White Ship Disaster
The White Ship sinking
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| History | |
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| Name: | The White Ship |
| Out of service: | 25 November 1120 |
| Fate: | Struck a submerged rock off Barfleur, Normandy |
| Status: | Wreck |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Sailing ship |
| Installed power: | Square Sails |
| Propulsion: | Wind and oars |
The White Ship (real name: French: la Blanche-Nef, Latin documents Latin: Candida nauis) was a vessel that sank in the English Channel near the Normandy coast off Barfleur, on 25 November 1120. Only one of those aboard survived. Those who drowned included William Adelin, the only legitimate son and heir of King Henry I of England, his half-sister Matilda, and his half-brother Richard. William Adelin's death led to a succession crisis and a period of civil war in England known as the Anarchy.
The 'White Ship' was a newly refitted vessel captained by Thomas FitzStephen (Thomas filz Estienne), whose father Stephen FitzAirard (Estienne filz Airard) had been captain of the ship Mora for William the Conqueror when he invaded England in 1066. Thomas offered his ship to Henry I of England to use it to return to England from Barfleur in Normandy. Henry had already made other arrangements, but allowed many in his retinue to take the White Ship, including his heir, William Adelin; his illegitimate son Richard of Lincoln; his illegitimate daughter Matilda FitzRoy, Countess of Perche; and many other nobles. According to chronicler Orderic Vitalis, the crew asked William Adelin for wine and he supplied it to them in great abundance. By the time the ship was ready to leave there were about 300 people on board although some had disembarked due to the excessive drinking before the ship sailed.
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Wikipedia