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16 Apr 14 - 09:00 AM (#3619329) Subject: BS: Wreckers From: Roger the Skiffler 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 |
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16 Apr 14 - 09:26 AM (#3619342) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Ed T 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? |
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16 Apr 14 - 09:32 AM (#3619345) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Megan L 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 |
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16 Apr 14 - 09:38 AM (#3619352) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Megan L 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. |
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16 Apr 14 - 11:46 AM (#3619418) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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16 Apr 14 - 11:51 AM (#3619423) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Keith A of Hertford 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. |
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16 Apr 14 - 12:17 PM (#3619435) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Ed T Florida Keys-Wrecking |
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16 Apr 14 - 12:32 PM (#3619440) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Megan L 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 |
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16 Apr 14 - 12:39 PM (#3619443) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Q (Frank Staplin) Can find nothing to substantiate the stories. |
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16 Apr 14 - 01:55 PM (#3619474) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: akenaton 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! |
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16 Apr 14 - 02:01 PM (#3619477) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Ed T Cornish Wrecking |
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16 Apr 14 - 03:36 PM (#3619508) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: gnu What a GREAT thread! Fascinating! |
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17 Apr 14 - 11:20 AM (#3619742) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Roger the Skiffler 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 |
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17 Apr 14 - 03:39 PM (#3619814) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: Eric the Viking 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. |
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17 Apr 14 - 03:47 PM (#3619818) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: GUEST I read that thing about a donkey/horse/mule carrying lanterns to lure ships to reefs/rocks. Can't recall where, though. |
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18 Apr 14 - 01:01 PM (#3620072) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: GUEST 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 |
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19 Apr 14 - 04:15 AM (#3620215) Subject: RE: BS: Wreckers From: GUEST,Marianne S. 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. |