Wreck of the Helvetia, Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula, South Wales
Posted by: 
hyperheidi
N 51° 34.424 W 004° 17.432
30U E 410567 N 5714419
The Halvetia, wrecked during a severe gale in 1887, has been slowly sinking into the sands of Rhossili Bay beach. It can be seen at mid to low tide.
Waymark Code: WMCK7E
Location: South Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/15/2011
Views: 6
The gales around the Gower coast on the morning of 1st November 1887 caused two ships, heavily laden with timber, to be stranded off Mumbles' Head. Unable to navigate the stormy seas to dock at Swansea Harbour, the struggling ships found themselves being blown down the Bristol Channel by the increasingly strong south-easterly winds. One ship luckily managed to reach the shelter of Lundy Island, but the oak-constructed barque of the Helvetia, struck the dangerous sandbank of Helwick Sands. With the next turbulent swell, the ship gained freedom from the shallow waters but was swept precariously around Worm's Head into the shallow waters of Rhossili Bay.
The captain of the Helvetia dropped anchor here and was taken ashore by the coastguard. However, he refused to abandon his ship altogether, leaving the crew aboard the barque, afraid that given the chance, someone might steal her. Unfortunately, the wind refused to die down and when it changed direction suddenly, it forced the ship to drag her anchor. With nightfall rapidly approaching, the decision was finally made for the crew to abandon ship. The tortured wreck of the Helvetia was discovered the next morning, laid to rest upon the sands and surrounded by her cargo of 500 tons of wood.
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