S. S. Penwith

The steamship “Penwith”. Photograph and information generously provided by Tony Atkinson.

• Fleet: 1890–1911
• Official No. 95907
• Tonnage: 1,978 grt. 1,253 net
• Dimensions: 270.0' x 36.9' x 18.9' feet.
• Machinery: T.3 engine by Harvey & Co. Ltd., Hayle. 156 NHP. 1,000IHP.
• Speed: 9½ knots.

Ship’s History:

• 3 Jul 1890: Launched by Harvey & Co. Ltd., Hayle, (Yard No. 148) as PENWITH. Sponsor Mrs Rawlings, wife of the largest shareholder.
• Aug 1890: Completed.
• 30 Aug 1890: Registered in the ownership of the Penwith Steamship Co. Ltd., (R B & W Chellew, managers), Truro.
• 1892: Collided with a Norwegian sailing ship in the Dardanelles, the sailing vessel sank without loss of life. Subsequently PENWITH had to stay in Constantinople for four months for repairs before returning to Falmouth for permanent repairs.
• Dec 1898: An eagle landed on the deck of PENWITH when in the Bay of Biscay.
• 28 Dec 1911: Abandoned and later sank in the Bay of Biscay in position Lat. 45.40 N, Long. 11.18 W, while on a voyage from Hornillo, Spain to Cardiff, South Wales with a cargo of 2,550 tons of iron ore. The crew of 22 was rescued and taken to Las Palmas.
• 18 Jan 1912: The crew arrived back in Southampton aboard the Houlder Brothers cargo ship Beacon Grange.
• 20 Jan 1912: Register closed.