The UKHO record for the loss of the BONITA originally (1934) notes the recorded position of sinking, and that it is for 'filing only'. Nothing was found during an area search by HMS WOODLARK in 1979 and the record was amended to 'Dead'. In 2018 a wreck was located in the area by the UKHO and assigned the identification of the BONITA. That wreck lies in 1m of water and is orientated 175/355 degrees. It has a surveyed length of 10m, width of 3.3m, and the UKHO notes that the wreck is poorly defined, but in one piece. 

The exact nature of the archaeological remains of the wreck are still unclear, and it would merit further archaeological examination to confirm its identification as the BONITA.

Event and Historical Information:
The BONITA was a wooden ketch, built in Jersey in 1881 by Daniel Le Sueur & Son (Official No. 76278). The vessel had a registered tonnage of 37 and was 57.9ft (17.6m) in length, 16.1ft (4.9m) in width, and 7.4ft (2.25m) depth. It is recorded in the Lloyds Register as being part fastened with iron bolts, having a single deck and being 'salted'. Its first owner was John C. Renouf of Jersey, and at the time of loss it was owned by Reuben Chichester of Church St., Braunton, Devon.

On 2 August 1934, the BONITA was on passage from Braunton to Lydney, to load coal for Watchet when it was caught by 60mph winds. In order to stop the ketch from going ashore the master and mate, Mr Chichester and Mr Binding, dropped an anchor. However, it was driven ashore at a position recorded by the Receiver of Wreck and the Lloyds List as 1 mile east of the mouth of the Aberthaw river.

Sources include:

Lloyds Register 1882, B558.

Lloyds Register Documentation https://hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/archive-library/ships/bonita-1881/

Mercantile Navy List, 1982, p.206

Mercantile Navy List, 1934, p.846

UKHO ID 12460: Contains public sector information, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, from UK Hydrographic Office. 

J. Whitewright, RCAHMW, March 2024