SHIPWRECK

HMS Pomone - Needles wreck site.

On the 11th October 1811, with the ship's Master, James Sturrock at the helm, Pomone set course through the narrow and treacherous Needles Channel. It was a misty day, and Sturrock mistook the light at the Trinity House Needles lighthouse for the light at Hurst Castle. Captain Barrie, at the front of the ship, was able to see Hurst Lighthouse, and realised Sturrock's mistake. The wheel was spun, but too late, two minutes later Pomone struck the submerged Goose Rock with a jolting crash.

She had hit at high tide and was severely damaged. There was little hope of refloating her. The crew approached Captain Barrie and asked permission to cover the figurehead in black cloth. He had no option but to accept that his ship was a wreck. Luckily the sea was calm that day, and all the crew were saved.

Over the next three days the ship's cannon, masts, cargo and valuables were salvaged. The Shah's horses were manhandled out through the gun ports. In a race against time Barrie oversaw the salvage operation, finally leaving the Pomone on the 15th, “The loss of the ship is almost more than I can support”.

At the Court Martial Sturrock was severely reprimanded, while Barrie was cleared of all responsibility for the loss.

The Needles rocks today.

In 1969 a local diver discovered remains from the HMS Pomone. Over 3000 items from the Needles Wreck Site have been surveyed, excavated and recorded by the Isle of Wight Council County Archaeological Service. Many lay scattered in the gullies around the site and are still being found.

The Needles is now a Protected Wreck Site.