Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum, Guernsey
Built in 1804 as part of a defensive system to protect
Guernsey from Napoleon, Fort Grey is now home to a museum
dedicated to displaying items recovered from shipwrecks
around the island's coast.
Wrecks Covered in the Museum's Exhibits
HMS Boreas
A 28 gun navy frigate sank on November 28, 1807 after
hitting the Hanois reef. 127 men lost their lives. A cannon
raised from the wreck site in 1974 can be seen on the
battlements of the fort. Artefacts were recovered from the
wreck site in 1970 by divers Richard Keen and David Archer.
SS Yorouba
A 1,299 ton steamship sank on April 13, 1888 at Gibou
rocks near Lihou Island. Items were recovered from the wreck
site in 1968 by divers Richard Keen and Dick Tostevin.
Titanic
18 Guernsey residents had the misfortune of being aboard
the Titanic when it sank in 1912, only six of the islanders
survived. A display in the museum records the names and fate
of the unfortunate travellers.
SS Briseis
A 2,964 ton steamship, built in Hamburg in 1915, sank on
October 1, 1937, just off the coast at Vazon. Much of her
cargo of Algerian wine was washed ashore and many islanders
helped themselves to the free booze. Partially salvaged in
1971 by the Channel Island Salvage Co. Ltd.
Pottery
Ranging from second century roman
Samian
ware to 18th century pottery recovered from the seabed
around the island.
Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum, Rocquaine Bay, is open
daily from 10am to 5pm. Admission is £3 for adults and
£2
for children.
The museum is quite small but an absolute must see for
any divers or wreck enthusiasts visiting the island.
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