Irish Wrecks On-Line - Queen Victoria PS (No. 663)

*Vessel Type:*	Paddle Steamer	*Location:*	Co. Dublin
*Date of Loss:*	15th February 1853	*Place:*	Howth
*Cause of Loss:*	Foundered in storm	*Boat Dive from:*	Howth Harbour
*Charted Depth:*	20m	*Irish O.S. Map:*	Discovery Series No. 50
*Height of Wreck:*	5m	*Admiralty Chart No:*	1415
*Hull Material:*	Wood	*Latitude (GPS):*	53 21.50 North
*Type of Seabed:*		*Longitude (GPS):*	06 03.00 West
*Average Visibility:*	8 - 10m	*Diving Experience:*	Experienced

No image listed.

Diving Information:

Lies at Bailey Lighthouse, Howth, in 20m in a North-South direction and consists mainly of boilers and remains of the engine, along with anchors and her paddle wheels.
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.
Permission is required to dive the wreck.
Warning!! Subject to strong currents outside dive window.

Historical Information:

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.
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.
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 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.

Source Publications:

"Irish Wrecks Database"

by
Roy Stokes & Liam Dowling

"Shipwreck Index of Ireland"

by
Richard & Bridget LarnLloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2002 - ISBN: 1900839970

Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2002 - ISBN: 1900839970

"Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast 1105 - 1993"

by
Edward J. Bourke

Edward J. Bourke 1994 - ISBN: 0952302705

Last update - 07-Feb-2006