Summary
Remains of 1855 wreck of Turkish cargo vessel, located approximately 18km south-east of St Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, which foundered after springing a leak in heavy weather. She had just been purchased by the Turkish Government, having up until that voyage been in British ownership and was en route from London to Istanbul to be delivered to her new Turkish owners, at the same time carrying a general cargo. Constructed of iron in 1852, she was propelled by both steam and sail, and had served as a Crimean War troopship.
Reasons for Designation
The SS Faith, located off the Isle of Wight, is scheduled for the following principal reasons:
History
The Faith was launched in November 1852 as a general cargo vessel working for the African Steamship Company but was requisitioned by the British government for the Commissariat Service as a troopship during the Crimean War in 1854. Following its return from the Crimea in 1855, the vessel’s owners were forced to sell her as the company faced financial difficulty. The vessel was bought by the Turkish Government but foundered in heavy weather on her way to Constantinople, carrying a general cargo, with the loss of one life, on 23 December 1855.
Details
The wreck is known to have been dived and salvaged in the 1980s; the ship’s bell, portholes and bottles of wine and spirits have been recovered from the site and the Shipwreck Museum on the Isle of Wight holds the Faith’s signal guns and bell. However, investigation by the British Sub-Aqua Club has revealed that some small finds, including wine bottles, are still present on the wreck site. In addition, the engines are visible along with two further bronze cannons in the forepart. The hull plating has rusted away in areas to reveal more of the interior of the vessel and within the bow area lie the ship’s two anchors and chain. Close by is a spare two bladed iron propeller. The masts of the vessel are off the port side.
End of official list entry
