Rescuing crew from the City of Cardiff (1906)

A middle-distant port side view, from the bow to just aft the funnel, of the cargo steamer City of Cardiff (1906) aground almost broadside-to the cliffs in Nanjizal Bay [Mill Bay], about 2 miles south-east of Land's End. The photographer was standing on the ground above the men of the Sennan Cove rocket brigade, who can be seen below hauling a person ashore in the breeches buoy. A large group of men and women are watching.

The City of Cardiff was on passage from Dartmouth to Barry Roads in ballast when it was forced shore in heavy weather on 21 March 1912. Despite laying anchors to prevent the ship being driven further in shore under the cliffs, the cables broke and the ship ended up broadside-to. The Times newspaper reported this on 22 March 1912: 'The steamer City of Cardiff, 3,089 tons, during the strong westerly gale yesterday afternoon went ashore at Millbay, two miles south-east of Land's End, while on a voyage from Havre to Cardiff in ballast. All lives were saved by the rocket brigade who landed 23 men and two women, the wives of the Captain and the chief officer, and the latter's little child. The ship is lying under close to the cliffs on a rocky bottom.'

Object Details

ID: G14051
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gibson & Sons of Scilly
Vessels: City of Cardiff (1906)
Date made: 21 March 1912
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Gibson's of Scilly Shipwreck Collection
Measurements: Overall: 254 mm x 304 mm
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