Iona II facts for kids

The Iona II was a large, old-fashioned boat called a paddle steamer. It was built in the 1800s. Sadly, it sank near the English island of Lundy in 1864. Today, the place where it rests is a special "Protected Wreck." This means it's an important historical site, looked after by Historic England.

The Story of the Iona II

Building a Fast Ship

The Iona II was built in 1863. It was made in a place called Govan by James and George Thompson. This ship was super fast for its time! It could travel at 24 knots, which is about 27 miles per hour. It had a special engine with two cylinders and powerful boilers.

The ship was first designed for passengers. It was meant to travel on the River Clyde in Scotland. People could go between Glasgow and Ardrishaig. The Iona II was very fancy. It had a big dining room that was 75 feet long. There was also a huge saloon, which was like a fancy lounge, that was 180 feet long.

A New Purpose and Its End

The Iona II was only used for about a year. Then, a man named Charles Hopkins Boster bought it. He wanted to use it as a "blockade runner." This meant the ship would try to sneak past blockades during a big conflict in America.

The Iona II was sailing from Scotland to a place called Kingston. But on its journey, it started to take on water. The ship sank near Lundy Island, which is off the coast of North Devon, England.

What the Wreck Looks Like Now

The Iona II rests upright on the seabed. This means it's sitting on the bottom of the ocean just like it would float on the surface. You can still see many parts of the ship. Its front and back boilers are still there. Parts of its funnels and the engine are also intact. The lower part of the hull, which is the main body of the ship, is also visible.

However, some parts are missing. Most of its funnels are gone. The deckhouses, which were like small buildings on the deck, are also missing. The masts, which held up the sails, are also no longer there.

Finding and Studying the Wreck

People tried to save parts of the Iona II soon after it sank. But the wreck was lost for many years. It was found again in 1976. This happened when people were looking for another sunken ship called the MV Robert.

Experts checked the site in 1989 to see if it should be protected. A group called Potters Bar Sub Aqua Club took many photos in 1990. The site was studied often between 1991 and 2012. In 2002, another group surveyed the site. They even used special sonar to map the wreck.