Maritime record MWX1724 - Meteor

British packet, 1830, first steamer wreck on Weymouth/Portland coast.

`The first steamship wreck in the Portland/Weymouth area. She left Guernsey am on 23-FEB, passing the Casquets at 12.30pm in thick haze, steaming at 7 knots. At 8pm, when near Church Ope Cove, she stranded, and when the tide fell a large crowd descended on the wreck and set about looting the passengers baggage. For the most part these were Portlanders, who, closely associated with Chesil Beach, were practised wreckers. The mail was saved. Afterwards, machinery and gear were salvaged and the wreck sold, an action that earned the agent reproof, because he omitted to seek the Postmasters consent. The vessel struck the rocks at 8.10pm in dense fog and heavy wind. The profits arising from the sale of the wreck were divided amongst the crew for their exertions in saving the passengers lives. Most of the luggage was carried off or destroyed by the islanders. If general attention can be called to this national disgrace, a great public good may be effected. (2) `Weymouth, 25th Feb. The METEOR steamer, from Guernsey to this port, got on shore on the east side of Portland, 23d instant, in a thick fog, and is totally wrecked. Crew and passengers saved. (3) Propulsion: Paddle driven, 2 cylinder compound engine. Master: Ross Connor. Date of Loss Qualifier: A. Additional sources cited in United Kingdom Shipwreck Index: Th Additional sources cited in United Kingdom Shipwreck Index: The Great Western at Weymouth, J H Lucking 1871, p21; engraving of the wreck, Hutchins The building date for this vessel is an estimate based on an average age at wrecking of twenty years. This average is derived from those vessels wrecked on the Dorset coast whose age at wrecking is known.

Record last edited

Feb 23 2024 4:08PM