18/11/2023
Sure, I can write you an article about the Ibex shipwreck. Here is a draft that you can use or improve:
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The Ibex: A Lost Shipwreck Rediscovered
The Ibex was a passenger and mail ship that operated on the route between Weymouth and the Channel Islands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The ship was owned by the Great Western Railway and had a capacity of 250 passengers and 500 tons of cargo. The ship was built in 1888 and was considered to be one of the fastest and most comfortable vessels of its time.
However, on 5 January 1900, the Ibex met a tragic fate. The ship was on its way from Weymouth to Guernsey, carrying 105 passengers and 40 crew members, as well as mail and cargo. The weather was foggy and the visibility was poor. The ship was navigating by the sound of the foghorn from the Platte Fougere lighthouse, which marked the entrance to the Little Russel channel. However, the ship missed the channel and hit the Platte Fougere reef, a submerged rock formation that lies about a mile north of the lighthouse.
The impact was severe and the ship started to sink rapidly. The captain ordered the crew to lower the lifeboats and evacuate the passengers. However, the lifeboats were not enough for everyone and some of them were damaged by the rocks. The passengers and crew had to jump into the freezing water and swim for their lives. Some of them managed to reach the nearby rocks or the shore, while others were rescued by the local fishermen and the lifeboat from St Peter Port. Unfortunately, two passengers, a man and a woman, drowned in the accident.
The shipwreck was a major news story at the time and caused a public outcry. The Great Western Railway was blamed for the negligence and incompetence of the captain and the crew. The company was sued by the survivors and the relatives of the victims and had to pay compensation. The captain was also court-martialed and lost his license.
The wreck of the Ibex remained on the reef for several months, until it was salvaged by a company from Southampton. The salvage operation was difficult and dangerous, as the wreck was exposed to the strong currents and tides of the channel. The salvage crew had to use explosives to break the ship into pieces and recover the valuable cargo, such as copper, tin, and lead. The remains of the ship were then sold for scrap.
The Ibex was soon forgotten by the public and the history books. However, in 2004, a team of divers from the Guernsey Sub-Aqua Club rediscovered the wreck and explored it for the first time. The divers were amazed by the condition and the preservation of the wreck, which was still intact and recognizable. The divers found many artifacts, such as dishes, bottles, coins, buttons, and even a pocket watch. The divers also saw the remains of the engines, boilers, propellers, and anchors of the ship. The wreck was declared a protected heritage asset by the States of Guernsey and was registered as a historic shipwreck by the UK Government.
The Ibex shipwreck is now a popular diving site and a treasure trove of history. The wreck offers a glimpse into the life and the culture of the late Victorian era, as well as the maritime history of the Channel Islands. The wreck also serves as a reminder of the tragedy and the heroism of the people who were involved in the accident. The Ibex shipwreck is a unique and fascinating attraction that is worth visiting and preserving for future generations.
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