The passenger/cargo liner Minnehaha (1900) being refloated and pulled off Scilly Rock.

A port side, fine off the stern, taken from a boat, of the passenger/cargo liner Minnehaha (1900) aground on the eastern side of Scilly Rock off Bryher. The ship is listing slightly to port with a tug/salvage vessel stern-to off her port bow with towlines attached. Off Minnehaha's broadside are rowing boats and a sailing boat (no sails set). Scilly Rock is on the right of the image. The sea state is slightly rough with some white horses.

The Minnehaha ran aground on 18 April 1910 in fog on passage from New York to Tilbury. The 66 passengers, all First Class, and 171 crew were rescued and landed on Byrher, and about 200 of the 243 steers (castrated young bulls) were landed on Samson Island. The mixed cargo from Holds 2 and 3 were jettisoned, including crated new motor cars, grand pianos, machinery, sewing machines, carpets and other cargo going over the side to lighten the ship. Between 20 April and 11 May the ship was prepared for refloating (using compressed air to float it), and eventually came off the ledge. Minnehaha then proceeded under its own power to Crow Sound before continuing under escort to Falmouth.

Object Details

ID: G13974
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gibson & Sons of Scilly
Vessels: Minnehaha (1900)
Date made: circa 11 May 1910
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Gibson's of Scilly Shipwreck Collection
Measurements: Overall: 254 mm x 304 mm