She struck Howth Head once. Backed off. Then struck again beneath the Baily Lighthouse and sank in fifteen minutes. On the night of 14 February 1853, the paddle steamer PS Queen Victoria -- built in 1838 for the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company's Dublin-Liverpool mail route -- departed Liverpool with approximately 100 passengers into a snowstorm. Around 02:00 on the 15th she hit the headland. Captain Jones tried to make harbour, but the damage was catastrophic. Dead in the water and filling fast, the ship drifted and struck a second time. Around 83 people perished including the captain. One lifeboat, carrying 17 survivors, reached shore. The Board of Trade blamed the captain, first officer, and lighthouse crew. The wreck lies at approximately 18-20 metres south of the Baily Lighthouse. Permit required to dive.
The Queen Victoria departed Liverpool on the evening of 14 February 1853 carrying cargo and approximately 100 passengers. As she approached the Irish coast at Howth Head, a severe snowstorm struck. The ship hit Howth Head around 02:00 on 15 February. Captain Jones attempted to back the vessel away and make for harbour, but the hull damage was far more extensive than he realised. Dead in the water and filling rapidly, the ship drifted and struck a second time beneath the Baily Lighthouse. She sank within 15 minutes of the second impact. Around 83 people died including the captain. One lifeboat with 17 passengers reached shore. A Board of Trade inquiry found the captain, first officer, and the Baily Lighthouse keepers responsible.
PS Queen Victoria is a passenger liner wreck located off Dublin, Ireland at a depth of 20 metres. The vessel was lost due to Grounding in 1853. The wreck is diveable.
PS Queen Victoria lies at approximately 20 metres depth, About 100m south of Baily Lighthouse, Howth Head.
PS Queen Victoria ran aground on 15 February 1853, off Dublin, Ireland.
Diving the PS Queen Victoria is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent.
The best months to dive PS Queen Victoria are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 7°C in winter to 15°C in summer.
PS Queen Victoria is accessed by boat from Howth, Dublin, Ireland. A dive permit is required.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.0°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 7.5°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 8.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 5.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 11.0°C | 7.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 12.5°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 14.0°C | 9.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 15.0°C | 9.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 14.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 12.0°C | 5.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 10.0°C | 4.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 8.5°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
6 evidence records from 6 sources.
Approximately 83 passengers and crew perished. Captain Jones died. One lifeboat with 17 survivors reached shore. Board of Trade inquiry blamed captain, first officer, and lighthouse crew.
Lies about 100m south of the Baily Lighthouse at 20m depth. Visibility ~7m.
Left Liverpool 14 Feb 1853. Struck Howth Head in snowstorm. Backed off, drifted, struck again under Baily Lighthouse. Sank within 15 minutes. ~83 killed.
Left Liverpool 14 February 1853. Struck Howth Head during snowstorm. Struck again under Baily Lighthouse.
PS Queen Victoria — diving only allowed with a permit. Sometimes strong currents.
PS Queen Victoria built 1838 for City of Dublin Steam Packet Company. Wrecked 15 February 1853 off Howth Head with loss of more than 80 lives.
About 100m south of Baily Lighthouse, Howth Head