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The
Wreck of HMS Anson
diver with cannon & pig
irons -
wreck of HMS Anson (1807)
(© B Scaife May 2004)
29
December 1807 - The Naval Frigate HMS Anson became yet another
wreck on Loe Bar, a mile along the beach to the south of Porthleven.
HMS
Anson left Falmouth on Christmas Eve, to join the patrols blockading
the French Channel ports. But on running into a gale turned back
to seek shelter. When it was realised the land ahead was The Lizard
- not Falmouth, the Captain (Lydiard) tried to sail his vessel
out of the trap it was now in, but continued to be blown towards
the shore. When the anchors failed to hold an attempt was made
to run the Anson ashore - unfortunately hitting one of many rocky
reefs and going broadside on 100m away from the shoreline. The
mainmast fell into the surf making a bridge of sorts allowing
some men to escape across it. However Captain Lydiard and 190
out of 330 men on board died in the surf.
Watching from shore was Henry
Trengrouse of Helston who was so shocked at seeing so many men
die so close to safety that he later invented the forerunner of
the rocket fired life saving apparatus.
Diving
the Anson - diving from the whole length of this huge
beach from Porthleven to Gunwallowe can be a dangerous affair
except in complete calm. Getting in is easy - getting out can
be ridiculously difficult even in a slight surf making this more
suitable for a boat dive even though so close to the beach. Go
down to the shore during a SW gale - forget diving and view the
truly awe inspiring power of the huge waves. These conditions
can strip millions of tons of shingle away from the foreshore
or redeposit it over a short period of time.The
remains of the Anson are still there for divers to see today -
just 100m off the beach of Loe Bar, level with the Loe Pool. The
large cannon and cannonballs may not be uncovered from the sand
and shingle. However each storm can alter what can be seen and
when visible (as in May 2004) they make for a spectacular and
safe historic dive in less than 9m of water - a dive you will
not forget.
divers with cannon & pig
irons -
wreck of HMS Anson (1807)
(© B Scaife May 2004)
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