HMS Victoria Paddle Steamer - Sunk 15th Feb 1853

Location

• Lat/lon: 053.21.50N 006.03.00W (GPS)
  Description: Beneath the Bailey Lighthouse, Howth

 Construction

• Type: Paddle Steamer
  Built: 1838
  Shipyard: Glasgow
  Hull material: Wooden
  Armament: None

Dimensions

• Tonnage: 337 Tons
  Length: 155 ft.
  Beam: 23 ft.
  Draft: 11 ft.

 History

• Sunk: 15/02/1853
  Cause: Snowstorm at night.
  Found: Attempts were made to raise her at the time.

 Depth

• Top: 10 m
  Deck: 15 m
  Seabed: 20m

 Best dived

• 2 hrs. after high water only

Position

• Lying: N-S
  Condition: Broken up.

Access restrictions

• Access: National Monument (OPW License required)

References

• Compuwreck (Roy Stokes)
• Shipwrecks of the Irish coast 1105-1993 (E.J. Bourke)
• Shipwrecks of the Irish coast 937-1997 (E.J. Bourke)

References

• This ship was built by Wilson of Glascow to a very high specification and gave its owners The City Of Dublin Steam Packet Company excellent service. When the the Queen Victoria was returning from Liverpool with some general cargo and passengers she miscalculated in a snow storm and struck Howth Head in the middle of the night. After backing off, she struck again under the Bailey Lighthouse and went down just 100 yds south of the lighthouse. Over 80 people were lost and a subsequent enquiry blamed the captain, first mate and those responsible for the lighthouse. Attempts to raise the vessel failed and she was broken open and salvaged in situ. The wreck is protected by The National Monements Act ( Historic Wreck) and permissiom is need to dive on it. The wreck lies in 20 m's and the remains consist of boilers and engine machinery, pahe vessel failed and she was broken open and salvaged in situ. The wreck is protected by The National Monements Act ( Histo ric Wreck) and permissiom is need to dive on it. The wreck lies in 20 m's and the remains consist of boilers and engine machinery, paddle wheels, anchors and the hull to just above the bilges. There is extensive shellfish life in the wreck but, due to it's proximity to a sewage outfall, the dive can be quite 'mucky' except in very suitable conditions. The currents here are very strong and go slack 2hrs. after high water only. Dived occasionaly by local clubs. Surveyed in 1985 by M.S.A.C. for O.P.W. and Maritime Museum.