Steamship Belem Shipwreck Propeller Shaft
by Richard Brookes
Title
Steamship Belem Shipwreck Propeller Shaft
Artist
Richard Brookes
Medium
Photograph
Description
A very low tide at Sandymouth beach North Cornwall near Northcott Mouth, north of Bude, Cornwall, England, UK. All that remains, mainly propeller shaft, of the wreck of the 1,925 ton Portuguese steamship "Belem" (formerly the German SS Rhodos) stranded in thick fog at Northcott Mouth, Bude, on 20th November 1917 while on passage from Gibraltar to Barry with ballast. The crew of 33 including two Royal Navy gunners (she was armed with a light gun aft), were brought ashore by rocket apparatus. She soon broke her back and was deemed a constructive total loss, being later broken up for scrap. The remains are not always visible except on occasion when heavy seas scoop away the covering sand, In the 1980's(?) a team of local enthusiasts recovered part of her propeller shaft which was donated to Bude Museum. Also understand that another part of the shaft was used to perch the barrel on Barrel Rock at the end of Bude Sea Breakwater.
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Uploaded
March 20th, 2015
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Viewed 1,918 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/12/2024 at 3:15 PM
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Comments (3)
Maggie Terlecki
wow, there really isn't much left of this ship is there and in time it will be all gone. Excellent shot! :-) Maggie
Richard Brookes replied:
Many thanks Maggie. I think some of the ship was salvaged at the time of the wreck so I was surprised to find the propeller too - I have a photo at http://richard-brookes.pixels.com/featured/propeller-steamship-belem-shipwreck-richard-brookes.html
Barbie Corbett-Newmin
You have shown us a great perspective on this tragedy. SO glad you were safe capturing this exceptional view!
Richard Brookes replied:
Thank you for your kind comment Barbie. I was fine. I love sharing views of places and things that people may not be aware of or unable to see due to their difficult location. Makes it all worthwhile when people enjoy seeing them! :o)