Today in Cape Canaveral history: 30 April 1894: British steamship Breconshire, Capt. Robert Taylor, went ashore at Bethel creek station, and will prove to be a total loss. The Breconshire, built in 1883 was a 200’, three masted, iron hulled steamer traveling from New York to Tampa when Captain Taylor ran the vessel aground in 20 feet of water. The steamship stranded, according to the story of the men, due to the fact that the Canaveral lighthouse was undergoing repairs, and had an elevation of only thirty-five feet for light, instead of the usual 165. The light was the skipper’s only bearing, and he supposed that it was at its proper height, and that he was at a safe distance from shore. The Coast Guard, responding to the call of distress, attempted to tow the steamer off the reef, but the Breconshire began taking on water. On April 30th, the order was issued to abandon ship. No lives were lost. – Washington Times.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:25:16 +0000
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