The boiler of one of the engines , with all the tubes
‘ An inadequate state of affairs ’
In early 1865 , the Goole-registered schooner Brackenholme – a small 115-tonne coaster just 25 metres in length – departed Liverpool bound for Tönning , a port on the north German coast , then described as being in Denmark . The description of her cargo , given as “ machinery and coal ”, was insufficient to be sure our new site was that of the Brackenholme , but a clearer picture began to emerge from contemporary newspaper accounts .
One report said : “ Supply , iron screw storeship , Staff Commander Charles Bawden . On Saturday last an action was brought in the Admiralty Court … this was a cause of damage promoted by the owners of the late schooner Brackenholme , 115 tons register , from Liverpool , with a cargo of locomotive engines in pieces , and coals … against HM ’ s steam store-ship Supply , 638 tons , from Woolwich to Gibraltar and Malta , to recover
for a total loss arising from a collision between them about 2.10am on the 21st April last , in the English Channel …”
The reference to locomotive engines was tantalising ; there was more than one . At this point there was one more port of call for me , and that was the National Archives in Kew , in south-west London , to see the records from the Higher Court of Admiralty for 1865 . It was there I struck gold . Being fully conversant with the archives there , it didn ’ t take long to locate what I was looking for : the full transcript of the court case .
The master of the Brackenholme , Joseph Smorfitt , provided the crucial piece of evidence that we ’ d finally dived on the elusive train set . He said , “… [ Brackenholme ] was laden with two locomotives and tenders , and … steam coals ”. On the night in question , the schooner and her crew of six were under full sail off the Isle of Wight in a gentle north-easterly breeze , with clear weather . It was almost high water and she was making about three knots . Her navigation lamps were properly displayed , lit and clearly visible . Those on deck had seen the navigation lamps of an approaching steamship and were concerned when she made several alterations of course .
According to the collision regulations , Brackenholme was to maintain her course and speed , it being the duty of the other vessel , the oncoming HMS Supply , to give way to her . However , the court later remarked that vessels of the Royal Navy , specifically referring to HMS Supply “… being one of Her Majesty ’ s vessels , it is true she is not subject to the rules and regulations prescribed for other vessels , but she is bound to pursue
Part of a mechanism that secured the engines to the deck
Photogrammetry of the site , courtesy of the Maritime Archaeology Trust
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