The Isles of Scilly have a long history of shipwrecks due to the treacherous rocks and reefs that surround the islands. Here are some of the most famous shipwrecks that have occurred on or near the Isles of Scilly:
The Association (1707) – This Royal Navy ship was carrying over 800 sailors and soldiers when it struck the notorious Gilstone Ledge off the coast of Annet, one of the uninhabited islets of the Isles of Scilly. The shipwreck resulted in the loss of over 800 lives, including the entire crew.
The Cita (1997) – This Spanish cargo ship was carrying a load of bananas and coffee when it ran aground on the rocks near St. Mary’s, the largest of the Isles of Scilly. The crew were rescued, but the ship broke apart and spilled its cargo into the sea.
The Schiedam (1684) – This Dutch vessel was sailing from Rotterdam to Cadiz when it was caught in a storm and wrecked on the coast of St. Mary’s. The ship was carrying a cargo of gin and wine, which spilled into the sea and turned the water red. The legend of the ghost ship of the Isles is said to be based on this shipwreck.
The HMS Colossus (1798) – This British ship of the line was returning from a mission to the Mediterranean when it hit the Bishop Rock, a treacherous reef off the coast of St. Mary’s. Over 700 sailors were onboard, but only a handful survived the wreck.
The SS Schiller (1875) –a large German ocean liner bound for New York from Hamburg, met a devastating end as it struck rocks near the Isles of Scilly in dense fog and stormy conditions. Of the 372 passengers and crew on board, over 300 perished in the icy waters.
The Thomas W. Lawson (1907) – This seven-masted steel schooner was the largest sailing ship ever built and was carrying a load of oil when it ran aground on the rocks near the Bishop Rock. The crew were rescued, but the ship broke apart and its wreckage can still be seen at low tide.
These are just a few examples of the many shipwrecks that have occurred on or near the Isles of Scilly over the centuries. The islands remain a dangerous place for ships to navigate, and their history is filled with tragic stories of loss and survival.
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