094 N,5 55.771 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 53.268240
  • Longitude: -5.929510
Name VESPER (SS)
Type steam ship
Date Sunk Jan 13, 1876
Original Source Bourke 1994, 33; Brady 2008, 306; Brady et al 2012, 36; Browne & Stokes 2009, 11-12; INFOMAR Wreck Data; Lloyd's List 19, 259, Fri. Jan. 14th 1876; Lloyd's List 19, 260, Sat. Jan. 15th 1876; Lloyd's List 19, 261, Mon. Jan. 17th 1876; Lloyd's List 19, 262, Tues. Jan. 18th 1876; PP 1876, LXVII, 45, 219, 395-6; The Irish Times, 14 January 1876; UKHO Wreck Data 1996; www.irishwrecks.com.
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 53 16.094 N,5 55.771 W
Vesper (Ss) on Wreck Map Vesper (Ss) Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W01594, Place of Loss: Dublin, Kish Bank, 53 16 5.66N, 5 55 46.24W, Source of Coordinate: INFOMAR Wreck Data (GSI_284); Roy Stokes, Description: The Vesper was a 478-ton (gross tonnage) iron merchant steamer of Hartlepool, built in Dundee by Barclay Curle & Company, with a nominal horse-power of 60. Benjamin R. Huntley of Hartlepool was one of the vessel’s owners. The ship’s master was Jacob Tolsen and under his command the Vesper left Glasgow on 11 January 1876, en route to Dunkirk in France, carrying 600 tonnes of coal and sugar. All was going well until the early hours of the morning of 13 January, when the vessel struck the Kish Bank and became stranded. Signals of distress fired by the stricken vessel were not responded to and after a number of unsuccessful attempts to get the steamer off the sandbank, the vessel began to break in two. After three failed attempts to launch the lifeboats, the ship’s captain and crew of 16 eventually managed to launch a lifeboat and landed safely at Killiney, Co. Dublin. The captain blamed the sinking on a defective compass. A subsequent inquiry held that Master Tolsen had failed to take the necessary precautions when approaching waters well known to be dangerous. Both Tolsen and his chief officer were severely reprimanded for altering the logbook in an effort to mislead the inquiry as to the ship’s correct position in relation to land. Master Tolsen was required to pay £5 towards the cost of the inquiry. The wreck of the Vesper lies in a general sea depth of 8m and measures 54m in length, 9m in width and 2.27m in maximum height. The vessel lies on a sandy seabed, orientated N–S, with its stern to the N. The southern end of the wreck is mostly buried, but the outlines of the stern and of the boiler area are visible. The bow and focs’le area are the most prominent parts of the wreck and stand largely intact and proud of the seabed, with anchors and winches visible. UKHO wreck no. 009101809 GSI_284 ----------------------

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FAQ

Where is the VESPER (SS) wreck located?

The VESPER (SS) wreck is located at coordinates 53 16.094 N,5 55.771 W.

When did the VESPER (SS) sink?

The VESPER (SS) sank on Jan 13, 1876.

What type of wreck is the VESPER (SS)?

The VESPER (SS) is classified as a steam ship.

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