Cargo vessel · 1903–1915 · Northumberland, United Kingdom

SS Chris Christensen

Also known as Chris Christensen.

Longstone lighthouse — made famous by Grace Darling's 1838 rescue — watches over one of the Farne Islands' most dramatic underwater landscapes, and the Chris Christensen occupies pride of place at its base. This Danish steamer, running light from Aarhus to pick up cargo at Newcastle, misjudged the reef in February 1915 and came to grief on its south-eastern tip.

Her remains have cascaded down an underwater cliff: the boiler and triple-expansion engine sit at around 30 metres, with wreckage tumbling over boulders down to 40. The nearby SS Coryton wreck adds a bonus target for those with gas and time to spare on the same descent.

Type
Cargo vesselDanish
Year built
1903
Lost
February 16th, 1915Grounding
Casualties
0
Tonnage
1,491 GRTsteam
Length
85 m11 m beam
Depth
30–40 m
Location
Northumberland, United KingdomNorth Sea

4 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 131 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Depth: 40 m shown; range in sources 20–40 m. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost February 16th, 1915 · Grounding · Northumberland, United Kingdom.

Ran aground on the south-eastern tip of Longstone reef, Farne Islands, while travelling in ballast from Aarhus to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. All 19 crew saved.

Built 1903; 12 years in service, also recorded as Chris Christensen. Lost February 16th, 1915, grounding.

0lives lost on February 16th, 1915.

Condition of the WreckBroken, in 30–40 m.

Intactness

Single boiler and three-cylinder triple-expansion engine amidships remain as key features. Wreckage scattered down a sheer cliff face from 30m to boulders at 40m.

Notable Features

  • Triple-expansion engine amidships
  • Dramatic cliff-face setting from 30-40m
  • Nearby SS Coryton wreck
  • Longstone lighthouse above

Additional Details11 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
Danish
Flag
Denmark
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
February 16th, 1915
Latitude
55.64° N
Longitude
1.60° W
Water body
North Sea
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Broken

Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.

A further 4 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 SS Chris Christensen?

SS Chris Christensen is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Northumberland, United Kingdom, at 40 metres. SS Chris Christensen ran aground and was wrecked in 1915.

How deep is the SS Chris Christensen?

SS Chris Christensen lies at 30 to 40 metres, Longstone Ends, south-eastern tip of Longstone reef, Farne Islands.

How did the SS Chris Christensen sink?

SS Chris Christensen ran aground and was wrecked on February 16th, 1915, off Northumberland, United Kingdom. No lives were lost.