An elevated view, fine of the starboard bow, of the passenger/cargo ship Suffolk (1881) wrecked below the cliffs of the Lizard Point.

An elevated view, fine off the starboard bow of the passenger/cargo ship Suffolk (1881) on the rocks below the cliffs of Lizard Point. The ship has broken in half behind the bridge and the stern section has fallen to starboard with the sea washing over the deck. The foremast has broken but is still held upright by the rigging. There is at least one cow on the forecastle deck. A rowing boat is a short distance from the starboard quarter near some jetsam.

The Suffolk left Baltimore on 14 September 1886 for passage to London but ran into heavy rain and poor visibility off the Scilly Isles on 28 September. The captain had set a course he believed would keep him clear of The Lizard but the ship ran ashore at old Lizard Head doing about six knots. The crew and two passengers were rescued. The cargo consisted of 161 cattle (steers) of which 26 survived, flour, wheat, tobacco and walnut logs amongst other cargoes. The ship broke its back on the evening of 29 September and broke up and capsized on 1 October 1886

Object Details

ID: G14266
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gibson & Sons of Scilly
Date made: 30 September 1886
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Gibson's of Scilly Shipwreck Collection
Measurements: Overall: 6 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in