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SS Stella (1890)

SS Stella.jpg
SS Stella
History
United Kingdom
Name: Stella
Owner: London and South Western Railway
Port of registry: Southampton
Route: Southampton - Channel Islands
Builder: J & G Thompson, Clydebank
Cost: £62,000
Yard number: 252
Launched: 16 September 1890
Completed: October 1890
Out of service: 30 March 1899
Identification: United Kingdom Official Number 97219
Fate: Wrecked on The Casquets, Channel Islands
General characteristics
Tonnage: 1,059 GRT
Length: 253 ft (77.11 m)
Beam: 35 ft (10.67 m)
Propulsion: 2 x triple expansion steam engines
Speed: 19½ knots (36 km/h)
Capacity: 712 passengers
Crew: 43

Stella was a passenger ferry in service with the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) that was wrecked on 30 March 1899 off the Casquets during a crossing from Southampton, to Guernsey.

Stella was built by J & G Thompson Ltd, Clydebank as yard number 252. She was launched on 15 September 1890 by Miss Chisholm. The builders completed the ship in 1890. She was 1,059 GRT and was powered by two triple expansion steam engines which could propel her at 19½ knots (36 km/h).

Stella was 253 feet (77.11 m) long, with a beam of 35 feet (10.67 m). She could carry 712 passengers and carried 754 lifejackets, 12 lifebuoys and her lifeboats could carry 148 people. Her sister ships were Frederica and Lydia.

Stella was built for the LSWRs Southampton - Channel Island services. On Maundy Thursday, 30 March 1899, Stella departed Southampton for St Peter Port, Guernsey carrying 147 passengers and 43 crew. Many of the passengers were travelling to the Channel Islands for an Easter holiday or returning home there during the Easter break. Stella departed Southampton at 11:25 and after passing The Needles proceeded at full speed across the Channel. Some fog banks were encountered and speed was reduced twice while passing through these. Approaching the Channel Islands, another fog bank was encountered, but speed was not reduced. Shortly before 16:00, the fog signal from the Casquets Lighthouse was heard and the Casquets came into view directly ahead. Captain Reeks ordered the engines full astern and attempted to turn away from the rocks. Stella scraped along two rocks, and then her bottom was ripped open by a submerged granite reef.


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