Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage and legacy

Volume Ten - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Even more aspects - The Lloyd's Register at Penarth Dock . . .

SHIPPING DISASTER AT PENARTH - STEAMER BROKEN IN TWO - HEAVY LOSS. - 'A most unusual shipping disaster occurred just outside Penarth Dock yesterday. The iron screw three mast steamer Engineer, lately owned by Messrs Harrison, of Liverpool, but now owned by Italians, had been loading cargo of about 3,000 tons of coal for Genoa. She was ready to leave on yesterday morning's tide. It was more convenient to take the steamer out of the dock stern first than to swing her in dock, and this course was decided upon. Unfortunately the services of a tug were not requisitioned, as is usual in such cases, and therefore as soon as the Engineer got outside the dock gates the strong easterly wind which was blowing at the time buffeted her about a good deal. A sudden squall struck her astern and amidships and landed her stern on the hard gravel patch just outside the dock gates and the fairway to the dock. There she remained fast. The tug North Star, which was handy, was engaged, but could not tow her off. Before any other tugs could be procured the tide had commenced to go down, thus making her faster than ever. It was hoped that she would settle down on the gravel and mud, and float on the night's tide little the worse for the mishap. The captain and others thought she was all right, and the former went to Cardiff on business in the after noon. When the tide had completely gone down it became evident that there was a tremendous strain on the steamer's back. Shortly after 2 o'clock there was a loud cracking noise, followed almost immediately by the steamer parting in two amidships. Some of the steam pipes were severed by the parting, and one or two members of the crew had a narrow escape of being scalded. Nothing could be done to minimise the damage, which practically leaves the steamer a complete wreck, and so the men were taken ashore and at night warning lights were put up. The loss of cargo and steamer is estimated at from £20,000 to £30,000. The bow of the Engineer was covered with last night's tide, and also a good part of the stern. The fairway to Penarth Dock is intact, but at the same time the wreck of the Engineer renders navigation difficult if not risky, especially at night. Steps will be taken as soon as possible to clear away the wreckage.' - South Wales Daily News [325] [361] 24th March 1900.


1900 - The loss of s.s. 'Engineer' as reported within the Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping - Returns of Vessels Totally Lost, Condemned, &c. - 1st January to 31st March 1900. [760] [684]


The ENGINEER was an iron-hulled steamship built in 1882 by Aitken & Mansel, Whiteinch, Glasgow, for the Charente Steamship Company of Liverpool. Technical and configuration specifications are given as 2667gt, 1696nt; 350ft length x 38ft breadth x 25ft 3in depth; screw propulsion 2 cylinder compound engine connected to 2 boilers producing 344 horsepower; machinery made by J and J Thomson of Glasgow; Official Number 86175. At the time of loss the vessel was owned by J White of Genoa, Italy and registered at that port. On 23 March 1900 the ENGINEER was carrying coal from Penarth to Savona under the command of master F Bertolotto. It grounded leaving Penarth Dock and split in two. The two parts were refloated and beached at Penarth Head where they were broken up. Many thanks to Coflein for the map and information. [071] [Archive Number 273987]

1900 - Remarkable Accident at Penarth Dock - Steamer Breaks in Two Near the Pier-Head - A remarkable accident occurred near Penarth Dock on Friday morning. When the Italian steamer the Engineer was going out from the dock, stern first, she grounded, when about 200 yards from the Pier-head. A tugboat was soon in attendance, but, despite all efforts to swing her round, the steamer could not be got from her position. There she lay, with one end on the bank and the and the other across the drain, and when the water receded, about 3.15, she broke in half, between her engines and boilers. The Engineer was bound for Savona, with about 3,500 tons of coal, besides bunkers. She has an opening of about 6 ft. on her starboard side, right down to the water. The men at once left the boat, and removed all their effects, depositing them in the Customs House. - The Western Mail [164] [361] 24th March 1900.

Lloyd's List [760] reported the wreck : Penarth, 23 March 1900 - The Italian steamer Engineer tonnage 1,797, captain Bertolotto, sailed this tide for Genoa, loaded with coal, grounded on leaving the dock entrance and since then the steamer has broken in half. The following day, the master, Ferrucio Bertolotto, made a deposition at Cardiff and the cargo was sold for £620 and the hull and machinery for £2,410.


March 1901 - s.s. 'Engineer' - with broken back near the entrance channel to Penarth Dock. The two sections were subsequently re-floated, towed and beached under Penarth Head for breaking up! See also photograph of the s.s. 'Engineer' being broken up on the beach. [000] [002]