Introduction
The Falkland Islands, situated 300 miles to the leeward of Cape Horn in arguably the most consistently savage seas of the world, have a shipping history rich in shipwrecks, daring rescues and pirates. Often the first safe haven for battered vessels trying to round Cape Horn the Islands presented their own dangers with rocky coasts, hidden reefs, thick kelp and rough seas. With more than 300 wrecks estimated to be around Falkland Islands shores, over 100 of which have been recorded, probably the most famous casualties of the Horn who ended up in the Islands are the Great Britain, now relocated to the UK, and one of the world’s most photographed wrecks, the Lady Elizabeth.
Deck of the Great Britain – 1890 – photo FIC Collection
Whaling and in particular sealing, mainly by American vessels, added to early shipping traffic around the Islands and in 1907 increased significantly with the arrival of large numbers of Norwegian whalers.
The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 reduced the need for many ships to brave Cape Horn however the Falkland Islands remained an important strategic outpost and a convenient port for ships visiting and trading with southern South American countries.
Shipping information available in Volume E2, which is available under Government - Laws and Ordinances, includes the Charters of the Despatch (pg 45-54), Manney (pg 58-61), Page (pg 217-218) and Vigilante (pg 219 and 274); Protests of the Galen, Mary Gray, Christiana, Alonzo, and Strathisla.
These files are not a complete representation of the shipwrecks around the Falkland Islands and the Dependencies but are some of those partly or fully researched by the Archives over the last 10+ years and will be added to from time to time.
Adeline.pdf(3.75 MB)
Amoy (1 - previously City of Amoy) and the Amoy (2).pdf(355.6 KB)
Armantine 1851.pdf(8.1 MB)
Avona 1882.pdf(1.51 MB)
Bidston Hill 1886 to 1905.pdf479.34 KB
Black Hawk 1872 to 1881.pdf491.41 KB
Black Hawk - inquiry into the wreck of in 1881 - H36.pdf7.42 MB
Blue Jacket 1869.pdf(14.85 MB)
City of Amoy later Amoy (1) and the Amoy (2).pdf(355.6 KB)
Colonsay 1860.pdf3.94 MB
Concordia.pdf(11.52 MB)
Crew of the Concordia.pdf110.92 KB
Craigie Lea 1879.pdf(1.02 MB)
Cubana 1862.pdf(2.73 MB)
Denby 1868 - D14 H29.pdf(3.53 MB)
Dennis Brundit 1892.pdf6.74 MB
Fifeshire 1885 to 1908.pdf243.83 KB
Flora - 1906 - FIC Correspondence.pdf724.08 KB
Frank Pierce - 1864.pdf517.65 KB
Galgorm Castle 1892 to 1917.pdf282.37 KB
Genesta unknown to 1888.pdf229.64 KB
G F Haendel.pdf(12.69 MB)
Gleam.pdf(4.72 MB)
Glengowan.pdf(14.25 MB)
Graham 1924.pdf(199.66 KB)
Hyndford Sep 1906 - FIC.pdf(852.9 KB)
Juliet - 1 Aug 1875.pdf(1.7 MB)
Luigia S 4 Sep 1885.pdf(13.87 MB)
Merlin 1861.pdf214.99 KB
Result.pdf(4.01 MB)
Robert Fulton 1849.pdf(3.75 MB)
Saint Enoch.pdf(26.26 KB)
Samoa.pdf(22.78 MB )
Shipwrecks and Shipping Casualties April 1870.pdf(105.93 KB)
Southern Cross.pdf(236.27 KB)
Star of Scotia 1887.pdf(2.15 MB)
Vampyr.pdf(4.92 MB)
Vesta.pdf(3.75 MB)
Yarra Yarra.pdf(1.36 MB)
Disclaimer
While every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy the Jane Cameron National Archives does not accept responsibility for any omissions or errors in these records.
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