Archaeological remains associated with the loss of this vessel are not confirmed as present at this location, but may possibly be in the vicinity.

Event and Historical Information:
The STELLA MARIS was a steel-hulled steamship built by J Shearer & Son, Glasgow, in 1900. Technical and configuration specifications are given as 52nt; screw propulsion powered by a compound engine supplied by Shanks, Anderson & Co, Glasgow. At time of loss, the vessel was owned by R Kay & Sons, Glasgow (other sources suggest Frank Humble Kay, Master Mariner, of Gosforth) and registered at Glasgow. The ship was on passage in ballast from Holyhead to Garston under the command of W O Kane when, at 9.30pm on 7 January 1905 the ship was in collision with the Spanish steamship ORIA 1.5miles (or 2 miles - sources differ) west of the Skerries. The STELLA MARIS sustained significant damage amidships and immediately began to sink, The eight-man crew of the STELLA MARIS scrambled aboard the ORIA. The ORIA was also badly damaged at the bow with incoming water overcoming the pumps. As a consequence, nine of the ORIA's crew and three of the STELLA MARIS's crew left the ship in an open boat. The boat was washed towards the Skerries and the occupants able to land. The steam lifeboat DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND persevered through mountainous seas and a southwesterly gale to take them off and bring them to the mainland. The remainder of the crew of the STELLA MARIS stayed onboard to try to bring the ORIA into Holyhead. However, the ORIA sank a third of a mile northwest of the Breakwater lighthouse. Captain O?Kane and four of the crew of the STELLA MARIS, plus eight of the ORIA's Spanish crew took to one of the ORIA's boats. The boat was without oars and in danger of being sucked under by the sinking ship, however it was taken in tow by a cobbler's boat manned by Thomas Jones and other local people who brought to ORIA's boat to safety.

Sources include:

Board of Trade Wreck Return 1905, Appendix C, Table 1, p.142 (632)
Evans, D E, 2007, Troubled Waters, pp.107-113
Yr Herald Cymraeg, 10 January 1905, p.8
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Lloyd's Register Casualty Returns, 1 January - 31 March 1905, p.7 (d)
Rhyl Record and Advertiser, 14 January 1905, p.7
The North Wales Express, 13 January 1905, p.5
Weekly Mail, 14 January 1905, p.1

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, May 2008.

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