SV Andromeda

The 1928 ton four masted sailing barque, the sv Andromeda, was on route to Falmouth from Tacoma when on early Saturday morning a terrific gale drove her ashore on Porthmellin Head. She was waiting for the ship’s pilot to come but they never received the call. Carrying a cargo of 2,500 tons of wheat, the 82.67m x 12.91m x 7.16m ship became a total loss.

She now lies well broken and covered in kelp in the shallows around a maximum depth of 8 to 10m, just a few metres from the shore.

A pretty and shallow dive, suitable for all levels of scuba divers.

Until recently the Andromeda was thought to be a quarter of a mile away on Killigerran Head.

Un-dived for many years, most had forgotten where it was. With the help of a group of divers, we relocated it and have corrected the info with the Hydrographic Office.

The storms of the winter of 2013 took their toll on the Andromeda, it sustained some damaged, it also uncovered lots of wreckage previously covered by sand and stones. During survey dives completed in May-June 2014, quite a lot of timber decking was seen, unusual for a wreck of this age. Several artefacts were also recovered.

sv ANDROMEDA

built by Robert Duncan & Co Port Glasgow,
Yard No 247

Propulsion: Sail. 4 masts
Launched: Wednesday, 23/04/1890
Built: 1890
Ship Type: Steel barque
Ship’s Role: Cargo
Tonnage: 1928 g |1822 nrt
Length: 271.35 feet
Breadth: 40 feet
Draught: 23.6 feet depth
Owner History:
George F. Smith, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1895: Mrs W. Smith (manager, A. W. Adams), Saint John, N.B.
1901: Black, Moore & Co, London – Andromeda Ship Company (manager, Robert Moore), London.
Status: Wrecked – 13/02/1915