1. The Royal Charter (1859)

The Royal Charter remains one of the most famous and valuable shipwrecks in Cornish history. This steam clipper, en route from Australia to Liverpool, was laden with gold when it met its fate during a violent storm off the Anglesey coast, near the Cornish shores.

• Cargo Value: Estimated to be worth around £120 million (modern value), including gold.
• Crew Members Lost: 459 lives were lost.
• Start Point: Melbourne, Australia.
• Destination: Liverpool, England.

The Royal Charter carried many prospectors returning from the Australian gold rush, many of whom had large quantities of gold sewn into their clothes or hidden in luggage. The loss of both life and treasure in this storm was catastrophic.

2. SS Mohegan (1898)

The SS Mohegan was a luxury passenger liner that crashed into the Manacles Rocks near the Lizard Peninsula, one of the most dangerous stretches of coastline in Cornwall. The ship’s holds contained a fortune in goods.

• Cargo Value: Estimated at £2 million in today’s money, including luxury goods and jewelry.
• Crew Members Lost: 106 out of 197 aboard.
• Start Point: London, England.
• Destination: New York City, USA.

The disaster struck in calm weather, and the cause remains a mystery, with theories ranging from navigational errors to conspiracy. Divers still visit the wreck today to explore its remains and salvage its treasures.

3. HMS Association (1707)

The HMS Association, part of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell’s fleet, sank off the Isles of Scilly, losing over 800 men in one of the worst naval disasters in British history. The ship was carrying the wages for the English fleet, adding to the tragedy.

• Cargo Value: Estimated at £25 million, including gold and silver coins.
• Crew Members Lost: All 800 aboard.
• Start Point: Gibraltar.
• Destination: Portsmouth, England.

The shipwreck, along with others from Shovell’s fleet, is one of the most tragic losses of life in Cornish waters. Divers and treasure hunters have salvaged some of the cargo, but much still remains hidden beneath the waves.

4. The John (1855)

The John was an immigrant ship carrying Irish passengers to North America when it sank near Land’s End in 1855. Along with its passengers, the ship was transporting a small fortune in goods.

• Cargo Value: Estimated at £500,000 in modern value, including personal effects and valuables.
• Crew Members Lost: Over 200 passengers and crew.
• Start Point: Galway, Ireland.
• Destination: New York City, USA.

The wreck is a stark reminder of the perilous journeys made by those fleeing famine in Ireland, many of whom were seeking new lives in America. Some of the passengers had brought with them valuable heirlooms, which now lie buried at sea.

5. SS Schiller (1875)

The SS Schiller was a German liner that foundered on the Retarrier Ledges near the Isles of Scilly during a thick fog. The ship was filled with gold and other valuables being transported to America.

• Cargo Value: Estimated at £20 million, including gold.
• Crew Members Lost: 254 out of 311 aboard.
• Start Point: New York City, USA.
• Destination: Hamburg, Germany.

The shipwreck shocked both Germany and England, and the tragedy was widely reported in the media of the time. Many valuable items were lost, and the site continues to attract divers and treasure hunters.

6. The Spanish Galleons (1588)

Several Spanish galleons from the famed Armada were wrecked along Cornwall’s coastline after their defeat in 1588. These ships were filled with the riches of the Spanish Empire, making them some of the most valuable wrecks in Cornish waters.

• Cargo Value: Undetermined, but likely millions in gold, silver, and treasure.
• Crew Members Lost: Thousands across multiple ships.
• Start Point: Spain.
• Destination: England, during the Spanish invasion attempt.

The galleons carried treasure looted from the New World, including gold and silver bullion. Their wrecks have been the subject of numerous salvage operations, but much of the treasure remains lost.

7. HMS Colossus (1798)

HMS Colossus was a 74-gun warship that ran aground in a storm near the Isles of Scilly. Among its cargo was a valuable collection of ancient Greek vases and other treasures.

• Cargo Value: Estimated at £10 million, including ancient Greek artifacts.
• Crew Members Lost: Fewer than 40 (most of the crew were saved).
• Start Point: Naples, Italy.
• Destination: Portsmouth, England.

The wreck is renowned for the precious Greek artifacts it carried, which were part of a collection intended for the British Museum. Many of these artifacts have since been recovered, but more treasures may still lie hidden in the depths.

8. Bay of Panama (1891)

The Bay of Panama was a cargo ship that ran aground at Land’s End. It was carrying iron ore and valuable goods when it met its fate.

• Cargo Value: Estimated at £1 million.
• Crew Members Lost: All crew survived.
• Start Point: Newport, Wales.
• Destination: New York City, USA.

Though less renowned for its treasure, the Bay of Panama carried valuable commodities that were lost to the sea. Parts of the wreck are still visible at low tide, making it a popular spot for history enthusiasts and divers.

9. SS Killarney (1907)

The SS Killarney was a passenger and cargo ship that struck rocks near Land’s End during a storm. Along with its passengers, the ship carried valuable goods.

• Cargo Value: Estimated at £1.5 million.
• Crew Members Lost: All survived.
• Start Point: Cork, Ireland.
• Destination: Liverpool, England.

The Killarney’s valuable cargo was never fully recovered, and much of it lies scattered on the ocean floor. The wreck remains a diving destination for those seeking to uncover its hidden treasures.

10. The HMS Victory (1744)

HMS Victory, the predecessor to Nelson’s flagship of the same name, was lost in a storm near the Isles of Scilly. The ship was rumored to have been carrying a fortune in gold.

• Cargo Value: Estimated at £200 million in gold bullion.
• Crew Members Lost: Over 1,000.
• Start Point: Lisbon, Portugal.
• Destination: England.

The wreck of the HMS Victory remained undiscovered for centuries until it was located in 2008. The ship’s exact cargo is still debated, but the possibility of treasure has made it one of the most sought-after wrecks in British waters.

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The Riches and Tragedies of Cornwall’s Shipwrecks

Cornwall’s waters are a maritime graveyard filled with stories of fortune, loss, and mystery. Each shipwreck holds its own history, some with untold treasures waiting to be found, while others are a reminder of the dangers faced by sailors throughout history. For treasure hunters, divers, and maritime enthusiasts, these wrecks represent both a connection to Cornwall’s past and the hope of discovering something truly remarkable.