PS Nimrod facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Nimrod |
| Owner | Cork Steamship Co. Ltd. |
| Route | Cork to Liverpool |
| Builder | Vernon T. & Sons, Liverpool |
| Launched | September 1843 |
| Out of service | 28 February 1860 |
| Fate | Ran aground (wrecked) |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Coastal paddle steamer |
| Tonnage | 583 GRT |
| Length | 53.9 m (177 ft) |
| Height | 7.6 m (25 ft) |
| Installed power | 300 ihp (224 kW) |
| Propulsion | side lever engines |
| Speed | 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
The PS Nimrod was a special kind of ship called a paddle steamer. It was built in 1843. This ship helped people travel from Cork, a city in the south of Ireland, to Liverpool in England. For many people, this was the first part of a long journey to start a new life in the United States. The Nimrod sailed for 17 years. Sadly, it crashed into rocks near St David's Head in 1860. The ship broke into pieces and sank, and 45 people lost their lives.
History of the PS Nimrod
The PS Nimrod was a paddle steamer built in 1843. It was made by a company called Vernon T. & Sons in Liverpool. The ship was owned by the Cork Steamship Co. Its main job was to carry passengers from Cork, Ireland, to the ports of Liverpool. From Liverpool, many of these passengers would then take another ship to the United States.
The Nimrod was made of iron. It was a large ship, weighing 582 tons. It also had sails, just in case its engines had problems.
The Final Journey
On February 27, 1860, the Nimrod was on its way from Liverpool to Cork. Captain Lyall was in charge. The ship was carrying passengers and goods worth about £7,000. About 15 miles from Smalls Lighthouse, the ship's engines had a problem.
Another ship, the City of Paris, offered to tow the Nimrod. But Captain Lyall could not agree on a price. So, he decided to sail the Nimrod towards the deep ports of Milford Haven in south Wales.
The Storm and Wreck
As the Nimrod sailed, the weather got much worse. What started as a gentle wind turned into a very strong storm. On the morning of February 28, people saw the Nimrod near St David's Head. Its sails were torn, and the storm was pushing it towards the cliffs.
The captain tried to save the ship by lowering both anchors. At first, this seemed to work. But then, both anchor chains broke. The ship was thrown against the sharp cliffs. People on the rocks tried to throw ropes to the ship. The crew also tried to throw ropes ashore. But all their efforts failed.
The ship eventually broke apart and sank. All 25 crew members and 20 passengers died in the accident. Among those who died was a notable passenger, Sir John Judkin-FitzGerald.
The Nimrod Wreck Site
The remains of the Nimrod are found in three parts. They lie in Porth Llong Cove, near St David's Head. The wreck is about 20 meters (65 feet) deep in the water. The ship broke into its back (stern), front (bow), and engine sections. In 1999, divers explored the wreck. They found items like cutlery and glassware.
