Hello All
The "Prince Frederick", was a luxuriously iron steam ship of 2,978 tons gross tonnage built in 1882 by J.Elder & Co. of Glasgow, in Scotland for the Dutch shipping line, Maatschappy Nederland.
She departed from Amsterdam on June 21st, 1890 destined to Java, Indonesia, with troops a number of passengers, a valuable general cargo and the usual mails. Everything went well until she reached the Bay of Biscay. Ushant Island was observed at a distance of about 10 miles. At the time, the vessel was making full speed of about 11.5 knots, but a dense fog prevailed in the area and as far as can be ascertained, the ship reduced at half speed.
At the same time, a British steamship, the "Marpessa", was on her way across the Bay of Biscay in the opposite direction and both ships kept extra men in the bows on the look out. Neither vessel saw the other until it was too late to prevent a collision. It was so sudden and the "Marpessa" struck the "Prince Frederick" amidships with such a terrific force nearly cutting her her in two. The water flooded into the ship, flooding engine rooms and compartments, causing her to sink in about 7 minutes.
As the ship was sinking, the boats were lowered with and the passengers, women and children first, were got into them and conveyed to the "Marpessa" who stayed afloat but badly damaged. Seven of the troops were drowned. In all, 170 persons were saved, of whom 83 was the crew. The Falmouth in crippled state was able to reach Falmouth in safety.
The "Prince Frederick" was sunk the 25th of June 1890, and reported to have been lost 47° North, 6° 30 West. Some reports mentin a valuable general cargo, pay for the troops stationned in Java consisting of 400,000 silver rijksdaalders in todays value around 600 million dollars
In the early 1980's and 1990's several salvage companies searched for the wreck and failed. Some believe it could be in approximately 150 meters of water, but in analyzing the various reports produced about the disaster, it was acknowledged that it could also be in very deep wis littered with thousands of shipwrecks, finding the right one will be the challenge. The shipwreck has as far as it is know not under any current protection status so there is a oportunity for a dedicated researcher with some hard work in the archives might find key information to find the wreck.
Hardluck
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