PS Earl of Jersey
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Built: |
? |
Depth of wreckage: |
22 – 26 m (BCD) |
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Ran aground: |
November 1898 |
Co-ordinates of wreck centre: |
51° 09.46′ N, 004° 39.41′ W |
Little is known about this wreck and even its identity was not known when first discovered by divers on a rocky seabed just south of Lee Rocks, about one mile off Lundy’s south coast. The wreckage is now thought to be the remains of the steam paddle tug Earl of Jersey which sank here in November 1898.
The remains have been dispersed around a system of deep gullies. While the substratum is hard rock, coarse gravel sediments overlay this at the base of each gully. The site is a low to moderate energy site. From a survey undertaken in 1994, the shape of the ship was described as being “quite well defined by the metal ribs and paddle arches” but that “the site was breaking up.”
The survey team did not manage to dive on this wreck, which is relatively difficult to locate and, lying in deep water, does not allow much bottom time. However, local divers report that the wreck makes for a very scenic dive. If identification of this vessel is correct, then the wreck is thought to be of moderate archaeological importance but more information would be needed to confirm this.”
