Latest news with #maritimehistory
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
Shipwreck mystery solved after nearly 140 years
A shipwreck mystery has been solved after divers uncovered a vessel that had sunk nearly 140 years ago. Diver Dominic Robinson, a British former army officer and military helicopter pilot, captured incredible footage of a wreckage off the coast of Plymouth, England. He set sail with skipper James, crew member Liz and explorers Rick and Andy for the dive. They carefully examined the site of the wreck and discovered a plate with the Cunard Steamship Company logo. This clue led Mr Robinson to discover the wreckage was of the SS Nantes, which tragically collided with a German sailing vessel, the Theodor Ruger, in November 1888. 'The Nantes was built in 1874, in Glasgow, and very sadly lasted a mere 14 years before it was sunk,' Mr Robinson said. 'It was, when it was sunk, on passage from Liverpool to La Havre in France carrying cargo of coal. 'Sadly, pretty much everybody who was on board the Nantes died. 'There were only three survivors, two guys who jumped on to the Theodor Ruger and then another guy who stayed on the Nantes and was part of the team that sort of tried to keep it afloat. 'Unfortunately, the Nantes went down about ten hours later in the early hours of the morning and he was the only person who was picked up from that. 'It's quite a sad story.' After the ship went down, it became lost until Mr Robinson and his team discovered it. Mr Robinson, who has been diving for around 35 years, heard about the unidentified shipwreck from the UK Hydrographic Office. Afterwards the 'wreck was essentially lost, obviously you're dealing in a period with no satellite navigation'. He added while the crew tried to save the ship it 'drifted for several hours, before it finally made its way to the bottom, sadly, with many of its crewmen on board'. He said the wreck was lost until a local dive team identified it in 2024. 'We've got the size (of this wreck) from the information on the UK Hydrographic Office,' Mr Robinson said. 'We know it's about 78 or 79 metres long. 'We know that there's a Cunard plate from it – so, basically what we're looking for, and we know it's old as well. 'So what you do is you try to find a list of all the Cunard ships that were sunk. 'You then try and narrow them down to, to a relatively small one, and an old one. 'We obviously know where it sank, so if you can find information about the sinking and the wreck that aligns all those things up, then it's fairly straightforward to identify it.' The Cunard plate Mr Robinson found was crucial in the ship's identification. He said: 'Even though the wreck had been dived before, it was never identified and this small piece of broken plate allowed us to do exactly that. 'The more eagle eyed among you may already have noticed the logo from the famous Cunard shipping line. 'And not surprisingly, this is what gave us the most significant clue.'
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
Mystery of UK shipwreck is solved 140 years after bodies of crew who used mattresses to plug holes in vessel washed up
A SHIPWRECK mystery has been solved after divers uncovered a vessel which sunk nearly 140 years ago. Crew on board the SS Nantes made desperate attempts to plug the ship's holes with mattresses when it sunk in 1888. 7 The wreckage of the SS Nantes, has been discovered, having sunk 137 years ago - killing almost everyone onboard. The boat tragically collided with a German sailing vessel, the Theodor Ruger, in November 1888, as reported by NeedToKnow. Only two people survived, with two people jumping to safety on the Ruger, and one person who stayed on the Nantes trying to keep it afloat. The Nantes sank approximately ten hours after the collision, this took place off the coast of Plymouth, in the early hours of the morning. Diver Dominic Robinson discovered the wreckage of the SS Nantes last week, 246 feet below sea level. The 50-year-old former Army Officer found a plate with the Cunard Steamship Company logo, belonging to the forgotten vessel. This enabled him to work out that the wreck he had found was that of the SS Nantes. Dominic and his crew then carefully examined the site of the wreck, and discovered old crockery which was key in identifying the wreck. He said: 'The Nantes was built in 1874, in Glasgow, and very sadly lasted a mere 14 years before it was sunk,' said Dominic. 'It was on a passage from Liverpool to La Havre, when it was sunk in France carrying cargo of coal. 'It's quite a sad story.' After the ship went down, it became lost until Dominic and his team discovered it. Dominic, who has been an underwater explorer for around 35 years, first caught wind of the unidentified shipwreck from the UK Hydrographic Office. Maritime Historian Dr Harry Bennett, who works at the institute, explained why the wreck has taken well over a century to find: "Obviously you're dealing in a period with no satellite navigation. "While the crew tried to save the ship it drifted for several hours, before it finally made its way to the bottom, sadly with many of its crewmen on board". Dominic added: "The wreck was lost until a local dive team identified it in 2024. 'We got the size of the wreck from the information on the UK Hydrographic Office. 'We knew the boat is about 78 or 79 metres long. 'We also knew that there was a Cunard plate from it - which was basically what we're looking for. 'So what you do is you try to find a list of all the Cunard ships that were sunk. 'You then try and narrow them down to, to a relatively small one, and an old one. 'We obviously know where it sank, so if you can find information about the sinking and the wreck that aligns all those things up, then it's fairly straightforward to identify it.' The Cunard plate which Dominic found was crucial in the ship's identification. He said: 'Even though the wreck had been dived before, it was never identified and this small piece of broken plate allowed us to do exactly that. 'The more eagle eyed amongst you may already have noticed the logo from the famous Cunard shipping line. 'And not surprisingly, this is what gave us the most significant clue.' 7 7 7 7
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
QE2 Enriches its Heritage Attractions with Two New Installations
The Queen Elizabeth 2, one of Dubai's most treasured landmarks and the only floating hotel of its kind in the region, has unveiled two exceptional additions to its onboard heritage experience: QE2 Making Headlines and QE2 Majestic Moments. The launch was officiated by Mark Sawkins, Vice President Operations, Luxury Brands, Accor; and Ferghal Purcell, General Manager of the Queen Elizabeth 2 against the backdrop of one of the most storied vessels in the world, these two installations provide guests and visitors with a deeper, more immersive encounter with the history of the QE2, a liner that defined an era of luxury ocean travel and hosted some of the greatest names of the 20th Purcell, General Manager of the Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel, stated: 'The QE2 is more than just a ship, it is a floating museum of memories, a vessel of stories that span generations. With these new attractions, we aim to bring our rich legacy to life, from her royal beginnings to her iconic status as a global voyager, in ways that are interactive, educational, and emotionally engaging. Whether you are a maritime enthusiast, a student of history, or a curious traveller, the QE2 offers an experience like no other in the region. With these additions, we invite guests to relive her most iconic moments and celebrate the timeless grandeur of maritime history – right here in the heart of Dubai.'The Queen Elizabeth 2 continues to draw guests from around the world who wish to step into a chapter of history. The new attractions mark the latest milestone in an ongoing effort to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the ship's Making HeadlinesQE2 Making Headlines showcases a priceless collection of original, special edition publications from 1969 highligting the ship's global impact and royal significance from the very beginning. These framed newspapers showcase the global coverage including the fanfare and grandeur that surrounded her maiden voyage. The exhibit offers a rare glimpse into how the Queen Elizabeth 2 was celebrated as a modern marvel, a new era of ocean travel immortalised in Majestic MomentsQE2 Majestic Moments is an immersive, multimedia storytelling experience that transports guests through the ship's legendary timeline. Through a curated selection of archival images, rare videos, and historical narratives, this installation brings to life the most iconic milestones in QE2's journey, from royal visits and record-breaking voyages to celebrity guests and world events. Designed as an interactive tribute, it invites viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with the ship's rich past in a way that's both informative and emotionally resonant. It's not just a display, it's a moving portrait of a liner that changed the course of maritime heritage exhibits are now open to all hotel guests as part of the QE2's onboard experience. Guided heritage tours are available daily, offering guests a glimpse into the ship's royal past, its design brilliance, and its legendary voyages across the ToursStep aboard the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 and explore her storied past through four unique guided tour experiences• QE2 Heritage TourA classic guided experience taking guests through the ship's most historic spaces, sharing the stories, design, and moments that shaped her legacy. Available daily at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.• QE2 Heritage Tour for SchoolsSpecially designed for student groups, this educational tour runs on weekday mornings at 8:30 am and 9:30 am, with a maximum of 30 students per session. Advance booking is required.• QE2 Royal Afternoon Tea & Heritage TourPair your heritage journey with the QE2 Royal Afternoon Tea experience at the Queen's Grill, available on Fridays and Saturdays from 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm (last seating at 5:00pm).• QE2 Dine & Discover Combine the Heritage Tour with either a three-course lunch or buffet dinner for a complete culinary and cultural experience aboard Dubai's most iconic vessel. Available daily at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.
CNN
4 days ago
- General
- CNN
Maritime mystery solved after shipwreck discovered off UK coast
A 19th century ship that sank nearly 140 years ago has been found 'frozen in time' off Britain's coast. Twenty-three crew members died when the SS Nantes sank off the coast of Cornwall in November 1888, but the whereabouts of the wreck have remained a mystery – until now. The incredible discovery was made after deep sea diver Dom Robinson found a piece of crockery amid the watery remains. Back on land, Robinson, 53, saw the broken plate bore the stamp 'Cunard Steamship Company,' which helped identify the stricken vessel through information available online. It turned out he and a team of fellow divers had been exploring the SS Nantes, which had been a 14-year-old cargo ship at the time of its demise, according to Harry Bennett, a history professor and maritime expert from the University of Plymouth. 'Nantes is one of those vessels that's been known about but has been lost for a long period of time,' he told CNN Friday. Conditions were poor that fateful day when the steam ship was hit by German sailing vessel Theodor Ruger. 'It pierces the side of the Nantes and tears a big hole into its side,' said Bennett. 'For several hours, the crew tried to save their ship using all manner of materials to try and fill the hole, including mattresses. But eventually they lose that fight and the ship goes down very rapidly.' The two boats were 'briefly locked together' before sinking, Bennett said. The collision damaged Nantes' lifeboats, which meant the crew were unable to escape. Only three people survived, including one man found at sea and two who jumped off the ship. 'The Theodor Ruger also goes down but her lifeboats are in better condition, so even though she loses a few crew members, the majority get away in lifeboats and are saved – including two guys who scrambled off the Nantes,' Bennett added. Robinson, who shared the story on his YouTube channel, told CNN the wreck was discovered at a depth of 75 meters (246 feet) in the English Channel, 30 miles south-east of Plymouth last Fall. 'When you go down on wrecks, you look for things that might identify them,' Robinson said. 'It was right at the end of my dive and I'd found nothing so was a bit despondent.' But then he saw the broken plate, which proved to be a 'massive clue towards identifying' the vessel, he said. When Robinson dived the site again earlier this year, a second plate branded with the logo was found. Together with other details of the wreck – such as its build and dimension – the plate helped confirm the ship's identity. 'Every wreck is a time capsule,' Bennett said. 'When that wreck goes down, things are frozen in time, in the mud and in the surrounding areas. We get these little insights into what life onboard must have been like. The idea that you're looking at a plate that crewmen might have had their last meal on is very, very poignant. 'We suddenly find ourselves revisiting a tragedy from 1888, of coming to terms with that kind of horror that tells us a story about life in the maritime world in the late 19th century.' Part of the motivation for deep diving on shipwrecks is the detective work, as well as the opportunity to explore final frontiers, Robinson said. 'For a normal person like myself, there is nowhere left to explore – there's no more mountains left to go to, no more continents that haven't been found. The only place where you can do something completely out of the ordinary is to go to the bottom of the sea and explore and find things and identify them,' he added. 'I get a huge buzz out of that and in the UK we are so fortunate because around our shores are probably more wrecks than anywhere else in the world. I could probably dive every day for the rest of my life on a new wreck.'
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Wisconsin fisherman discovers remains of 100-year-old abandoned ship on Lake Michigan
A Wisconsin angler made the discovery of a lifetime during a fishing trip on Lake when he uncovered a centuries-old shipwreck. Christopher Thuss, 25, of Two Rivers, was fishing in Lake Michigan off the city of Manitowoc in foggy conditions on Tuesday when he noticed the wreckage in nine feet of water off a breakwater, the Associated Press reported. Wisconsin historical society maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen later confirmed that Truss' unexpected discovery was the wreck of the J.C. Ames. ' These kinds of discoveries are always so exciting because it allows a piece of lost history to resurface. It sat there for over a hundred years and then came back on our radar completely by chance,' Thomsen said in a statement. 'We are grateful that Chris Thuss noticed the wreck and reported it so we can share this story with the Wisconsin communities that this history belongs to.' The society said that according to the book 'Green Bay Workhorses: The Nau Tug Line,' the Rand and Burger shipbuilding company in Manitowoc built the J.C. Ames in 1881 to help move lumber. The tug was one of the largest and most powerful on the Great Lakes, with a 670-horsepower engine. The centuries-old tug served multiple purposes beyond moving lumber, including transporting railway cars, before eventually falling into disrepair and was scuttled in 1923. Scuttling a ship means to deliberately sink it - usually by making holes in the hull or opening seacocks - as was the practice then when ships outlived their usefulness, Thomsen said. The ship had been buried in the sand at the bottom of the lake for decades before storms this winter apparently revealed it, the Maritime Archaeologist said. A lack of quagga mussels attached to the ship indicates it was only recently exposed, Thomsen added. Historians continue to locate shipwrecks and downed planes in the Great Lakes before quagga mussels destroy them. Quagga have become the dominant invasive species in the lower lakes over the last 30 years, attaching themselves to wooden shipwrecks and sunken aircraft in layers so thick they eventually crush the wreckage. Quagga mussels are considered 'bad' because they are invasive species that disrupt ecosystems, cause economic damage and threaten human health, according to the USGS. They can clog water pipes, alter food webs, and even contaminate drinking water. Thuss' incredible find comes months after Wisconsin shipwreck hunters discovered a 131-year-old shipwreck at the bottom of Lake Michigan that fell victim to a storm and took the life of the captain's dog. The Margaret A. Muir, a schooner, was found off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin, on May 12, 2024 just moments before the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association's research team nearly pulled the sonar out of the water for the day, a press release said. 'I knew she was going to be in about 50 feet of water, I knew that her sides had opened up. I know she was laying flat, and I knew she'd be harder to find,' Brendon Baillod, a crew member of the search, told Fox 6 Milwaukee. Thompsen, then a member of the Wisconsin Historical Society, said all the pieces of the ship were found, including the personal items sailors lost in the wreck. The 130-foot three-mast schooner was supposed to dock in South Chicago from Bay City, Michigan, when it got stuck in a storm with 50mph gale-force winds around 5am on September 30, 1893.
