A talk by Nigel Neil (Lancaster and District Heritage Group and Neil Archaeological Services) on Wednesday 14th May at 19:30 at the Lancaster Maritime Museum.

Above: The remains of the Imperatriz, wrecked in 1866, photo by Nigel Neil.

Imperatriz was on its way from Mazagan (now called El Jadida) in Morocco, to Lancaster, carrying Indian corn when it was wrecked on Saturday June 2nd 1866. The accident occurred whilst Imperatriz was being towed up the River Lune by a steam tug, and ran aground on the riverbed a few hundred yards from New Quay. Press coverage tells part of the story, and salvageable items, and the hull itself, were auctioned at New Quay on 25th June 1866, raising £166.

The outline of the ship remains visible at low tide, when silt does not cover it. Members of the Lancaster and District Heritage Group (LDHG) have undertaken desk-top survey and some field recording, but more remains to be done. Mr Neil’s talk will also touch upon some other highlights of maritime archaeology around Lancaster.

Poster and further information: The ‘Imperatriz’ – a Portuguese shipwreck on the River Lune… (PDF 329 kB)

Talk at the Lancaster Maritime Museum, Custom House, St George’s Quay, Lancaster, LA1 1RB.

£4 donation to Lancashire MCS requested – Everybody Welcome!