Passenger liner · 1838–1853 · Dublin, Ireland
PS Queen Victoria
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.
- Type
- Passenger liner
- Year built
- 1838
- Lost
- February 15th, 1853Grounding
- Casualties
- 83
- Length
- 45.7 m
- Depth
- 20 m
- Location
- Dublin, IrelandIrish Sea
3 of 7 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 50 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
History and LossLost February 15th, 1853 · Grounding · Dublin, Ireland.
With cargo and approximately 100 passengers aboard, the Queen Victoria sailed from Liverpool on the evening of 14 February 1853. A severe snowstorm hit as she neared Howth Head on the Irish coast, and at around 02:00 on 15 February she ran into the headland. Captain Jones tried to go astern and reach harbour, not realising how badly her hull had been damaged.
Unable to make way and taking on water fast, she drifted onto the rocks again below the Baily Lighthouse and went down within 15 minutes of that second strike. Around 83 people lost their lives, the captain among them, while 17 passengers reached shore in a single lifeboat. A Board of Trade inquiry held the captain, the first officer and the keepers of the Baily Lighthouse responsible.
Built 1838; 15 years in service. Lost February 15th, 1853, Grounding.
Condition of the Wreckin 20–20 m.
Intactness
The wreck lies at approximately 18-20m depth, roughly 100 yards south of the Baily Lighthouse. Wreck condition details are limited. Early helmet diving salvage was attempted by William Campbell shortly after the loss. The wreck is a protected heritage site.
Notable Features
- Approximately 83 lives lost including captain
- Struck twice — once on Howth Head, once beneath Baily Lighthouse
- Board of Trade inquiry blamed captain and lighthouse crew
- One of earliest paddle steamer wrecks in Dublin waters
Regulations and RestrictionsPermit required.
Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service). Diving only allowed with a permit.
Additional Details9 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
- Propulsion
- Steam
- Loss date
- February 15th, 1853
- Latitude
- 53.36° N
- Longitude
- 6.06° W
- Water body
- Irish Sea
- Permit details
- Diving only allowed with a permit
- War grave
- No
- Protected
- No
- Permit required
- Yes
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- seamusdubhghaill.comseamusdubhghaill.com · Secondary source5 facts
- Ireland XOirelandxo.com · Secondary source2 facts
- shipindex.orgshipindex.org · Secondary source2 facts
- Divers Guidedivers-guide.com · Secondary source1 fact
- DUSACdusac.org · Secondary source1 fact
- liverpool.ac.ukliverpool.ac.uk · Secondary source1 fact
- Visit Howthvisithowth.ie · Secondary source1 fact
- Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · Background reading8 facts
Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.
A further 3 fields were derived from the wreck’s recorded position rather than taken from a source.
Licences and credits for the open data used on this site are on the Attribution page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PS Queen Victoria?
PS Queen Victoria is the wreck of a passenger liner, off Dublin, Ireland, at 20 metres. PS Queen Victoria ran aground and was wrecked in 1853.
How deep is the PS Queen Victoria?
PS Queen Victoria lies at approximately 20 metres, About 100m south of Baily Lighthouse, Howth Head.
How did the PS Queen Victoria sink?
PS Queen Victoria ran aground and was wrecked on February 15th, 1853, off Dublin, Ireland. 83 people lost their lives.
Is the PS Queen Victoria protected?
Yes. PS Queen Victoria is protected: protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).