BS: Wreckers

Subject: BS: Wreckers
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:00 AM

A tv trailer for a new production of Jamaica Inn made me think of the typical film depiction of wreckers luring ships on to rocks using lights. Do any of the Mudcat seadogs have a view on this? It seems to me that since lighthouses and lightships warn you to keep away from dangers, seeing a light onshore would make a ship veer away rather than sail in to its doom. Putting lights OUT would more likely to confuse the navigator.

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Ed T
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:26 AM

Rumour is that it used to frequently occur hundreds of years ago off North America. A goal of changing the navigation lights was to deceive vessel operators to sail towards reefs , where they would wreck. The cargo would drift to shore and be locally salvaged. Alternatively, the vessel would get "hung up" on a reef, the crew would abandon it, making the ship and cargo available for local salvage.

Is this what you may refer to in your OP?

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Megan L
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:32 AM

Cornish wrecking appeared to be most prevalent 1700 to 1860. The eddystone light was not completed till 1759 therefore it would have been relatively new technology.

In my town today I can clearly see two lighthouses and at night the white(safe) light from at least one other. Coming in the sound it is also still possible to see the leading lights positioned on the Helliehole Road. Two steady red lamps you lined them up to safely enter the bay. Hope this works stromness leading lights

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Megan L
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:38 AM

Drat hit send to quickly what I was going to say was that if one of those lights were covered and a red lantern hung even a slight distance away you could end up on the Kirk Rocks. Unfortunately even without the intervention of wreckers this was a sad end to many ships in the days of sail.

The leading lights and the development of steam power reduced the number thankfully.

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 11:46 AM

Wrecking is a feature in any number of novels I've read - probably more modern novels set in historic times (I couldn't name any of the books now, except Jamaica Inn). It sets the stage for lots of things to happen. As to how many ships were actually wrecked that way, it would be interesting if someone has some detailed information.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 11:51 AM

The lights shown were made to look like those of a ship so the target ship would misjudge how close inshore he was.

In the novel, they put them on the head of a donkey to mimic bobbing, but I think that fanciful.

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Ed T
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 12:17 PM

Florida Keys-Wrecking 

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Megan L
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 12:32 PM

apparently the BBC programme Coast replicated the method used in Cornwall the donkey gave the effect of mast lights or something bobbing in a harbour

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 12:39 PM

Can find nothing to substantiate the stories.

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: akenaton
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 01:55 PM

My next door neighbour is a very old lady from Cornwall, who says that the stories of wrecking are true.

She says that it was spoken about in Cornwall when she was a child.
She seems quite proud of her Cornish history!

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Ed T
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 02:01 PM

Cornish Wrecking 

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: gnu
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 03:36 PM

What a GREAT thread! Fascinating!

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 11:20 AM

So it sounds as if most "wreckers" were opportunist robbers from wrecks (and possibly murderers of any survivors who got in their way) rather than engineering them. In the Scilly Isles I've seen the stone that marks the spot where Sir Cloudesly Shovel (crazy name, crazy guy) died. After faulty navigation led to the wreck of his fleet, legend has it that he made it ashore but was murdered for the rings on his fingers.

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 03:39 PM

There were wreckers on Orkney. In her book, "Wreckers" by Bella Barthurst (Harper Collins 2005. ISBN 0-618-41677-3) she lists Orkney and the Pentland Firth. We used to look out to Stroma where there had been quite a few wrecks over the centuries. I would think over the years quite a few "mishaps" occurred around the Orkney Islands.

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 03:47 PM

I read that thing about a donkey/horse/mule carrying lanterns to lure ships to reefs/rocks. Can't recall where, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 14 - 01:01 PM

Did some digging and it seems there are no documented cases of wrecking, at least that I can find. Most refer to legends, etc. YMMV

Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers
From: GUEST,Marianne S.
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 04:15 AM

Guest above, you are right. There is absolutely no evidence of deliberate wrecking. Taking advantage of a wreck that has already happened, yes. (Remember the ship wrecked off Sidmouth a few years ago?) But deliberate wrecking and lights on donkeys - no.