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Mark Milburn’s Cornish Wreck Ramblings, Part 14: Wrecks and salvage, the Cornish way
In our popular series of Cornish Wreck Ramblings by Mark Milburn…
Part 14: Wrecks and salvage, the Cornish way.
Researching wrecks can lead to finding many tales of wrecks and salvage.
You may have seen the Poldark episode where they went down to a wreck on the shore, just how realistic was that? On the same beach as the Poldark wreck, there was a real wreck from 1684, the Schiedam. When it ran aground, the locals gathered on the shore, helping everyone off the wreck. No one died and the official reports stated, very little was thought to have been taken except for a musket or two. There is also a wreck from the right era for the Poldark program, the Dollar Cove wreck, covered in the last rambling.
Schiedam cannon off Dollar Cove where the Poldark programme was filmed
On the contrary, one of my favourite stories from 1720:
‘They write from Falmouth of the 18th inst. that a Dutch ship from Nantes run on shore near that port laden with brandy and saffron. She might have been got off but, the Country People coming so thick, they were obliged to leave her. But some of those plunderers, having drank so much brandy and being busy in the hold with a candle, set fire to the brandy, by which means the ship and cargo were destroyed and two of the ruffians perished in the flames. We are informed that 7 or 8 more of their gang are imprisoned and ’tis thought examples will be made of them according to the Act of Parliament.’ (Richard and Bridget Larn 1995 Shipwreck index of the British Isles, volume 1 : Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset)
I suppose the brandy was just too much of a temptation for those ruffians.
In 1751 there was another wreck, on the north Cornish coast:
`On the 24th ult. in the night, a ship was lost at Redreeth near St.Ives, and all the crew perished. A large quantity of logwood and pieces of eight are saved, a pocket book also was taken up with the name of Walter Brown upon it. The said ship is supposed to be the ST ANTHONY, Brown, from the Canaries for London.’ (Lloyd’s 1969 Lloyd’s list)
It was nice that the logwood and pieces of eight were saved but the crew were not.
4 reale coins from Rill Cove (Kerris Read)
When the Kerris Read, a wooden fishing boat ran aground in 1976, there was no looting. It was at the bottom of tall and steep cliffs. When divers went to investigate the wreck of the Kerris Read, they found many silver coins around the wreck. The silver coins were Spanish, minted in Mexico or Spain, the newest being around 1616. They recovered a large number of the coins, they still appear on eBay today, from all over the world. There is no record of a wreck of that age in the area, it is doubtful if anyone would have seen it at the time, because of it’s location. There is a record of a brigantine that sank in 1839, at the exact same location. There is a remote chance that the coins were being carried by that ship, there are records of 100+ year old coins being used to pay for supplies in foreign ports. One thing that is a little strange, there are no remains of the Kerris Read there, perhaps that was salvaged. It wouldn’t be the first time. A well known local diver once salvaged a sunken trawler, it was then used as a salvage vessel itself.
During the 1980’s, I worked in a builder’s merchants during the day. I remember one of my customers coming into the store asking about the price of Mahogany, an expensive hardwood. A couple of days later, he turned up with some hardwood to show me. He was not happy when I told him it was the much cheaper Meranti and not Mahogany. He said he had risked life and limb, climbing down the cliffs to recover the timber. He said there was loads of it. Some local building companies had taken all their staff off their current jobs, to recover some of the wood. I cannot remember the name of the ship, nor the exact year, I just remember a very upset customer with Meranti.
On March 26th, 1997, the MV Cita ran aground on the Scillies. Many locals helped clear up the cargo, removing items from along the coast.
Who was keeping what? No one knew. The police made records of who took what, certain items ended up in the local society. One container had Quinnsworth bags, bound for Ireland, they were used in shops for months following the wreck of the vessel. Even a seat off the bridge was taken and fitted to a local dive boat. No one was prosecuted for taking any items.
It’s probably a good job the MSC Napoli didn’t come aground in Cornwall in 2007, it would have been chaos. Mind you, those Devon folk made a good job of it…
MSC Napoli run aground in 2007
Find out more about Mark and Atlantic Scuba at www.atlanticscuba.co.uk
Papua Diving Resorts are the pioneers of sustainable tourism and diving in Raja Ampat. Our award-winning resorts are PADI Five Star and were the first exclusive dive resorts in the heart of the Dampier Strait. Where lush jungle meets clear, warm waters and the richest reefs on earth, let yourself embrace an escape like no other.
With over 30 years of operation in Raja Ampat and award-winning commitment to the people and environment of Papua, Papua Diving Resorts’ experience and impact are unrivalled. This makes us the natural choice for ocean enthusiasts.
Our founder, Max Ammer, has been diving and exploring Raja Ampat since 1990, discovering the dive sites the area is so famous for. Paying tribute to his family, Max named a few of the dive sites after his wife and children, including Melissa’s Garden and Mike’s Point, as well as coming up with quirky names like Chicken Reef and Sardine Reef because of his experiences while diving there for the first time.
Papua Diving Resorts is just a stone’s throw away from the famous Cape Kri, world record holder of most reef fish species counted on a single dive: 374 counted by ichthyologist Dr. Gerry Allen in 2012. In an interview, he said:
“One of my favorite places to dive in Raja Ampat is Cape Kri near Sorido Resort… I didn’t even have to look for fish. They found me! The survey was the highest species count I’ve ever tallied on one dive, 374 distinct species in 90 minutes!”
Photo: Anita Verde & Peter Marshall / Summits to Seas
Our dedicated team will make sure you see the best of Raja Ampat as we take you on incredible trips to the Fam Islands, Mushroom Islands and Manta points, just an hour away from our resorts. Experience Raja Ampat’s super reefs in a whole new light by joining the fluorescent dive and blackwater dives around Kri Island. Or simply enjoy a relaxing sunset and night dive where you can be sure to see the elusive mandarin fish and famous walking shark.
With Papua Diving Resorts, guests get the chance to experience the Last Paradise at the very first dive resort in the area. Here, qualified and experienced staff are committed to giving guests the best Raja Ampat has to offer through Papua Diving Resorts’ quality service, food, and excursions.
Photo: Renee Capazzola
OUR RESORTS
Papua Diving Resorts provides two world-class options to stay on Kri Island: the more traditional Kri Eco Resort, and upscaled boutique Sorido Bay Resort.
Sorido Bay Resort is our luxury boutique option
Perfect for those who want a touch of luxury, Sorido Bay Resort is a collection of 9 charming bungalows with spacious rooms and ensuites, each with Wi-Fi, AC and fan and a veranda that overlooks a vibrant house reef. The private resort faces the Papuan sunrise, basking the island in a warm glow for a beautiful day in Indonesia’s Crown Jewel. Indulge in community-style meals at the sea-view restaurant that overlooks the turquoise waters of the house reef and Sorido Blue Hole beyond. If you’re lucky, you might spot a pod of dolphins or even whales with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Photo: Don Silcock
Sorido Bay Resort also houses the world’s first Raja Ampat SEACAM Center (RASC), where you can take your underwater photography to a new level. Take advantage of yearly underwater photography workshops led by award winning SEACAM Ambassador, Don Silcock. The seven-day structured classroom and in-water workshop sessions will take you through specially curated dive sites, where you’ll put into practice the insights and techniques you’ve learned. At the RASC, you can also take advantage of our inventory of SEACAM gear and equipment and try them out for a dive.
For a few weeks throughout the year, SEACAM Ambassadors will also be available on-site at our resorts for any personalized guidance, according to your needs and equipment. Take the chance to troubleshoot any camera equipment technicalities or simply learn from the best in the industry through weekly presentations during your stay.
The resident SEACAM Ambassador program will commence in July 2025 with Don Silcock at Sorido Bay from July 6 to August 19, 2025. The program will expand in 2026 with regular visits by both Don and other SEACAM Ambassadors, so stay tuned!
Kri Eco Resort is where paradise meets sustainability
Looking out over the dark blue waters of the Dampier Strait and distant mountain ranges, Kri Eco Resort is a cluster of authentic Papuan-style water bungalows built from locally sourced materials with 3 room types to choose from—two of which have communal bathrooms. The 13 cottages come with Wi-Fi, electric fans for still nights, and direct access to Kri’s vibrant house reef. The over-water sun deck area faces the Papuan setting sun, creating the picture-perfect spot for bright orange sunsets. With a more in-touch-with-nature feel, Kri Eco Resort bungalows allow guests to fully enjoy the cool sea breeze and natural beauty paradise has to offer.
Regardless of where you stay, you can be sure to experience the rich biodiversity of Raja Ampat. Enjoy looking down from our jetty into the crystal-clear waters of the house reef, where you can spot stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, and turtles, and if you’re lucky even some dolphins and dugongs swimming by.
Photo: A.E. Lotak
The resort grounds are also rich with land creatures such as monitor lizards, cuscus, even kingfisher birds and sea eagles. Embrace your adventurous side and take a kayak out to the sandbar that appears during low tide, or a hike through the jungles that sit between the two resorts.
Photo: Luca Vaime
Wherever you choose to book with us, guests at Papua Diving Resorts can enjoy the community coming together through a shared passion, sharing stories with divers and adventurers alike during mealtimes and excursions.
CONSERVATION
By staying at Papua Diving Resorts, you become part of the effort to protect this beautiful yet fragile environment. From offering schooling and sustainable employment for indigenous people, to boosting shark populations, Papua Diving Resort’s aim is to leave this world better than we found it.
Providing education and training to the local indigenous Papuan villagers is a part of our mission at Papua Diving Resorts, through which they can take the skills and knowledge and apply it to their livelihoods.
Photo: David Doubilet
When Max arrived in Raja Ampat, he found a community that depended on shark and ray finning to provide for their families. To encourage a more sustainable approach to earning a living, Max employed and upskilled the locals through teaching them boatbuilding, woodworking and guiding guests to experience all that Paradise has to offer.
Creating partnerships with locals in the nearby villages, Max sought to provide one-of-a-kind guest experiences to see and photograph the Red and Wilson Bird of Paradise, seen only in Raja Ampat. Aligned with our mission at Papua Diving Resorts to protect nature and empower the local people, a portion of our proceeds go back to these local partnerships.
Photo: LHS
As leaders in conservation and pioneers of sustainable tourism and diving in Raja Ampat, Papua Diving Resorts offers guests an unforgettable opportunity to experience the best of Indonesia’s Crown Jewel. Located at the heart of the Dampier Strait, we invite you to explore the rich biodiversity of the area, both above and underwater.
Underwater Photography Workshops at the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center
July 20-26 & August 10-16, 2025
SEACAM Ambassador Don Silcock on-site at Sorido Bay Resort
July 6 – August 19, 2025
Reach out to our team to find out more about how the resident SEACAM Ambassadors can help you with your underwater photography skills and goals during your stay.
Photo: Anita Verde & Peter Marshall / Summits to Seas
SPECIAL OFFER
Receive a 10% discount when you book direct for stays during the period of June – September 2025
BOOK NOW
info@papua-diving.com
www.papua-diving.com
Photo: Scotty Graham
Main Image: Don Silcock
Take a closer look at one of Wakatobi Resort’s most valuable yet often overlooked marine inhabitants: the parrotfish.
Among the thousands of marine species found in Wakatobi’s waters, none are more prevalent than the parrotfish. This keystone species, a relative of the wrasses, plays a vital role in maintaining reef health and even creating the sandy beaches that line tropical shores. Without parrotfish, the balance of coral ecosystems would be disrupted, and beach formations would diminish. But before exploring their impact, it’s worth understanding what makes these creatures so fascinating.
Up to 35 species of parrotfish can be found on Wakatobi’s reefs, including the bumphead, known for it’s larger size, bulbous forehead, and exposed teeth plates. Photo by Wayne MacWilliams
Estimates suggest there are between 80 and 90 known species of parrotfish. Earlier classifications listed more than 300 varieties, largely due to the fish’s remarkable ability to change color, shape, and even sex throughout their lives. This trait has led to a diverse range of names, from the Midnight parrotfish (Scarus coelestinus) to the Rainbow parrotfish (Scarus guacamaia) and the Green Humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum).
A juvenile bicolor parrotfish lounges on the reef. Photo by Christian Gloor
Coral Crunchers in Action
Wakatobi’s reefs are home to 35 parrotfish species, often spotted along the upper reef slopes or in nearby seagrass beds. Their name comes from their vivid colors and their fused teeth, which form a beak-like structure ideal for scraping algae from coral. Behind this dental armor lies a second set of molar-like teeth that grind coral fragments to extract tiny algae and polyps.
The sound of parrotfish crunching on coral is a common underwater soundtrack at Wakatobi. While algae are their primary food source, parrotfish also consume sponges, worms, and other small reef dwellers. The coral they ingest is ground into fine particles and later expelled as sand—helping to form the very beaches that make Wakatobi such a breathtaking destination.
A juvenile bicolor parrotfish lounges on the reef. Photo by Christian Gloor
Nature’s Sand Factories
Each parrotfish produces an estimated 10 ounces (280 grams) of sand per day, amounting to around 220 pounds (100 kilograms) per year. On reefs with healthy parrotfish populations, this adds up to approximately one ton of sand per acre annually. Beyond building beaches, the sand they produce creates habitats for burrowing animals and helps maintain reef equilibrium by preventing algae from overwhelming coral formations.
Global parrotfish populations are declining in some regions due to overfishing, but Wakatobi’s protected marine reserve ensures these essential reef caretakers thrive. The resort’s ongoing dedication to conservation has created a sanctuary where parrotfish and countless other marine species flourish.
A bumphead parrotfish munches away on corals. Photo by Werner Fiedler
Nighttime Secrets
Divers visiting Wakatobi are almost guaranteed to encounter parrotfish during every dive, ranging from small one-foot varieties to the four-foot bumphead parrotfish. Those who venture out at dusk may witness a unique behavior—parrotfish creating their mucous sleeping cocoons. This protective bubble is thought to mask the fish’s scent from predators and parasites, providing a fascinating spectacle for night divers.
Despite their commonplace appearance, parrotfish are anything but ordinary. On your next dive, take a moment to appreciate these industrious reef architects. Identifying their various species can be a rewarding challenge, and they always make engaging photo subjects. Most importantly, remember that the very beach beneath your feet owes much of its beauty to the unassuming parrotfish.
A school of longnose parrotfish grazes Wakatobi’s reef. The fish at the upper right is discharging sand. Photo by Rich Carey
For more information on exploring Wakatobi’s reefs, email office@wakatobi.com, visit wakatobi.com or follow Wakatobi Resort on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Header Image: Erik Schlogl
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