Paddle Steamer

• Lies close to the Bailey Lighthouse, Howth, in 16 to 20m in a NorthWest-SouthEast direction.
• Largely broken up.
• Mainly consists of boilers and remains of the engine and her paddle wheels, along with anchors and general debris.
• The hull was cut open to just above the bilge’s.
• Extensive fish life, but is close to a sewage outfall.
• Best dived 2 hours after High Water only.
• Warning!! Subject to strong currents outside dive window.
• NOTE. Permission is required from "www.archaeology.ie/licences/divesurvey-licence" to dive this wreck.

• Built in 1838 by Wilson of Glasgow to a very high specification, she gave its owners The City Of Dublin Steam Packet Company excellent service.
• She measured 150ft long, weighed 333 net tons, and was powered by a 2 cylinder steam engine generating 250h.p. giving her a top speed of 11knots..
• When returning from Liverpool with general cargo and passengers in a snowstorm she struck Howth Head in the middle of the night.
• After backing off, she struck again under the Bailey Lighthouse and went down just 100 yds south of the lighthouse.
• 17 people were rescued but over 80 people were lost and a subsequent enquiry blamed the captain, first mate and those responsible for the lighthouse.
• Attempts to raise the vessel failed and she was broken open and salvaged in situ.
• The ship's figurehead was recovered and is in the Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire.
• The wreck is protected by The National Monuments Act (Historic Wreck).
• Surveyed in 1985 by M.S.A.C. for O.P.W. and Maritime Museum.