The gig Czar rescuing cattle from Minnehaha (1900)

A view from another boat, close to the water, looking towards the starboard broadside of the gig Czar rescuing cattle from the grounded passenger/cargo ship Minnehaha (1900). Four men are seated rowing while a fifth is standing at his oar near the stern of the boat. A sixth man is leaning over the starboard side looking at two steer (castrated young bullocks) tied to the side by their horns. Their heads can just be seen, partially obscured by the waves in the foreground of the image. The gig has its mizzen sail set to assist their passage to Samson Island where the cattle were allowed to graze.

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: G13986
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gibson & Sons of Scilly
Date made: 18-circa 20 April 1910; Late April 1910
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Gibson's of Scilly Shipwreck Collection
Measurements: Overall: 254 mm x 304 mm