Sea Guernsey

Heritage - Shipwrecks



Guernsey's shores are often swept by treacherous tides, blanketed in dense fog and battered by ferocious winds. Hundreds of ships have come to a tragic and violent end in these waters. The island has always been a busy trading port, with even a shipwrecked Gallo-Roman ship having been found in St Peter Port Harbour.

Tragedy struck in 1899 when the Stella, a packed passenger steamer, crashed into the Casquets killing 113 passengers. A British submarine, the Affray, sank north of Alderney, killing all 75 crew onboard in 1951.

In January 1974, MV Prosperity foundered on rocks off Perelle Bay with the loss of all sixteen crew. The ship had a full cargo of timber which was washed up on the islands west coast. The Elwood Mead was a brand new ship on its maiden voyage with 125,000 tons of iron ore. She grounded onto the rocks on Christmas Day 1973 and it took 95 days to free the massive vessel.

The oil drilling rig Orion, ran aground off Guernsey in 1978. The rig, which was welded to a barge, was being towed and broke loose in high winds.

In more recent years the shipping lanes have been moved northwards, and as a result the island sees less ships running aground on its rugged west coast.

There are many more tales of how the power of nature has drawn seafarers to their deaths off the coast of Guernsey. Details of these can be found at Fort Grey, the Island's Shipwreck Museum.


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Coming Up

ROCQUAINE REGATTA 01 Aug 2009 - 01 Aug 2009

The Rocquaine Regatta has a long and distinguished reputation for fun. A full day (and evening) of free entertainment and activities for both the young and young at heart, inc...
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GUERNSEY OFFSHORE ROWING REGATTA 11 Jul 2009 - 12 Jul 2009

This popular Regatta sees racing in and around Havelet Bay as well as our sister islands of Herm and Jethou. With men’s, women’s and mixed categories from 16 years and up, th...
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