Site Record

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

Event and Historical Information:
The CHAPULTEPEC was a full-rigged ship built at Quebec in 1854. Technical and configuration specifications are given as 988gt, 902nt; 175ft 5in length x 29ft 6in breadth x 20ft 7in depth; sheathed on felt and yellow metal; partly fastened with iron bolts. It seems likely that the vessel was named after the battle of Chapultec, a US Victory over Mexican forces holding a castle of the same name to the west of Mexico City It had been used as the Mexican Military Academy and was stormed by US troops under General Winfield Grant on 13 September 1847. At time of loss, the vessel was owned by J Burrell and registered at Lancaster. It was carrying timber from Quebec to Liverpool under the command of master Matthew Arkle. The Board of Trade Inquiry heard that the vessel had been enveloped in a dense fog since passing Kinsale Head and had been relying on soundings to find its way. At 2.30am on 7 July 1871, the vessel had struck on the Rhoscolyn Rocks and become total wreck. From the imperfect manner in which the ship's log had been kept for the last 24 hours, the Court found it impossible to reconcile the courses steered with the evidence, and equally impossible to reconcile the soundings obtained with the courses steered. After finding 20 fathoms, the impression appears to have been that the vessel was approaching the Skerries, but there was no doubt that for some time it had been under the influence of the in draught tide of Cardigan Bay.

Sources include:
Board of Trade Wreck Return 1871 Part VI Table 42 pg94 (692)
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 1 July 1869 - 30 June 1870, number 393 in C

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, March 2011.