A distant bow view of Minnehaha (1900) being towed backwards off the Scilly Rock

A distant starboard bow view of the passenger/cargo ship Minnehaha (1900) afloat with water being pumping out over her starboard side off the forecastle. The port quarter view of the Belos (1885) can be seen off Minnehaha's starboard quarter and another unidentified tug off its port quarter making a lot of smoke.

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: G13978
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gibson & Sons of Scilly
Vessels: Minnehaha (1900); Belos (1885)
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