Georges Valentine (shipwreck) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Cape Clear |
| Owner | S. Myers & Co., Liverpool |
| Port of registry | Liverpool |
| Route | UK to Australia |
| Builder | Bowdler, Chaffer & Co., Liverpool, England |
| Launched | 1869 |
| In service | 1870 |
| Out of service | 1889 |
| Fate | Sold, 1889 |
 France |
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| Name | Georges Valentine |
| In service | 1889 |
| Out of service | 1895 |
| Status | Sold, 1895 |
 Italy |
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| Name | Georges Valentine |
| Owner | Mortolo & Simonetti, Genoa |
| In service | 1895 |
| Homeport | Camogli |
| Fate | Wrecked, 16 October 1904 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 882 GRT |
| Length | 189 ft 7 in (57.79 m) |
| Beam | 31 ft 2 in (9.50 m) |
| Depth | 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m) |
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Georges Valentine Shipwreck Site
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hutchinson Island, Florida, Florida USA |
| Built | 1869 |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000619 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 19 July 2006 |
The Georges Valentine Shipwreck Site is where an old Italian sailing ship, called the Georges Valentine, sank a long time ago. This historic shipwreck lies off the coast of Hutchinson Island in Martin County, Florida. It's a special underwater place that people can visit and learn about history. The nearest landmark is the House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar.
Contents
The Ship's Amazing Journey
The Georges Valentine was an iron-hulled ship. It was built in Liverpool, England, in 1869. The company that built it was Bowdler Chaffer & Company. Its first owner was S. Meyers & Company.
From Cape Clear to Georges Valentine
When the ship was new, it had a different name: the Cape Clear. It started its life in 1870 as a steamboat. It also had sails to help it move. The Cape Clear carried passengers between Australia and Liverpool.
In 1889, a French company bought the ship. They changed its name to Georges Valentine. They also removed most of its steam engine parts. This turned it into a pure sailing ship, known as a barque. A barque is a type of sailing ship with at least three masts.
Later, in 1895, the ship was sold again. This time, an Italian company named Mortolo & Simonetti bought it. The ship was based in Camogli, a town in northern Italy. It regularly carried lumber from Pensacola, Florida to South America.
The Final Voyage
In October 1904, the Georges Valentine began its last trip. It was carrying a load of mahogany wood. The ship had a crew of twelve men, and Captain Prospero Mortolo was in charge. They were sailing from Pensacola, Florida, to Buenos Aires in South America.
On October 13, 1904, the ship passed by Havana, Cuba. But soon after, it ran into a big storm. This storm was in the Florida Straits. The strong winds blew the ship north along the Atlantic coast of Florida.
The Shipwreck
On October 16, 1904, the storm pushed the Georges Valentine towards land. The crew tried their best to keep the ship in deeper water. But it was too difficult. The ship ran aground in shallow water and wrecked. This happened off Hutchinson Island, very close to Gilbert's Bar.
Sadly, five of the crew members were lost at sea. Their bodies were never found. The seven survivors were lucky. They found safety at the House of Refuge. This building was only about 100 yards from where the ship wrecked. The keeper of the House of Refuge, Captain William E. Rea, helped the survivors.
A Protected Historic Site
The Georges Valentine Shipwreck Site is very important. On July 19, 2006, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special historical place in the United States.
A few months later, on October 16, 2006, it became even more special. It was named the eleventh Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve. This means the site is protected. It helps people learn about history and marine life. Divers can visit the wreck and explore this piece of the past.
