A port bow view of the sailing barque Pampero (1864) aground off the lighthouse on Old Pier, Penzance. Lines are ashore to the pier and also out to an anchor. The main mast is missing as it went over the side in the gale. A man is standing up in a rowing gig holding onto the anchor warp. In the background is the Cressars (rocks), and Saint Michael's Mount. The photographer was standing on the pier of the inner harbour.

The Pampero was on passage from Liverpool to New Zealand with a general cargo when it was badly damaged in a gale and two men lost overboard on the night of 24 November 1881. The ship was towed into Penzance, arriving the next day [Daily Gazette for Middlesborough, 25 November 1881]. The Richard Lewis, Penzance RNLI lifeboat went to the ship's assistance.