Southampton (wreck)
.jpg) The wreck of Southampton visible in Holes Bay, 2010 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Southampton |
| Namesake | Southampton |
| Owner | Jenkins Marine |
| Operator | Jenkins Marine |
| Fate | Beached in Holes Bay, Poole Harbour, possibly during the Great Storm of 1987, 50°43′20.24″N 1°59′26.70″W / 50.7222889°N 1.9907500°W |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Tugboat |
| Length | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Beam | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Propulsion | 1 × screw propeller |
Southampton was a tug boat active in and around Poole Harbour, Dorset, United Kingdom, that broke her moorings and ran aground on the western shore of Holes Bay where she was left to decay. The rusting fragments of the wreck are still visible at low tide, and the wreck is a popular spot for photographers.
History
Southampton was built in 1948, and possibly dates back further to the Second World War.[1] She was a small local tug that was iron hulled, and either steam or diesel-powered, that was used in Poole Harbour.[2] 18 meters long and 3 wide[1], she operated towing large vessels in and out of the harbour.
Loss
During spring tide, Southampton broke its moorings and beached on the western shore of Holes Bay following a storm in the harbour, possibly during the Great Storm of 1987.[3][2] It was not recovered and was left to decay by its owners for unknown reason.[2]
No attempt to salvage the vessel ever took place. There were attempts to salvage her wreck in the 1990s, along with the wreck of nearby Plymouth-registered Lifeboat PH294, but on public protest the wrecks were left in place.[3] Southampton's wreck is listed as unprotected.[4]
There is a large hole in the bow of the vessel's wreck. It is unknown how this was caused, as any damage inflicted to the hull before Southampton beached would have caused her to sink quickly in deeper waters, due to her heavy iron hull.[2]
Currently, the wreck's remains can be seen clearly, as the vessel rests in a shallow area of the harbour.[5] The wreck is used as a resting place for gulls and cormorants.[3]
See also
References
- 1 2 "Maritime record MDO29279 - Modern/Second World War wreck, Holes Bay, Poole".
- 1 2 3 4 archive (2012-12-27). "Poole's incredible hulks". Dorset Life. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- 1 2 3 thedorsetrambler (2018-12-06). "Wrecks of Poole Harbour". The Dorset Rambler. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ "Tugs – Poole Maritime Trust". Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ "Holes Bay". www.philwarehamphotography.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-15.