The Effects of the Storm 1961
Pleasure Steamer Princessa
On Thursday morning 13th July 1961, during the height of a gale, the 58-ton pleasure steamer Princessa crashed against Ryde Pier and sank within minutes. The Princessa owned by Wight Line Cruises, dragged her moorings and became holed on some pylons. The gale-force winds blew her against Ryde Pier, where she sank.
During the day the heavy seas smashed her superstructure, wrenched off doors and planking, and washed out most of the contents of the bar. Workmen with grappling irons salvaged some of the wreckage as it floated under the pier, but some pieces were too heavy to lift and were washed out to sea. Capt. Douglas House, one of the owners was on the scene within minutes of the boat breaking adrift, but was unable to prevent her being damaged. He did not think the boat was a complete write-off, but the damage was considerable.
The Princessa’s replacement value was £15,000 and only the previous year she underwent a £5000 refit. She was built in 1921 for the Portsmouth to Gosport ferry service and had been used by Wight Line Cruises for day trips in the Solent.
Other shipping problems that day
The Bembridge lifeboat, Jesse Lumb, with Coxswain P. Smith in charge, was launched for the second time at 7 a.m. to go to the aid of the French sloop Esquirol II. The lifeboat found the yacht in difficulties in the strong north-west wind half-a-mile off Ryde Pier and towed her to Portsmouth.
The Yarmouth lifeboat was called out shortly after 6 a.m. to the aid of the Audacity Class yacht Timantra, reported by the crew of a Trinity House Pilot Service launch, to be in difficulties in heavy seas in Totland Bay. The launch, which is based on Totland Pier, stood by until the arrival of the lifeboat, which took the yacht in tow to shelter in Yarmouth Harbour.
Sources: IW County Press & RSHG
Image: Roy Brinton Collection
Article: Ann Barrett