The passenger/cargo ship Balbec (1853) beached at Nanjizal Bay, Land's End.

A view from the from beach looking towards the starboard quarter of the passenger/cargo steam ship Balbec (1853) aground on the beach at Nanjizal Bay [Mill Bay], two miles south-east of Land's End. The ship's hull is mostly obscured by a large wave breaking on beach. A jagged cliff dominates the right side of the image and large boulders can be seen at the bottom on the beach.

The Balbec was its way from Liverpool to Le Havre with a cargo of hides, chemicals and Manchester goods. The ship struck submerged rocks on passage due to it being the lowest tide for years. The pumps could not keep the ship afloat so Captain Marsh ran the Balbec ashore. All 29 crew and five saloon passengers were rescued. The ship was a total wreck.

Object Details

ID: G14071
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gibson & Sons of Scilly
Vessels: Balbec (1853)
Date made: Circa 28 March 1884; March 1884
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Gibson's of Scilly Shipwreck Collection
Measurements: Overall: 254 mm x 304 mm