Archive |
WRECKTOUR:159 The Thunder
Appeared in DIVER March 2012
We have a double-header for you to enjoy this month – two small vessels sunk within 10 years of each other in the mid-Victorian era off Pembrokeshire. John Liddiard leads the tour, with MAX ELLIS providing the illustrations
First wreck in the Pembrokeshire double is the Thunder, a 610-ton iron coaster that foundered in calm conditions off Broad Haven (south) in 1889.
At just 17m to the seabed, it’s hardly surprising that the wreck has been comprehensively flattened except for the boiler (1), next to which Steve Lewis dropped the shot.
The boiler has rolled out of the starboard side of the wreck and is almost upside-down, with the three furnace openings now uppermost on its forward end.
A steam-valve (2) is just visible beneath it in the scour, polished shiny by the sand’s constant motion.
Aft of the boiler and onto the main line of the wreck, the Thunder’s engine is missing, but for one small iron valve (3).
With the major dockyard of Pembroke nearby and the shallow depth, I suspect that this could have been salvaged soon after the sinking. A shame, because as an inverted compound engine, where the steam acted on the pistons from below, it could have been interesting.
The propeller-shaft (4) leads a short distance aft through the remains of the keel and stern frame to a broken propeller (5), just a hub with the stubs of iron blades remaining. Next to the propeller, the rudder lies flat on the sand.
Now heading forwards, the boiler-mounts (6) are easily recognisable and clear of debris. Forward of the boiler, a single small cylinder is all that remains of an auxiliary engine, perhaps from a pump (7).
Our route now follows the line of the hull through loosely scattered debris from the second hold to the stub of the main mast (8). The remains of the mast-foot and deck-plate are still in place about the base of the mast.
Across the wreck, three ribs stand upright (9) on the port side of what would have been the forward hold.
Now in the area of the forecastle, a pair of upright pipes with flanges (10) would have provided steam to power the anchor-winch (11). Finally, a single Admiralty-pattern anchor lies right at the bow (12).
On a ship of this age and size, a hawse-pipe would not have been fitted, and the anchor simply dropped over the side of the bow. Some small fairleads on the port side would have been used to guide the cable.
Thanks to Steve Lewis and Ron Young.
SPONSORED BY
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| THUNDERSTRUCK THE THUNDER, tanker. BUILT 1853, SUNK 1889 THE 610-TON IRON STEAMSHIP Thunder was launched in 1853. Early steam engines were inefficient, and in 1880 she was fitted with a new 90hp inverted compound engine by CD Holmes & Co of Hull. The vessel was owned by the Thunder Steamship Company, managed by HP Archer of London. Loaded with 620 tons of coal at Briton Ferry (on the River Neath, where the M4 now crosses above Port Talbot), at 8.30pm on 11 September, 1889, the Thunder departed for Belfast, a journey Captain William Morris would have made many times before. It was a calm but hazy night and the Thunder was making 8 knots. At 1.30am on 12 September a fog signal was heard. Captain Morris adjusted the course and retired to his cabin, leaving the mate in charge. As the fog grew denser, the Thunder ’s speed was reduced to less than half. By 4.45 Captain Morris was back on the bridge. Breakers were heard, thought to be the race off St Govans Head, and he altered course again. By 5am breakers were spotted immediately ahead beneath the cliffs. The engine was reversed, but the Thunder struck. By 5.30am the rising tide had lifted the ship free, and Captain Morris made for Tenby. The pumps could not keep pace with incoming water, the boiler fires were extinguished and the crew took to the boats, watching the Thunder sink at 7am, some 500m offshore with the mast still showing. It was speculated that divers might save the vessel before bad weather set in. The court of enquiry suspended Captain Morris’s licence for 12 months, questioning his knowledge of compass navigation and magnetic deviation caused by the iron ship, and stating that his navigation had made no allowance for the tide. |
Get published and win a free Diver digital sub! Click here to participate.
Win a Luxfer pony cylinder
Don't forget to cast your vote in DIVER Magazine's latest Big Question for the chance to win a Luxfer emergency pony cylinder worth £106. This month we are asking: Do you hoard old dive gear? Answer yes or no, and feel free to comment.
Related Articles
Propeller shaft – the engine has been salvaged cleanly
Base of the mast
Anchor at the bow
Click on any thumbnail photo to enlarge it and use the slideshow
