The wreck is well-broken and spread over a large area. There is a concentration approximately 50m from the shore in around 15m water depth. Identifiable elements include iron plates, ribs, bitts, tubular iron masts, lengths of chain and halyard winches. The frames of the vessel are noted as being still intact and upright near the cliff face, as is a large section of the bow lying upside down. Timber deck planking has survived in the deeper parts of the wreck. An anchor winch is also reported nearby.

The wreck of the HERMINE is identified by the UKHO as UKHO ID 7177. The status of the wreck is 'dead' because it has never been found at the location recorded by the UKHO; some 80m WNW. Diver reports, most recently in 2017 make it evident that archaeological material is present on the seabed, albeit in a slightly different location to that held by the UKHO.

Event and Historical Information:
The HERMINE was an iron-hulled barque built in 1865 by R & J Evans & Co at Liverpool (Yard No. 15, Official No. 29944). The vessel was 538 grt, 159ft 7in (48.5m) long x 27ft 4in (8.2m) breadth x 18ft 5.5m) depth; one deck, one bulkhead, rear quarterdeck 35ft, forecastle 16ft. At the time of loss, the vessel was owned by T H Jackson of Liverpool and registered at that port.

On 16 June 1890, the HERMINE was carrying sugar from Supe in Peru to Liverpool, under the command of W H Sparks. Everything went well until Sunday when the Tusker was sighted, after which a dense fog was encountered. Between 9 and 10 on Monday morning the master found himself within a short distance of the Anglesey coast. He immediately endeavoured to tack, but the vessel would not respond in the southwesterly winds. He therefore hove to, and in doing so got stern onto a rock at Porth y gan, Penrhos Baran. After about half an hour, it was evident that the ship's hold was filling with water and it soon heeled over on its beam end. A group of Rhoscolyn men were able to render the assistance of a breeches-buoy to get the crew of 13 ashore. Immediately on the crew landing, the vessel foundered.

Sources include:
Board of Trade Wreck Return 1890 Appendix C Table 1 pg135 (647)

BSAC Wreck Register 1988, Addendum 1 to Vol G, 55(338)

Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald, 20 June 1890

Larn and Larn shipwreck database 2002

Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 1 July 1888 - 30 June 1889, number 318 in H

Lloyds Register Documentation: https://hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/archive-library/ships/hermine-1865/

UKHO ID 7177: Contains public sector information, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, from UK Hydrographic Office.

https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?11613

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, November 2007.