Blackpool shipwrecks

Blackpool and the Fylde coast has become a ship graveyard to a number of vessels over the years. Most of the shipwrecks occurred at or near Blackpool, whilst a few happened a little further afield but have strong connections with the Blackpool area. For the purposes of this article, Blackpool means the stretch of coast from Fleetwood to Lytham St Annes.

The Travers was wrecked in 1755 with a cargo of lace.

In the autumn of 1779 a ship laden with peas was wrecked at Blackpool.

In December 1797, the Happy foundered off Lytham St. Annes. She was on a voyage from Oporto, Portugal to Liverpool, Lancashire.

The Fanny was wrecked off the coast of Blackpool in 1821, laden with red and black flannel.

A ship was wrecked at the Gynn in 1833.

The Crusader was wrecked at South Shore in 1839, laden with silk. Some looters from Marton were jailed after being caught stealing the cargo.

The Brig Aristocrat was wrecked opposite the Imperial Hydro in 1840. Two of the passengers were drowned.

The schooner William Henry was wrecked at South Shore, laden with flour and lard.

The St. Michael was wrecked at Blackpool on 18 September 1864. The new lifeboat rescued the crew of fourteen.

The brig Favourite, of Liverpool was wrecked off Blackpool on 22 November 1865 with the loss of ten crew. She was carrying a cargo of palm oil and seed.

The barque Lexington was wrecked, the crew of fourteen were saved by the lifeboat.

The Fleetwood schooner Bessie Jones was lost on Salthouse Bank on 26 February 1880. One man was lost, but four were saved. It was this shipwreck that led to a campaign for a lifeboat at St. Annes.

The Arethusa was wrecked off Blackpool in 1882, ten people were saved.

The Norwegian ship Sirene was sailing from Fleetwood to Florida in the United States on 9 October 1892 when it was caught up in a hurricane and smashed into North pier, destroying part of the pier. The eleven crew members jumped onto the pier to safety. The ship's wheel is housed in Blackpool lifeboat house.

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