Maritime record MWX2206 - Castlereagh (Firth Fisher)

Remains of Irish cargo vessel, 25 February 1925.

The CASTLEREAGH was last sighted off Prowl Point. Bodies of some of crew were later washed up at Freshwater, Isle of Wight. Survey History: 05-JUN-1985: Reported to be Irish steamship CASTLEREAGH which sank in 1924 in 50 34 49N 01 56 04W. 17-MAY-1991: Wreck in 50 34 47N 01 55 54W referred to as ex-steamship FIRTH FISHER, later renamed CASTLEREAGH. Bell, bearing former name, recovered in 1967. (1) Left Ayr 19-FEB, passed Prowl Point 22-FEb, and was never heard of again. Her wreck was discovered by accident, when a group of London divers, having recently purchased the wreck of the nearby KYARRA, located a second wreck a little to the east. Exploration dives discovered a ships bell bearing the wrecks old name which confirmed her identity. She lies in 37m and is fairly intact, with coal still in the hold. (2) Propulsion: Screw driven engine. Additional sources cited in United Kingdom Shipwreck Index. 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. Gross tonnage Position 50 34.84N 1 56.16W taken from (8) Wreck site and archaeological remains: Horizontal Datum: OGB Vertical Datum: LAT Method of Fix: D (1) Non-dangerous wreck shown in 50 34 36N 01 56 00W. 05-JUN-1985: Reported to be Irish steamship CASTLEREAGH which sank in 1924 in 50 34 49N 01 56 04W. 17-MAY-1991: Wreck in 50 34 47N 01 55 54W referred to as ex-steamship FIRTH FISHER, later renamed CASTLEREAGH. Bell, bearing former name, recovered in 1967. (1) She was first found by Dave Weightman in 1967, who raised her bell inscibed "FIRTH FISHER" In August 1983 two World War One medals and some coins were recovered from the stern of this vessel, a silver War Medal and a brass Victory medal inscibed C. Cameron E.R.A.R.N (Engine Room Artificer - Royal Navy). It was later confirmed that a Charles Cameron was the second engineer on this vessel and was one of two bodies later washed up on the Isle of Wight along with the cook. She sits upright in 35m, the superstructure has collapsed but the hull is fairly intact standing 6m proud. The engine and boilers are easily located. (6) The wreck of the CASTLEREAGH lies in about 33m of water, in 50 34.84N, 001 56.16W (WGS84). She is upright but breaking up. Her forward hold is full of coal covered with mussel shells. Her single boiler and engine are the highest parts of the wreck. The wrecks stands 5m tall on rough ground. The wreck was positively identified by the recovery of her bell. (8) Wreck event and documentary evidence: Ex FIRTH FISHER (8) The CASTLEREAGH was last sighted off Prawle Point. Bodies of some of crew were later washed up at Freshwater, Isle of wight. (1) Left Ayr 19-FEB, passed Prawle Point 22-FEB, and was never heard of again. Her wreck was discovered by accident, when a group of London divers, having recently purchased the wreck of the nearby KYARRA, located a second wreck a little to the east. Exploration dives discovred a ship's bell bearing the wreck's old name which confirmed her identity. She lies in 37m and is fairly intact, with coal still in the hold. (2) CASTLE REAGH was reported lost on the 25-FEB-1925, 01-MAR-1925 the bodies of the cook and 2nd mate were washed ashore in Freshwater Bay. In 1967 Dave Weightman discovered the wreck in a depth of 37metres about quarter of mile SE of KYARRA. She was complete with her above deck accomodation. This has now gone, while there is still some cargo in her holds. She is still fairly intact but her stern is rather more broken.(3)(4)(5) The CASTLEREAGH was last sighted off Prawle Point. Bodies of some of crew were later washed up at Freshwater, Isle of wight. (6) 01-MAR-1925 following information received from the police, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, two bodies were washed ashore at Cliffend Isle of Wight on 25th and 27th believed to be members of the Belfast steamer CASTERLEREAGH (CASTLEREAGH). (7) Built: 1898 (8) Builder: J Fullerton & Company (8) Where built: Paisley (8) Propulsion: Screw driven engine (2) Compound, 2 cylinder (8) Boilers: 1 (8) NHP: 88 (8) Crew: 10 (6) Crew lost: 10 (6) Master: Smythe (8) Former owner: James Fisher Ltd (6) Owner: John Kelly and Co, Belfast (6) Current Owner: Hurn Sub Aqua Club - British Aerospace - Hurn. (6) Date of loss qualifier: Reporting date of loss Additional source: Bornemouth Evening Echo (4th March 1925?)

Record last edited

Apr 8 2024 3:50PM