BEAUMANS CASTLE
By Capt. Dan Berg

The English iron hulled sailing vessel, Beaumaris Castle, was built in Glasgow in 1864. She was 202 feet long had a 35.6 foot beam and displaced 1,040 tons. According to Lloyds register, she was owned by Merchant S.H. Company and was en route from Calcutta, India, to New York when she ran aground on April 25, 1873. At the time, she was under the command of Captain Emmett and carrying a cargo of jute, linseed oil and gum. Although the weather was hazy, many local boats went to her assistance. These small boats could do little more than transport some of her cargo and crew to shore. Coast Wrecking Company of New York happened to be on the island at the time of this unfortunate incident and within a few weeks had placed their four powerful Worthington and two Andrews pumps into the Beaumaris Castle's hold. Each Worthington discharged 60 barrels of sea water per minute, and the Andrews pumped 30 barrels per minute, which should have made for a simple and fast salvage, but due to bad weather, salvage was delayed until June. During the early part of June, before the second attempt of raising the wreck, the salvage company suffered the tragic loss of one of their crew. Edward Ryan had gone deep into the Beaumaris Castle's hold to clear a clogged pump. He was immediately overcome by poison gas emitted from the decomposed cargo. Others, including Captain Brown, rushed to Ryan's aid but were also overcome by the foul gases. When all the bodies were finally recovered, Ryan, who had been exposed the longest, was dead. The three others recovered from the toxic poisoning. Shortly after this tragedy, the Wrecking Company decided to abandon their attempts to raise the vessel.

Today this wreck, which was originally identified by local marine historian, Michael Davis, can be found along with the wreck of the Colonel William Ball scattered atop of Mill's Breakers. Divers will find a row of dead eyes along her port side that mark the site. Her bow section points toward the surface on the northern side of the breaker in 25 feet of water.
 

The information listed above was taken with permission from the Book:
BERMUDA SHIPWRECKS,  ISBN # 0-9616167-4-1
A Vacationing Divers Guide to Bermudas Shipwrecks,
by Dan and Denise Berg, 6x9 softcover,73 pages.
Retail $14.95

 

Now also Available as an instant download printable PDF eBook

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