User:Worm That Turned/List of wrecks on Doom Bar

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The Doom Bar is a sand bank in the estuary of the River Camel where it meets the Celtic Sea on Cornwall's north coast. There have been many shipwrecks there through the centuries.


History[edit]

The Doom Bar is a river sand bar, comprising sediment from the River Camel and sand from the Celtic Sea. At high tide, the waves from the sea deposit sand as they lose energy when forced against the flow of the river. The varying directions of the sediment-filled water create a process of forced diffusion,[1] scattering the sedimentary deposits at the river mouth. In addition, the sediment held by the river whilst it is flowing along the channel is deposited on the bar as the river widens and loses energy.[2]

It is unclear exactly when the Doom Bar formed, but the nearby port of Padstow was prosperous in Saxon times.[3] Although its fortunes had waned by the time of Edward III, it was still able to send "two high-sterned turreted vessels"[3][4] to the Siege of Calais in 1346. The Doom Bar began to form much later, during the reign of Henry VIII (1491–1547).[4]

The name "Doom Bar" is a corruption of the Gaelic word dunbar[5] or dune-bar[6] a combination of two words "dun" and "bar". Both can mean hill or summit,[7] and are associated with sand. Although the name "Dunbar sands" was common prior to 1900, "Doom Bar" was used in poetry and House of Commons papers as far back as 1860.[8][9]

List of shipwrecks[edit]

The dangerous Doom Bar at low tide
The Doom Bar at low tide, with the river channel on the far side

For centuries, the Doom Bar was regarded as a significant danger to ships—to be approached with caution to avoid running aground. It has accounted for over 600 beachings, wrecks and capsizings since records began early in the 19th century,[10] with about 300 being wrecks.[11] When sails were the main source of power, ships would come round Stepper Point and would then lose the wind, leaving them to drift onto the Doom Bar. Sometimes, gusts of wind known colloquially as "flaws"[7] blew over the top of Stepper Point and pushed the hapless vessels in the direction of the sand bank.[12] They could not even drop anchor, as it would gain no purchase on the sand.[13] According to one report, the Doom Bar was regarded as so dangerous that vessels would risk being wrecked on the coast in a storm, rather than negotiate the entrance to Padstow.[14]

In 1761, there were recommended methods for entering the Camel estuary during rough weather. The London Chronicle published a letter explaining the difficulty of reaching the harbour whilst north-northwest winds were blowing.[15] Safety features were installed, such as three capstans at Stepper Point, and bollards along the cliffs, which could warp the boats safely into the estuary and past the Doom Bar.[16] A number of mooring rings were also attached to the cliff, to be used instead of an anchor.[17]

When larger boats wanted to enter Padstow they were offered help, generally by pilots who would wait at Stepper Point when a ship signalled it would be entering. If a boat was foundering, salvors would step in and help. There were cases where salvors attempted to overstate the danger in court, so as to extort more money from the owners. An example was the Towan, which was not in significant danger and did not need assistance, but salvors interfered and then attempted to claim a large amount from the owner.[18]

In 1827, the Life-boat Institution helped fund a permanent lifeboat at Padstow, a 23 feet (7.0 m) rowboat with four oars. The lifeboat house at Hawker's Cover was erected two years later by the Padstow Harbour Association for the Preservation of Life and Property from Shipwreck. Reverend Charles Prideaux-Brune of Prideaux Place was set up as the patron.[19] In 1879, four of his grand-daughters along with their friend, were rowing on the Doom Bar and saw a craft go down. They rowed out to save the drowning sailor. As it was so unusual for women to rescue men in these circumstances, all five girls received a RNLI Silver Medal for their bravery.[20]

Despite the safer channel and improvements in maritime technology, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution still have to deal with incidents at the Doom Bar. The most recent deaths were in February 1997, when two fishermen who were not wearing lifejackets drowned after their boat capsized.[21] Two anglers were killed in a similar incident in 1994.[22] On 25 June 2007, the Padstow lifeboat and a rescue helicopter rescued the crews of two yachts in separate incidents from the area of the Doom Bar.[23]

Name Date Notes
HMS Whiting 15 September 1816 The only warship reported wrecked on the Doom Bar was HMS Whiting. She was a 12-gun schooner, originally the USS Arrow until she was captured by the Royal Navy on 8 May 1812 and renamed.[24] On 15 September 1816, she ran aground on the Doom Bar as the tide was ebbing, and the wind not blowing in a direction that could help. According to court martial transcripts, an attempt to move her was made at the next high tide, but she was taking on water and it became impossible to save her.[25]
Whiting was abandoned over the next few days, with the crew salvaging whatever they could. The officer in charge, Lieutenant John Jackson, lost one year's seniority for negligence, and three crewmen were given 50 lashes for desertion. She was eventually sold, and despite correspondence requesting her move eleven years later, the Navy took no further interest in her.[26] In May 2010, ProMare and the Nautical Archaeology Society, with the help of Padstow Primary School, mounted a search to find the ship.[27][28]
Antoinette 1 January 1895 The largest ship wrecked on the Doom Bar is believed to be the 1874 barque, Antoinette.[29] On New Year's Day 1895, the Antoinette set off from Newport laden with coal, destined for Brazil. She foundered near Lundy Island, losing parts of her masts.[30] She was towed towards a safe port, but broke free and drifted. Eventually, she broke up, with a large portion of her wreck lodging on the Doom Bar. The wreckage was causing a hazard to shipping, so a miner named Pope was called in. He filled the wreck with gelignite, and detonated it after clearing the area. The resulting explosion was so violent that reports claim every window in Padstow was blown in, and the smoke could be seen three miles away.[30]
Although the Antoinette was the largest wreck on the Doom Bar, all fourteen crew and three stranded pilots were rescued.[29] Over 100 years later, a wreck surfaced on the Doom Bar. It was initially uncertain which ship had appeared, owing to the sheer number of ships that have been wrecked there, but the harbour master believed that the wreck was the remains of the Antoinette.[29] The Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Unit attempted to demolish the wreck in 2010, but failed to do so. It was then marked with a buoy, and in March 2011 work started to demolish the remainder of it using saws.[31]
Angele 12 November 1911 On 12 November 1911, two ships were wrecked on the Doom Bar. The first was a schooner named Island Maid which had hit the Doom Bar and was in distress, heading towards the harbour. The lifeboat team mounted a rescue and all five crew were brought safely to the shore.[32] The Island Maid sank near the Doom Bar, where it still rests, and is visited by diving expeditions.[33]
The Angele, a brigantine, ran aground soon after, but as the tide had turned and the evening was drawing in, the lifeboat crew refused to mount a rescue.[34] The lifeboat coxswain had to raise a new crew from nearby villages, as well as some crew from a passing steam liner from Milford Haven in Wales.[35] On reaching the Angele, only one survivor was found, the ship's captain.[32][36] For their rescue of the captain, three members of the lifeboat crew, Mr J. Horst, Mr F. Reynolds and Mr. W. Cook, were awarded the thanks of the National Lifeboat Institution on 28 February 1912.[35] The coxswain did not criticise the crew who refused to go out, explaining that he would rather they lost heart on the shore than near the stricken ship. The coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Drowning", attributing no fault to the lifeboat crew.[34]
Island Maid 12 November 1911 On 12 November 1911, two ships were wrecked on the Doom Bar. The first was a schooner named Island Maid which had hit the Doom Bar and was in distress, heading towards the harbour. The lifeboat team mounted a rescue and all five crew were brought safely to the shore.[32] The Island Maid sank near the Doom Bar, where it still rests, and is visited by diving expeditions.[37]
The Angele, a brigantine, ran aground soon after, but as the tide had turned and the evening was drawing in, the lifeboat crew refused to mount a rescue.[34] The lifeboat coxswain had to raise a new crew from nearby villages, as well as some crew from a passing steam liner from Milford Haven in Wales.[35] On reaching the Angele, only one survivor was found, the ship's captain.[32][38] For their rescue of the captain, three members of the lifeboat crew, Mr J. Horst, Mr F. Reynolds and Mr. W. Cook, were awarded the thanks of the National Lifeboat Institution on 28 February 1912.[35] The coxswain did not criticise the crew who refused to go out, explaining that he would rather they lost heart on the shore than near the stricken ship. The coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Drowning", attributing no fault to the lifeboat crew.[34]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Yu, Jie; Mei, Chiang C. (August 2000). "Formation of sand bars under surface waves". Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 416 (1): 315–348. doi:10.1017/S0022112000001063.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. ^ Hancock, M.J.; Mei, Chiang C. (2008). "Sandbar formation under surface waves: Theory and experiments" (PDF). Journal of Geophysical Research. C07022. 113 (C7): 23. Bibcode:2008JGRC..113.7022H. doi:10.1029/2007JC004374. Retrieved 29 November 2010. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b Stone, John Harris. England's Riviera: a topographical and archaeological description of Land's End, Cornwall and adjacent spots of beauty and interest. K Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. p. 339.
  4. ^ a b Dickens, Charles (10 April 1869). "As the crow flies: Bodmin to Padstow". All the Year Round. 1: 453. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  5. ^ ,Paris, Thomas Clifton (1863). A handbook for travellers in Devon and Cornwall. J. Murray. p. 215.
  6. ^ Millward, Roy (1983). The Shell book of the British coast. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 250. ISBN 0-7153-8150-4. {{cite book}}: |first2= missing |last2= (help); Missing pipe in: |first2= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b Polwhele, Richard (1836). A Cornish-English vocabulary: a vocabulary of local names, chiefly Saxon, and a provincial glossary. Polybank. pp. 12, 30, 77.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference victorian anthology was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Committee Report was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ French, Brian (2007). "Wrecks & Rescues Around Padstow's Doom Bar". Lodenek Press. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. ^ Carter, Clive (1970). Cornish shipwrecks, Volume 2, The North Coast. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 136. ISBN 0-7153-4796-9.
  12. ^ The new seaman's guide and coaster's companion, improved from the original work of J. Chandler. Oxford University. 1809. pp. 52–53.
  13. ^ "Time Team – Sailing the Doom Bar". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference Harbour Report was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Griffin, John (16–19 May 1761). "Directions for entering the Port of Padstow in a letter to Capt. Durand, in Dublin". London Chronicle. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  16. ^ Rainsley, Mark (2008). South west sea kayaking. Pesda. p. 200. ISBN 978-1-906095-05-5.
  17. ^ Hitchens, Fortescue; Drew, Samuel (1824). The history of Cornwall: from the earlist records and traditions, to the present time, Volume 1. William Penula. p. 528.
  18. ^ English Admiralty Reports: 1843–1850. Little, Brown. 1853. pp. 259–270.
  19. ^ Noall, Cyrill (1964). Wreck and Rescue round the Cornish Coast - Volume 1: The Story of the North Coast Lifeboats. D. Bradford Barton Ltd. pp. 38–89. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Larn, Richard (2006). Wreck & Rescue round the Cornish Coast. Tor Mark. pp. 33–36. ISBN 9780850254068. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Lakeman, Geoffry (10 February 1997). "2 anglers drown after ignoring sea warning". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  22. ^ Walsh, John (28 December 2006). "Small pond, big fish". The Independent. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  23. ^ "Awards for Lifeboat Rescuers". This Is Cornwall. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  24. ^ "Arrow to Whiting". The Search for HMS Whiting. Nautical Archaeology Society. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  25. ^ Court Martial papers regarding HMS Whiting (Report). The National Archive. 1816. archive reference ADM 1/5455.
  26. ^ Petition to remove HMS Whiting (Report). The National Archive. 1827. archive reference ADM 1/4985.
  27. ^ "The search for HMS Whiting is due to begin". Cornish Guardian. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  28. ^ "The Search for HMS Whiting". ProMare. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  29. ^ a b c "Mysterious shipwreck appears in Padstow". BBC News. 18 February 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  30. ^ a b Omorse (15 February 2010). "Mystery wreck hands harbour a big headache". This Is Cornwall. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  31. ^ Johns, Charles; Camidge, Kevin (14 March 2011). Wreck of the Barque Antionnette, Camel Estuary, Padstow, Cornwall: Undesignated Site Assessment and Emergency Recording (PDF) (Report). Cornwall Council: Historic Environments Projects. Report ID – 2010R101. Retrieved 27 April 2012. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ a b c d "Gallant Lifeboat Rescue". Poverty Bay Herald. 28 December 1911. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  33. ^ "Shipwrecks around the Cornish Coast". Cornwall in focus. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  34. ^ a b c d "Lifeboatmen who refused". Grey River Argus. 10 January 1912. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  35. ^ a b c d "Presentation to Brave Milford Fishermen". Haverfordwest & Milford Haven Telegraph. 28 February 1912.
  36. ^ "BBC special report on Padstow Lifeboat". Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  37. ^ "Shipwrecks around the Cornish Coast". Cornwall in focus. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  38. ^ "BBC special report on Padstow Lifeboat". Retrieved 2010-11-22.
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