The Royal Adelaide was an iron sailing ship of 1400 tons built by William Patterson at Bristol in 1865.[1]

Rescuers working to save those on the Royal Adelaide near Portland. The Illustrated London News, 1872
History
NameRoyal Adelaide
OwnerGibbs, Bright & Company
BuilderWilliam Patterson, Bristol
Launched28 January 1865
Out of service25 November 1872
FateWrecked at 50°34.65′N 2°28.50′W / 50.57750°N 2.47500°W / 50.57750; -2.47500
General characteristics
Tonnage1,298 tons
Length233 ft (71 m)
Beam38 ft (12 m)
Draught23 ft (7.0 m)

She was wrecked on Chesil Beach on 25 November 1872, while on a passage from London to Sydney with 32 crew members and 35 passengers.[2] In bad weather, the ship tried to reach the shelter of Portland Harbour, but was forced into Lyme Bay from which there was no exit in a storm. The anchors were lowered to try to prevent the ship being blown onto Chesil Beach. However, the anchors dragged and the ship began to break up on the beach. All but seven on board were saved.

The Remains of the Royal Adelaide at Portland, 1872

A large crowd gathered on the shore to help with the rescue and the salvage of the cargo, part of which was gin and brandy.[3] By the end of the night four of the wreckers had died from exposure, having spent the night on the beach after becoming drunk on the cargo.

She now lies at 50°34.65′N 2°28.50′W / 50.57750°N 2.47500°W / 50.57750; -2.47500 OSGB36 and is accessible to scuba divers from the shore.

References

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  1. ^ John and Vick Hinchcliffe (1999). Dive Dorset. Teddington, Middlesex: Underwater World Publications. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-946020-26-3.
  2. ^ "BBC Inside Out – South West". BBC. 13 February 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
  3. ^ "Chesil Beach Shipwrecks". The Heritage Coast. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
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