News
Mark Milburn’s Cornish Wreck Ramblings, Part 4: HMS Anson, a tragedy & saver of lives
When the HMS Anson hit Loe Bar on Christmas eve in 1807, the conditions and the location made it a certain tragedy. Loe Bar is a shingle bar, that swallows up ships and turns then rapidly into wrecks. There is an unknown number of wrecks along the bar, many were not even witnessed, those that were nearly all ended as a very tragic outcome. The Anson broached to and the ship was to be lost forever, along with a large, but unknown, number of sailors. Two important changes came about because of this tragedy, one of these was the Burial of Drowned Persons Act 1808. The other was a life saving invention by a witness of the wreck, Henry Trengrouse.
Up until this wrecking, any sailors or persons that perished at sea, would be buried in unconsecrated grounds, usually close to the wreck. The HMS Anson was a British Frigate, yet the sailors who died on her, were still buried on the cliff tops and not within church grounds. A local solicitor drafted a new law, which was presented to parliament by John Tremayne. The law stated any unclaimed bodies of dead persons cast ashore from the sea, should be removed by the church wardens and interred in consecrated grounds. The law was passed in 1808.
The Anson was very close to the shore, yet too far to cast a rope. One of the witnesses to the tragedy, was Henry Trengrouse. He was so upset by the whole event, that he decided to improve the Bell mortar apparatus. His invention was the rocket apparatus, combined with a chair, rather than a cradle. The original design has been upgraded a few times since but it has saved many thousands of lives.
Since the Anson sank, there has been several salvage attempts. Many of the ship’s 24 pounder guns were removed, a few can be seen around the area. Two are at the entrance to Porthleven Harbour, another is outside the Helston Folk Museum and another at RNAS Culdrose. Many more of the guns were recovered but little is known of their whereabouts, if they still exist and have not been scrapped. There is also several artefacts from the Anson inside the Helston Folk Museum, as well as a lot of information about Henry Trengrouse.
Today, most of the Anson is buried under the forever shifting shingle of Loe Bar. I recently visited the Anson site, to see what was currently exposed. There is believed to be 13 guns left on the site. After freediving the site for 75 minutes, I found one gun, just showing itself. There was nothing else visible on the site, which is only about 30 metres from shore at low water. This is a very fluid location, one I shall visit on a regular basis, hopefully seeing a lot more of this important wreck one day.
Find out more about Mark and Atlantic Scuba at www.atlanticscuba.co.uk
A ship lost. No survivors. A grim recovery mission begins, pushing a team of commercial divers well beyond their comfort zone.
Braving treacherous conditions, saturation diver Nico van Heerden single-handedly combs the cramped, debris-strewn, zero-visibility Jascon 4 shipwreck searching for any sign of the lost crew.
Then, in a scene akin to a horror movie, while exploring a small, isolated compartment, Nico feels a tap on his shoulder. Could someone have survived underwater for over sixty hours?
The Diver & the Cook is the incredible true story of a seemingly impossible underwater rescue. With first-hand accounts, authentic images and detailed reconstructions, author and documentary maker Lasse Spang Olsen brings this gripping tale to life. The book is the result of over four years of work, including intensive interviews, access to previously unknown material, and deep study of conversations and film recorded during the actual incident.
Witness the unwavering determination of the human spirit as Jascon 4 galley chef, Harrison Okene, fights for survival after his ship goes down. Meanwhile, rookie saturation diver Nico van Heerden faces a daunting challenge: spearheading the rescue mission in a perilous underwater environment. With time running out, what rules must the dive team break to save Harrison before it’s too late?
An unprecedented operation, this story provides a unique perspective on the dangers and challenges faced by divers, showing the importance of teamwork and communication in high-risk situations. An incredible survival story against all odds, with an equally surprising aftermath.
Quote from the author, documentary-maker Lasse Spang Olsen:
“There are a whole lot of different versions of this story out there. But I believe that by speaking directly to the key people involved, creating meticulous reconstructions and doing original research we have dug much deeper and got far closer to the truth about the rescue and the sinking than anyone has ever managed to before.”
About the author
Author and veteran filmmaker Lasse Spang Olsen – in a 40+ year career – has participated in stunts and FX on over 600 films, directed eleven features and filmed extensively underwater. He’s led expeditions uncovering historical mysteries like the Flying Enterprise wreck and documented adventures worldwide. He’s also a producer and lecturer. Originally published in Denmark as Dykkeren of Kokken (February 2024), this is his fourth book.
The Diver and the Cook (ISBN 978-1-909455-61-0) is released on 12 November 2024 in paperback and ebook. It is available via online retailers, bookstores, from DivedUp.com and to the dive trade via Nautilus UK.
Dived Up Publications website: www.DivedUp.com
Facebook @DivedUpPublications / Insta @diveduppubs / X @DivedUp / TikTok @divedup
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
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