Loss

Date 28 November 1857

Event ID 610047

Category Documentary Reference

Type Loss

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/610047

MARTELLO steamship of Leith, Alex B. Gunn master, wrecked on the Carr Rocks in Firth of Forth 28 November 1857, inaccurate steering during heavy weather which prevented lights being seen, neglecting use of lead, bad lookout, default by the 1st Mate George Sugden who was in charge of the deck. Cert of Sudgen suspended for 6 months. Precis of special enquiries into casualties ordered by the Board of Trade during the year 1857.

Source: PP Abstract Return of Wrecks and Casualties on Coasts of the UK 1857 (1857-58 [2339] LII.465).

Leith, 27th Nov. The MARTELLO (s.s.) from the North, struck upon the Aar Rock [Carr Rocks] last night, and sank in deep water; crew and passengers saved.

Source: The Marine List, LL, No. 13,623, London, Monday November 30 1857.

Crail, 28th Nov. The MARTELLO (s) from Inverness for Granton, struck this morning on the shoal inside the Carr rock; about the same time the COMMODORE (s) on the same passage, struck on the Carr; but afterwards got off, and lay off Crail until all the passengers form the MARTELLO were put on board. The MARTELLO (s) is lying on the rocks in a very dangerous position, the fore part of the ship is in deep water.

Source: The Marine List, LL, No. 13,624, London, Tuesday December 1 1857.

Crail, 3rd Dec. The anchors and chains, with several bales of leather, and 14 casks of whiskey, also a quantity of lead, and about 60 barrels of cured fish, have been landed from the MARTELLO (s), which struck on the Car rock, on [Record received incomplete].

NMRS, MS/829/67 (no. 772).

MARTELLO, iron paddle steamer, Alex B Gunn, master. 293 tons net, 483 tons gross, length 171.7', beam 23.5', draught 9', 240 hp engine. She was fitted with watertight compartments (an early example). Built 1842 by Wingate, Glasgow. Owners Hull & Leith Steam Packet Co. She initially ran Leith - Hull. On 21 July 1843 she was involved in the rescue of survivors from PEGASUS at the Goldstone, Northumberland. In 1847 she was running Leith - Hamburg. In 1849 running Leith - Lubeck (due to blockade of the Elbe). On 28 November 1857 she was grounded on the Carr Briggs. The subsequent enquiry found the cause to be failure to keep a proper lookout and suspended the certificate of 1st mate George Sugden for 6 months.

[Undated] source: J Colin Bain, Scottish Institute of Maritime Studies.

(Classified as iron paddle steamship, with general cargo: date of loss cited as 26 November 1857). Martello: this vessel stranded on [a] shoal inside Carr Rocks [Carr Brigs]. The forepart was noted as being in deep water.

Registration: Inverness. Built 1842. 516grt. Length: 60m. Beam: 7m.

(Location of loss cited as N56 17.00 W2 35.00).

I G Whittaker 1998.