On the 3rd of January, 1919 the New York Times included the following editorial: “Where, or rather on whom, the responsibility for the grounding lies it is now too soon to discuss, but it is a grave one, and its nature is hinted by the wonder why the steamer was so far out of her course and why she went ashore that has been expressed by the fishermen and other seafaring folk who know the nature of the bottom off Fire Island. The fog was the immediate cause, but it is not an adequate explanation, for several other vessels successfully found their way through it and into port.”

Ship Name: Northern Pacific 

Ship Type: Steam Turbine Transport 

Tonnage: 8225

Year Built: 1914

Nationality: United States of America 

Year Wrecked: 1919 

Location Wrecked: Fire Island, New York 

Reason for Wreck: Faulty Navigation in Fog 

Lives Lost: 2 

Sources: 

https://books.google.com/books?id=LeNHAQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=Northern+Pacific+William+Cramp+and+Sons&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/n/northern-pacific.html

https://books.google.com/books?id=iDwtdGXDjR8C&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=northern+pacific+1919+court+martial&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-daily-globe-jan-02-1919-p-3/

https://newspaperarchive.com/altoona-mirror-jan-04-1919-p-1/

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1919/01/02/issue.html

https://newspaperarchive.com/iowa-city-citizen-jan-02-1919-p-1/

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1919/01/03/issue.html

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1919/07/19/97102132.html?pageNumber=3

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1919/01/04/102843993.html?pageNumber=1

https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-daily-globe-jan-03-1919-p-2/

https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-jan-02-1919-p-1/

On September 14th, 1901 First Class Stoker Henry Bridge wrote a letter to his father that would later be considered prophetic: “Am leaving on Monday morning for Newcastle to bring torpedo-boat destroyer round to Portsmouth. We are chancing our lives in the new boat, and should not be surprised if she went up smash.” 

Ship Name: Cobra

Year Built: 1899

Nationality: United Kingdom 

Ship Type: Twin Screw Steam Turbine Topredo Destroyer

Year Wrecked: 1901

Location Wrecked: Wrecked Near Outer Dowsing Lightship

Reason For Wreck: Broke in Half in a Storm 

Lives Lost: 57

Sources: 

https://books.google.com/books?id=KSAPAAAAYAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=british+torpedo+boat+cobra+1901&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=dHs4AQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=hms+cobra+inquiry&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=l0FIAQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=hms+cobra&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3481809/3481812/71/francis%2BOR%2Bbarnes%2BOR%2Bcobra

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3481639/3481643/74/survivor%2BOR%2Bcobra

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3481934/3481937/40/survivor%2BOR%2Bcobra

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3481269/3481272/39/survivor%2BOR%2Bcobra

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3481889/3481892/66/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3346023/3346031/150/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3481444/3481446/30/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3432381/3432385/82/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3481334/3481337/60/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3481919/3481921/13/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4236450/4236452/4/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3806241/3806249/124/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3062930/3062933/20/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3481699/3481701/21/cobra%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3480274/3480276/11/viper%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3480179/3480181/14/viper%2BOR%2Btorpedo%2BOR%2Bboat

One of the survivors of the Wilhelmsburg wreck wrote a narrative account for The Examiner on December 26th, 1863: “Of the Wilhelmsburg, one of the largest vessels sailing from Hamburg, nothing remains but a portion of the after-part, which, in consequence of the strength of the deck, still remains a little above water. I will briefly tell you our adventures from the time we sailed.” 

Ship Name: Wilhelmsburg 

Year Built: 1853

Tonnage: 1,200

Ship Type: Barque 

Ship Nationality: German

Year Wrecked: 1863

Reason for Wreck: Blown Ashore in Storm 

Location Wrecked: Terschelling Island Holland 

Lives Lost: Between 250 and 300 

Please note that the title image does not show the Wilhelmsburg, we could find no fitting picture of the Wilhelmsburg to use unfortunately.

Sources: 

https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/4f72a42c97f83e0308602377#:~:text=The%20Wilhelmsburg%20was%20a%20three,emigrants%20under%20the%20Bounty%20Scheme.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150315685?searchTerm=wilhelmsburg%20shipwreck

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/207687183?searchTerm=wilhelmsburg%20shipwreck

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3400684/3400686/10/wilhelmsburg

https://books.google.com/books?id=QGJEAQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=wilhelmsburg+shipwreck+1863&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=Zbj2OfTfbdMC&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=wilhelmsburg+shipwreck+1863&source=gbs_navlinks_s

The Shasta Courier on June 3rd, 1865 carried a piece encouraging people to book passages on the ships of the Nicaragua Transit Company: “The Nicaragua steamer Moses Taylor sails on the 13th inst., connecting with the Golden Rule on the Atlantic side. The Taylor is a safe and comfortable steamer - the Golden Rule is unrivaled for speed and comfort. The time - which, by the way, is the great point with travelers - is from two to five days quicker on the route than by the old monopoly via Panama.”

Ship Name: Golden Rule 

Tonnage: 3,000

Ship Type: Side Wheel Steamship 

Nationality: United States of America

Year Built: 1863 or 1864

Year Wrecked: 1865

Location Wrecked: El Roncador Reef 

Reason for Wreck: Poor Navigation in Bad Weather 

Lives Lost: None

Sources: 

https://newspaperarchive.com/savannah-daily-herald-jul-03-1865-p-7/

https://newspaperarchive.com/pittsburgh-daily-pittsburgh-gazette-aug-23-1865-p-1/

https://newspaperarchive.com/shasta-courier-jun-03-1865-p-2/

https://newspaperarchive.com/gold-hill-daily-news-jul-22-1865-p-2/

https://newspaperarchive.com/weaverville-weekly-trinity-journal-jul-08-1865-p-1/

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1865/06/25/80309496.html?pageNumber=5

https://newspaperarchive.com/shasta-courier-jul-01-1865-p-2/

https://newspaperarchive.com/gold-hill-daily-news-jun-27-1865-p-4/

https://books.google.com/books?id=H94UAAAAYAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=golden+rule+shipwreck+1865&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=IYNEAQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=golden+rule+shipwreck+1865&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=VIi04u0fssoC&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=golden+rule+shipwreck+1865&source=gbs_navlinks_s

The New York Times on the 25th of March, 1887 made note of an expected ship being overdue: “The steamship Scotia, of the Fabre Line, due here from Mediterranean ports over a week ago, has not been heard from since she left Gibraltar on Feb. 27. She had on board from 800 to 1,00 passengers, of whom a large number originally sailed on the steamship Burgundia, which was beached near Naples after having been run into by the Italian man-of-war Italia some weeks ago.”

Ship Name: Scotia 

Nationality: French 

Year Built: 1881

Tonnage: 2492

Ship Type: Iron Hulled Screw Steamer 

Year Wrecked: 1887 as Scotia 1889 as Mars

Location Wrecked: Blue Point Long Island 

Reason for Wreck: Navigational Error in Storm 

Lives Lost: 1

Sources: 

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1887/03/27/100903339.html?pageNumber=3

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1887/03/25/100902939.html?pageNumber=2

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4484537/4484540/40/burgundia%2BOR%2Bitalia

https://newspaperarchive.com/ogdensburg-journal-mar-26-1887-p-1/

https://newspaperarchive.com/baltimore-sun-mar-28-1887-p-1/

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3027110/3027112/3/italian%2BOR%2Bshipwreck

https://www.ggarchives.com/OceanTravel/ImmigrantShips/Scotia.html

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1887/04/26/100909043.html?pageNumber=8

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1887/03/29/100903916.html?pageNumber=8

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1887/03/26/100903083.html?pageNumber=1

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1887/04/03/100904592.html?pageNumber=3

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4407968/4407971/28/scotia

The Legislative Assembly of Victoria Australia on June 2nd, 1874 turned their discussion to the suitability of lighthouses on King Island in the wake of the recent wreck of the British Admiral. Mr. Francis stated what he knew of the matter, “The lighthouse question was a matter of intercolonial concern. In the opinion of Captain Stanley, the officer in charge of the marine survey, the present site was not the most desirable one of the lighthouse, and a meeting of harbour-masters from the various colonies was recently held, in Sydney, to consider this and other kindred questions.”

Ship Name: British Admiral 

Ship Built: 1873

Nationality: United Kingdom 

Ship Type: Iron Hulled Sailing Vessel 

Tonnage: 1800

Year Wrecked: 1874 

Location Wrecked: King Island Australia 

Reason for Wreck: Navigational Error

Lives Lost: At Least 80 Sometimes Estimaed Higher 

Sources: 

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/93140108?searchTerm=shipwreck

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5871196

https://books.google.com/books?id=01eRD8kf8ngC&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=British+admiral+shipwreck+kings+island+1874&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=Iy0-AAAAYAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=British+admiral+shipwreck+kings+island+1874&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=HrICAAAAIAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=British+admiral+shipwreck+kings+island+1874&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=tq9CAQAAIAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=British+admiral+shipwreck+kings+island+1874&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=tHw4AQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=British+admiral+shipwreck+kings+island+1874&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WSTAR18740613.2.34?query=kerr%20a%20son

The November 1866 issue of the Merchant’s Magazine and Commercial Review came to Captain Knapp of the Evening Star’s defense: “We notice that a daily paper refers to the commander of the steamship Evening Star, which was lost off the coast of Florida on the 3d of October, as an unqualified and inexperienced navigator. So far from this being the case, we know him to be one of the best men in the service, who, for his personal qualities and nautical skill, was held in very high esteem.”

Ship Name: Evening Star

Ship Built: 1863

Tonnage: 2,200

Ship Type: Side Wheel Wood Hulled Steamship

Nationality: United States of America 

Year Wrecked: 1866

Location Wrecked: About 240 miles Northeast of Matanillia Reef

Reason for Wreck: Caught in Hurricane

Lives Lost: A Minimum of 250  

Sources: 

https://newspaperarchive.com/lancaster-daily-intelligencer-oct-31-1866-p-1/

https://books.google.com/books?id=dzoIAAAAQAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=evening+star+shipwreck+1866&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=myw_AQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=evening+star+shipwreck+1866&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=um5JAAAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=evening+star+shipwreck+1866&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=F9AeQXO0oWYC&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=ingersoll+lifeboat+red+white+and+blue&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1866/11/11/83463455.html?pageNumber=3

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1866/10/10/83460451.html?pageNumber=4

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1866/12/09/80807370.html?pageNumber=6

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1866/10/11/83460507.html?pageNumber=1

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1866/10/16/83460947.html?pageNumber=2

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1866/10/10/83460428.html?pageNumber=1

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1866/10/15/83460840.html?pageNumber=1

https://newspaperarchive.com/lancaster-daily-intelligencer-oct-31-1866-p-1/

https://newspaperarchive.com/manitowoc-pilot-oct-19-1866-p-1/

The Flintshire Observer on the 11th of February, 1892, reported the following: “It is reported that the captain of the Eider is strongly in favour of the view that the ship will yet be saved. It is understood to be this impression which induces him to stay at his post until the ship has been lightened of her cargo. The Queen’s message to the lifeboatmen has been posted on the front of the lifeboat houses, and the crew and their friends are very proud of it.”

Ship Name: Eider

Year Built: 1883

Ship Tonnage: 5,129

Ship Type: Iron Hulled Propeller Steamship 

Ship Nationality: German 

Year Wrecked: 1892

Location Wrecked: Atherfield Ledge, Isle of Wight 

Reason For Wreck: Flawed Navigation in Fog 

Lives Lost: None 

Sources: 

https://books.google.com/books?id=bQdGAQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=captain+heinecke+north+german+lloyd&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1892/02/02/106082444.html?pageNumber=8

https://newspaperarchive.com/new-harmony-register-apr-01-1892-p-2/

https://newspaperarchive.com/oil-city-derrick-feb-03-1892-p-1/

https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-daily-huronite-feb-02-1892-p-2/

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3722251/3722256/56/crew%2BOR%2Beider

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3724564/3724571/166/eider

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3722836/3722841/40/eider

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4429001/4429004/23/eider

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3787537/3787544/71/eider

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3725784/3725785/9/eider

The Olean Herald reported on November 20th, 1930 the following piece of news: “The saddest figure among the survivors was Captain T J Jones, 75-year-old commander of the Highland Hope. He was overcome with grief at the disaster, and, landing at Peniche, had to be supported by two of his officers. Captain Jones had acquired an enviable reputation for navigation, and young officers vied for places on his ships that they might learn under him the hard lessons of the sea.”

Ship Name: Highland Hope 

Year Built: 1930

Nationality: United Kingdom 

Tonnage: 14,129

Ship Type: Diesel Motor Vessel 

Year Wrecked: 1930

Location Wrecked: Farilhões Islands, Portugal

Reason for Wreck: Incorrect Navigation in Fog 

Lives Lost: 3

Sources: 

https://newspaperarchive.com/lethbridge-herald-oct-20-1930-p-19/

https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-feb-26-1931-p-15/

https://newspaperarchive.com/mackay-daily-mercury-nov-21-1930-p-6/

https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-nov-20-1930-p-4/

https://newspaperarchive.com/the-montana-standard-nov-20-1930-p-4/

https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-lake-county-times-nov-19-1930-p-10/

https://newspaperarchive.com/brisbane-telegraph-jan-05-1931-p-6/

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/78015713

https://newspaperarchive.com/olean-evening-herald-nov-20-1930-p-1/

https://books.google.com/books?id=6Jk7AwAAQBAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=Harland+and+Wolff+Highland+Hope+1929&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=i5zlAAAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=highland+hope+nelson+steamship+company+1930&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Robert Crawford, agent of the Northern Navigation Company told reporters of the Winnipeg Free Press on December 11th, 1906 the following: “There will be an inquiry, without a doubt, but there are circumstances when the loss of a vessel cannot be attributed to any failure on the part of any of the men on board. On a day when the wind is blowing fiercely, and when snow is falling to such an extent that it is impossible to see, a wreck is liable to happen in spite of all nautical intelligence and skill.”

Ship Name: Monarch

Ship Built: 1890

Tonnage: 2017

Ship Type: Wooden Hulled Steamship 

Nationality: Canadian 

Year Wrecked: 1906

Location Wrecked: Isle Royale, Lake Superior 

Reason for Wreck: Lost Bearings in Snow Storm

Lives Lost: One 

Sources: 

https://newspaperarchive.com/traverse-city-evening-record-jan-14-1907-p-5/

https://newspaperarchive.com/belding-banner-dec-20-1906-p-2/

https://newspaperarchive.com/canton-morning-news-dec-12-1906-p-8/

https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-tribune-dec-13-1906-p-5/

https://newspaperarchive.com/norwich-sun-dec-11-1906-p-1/

https://newspaperarchive.com/winnipeg-free-press-dec-11-1906-p-5/

https://books.google.com/books?id=f4ScAAAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=monarch+1906+isle+royale&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=6Acm8wYmdKEC&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=monarch+isle+royale+1906&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=KxZJAQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=monarch+isle+royale+1906&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=jH3VAAAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=monarch+isle+royale+1906&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=4yclAQAAIAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=monarch+isle+royale+1906&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://books.google.com/books?id=5TAzAQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=monarch+isle+royale+1906&source=gbs_navlinks_s