Close-up bow view of the barque Seine (1899) wrecked on Perranporth beach.

A close-up bow view of the sailing barque Seine (1899) wrecked on Perranporth Beach, Cornwall, resting on the port side. Only the bow/forecastle section is intact, the rest of the hull having been broken up in the heavy weather, leaving twisted frames and plates on the beach behind the bow section. People, including children, are standing or sitting on the starboard side forecastle bulwark and by the anchor stock. One man is standing on the beach by the wreck looking at the hull, while another is standing in the rigging of the broken bowsprit.

The Seine was on its way from Iquique to Falmouth with a cargo of saltpetre when it was driven ashore in heavy weather on 28 December 1900. Part of the crew was rescued by rockets and breaches buoys while the others had to drop over the side of the ship and be rescued by locals in the surf. The wreck was sold.

Object Details

ID: G14041
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gibson & Sons of Scilly
Vessels: Seine (1899)
Date made: Late December 1900 - January 1901
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Gibson's of Scilly Shipwreck Collection
Measurements: Overall: 254 mm x 304 mm