News
Lighthouse Wreck
One Friday evening, just as we had done for years, we went out for a dive. No-one could decide on a location, so we decided on a random location near the St Anthony’s light house, Falmouth. We jumped in around 15m and landed on sand. Swimming around there was more sand, a small piece of iron and more sand. A Spotted Ray, a Thornback Ray and more sand. After thirty minutes of sand we turned and started heading shallower. Whilst swimming, still on sand, I saw a small reef. We swam towards the reef, almost excited to see something other than sand. As we got closer I could tell that it wasn’t a normal reef. It was a uniform shape, about eight metres in length and not quite a metre across or high. It was a series of cut granite blocks, edge to edge. I knew it was special and tried to signal the others, showing it was square, apart from one block that had a bevelled edge on one side. The others just smiled and looked at me, not quite knowing what I was trying to show them. I kept looking at it. I knew what it wasn’t but couldn’t put my finger on what it was. We swam onwards, across more sand.
Once we got home I fired up the laptop and was thinking what I could enter into the search bar. As I typed in Granite Ballast, I knew it was either ballast or maybe even cargo. I’ve heard stories that when ships arrived into Falmouth, they would deliver their cargo and instead of loading up with chippings for ballast, they would take a return load of granite blocks. So it is more likely it was cargo. Whatever it was it went down with the ship. It was the only way to explain how they ended up in a perfect straight line so close together. I searched the records of lost ships but couldn’t find anything that close to Falmouth. There were a couple of missing ships that listed granite as a cargo, one was too far away and the other was in ballast.
I decided to contact English Heritage to see if they had any idea. After a couple of days I had a response. They had come up with the same two names as I had found. The only difference was the location of one of them. The original reports said it sprung a leak one and a half miles south east of Porthallow, and this was its assumed place of sinking. In the Royal Cornwall Gazette dating 4th August 1892, the headline read ‘A Barge foundered at St Mawes’.
‘Whilst the barge FANNY, belonging to the Coverack Stone Company, was proceeding from Coverack with a cargo of stone, bound to St. Mawes to discharge, and when some distance off Porthallow, she sprang a leak which the crew were unable to master with the pumps, and quickly foundered in deep water. Messrs. Lowry and German took to the boat and pulled to St. Mawes. The FANNY is one of three flats purchased on the Thames, and used to carry stone from Coverack to the company’s works at St. Mawes.’
The granite blocks we had found were about a mile from St Mawes, tying into the headline. The fact that the two man crew ‘pulled for St Mawes’ in the original text was also a bit of a give away. Why pull seven miles to St Mawes if you were just one and a half miles from Porthallow? So, out of the two names, the most likely is the ‘Fanny’. The Fanny was a Thames spritsail sailing barge of thirty seven tons, owned and operated by the Coverack Stone and Syenitic Paving Company, from Coverack in Cornwall.
It foundered en-route from Coverack to St Mawes. The Coverack Stone & Syenitic Paving Company specialised in Syenitic granite. Syenite is a coarse-grained rock with a general composition as granite but with the quartz either absent or present in relatively small amounts. Used mainly as a cladding material it was used in many structures around Cornwall and England. A lot of the stone from Coverack Stone & Syenitic Paving Company ended up being used in road construction. This cargo of granite had been worked into exact uniform sizes, one of which had an angled face, not something what you would then crush into road chippings. On January 14th, 1896, a winding up order was presented at court for the Coverack Stone & Syenitic Paving Company:
In the Matter of the Companies Acts 1862 to 1890 and in the Matter of the Coverack Stone
and Syenitic Paving Co. Limited.
NOTICE is hereby given that a petition for the winding up of the above named Company
by the High Court of Justice was on the 14th day of January 1896 presented to the said Court
by Robins and Company Limited whoso registered office is at 13 Victoria-street -Westminster. And
that the said petition is directed to be heard before the Court at the Royal Courts of Justice
Strand on the 29th day of January 1896 and any creditor or contributory of the said Company
desirous to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said petition may appear at the time
of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that. purpose and a copy of the petition will be
furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Company requiring the same by the undersigned
on payment of the regulated charge’ for the same.
We have been trying to find any of the company’s records with no avail. So, we are awaiting replies from both the Imperial War Museum and Tower Bridge, which were both being clad with Cornish granite in 1892. Although the online records state that the granite came from De Lank quarry in Cornwall, this would be one source. More than one source would be likely. When Rennie’s London Bridge was built in the 1820’s, records stated that the granite came from Hay Tor in Devon. Yet Hay Tor museum state it only supplied granite ‘in part’, quite a lot came from the Falmouth area.
Have you ever come across an underwater mystery that you just had to solve? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
Blogs
Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives
Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.
Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface
Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Diving for All Levels
At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Exclusive Diving Offer
To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:
- 35% discount on room rates.
- Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
- Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.
This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Combinable Offers for Even More Value
This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Terms & Conditions
- This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
- The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
- All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.
To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits
If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.
Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Call: +960 650-1515
Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
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