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 . . .

Pendeen Watch - 'Two Spanish colliers lie wrecked at Zennor ; the first was the 1,615-ton Austria of Bilbao, Goita master, Penarth to Nantes, which struck under Trevessa Cliff at 3 am on 8 March 1907. The Spaniards landed in a cove near Mussel Point, and were guided up the cliffs by miners on their way to morning shift. By dusk the Austria, launched in 1883 by Bartram & Hawswell of Sunderland, was awash to her boat davits, and in two days had gone. Zennor was also shrouded in fog when . . . .' - An extract from Cornish Shipwrecks - Volume 2 - The North Coast by Clive Carter. [810]

The iron hulled, single screw steamer, 'Nicholas Vagiano' was launched during August 1883 at the South Dock yard of Bartram, Haswell & Company of Sunderland. A general cargo vessel she was 258. ft long x 36.1 ft wide x 18.7 ft depth being of 1693 gross, 1101 net register tons. Her first owner was Vagliano Bros. of Argostoli but in 1900 she was renamed 'Austria' upon her change of ownership to Cia. de Navegacion Internacionale - J. J. Llodio, Bilbao and again in 1903 to managers, Abaitua & Careaga of Bilbao. [818]

Sunk in the Fog, Narrow Escape of a Penarth-laden Ship's Crew - 'The steamship Austria, of Bilbao, from Penarth to Nantes, with coal, went ashore near St. Ives during Friday night. She stranded during a dense fog, and the crew of 22 hands took to the boats, one of which capsized, and a fireman was drowned. The others reached land with difficulty, and one man had a leg broken. The cries of the distressed mariners were heard by some miners, who assisted them up the cliffs. The wrecked men lost everything. Our Plymouth correspondent telegraphs that the Austria was commanded by Captain P. Goitia, and carried 2,077 tons of coal. She was wrecked on Saturday at six a.m. on the Carrack Rocks, about four miles to the westward of St. Ives. After striking the rocks, the Austria came in under Trevessa, or Carn Naun Point, and foundered almost at once. The crew had just time to get into the boats before she sank. At the time there was a thick fog, with strong wind and sea, which made any attempt of landing on such an exposed and rock-bound coast very dangerous. One boat, was dashed to pieces against the rooks, and, unfortunately, one fireman was drowned. Another man injured his leg, but the others landed safely at Trevessa. Cove an hour later. They fell in with some miners working at Trevega Mine, who conducted the drenched men to Mr. A. Hollows's farm, where they received every kindness and attention until further assistance arrived from St. Ives. Some of the poor fellows were almost naked, and new clothes had to be fetched from St. Ives. Dr. Mathew attended the injured sailor. The mast of the steamer is all that is visible, and she is. probably, a total loss. Wreckage is being picked up off St. Ives Head.' - Evening Express [135] [361] 11th March 1907.