Maritime record MWX2278 - Aeolus 1883

Originally built and registered in Cork in 1852, with a gross tonnage of 74 and crew of 4 (3), she was re-registered at Padstow by William Ships who became her master, and John Hawke (4). Owners number: 11673.

The Aeolus wrecked whilst carrying bagged cement from London to Tralee on 24 September 1883 (3) (4) and abandoned at sea off Old Harry Rocks (4). The wind was west-south-west force 9, so she was probably seeking shelter in Studland Bay when overwhelmed by steep seas. Her crew of 4 were all saved.(4)

Damaged by a heavy WSW 9 gale off Bournemouth, when several leaks were started. She became unmanageable and had to be abandoned to sink. The Court of Inquiry found that she had been in good condition when she left London, and that her loss was due solely to being heavily strained, and that abandonment was justifiable.' (1)(3).

Tonnage Gross

Parliamentary papers Vol 70 1884-5, Board of Trade Casualty Returns, Appendix Parts I-IV, p134-5 (Monograph). SWX4633.

<1> Larn, Richard, 1992, United Kingdom shipwreck index, Extracted 23 November 1992 (Index). SWX5030.

<3> Larn, R, and Larn, B, 1995, Shipwreck index of the British Isles, volume 1 : Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset Section 6, Dorset (AJ) Vol 1 (Monograph). SWX4541.

<4> Bartlett J, 1996, Ships of North Cornwall, p169 (Monograph). SWX6963.

<5> Le Pard, G, 1995-2003, Dorset Coast Forum Maritime Archaeological Database, 784 (Digital archive). SWX8707.

<6> Cumming, E, The Dorset shipwreck and maritime incident directory, 5 (Monograph). SDO16406.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1143864 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2023 3:30PM