A bow view of the passenger/cargo ship Suffolk (1881) breaking up below the cliffs of Lizard Point, Cornwall

An elevated view from the cliffs of Lizard Point looking down onto the bow of the passenger/cargo ship Suffolk (1881) on the rocks below. The ship has broken in half behind the bridge and the stern section has fallen to starboard with the sea washing over the deck. There are cattle on the forecastle deck below the set jib sail. The foremast has broken but is still held upright by the rigging. A small steamer is anchored off shore to the ship's starboard side.

The Suffolk left Baltimore on 14 September 1886 for passage to London but ran into heavy rain and poor visibility off the Scilly Isles on 28 September. The captain had set a course he believed would keep him clear of The Lizard but the ship ran ashore at old Lizard Head doing about six knots. The crew and two passengers were rescued. The cargo consisted of 161 cattle (steers) of which 26 survived, flour, wheat, tobacco and walnut logs amongst other cargoes. The ship broke its back on the evening of 29 September and broke up and capsized on 1 October 1886.

Object Details

ID: G14111
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gibson & Sons of Scilly
Vessels: Suffolk (1881)
Date made: Circa 29 September 1886; 30 September 1886
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Gibson's of Scilly Shipwreck Collection
Measurements: Overall: 254 mm x 304 mm