Spanish iron screw steamship Geofredo, built Harland & Wolff 1873, 2652grt.
370 x 36 x 28 ft, 350hp, ex-Belgic.
Managed Fletcher & Co., Liverpool, registered Bilbao.
Voyage Liverpool to Havana, via Santander, 26 February 1884, with general cargo and no passengers.
In thick fog, with a pilot, drove ashore on Burbo Bank, on 27 February 1884.
As tide fell, broke back. Extensively salvaged.
3 boilers from the wreck were driven on the Crosby shore where they were reduced with explosives.
Wreck is charted in 3 pieces: wreckage on Burbo Bank (dry 3.2m) where she struck
and 2 boilers (wr. dry 2.3m and obst. depth 1m) on Crosby shore.
I photographed the "dries 2.3m boiler" many years ago, at LW.
Captain Jose Maria de Gartiez and crew saved,
Remains of boiler on Crosby shore (1994), charted as "Wr -2.3m" at LW:
Sheffield Independent - Saturday 01 March 1884: A shipping disaster occurred on Wednesday, doubtless as a result of the very foggy weather which has prevailed on and about the Mersey within the last few days. Although the crew of the wrecked vessel are still on board, there is no fear about all being rescued. The vessel in question is the steamer Geofredo, belonging to Messrs. G. H. Fletcher and Co.'s line of steamers between the Mersey and Spanish ports. The Geofredo, a vessel of 1747 tons register, only left the Mersey by Tuesday evening's tide, and news was received that she was ashore on the Burbo Bank and broken in two. The Geofredo has on board a general cargo but no passengers.
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Saturday 01 March 1884: MERSEY DOCKS AND HARBOUR BOARD. NOTICE TO MARINERS. WRECK NEAR THE WEST SIDE OF THE CROSBY CHANNEL. NOTICE is hereby given that the wreck of the Steamship GEOFREDO lies sunk on the Bank at the margin of the Crosby Channel, bearing S. by W. 3/4 W. half-a-mile from the Red Can Buoy C5 and N.W. by W. 1/2 W. three-eighths of a mile from the Red Can Buoy C6. By Order, EDWARD GITTINS, Secretary. Dock Office, Liverpool, 28 feb 1884
Lloyd's List - Saturday 01 March 1884: GEOFREDO (s) Liverpool, Feb. 29. 11 7 a.m. About 700 cases of brandy, several crates of earthenware, bags of rice, cases of cider, and fish, and other goods have been saved from the wreck of the Geofredo (s), and brought into the Canning Dock. [Much more cargo and parts of the wreck itself were advertised for sale in the next few months]
Preston Chronicle - Saturday 08 March 1884: About a dozen labourers, engaged in salving cargo of the wrecked steamer Geofredo, broached some casks of spirits, and had to be taken in hand-carts to the Liverpool Receiving House.
Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Tuesday 18 March 1884: Report of Jose Maria de Gartiez, master of the four masted schooner-rigged steamer Geofredo, 1,740 tons, of Bilbao, from Liverpool, Feb. 26, at 11:30 p.m, for Havana, via Santander (2,800 tons general goods). Proceeded, with licensed pilot on board. I was on the bridge with pilot, the first mate and two seamen on look-out on forecastle. Our lights were burning brightly. We passed the Rock Light, going slow and about a mile beyond the Rock Light we passed a ship at anchor on our port hand; it was then thick, and soon after the fog increased and we lost sight of the vessel's light. The pilot ordered her to go dead slow and ordered the lead to be hove, and the second mate and second boatswain were heaving the lead. The first two heaves they got no soundings, and then pilot ordered engines to be stopped, and then we sounded eight fathoms, then seven fathoms, then six fathoms. Pilot then ordered the helm to be ported to bring her head to the N., and engines to go ahead slow. Next sounding five fathoms, then four fathoms, and pilot ordered helm to be put hard a-port, but immediately ship touched the ground. The engines were put full speed ahead, but ship remained fast. The tide was an hour's ebb, and the fog very dense. I may say that when abreast of the Rock Light pilot set the course N. by W. 1/2 W. (mag.) - compass course, NNW 1/2 W., and deviation allowed a point E. After taking the ground, her head came round about two points to the eastward, her position bearing WNW of No.6 C buoy about three cables' lengths. We sounded round the ship and found about three and a half to four fathoms forward, about three fathoms amidships and aft five fathoms. We sent up rockets and burnt blue lights, but no assistance came. In about an hour afterwards, we heard her cracking amidship, and she subsequently broke her back. She still lies in the same place full of water. Every effort is being made to save the cargo. I cannot say at present whether she is likely to be got off. Liverpool, March 3.
Liverpool Journal of Commerce - Friday 16 May 1884: Wreck of the Geofredo. A report was read from the Marine Surveyor in reference to the three boilers from the wreck of the Geofredo, which are now lying on the Crosby shore, and a resolution was passed authorising the water baliff to destroy them, they being, in the opinion of the board, a danger to the navigation of the river.