CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Years Active: 1875-1896
Vessel Type: 3-masted full-rigged Ship
Full-rigged
Nationality: American
Presumed sunk in 1896, with everyone on board lost after striking the Billy Rock in East Falkland. Wreck never found; identified by recovered flotsam.
Main Use:
Cargo
Years Active:
1875-1896
Power:
Sail
Built:
1875
Size:
1,458 Gross, 1,384 Net tons
61.66 x 12.28 x 7.41 metres
(length, breadth, depth) metres
Design/Build:
Goss & Sawyer at Bath, Maine, USA
Main Use: Cargo
Built: 1875
Power: Sail
Design/Build: Goss & Sawyer at Bath, Maine, USA
Size: 1,458 Gross, 1,384 Net tons
Dimensions: 61.66 x 12.28 x 7.41 metres
On 14th May 1896, three Falkland Islands’ vessels responded to reports that a large iron ship was stranded on the Billy Rock in Port William, East Falkland. The RESULT, SISSIE and VICTORIA all attended, but “as the night was wild and dark”, they were unable to get close enough to save the stricken vessel. The rescuers reported “hearing clearly the shouts of those on board”. Due to the dangers from floating wreckage and the “wildness of the sea eddying round the rock” it was decided to “return to harbour”. It was thought that the stranded ship, being made of iron, would “hold together” until their return. This did not turn out to be the case. When the rescuers returned the vessel was gone. Several dives at the rock failed to find anything to establish the name of the vessel. The body of a woman was recovered but there was nothing to show who she was. The sunken vessel was later identified as the CITY OF PHILADELPHIA from markings on cargo from the scene.
On 14th May 1896, three Falkland Islands’ vessels responded to reports that a large iron ship was stranded on the Billy Rock in Port William, East Falkland. The RESULT, SISSIE and VICTORIA all attended, but “as the night was wild and dark”, they were unable to get close enough to save the stricken vessel. The rescuers reported “hearing clearly the shouts of those on board”. Due to the dangers from floating wreckage and the “wildness of the sea eddying round the rock” it was decided to “return to harbour”. It was thought that the stranded ship, being made of iron, would “hold together” until their return. This did not turn out to be the case. When the rescuers returned the vessel was gone. Several dives at the rock failed to find anything to establish the name of the vessel. The body of a woman was recovered but there was nothing to show who she was. The sunken vessel was later identified as the CITY OF PHILADELPHIA from markings on cargo from the scene.
