Fog on the Coast
Steamers Ashore at South Shields
About half post four o'clock this morning, a dense fog descended on the coast, rendering objects invisible a few yards distance, and except in the case of the direct ferry at Shields, completely suspending the traffic on the river from that hour till about 8 30 and causing serious accidents to steamers. It appears that the captain and crew of the s.s. Fenella, of London, were landed at North Shields, this morning, and report that their vessel was lying partly sunk southward of the Herd Sands Buoy. The Fenella left her moorings in Shields Harbour at an early hour, this morning, bound for Hamburg, coal laden, and it is said that the crew had to scramble over the ship's broadside to save themselves. Another local trader went ashore on the Groyne, and remains fast. It appears that the vessel, the William Hunter, went ashore about six o'clock this morning, during the prevalence of the fog. It expected that she will float at high water.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 21 March 1893
The Sunken Steamer Fenella
The screw steamer Fenella, which sank to the southward the Herd Sands Buoy, during the fog yesterday, left Wallsend, coal laden, at an early hour the morning, bound for Hamburg. It appears that in avoiding a collision with another screw steamer, inward bound, she collided with the South Pier with such force that it was found necessary to beach her to prevent her from foundering in deep-water. The vessel was backed astern for several minutes, when she began to give signs of settling down. She was, however, beached at the place above stated. A boat was launched, and the crew, with the exception of the master and the mates, who remained on board the Fenella till the last minute, got on board. The vessel shortly afterwards heeled over on her starboard side, and the master and mate had just time to scramble on board the small boat lying near. Three of the crew were landed at South Shields, and the remainder at North Shields.
In an interview with one of the crew, our shipping representative was informed that the Fenella holed herself about the bows when she struck the South Pier, and the water rushed into the breach with alarming rapidity. It was found that the vessel was sinking, and she was backed astern and eventually beached. There were two dogs and a cat on board the Fenella, and it is supposed that one of the dogs and the cat were drowned when the steamer sank. The greater portion of the crew reside at North and South Shields. The Fenella lies on her broadside partially visible at low water. Although clear of the track of vessels leaving or entering the harbour, it has been deemed necessary to exhibit the usual danger signals.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 22 March 1893
Sunken Steamer Fenella
The crew of this vessel, which has sunk off the South Pier, South Shields, being members of the Seamen and Firemen's Union, have been paid their shipwrecked claim. The men numbered ten. The crew the steamer Darenth, of London, have also been paid by the same union, their shipwrecked claims.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 23 March 1893
The Sunken Steamer Fenella
The crew of this vessel, which has sunk off the South Pier, South Shields, being members of the Seamen and Firemen's Union, have been paid their shipwrecked claim. The men numbered ten. The crew of the steamer Darenth, of London, have also been paid by the same union, their shipwrecked claims.
The sunken steamer Fenella, of London, which it will remembered, heeled over and sank, early on Tuesday morning, to the southward of Herd Sand Buoy, is entirely submerged at high water. It is stated that a survey has been held on the vessel, with the object of taking steps to have her raised, A tug boat, since the wreck, has been in attendance during the night time, to warn all approaching vessels.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 24 March 1893
TYNE IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION.
SUNKEN STEAMER.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the screw steamer “Fenella," 246 feet long, LIES SUNK within the entrance to the River Tyne, between the Herd Buoy and the Groyne Light house, in about three fathoms at low water spring tides.
The vessel is entirely submerged at high water, and is lying on her starboard side, about 400 feet to the westward of the Herd Buoy, with her head to the south east, and her stern in a direct line with the Groyne Lighthouse and Buoy.
By day the vessel is marked by a green buoy, placed close to the stern, and at night a watch vessel exhibiting two white lights placed horizontally, will, when practicable, ride or be in proximity thereto.
By order
R. URWIN, Secretary.
Tyne Improvement Commission Offices,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 21st March, 1893.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 24 March 1893
Blowing Up the Wreck of the Fenella
During the past few days, several men have been employed in blowing up the sunken steamer Fenella, which, it will be remembered, sank to southward of the Herd Sand Buoy, South Shields, some time ago, after collision with the south pier. The steamer is lying on her broadside, which renders the work somewhat difficult. It is intended to discharge the vessel's cargo. A large quantity iron has already been recovered. Yesterday morning, two charges were fired in succession, which were heard a considerable distance from the scene of operations.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 27 April 1893
The Wrecks at the Mouth of the River
It was stated that the responsibility of the owners of the Crystal sunk outside the South Pier, for expenses of removal was entered for trial at London, and the decision was to be taken by parties to rule the ease of the Satellite, also sunk outside the harbour. The Commissioners refused the same conditions regarding the Fenella, as there was no doubt of its being inside the piers.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 12 May 1893
Steamer ' Fenella ' and Cargo of Coals, recently sunk and salved in the Tyne entrance, comprising Plates. Frames, Beams, &c., &c. weighing about 450 tons, 2 Main Boilers (up to 771bs) and Engine, Donkey Boiler, Masts, Spans, Davit's Blocks, Rigging & Sails, three Patent and two Common Anchors, 270 fathoms of 1 1/2in Stud Chain, and 60 fathoms of other Chain, Manilla, Coir and Steel Ropes, about 3 tons Brass and Copper, half-ton of Lead.
AND 400 TONS OF COAL,
to SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION at the time and places indicated below.
T. GLOVER & SON are favoured with instructions by the Tyne Improvement Commissioners to SELL the above, Friday, September the 15th. 1893.
The Coals, Masts, and Spars are at the Commissioners' Yard, Howdon, where they can be seen and where they will remain until after the sale, but they will be sold at the South Pier.
The Main Boilers, Engine, and portions the Hull are on the Mussel Scarp at the Low Lights.
The remainder of the Hull, and everything else will be on the South Pier and in the adjoining Yard.
The Sale will commence at the Low Lights at 12 o'clock PROMPT, and on completion there the company will be conveyed by steamer to the South Pier, where the Sale of the whole of the remainder will be immediately proceeded with.
Auction Offices: 64 King Street, South Shields.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 12 September 1893