Maritime record MWX4899 - Bulow

The German Liner Bulow was stranded on Blacknor Point, Portland, in dense fog in 1914. (1)

The Bulow was a German liner on her way from Yokohama to Southampton when she ran aground near Blacknor point on the 18th June 1914. Although the weather was calm there was clearly concern for the safety of the passengers, all of them, nearly 300 were taken off to complete their journey by train. Tugs successfully got the Bulow off a few days later with no damage, so she too could continue to Southampton.(2)

The building date for this vessel is an estimate based on an average age at wrecking of twenty years. This average is derived from those vessels wrecked on the Dorset coast whose age at wrecking is known.

Salvaged

Boddy, M, 1975b, Dorset Shipwrecks part 2 (Article in serial). SWX7302.

<1> Le Pard, G, 1995-2003, Dorset Coast Forum Maritime Archaeological Database (Digital archive). SWX8707.

<2> Le Pard, G F, 2005, Shipwrecks of the Dorset Coast (Monograph). SDO9637.

<3> Cumming, E, The Dorset shipwreck and maritime incident directory, 18 (Monograph). SDO16406.

German Liner – Dorset County Chronicle: 25/6/1914: Towed off rocks. Photograph Burnett p:31.
Times: Friday, June 19, 1914, issue 40554 – “Bulow, German vessel, is ashore in fog stranded near Portland. Tugs removed the passengers to Weymouth. The North German Lloyd Steamer went ashore near Blacknor Point to the west of Portland Bill. The vessel had been beating about the Bay in the fog for some hours, and apparently lost her bearings. In response to wireless messages for help, five tugs from Portland and Weymouth went to her assistance. The Bulow was wedged firmly in the rocks, and her fore compartments were believed to be making water. The tugs stood by for some time, and an attempt was made to get Bulow’s end to the shore but without success. The passengers were transferred quickly and without excitement to one of the Weymouth Steamers, which took them to that port. The passengers left Weymouth by special trains last night for Southampton, London and elsewhere. The Bulow is stated to be only slightly damaged, and the tugs will make an effort to get her off at high water early this morning. Lloyd’s report that the salvage Steamer Em. Z. Svitzer proceeded from Dartmouth to the assistance of the Bulow, and that the Government tugs were in attendance. The vessel was understood to be in a favourable position, provided that the weather remains fine.”

Record last edited

Jan 6 2020 11:24AM