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 FUSILEER was an iron-hulled full-rigged ship of 553gt, 503nt. It was built at Liverpool in 1855. At time of loss on 13 September 1857, the vessel was owned by Cotesworth of Liverpool (also the ship's port of registry) and was under the command of master John Carmichael. The vessel was at the end of a long voyage from Valpariso which had begun in June. The Board of Trade Inquiry held at Liverpool heard that the master's position was more than 50miles different from the ship's actual. It seemed probable that this resulted from defects in either the ship's compasses, the chronometers, or the instruments used to take observations, i.e.. the sextants. The last reading of the horizon had been at noon which was followed soon after by thick rain, hence a fog bank may have given a false horizon. Sounding were taken at 8 pm but not after as the master believed they were passing up the Bristol Channel. The Board were of the opinion that the ship was lost by default of the Master. Having lost his master's ceritificate in the wrecking incident in Bullslaughter Bay, Carmichael was granted a new certificate and told to make more use of the lead.

Sources include:
Board of Trade Wreck Return Inquiry 1857 Part III pg38-9 (505)
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 1 July 1856 - 30 June 1857, number 357 in F

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, May 2011.