Latest news with #maritimehistory
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
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105 years ago: Steamer King Edward spotted on a trial trip on the Clyde (1920)
This is a snapshot of the reconditioned turbine steamer King Edward, starting on a trial trip. This fine vessel has been placed on the Campbeltown route, and the Queen Alexandra now takes the Inverary trip daily. King Edward steamer in 1920 (Image: Archive) A scene like this may be enjoyed by the pedestrian along the Greenock Esplanade about nine o'clock any morning when the turbine steamers start off on their day's cruising. Shipping notes from 1920... A valuable consignment of timber came to Greenock last night by the Donaldson liner Cabotia. This vessel was in from Montreal and Quebec, and has gone to the James Watt Dock to discharge her timber. She will afterwards proceed to Glasgow with general cargo. After loading bunker coal at the James Watt Dock, the large Belfast steamer Melmore Head sailed on last night's tide for Montreal. Two vessels left the East India dry dook on the late tide yesterday after overhaul. One was Lang & Fulton's coasting steamer Ardgarth, and the other the foreign schooner Vladimir Tornoe. The latter has gone into harbour to complete refitting, while the Ardgarth is to-day adjusting compasses at the Tail-of-the-Bank prior to resuming her sailings. Official speed trials are being carried out in the firth to-day by the new Dutch steamer Saland, which came down the river from Glasgow yesterday. She is afterwards to go to Amsterdam, to begin her service, and may leave the Clyde this evening. Other Archive News 50 years ago: Summer floods leave Inverclyde under water after long dry spell (1975) 105 years ago: Steamer excursions to Argyll and Bute during Greenock fair (1920) 50 years ago: Youngsters hard at work at Greenock summer play group (1975) An important departure from the anchorage to-day is the big new Holt liner Achilles, 10,000 tons, which was launched early in the year by Scotts' Shipbuilding and Engineering Company. She went to Glasgow about a fortnight ago to load general cargo for her first voyage, which is to China ports, and she goes first to Liverpool to complete her cargo. This article was first published on June 26, 1920.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- BBC News
The US treasure hunters who seek out violent storms
From the beaches of North Carolina to the reefs of Bermuda, powerful storms are uncovering long-lost wrecks – and you don't need to be a pro diver to discover them. As hurricane season ramps up along the US East Coast and through the Atlantic, residents brace themselves for flooded streets and battered coastlines. But for divers, snorkellers and even everyday beachgoers, storm surges can reveal something extraordinary: centuries-old shipwrecks, long-buried maritime treasures and other items that could reshape our understanding of history. In the Carolinas and Bermuda – among the world's most shipwreck-dense coastlines – hurricanes are exposing long-lost hulls, artefacts and cargo. Marine archaeologists are racing to catalogue and protect these discoveries, but increasingly, ordinary travellers are among the first on the scene. North Carolina's coast, long known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic", is littered with more than 1,000 known shipwrecks, from Civil War blockade runners to German U-boats. Meanwhile, Bermuda sits atop a coral platform that has claimed more than 300 ships since the 1500s, making the infamous "Bermuda Triangle" one of the densest shipwreck zones in the world. "It's shipwreck island" and it always has been, says Philippe Rouja, Bermuda's government-appointed Custodian of Wrecks. He explains that since the island has no Indigenous population or natural resources, every ship that came to the island "was like its own little mini-Walmart", bringing everything it would need. For centuries, Bermudans salvaged those wrecks loaded with invaluable materials. Now, Rouja is charged with protecting more than 40 open-to-the public shipwrecks, as well as mapping, cataloging and studying hundreds more. During hurricanes, storm surges, waves and winds can move entire wrecks, revealing the treasures within. "Any shipwreck that you think you know, you want to go look at it again after a hurricane," he says, " it's a mixture of anticipation and a bit of worry." Rouja works with local dive shops to monitor sites and report new finds, meaning certified divers visiting during hurricane season – roughly June to November – may be the first to glimpse artefacts not seen for centuries. He says that anything from an old shoe or a can of anchovies could help his team identify a shipwreck. Recently, he recalls, "We had some accountant who liked to go lobster diving who just bumped into a shipwreck on the inner reef." It turned out to be the Justice, a ship sunk in 1950. You don't even need to dive However, discoveries don't always require a tank. In North Carolina, many recent discoveries have been found buried under beach dunes. Wrecks either crashed there centuries ago and were buried by shifting sand or have washed up after storms. "Folks will absolutely be walking their dog down the beach and see a ship frame sticking out of the dune after storms," says Stephen Atkinson, a shipwreck and archeology expert with North Carolina's Underwater Archaeology department. That was the case with the Corolla Wreck, discovered in the northern Outer Banks by a local who noticed exposed pieces of a hull after a huge wind event. Gold coins found nearby date to the early 1600, suggesting that it could be state's oldest known shipwreck. Before that, the record was held by the infamous Queen Anne's Revenge, captained by Blackbeard himself, sunk in 1718 and discovered in 1996. Beachcombers are asked to document and report their findings to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Their names stay attached to the finds and they can be as involved as they want in the ensuing research and historical process. "We had a man named Scott Smith who reported a wreck," says Atkinson. "So, I wrote in my database, 'the Scott Smith wreck'." He receives reports at least weekly from people who think they've found something – and he is always open to more. "I love when people send me photos," he says, noting that public reports, even if minor, help track the impacts of wrecks over time. "They're extremely beneficial to us." He describes beachcombing after storms as "one of the bigger tourist draws" around areas like the Outer Banks, and that's not by accident. The state has a "Citizen Archaeologist" programme for reporting any finds, wrecks or otherwise, and will soon join Florida's Shipwreck Tagging National Archaeological Program in which beachgoers can scan a QR code on timber and other pieces of wreck to help track their movements after weather events. In South Carolina, treasure hunters look forward to storms too. The state loses an average of 6-8ft of shoreline per year, and storms speed up that process – leading to casual beachcombers stumbling across rare finds. "Storms can strip away sand to reveal long-hidden fossils," says Katie Lyons of Charleston Fossil Adventures, a South Carolina company that runs fossil beachcombing tours. After a recent hurricane, the team at Charleston Fossil Adventures found a monk seal arm bone dating to the Ice Age – now in a local museum – and they often find dozens of fossils in a single day after big storms. The excitement of the hunt leads to plenty of opening-day bookings around the season's start in mid-March, driven by anxious collectors. "A lot of the diehard collectors are eager to get out to the secluded sites to see what the storm has washed up," Lyons says. She recommends searching in piles of shells and rocks on the beach. "Since the ocean is sorting material by size, you're going to find more in patches of thicker gravel than you will on flat, barren stretches of sand." The thrill of treasure hunting Bermuda's most famous underwater treasure hunter is the late Teddy Tucker, who discovered the emerald-crusted Tucker Cross on a 16th-Century Spanish wreck in 1950. It was famously stolen around 1975, moments before it was supposed to be shown to Queen Elizabeth, and has been lost ever since. "That brought treasure hunting to a new generation," says Rouja. As divers learned that provenance increased a find's value, many became hobbyist researchers and historians, ushering in the era of marine archaeology. "It's more fun for people to be part of the public story of finding something than to just go home and have it sit on their shelf," he adds. More like this:• Scuba diving in the South Pacific's most inexplicable feeding frenzy• How underwater and deep-sea tourism became so popular• The 'sea gypsies' who live with whale sharks Divers can maximise their chances by avoiding popular sites. Rouja suggests exploring a few hundred metres from wreck rather than immediately outside it. The majority of Bermuda's wrecks lie above 80ft and Rouja estimates there are "many, many more" waiting to be found across the rest of the islands' "largely unexplored" reefs. As storms intensify due to climate change, experts expect more wrecks will surface – and there will be more opportunities for travellers to play a role in rewriting maritime history. New tech like drones and underwater mapping programmes are making discoveries more accessible. And past high-profile finds, like five bottles of wine from the 1864 Marie Celeste wreck, continue to fuel public fascination with underwater treasure hunting. Rouja's white whale is the 100lb bronze rooster that served as the masthead of the Cristobal Colon, lost by Tucker in an early salvage expedition. Keep your eyes peeled," he says. "If someone found that, that would be so cool." -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Condé Nast Traveler
21-07-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
9 Best Lighthouse Airbnbs in the US
Some of the most unique and charming stays across the US are Airbnbs inside of real lighthouses—each with its own blend of history, character, and sweeping views. From the windswept coastlines of Rhode Island and the tranquil Berkshires to the woodsy and mountainous landscapes of Utah, these quirky yet tasteful properties allow you to step into a world very different from your own. Whether overlooking glimmering lakes or alongside crashing sea waves, each lighthouse Airbnb on this list offers a chance to connect with nature and history. Lighthouses have always been essential to the nation's maritime history and sea exploration—guiding sailors through often treacherous waters and marking key points along the coast. Today, they stand as symbols of both resilience and adventure, and offer up a chance to embrace both the past and the present in a setting that's as much about reflection as it is about escape. While some are ideal for family getaways and others for romantic retreats, what our picks all have in common is their intimate sense of place. Below, read on for nine of the best lighthouse Airbnb rentals to choose from all across the US. We've vetted these listings based on Superhost or Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial for crew killed in submarine collision
Sixteen crew members who died when a submarine sank in an accident more than 80 years ago will be commemorated. On the evening of the 19 July 1941, the HMS Umpire was travelling to Scotland as part of a convoy, but it became separated after an engine failure and collided with a trawler near Blakeney in Norfolk. On the 84th anniversary of its sinking, a memorial is due to be unveiled at All Saints Church in Mundesley, Norfolk. Cdr Tom Herman, from the Submariners Association, told BBC Radio Norfolk: "The boat would have been at a steep bow angle. The water would have been rushing in. It would have been absolutely terrifying." The HMS Umpire, which measured 197ft (60m) long, had a crew of 33 and was heading north to Scotland as part of a convoy because of the risk of attacks by German forces. However, the submarine suffered engine failure and an escort was detached to stay with it. "Not surprising, a brand new boat often had some difficulties and they began to fall behind the convoy," Cdr Herman said. As a southbound convoy approached, HMS Umpire became separated from its escort. While it tried to get out the way, its "fate was sealed" when the bow of an armed trawler, the Peter Hendricks, collided with the submarine. "She began to sink immediately. The four on the bridge, the captain, the navigator and two lookouts were thrown into the sea, and the rest of the boat sank very quickly in about 60ft (18m) of water," Cdr Herman added. 'Company from shipmates' The body of Sub Lt Stephen Godden, who was 25 at the time of the incident, is buried in the graveyard of All Saints Church. Cdr Herman said: "The Norfolk branch of the Submariners Association felt that Godden, the navigator - who washed ashore at Mundesley and is buried there - should have some company from the rest of his shipmates." The wreck of HMS Umpire lies on the seabed, designated under the Protection of the Military Remains Act 1986, where it continues to be visited by divers. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links Submariners Association
BBC News
19-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Memorial in Mundesley for crew killed in 1941 submarine collision
Sixteen crew members who died when a submarine sank in an accident more than 80 years ago will be commemorated. On the evening of the 19 July 1941, the HMS Umpire was travelling to Scotland as part of a convoy, but it became separated after an engine failure and collided with a trawler near Blakeney in the 84th anniversary of its sinking, a memorial is due to be unveiled at All Saints Church in Mundesley, Tom Herman, from the Submariners Association, told BBC Radio Norfolk: "The boat would have been at a steep bow angle. The water would have been rushing in. It would have been absolutely terrifying." The HMS Umpire, which measured 197ft (60m) long, had a crew of 33 and was heading north to Scotland as part of a convoy because of the risk of attacks by German the submarine suffered engine failure and an escort was detached to stay with it. "Not surprising, a brand new boat often had some difficulties and they began to fall behind the convoy," Cdr Herman a southbound convoy approached, HMS Umpire became separated from its escort. While it tried to get out the way, its "fate was sealed" when the bow of an armed trawler, the Peter Hendricks, collided with the submarine. "She began to sink immediately. The four on the bridge, the captain, the navigator and two lookouts were thrown into the sea, and the rest of the boat sank very quickly in about 60ft (18m) of water," Cdr Herman added. 'Company from shipmates' The body of Sub Lt Stephen Godden, who was 25 at the time of the incident, is buried in the graveyard of All Saints Church. Cdr Herman said: "The Norfolk branch of the Submariners Association felt that Godden, the navigator - who washed ashore at Mundesley and is buried there - should have some company from the rest of his shipmates."The wreck of HMS Umpire lies on the seabed, designated under the Protection of the Military Remains Act 1986, where it continues to be visited by divers. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
