3-082-174 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Wreck of the "Escurial" at Portreath, and loss of ten men, on January 25, 1895. 'The terrible storm at sea on Jan. 25 resulted in the wreck of the steamer Escurial, owned by Messrs. Raeburn and Verel, of Glasgow, midway between Camborne and Redruth. The vessel, laden with coal, left Cardiff two days previously, with a crew of eighteen, en route for Fiume. It appears that a leakage soon put the fires out, and rendered the Escurial helpless. The Portreath coastguard sighted her early in the morning, lying low in the water...The St. Ives life-boat made a gallant attempt to reach her, but was beaten back by the heavy sea. The Hayle life-boat arrived at Portreath...while it was being launched a cry was raised that some of the men of the Escurial were battling for the shore. The vessel had been driven perilously near the Gull Rock, and then stranded to the east of it. Her last signal was, "I am sinking." The crew who had not sprung overboard were seen clinging to the rigging, a piteous picture of human despair witnessed by hundreds who were helpless to assist. Only eight were saved, leaving at least ten, including the captain, drowned. This is one of the worst disasters on this part of the rock-bound coast of Cornwall during the last half-century'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.