THE STORY OF THE BEN ASDALE SHIPWRECK

By Carol Harper

My name is Carol, I am an SSI accredited recreational free-diver based in Cornwall, with an MA in photography.

I came across the Ben Asdale Shipwreck whilst free-diving with friends off Maenporth Beach in Falmouth and found the story behind this wreck compelling, and what remains of the wreck quite majestic, especially when viewed in natural sunlight.

I have created an online gallery to represent this story and the ship’s historical remains.

Harper, C. (2021) ‘Self portrait of a recreational free diver.’ PH0702, Informing Context, University of Falmouth. — **Harper, C. (2021) *Self portrait* of a recreational free diver.**

I would like to start my story by sharing a little video of where the Ben Asdale wreck lays and how it appears within the sea today.

This video (taken from the safety of the coastal path), visualises the sea’s turbulent cross-currents whipping around it, caused by the easterly wind, which is the same wind that wrecked it in 1978.

Harper, C. (2021) Video clip of the tidal rhythms of the easterly wind.

Easterly Wind over the Ben Asdale, the same wind that wrecked it in 1978

Photo courtesy of Dive Falmouth.[nd]. [Online]. Available at:  http://www.divefalmouth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ben_Asdale_2_.jpg [Accessed 6th April 2021]. … — **Photo courtesy of Dive Falmouth.[nd]. [Online]. Available at:** ***http://www.divefalmouth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ben_Asdale_2_.jpg*** **[Accessed 6th April 2021].**
**The Ben Asdale Story**
On a very stormy night on New Year’s eve in 1978, when a strong easterly wind was blowing across Cornwall, this six-year-old, 422-ton Scottish trawler was riding the waves near Falmouth Bay, whilst offloading its cargo of mackerel fish onto a Russian factory ship named the Antartika.
Upon task completion, the Asdale's stern rope was cast-off to move away from the Antartika, however, the rope caught in the rudder, and could not be released, even with the assistance of two Russian engineers who had jumped aboard the Asdale to help the British crew.
An additional rope, still attached to the Antartika, started to pull the two ships dangerously close to one another, risking a fatal collision; so this rope had to be released, leaving the Asdale adrift and at the mercy of the storm and even though the anchor was dropped, it did not hold.

Photo courtesy of Orca Sea Safaris,[nd] Ben Asdale Wrecking, [On-line] Available at: https://www.orcaseasafaris.co.uk/post/ben-asdale [Accessed 6th April 2021].With the Asdale being swept towards Maenporth beach in the now force 10 storm, the mayday… — **Photo courtesy of Orca Sea Safaris,[nd] Ben Asdale Wrecking, [On-line] Available at:** ***https://www.orcaseasafaris.co.uk/post/ben-asdale*** **[Accessed 6th April 2021].**
With the Asdale being swept towards Maenporth beach in the now force 10 storm, the mayday call went out, but it was too late, and as the ship struck rocks, some of the crew panicked and jumped overboard and were swept into the raging surf.
**Two brothers, who owned the local beachfront hotel ran to the scene and, ignoring their own safety entered the raging surf to drag three of the crew to safety.**
**The RNLI tried using special reaching equipment to rescue the crew, but the Asdale rolled over in the sea taking the rescue equipment with it.**

Photo courtesy of Submerged, [nd], Hamilton, J. (1980) Ben Asdale HMS Culdrose Helicopter rescue. oil on canvas.[Online], Available at: :https://www.submerged.co.uk/commander-mike-norman/ [Accessed 8th April 2021].A rescue helicopter was scrambled f… — **Photo courtesy of Submerged, [nd], Hamilton, J. (1980) *Ben Asdale HMS Culdrose Helicopter rescue. oil on canvas.*[Online], Available at: :https://www.submerged.co.uk/commander-mike-norman/** ***[Accessed 8th April 2021].***
A rescue helicopter was scrambled from the local naval base but with the torrential blizzard the helicopter could not locate the ship, so had to be guided via radio link with the coastguard, and could only fly backwards over the wreck as the wind was so strong.
This painting by local Artist John Hamilton vividly captures something of the amazing rescue achieved by the helicopter crew, as for an hour and a half they lowered the winch 8 times and managed to lift off the remaining sailors from the fatally floundering ship.
**Tragically, the bodies of two British and one Russian sailor were found washed up on Maenporth beach the next morning.**

Photo courtesy of: Orca Sea Safaris,[nd] Ben Asdale Wreck. [Online] Available at: https://www.orcaseasafaris.co.uk/post/ben-asdale [Accessed 6th April 2021]Sadly, the crew and villagers were left to reflect on this tragic modern-day shipwreck, and p… — **Photo courtesy of: Orca Sea Safaris,[nd] Ben Asdale Wreck. [Online] Available at:** ***https://www.orcaseasafaris.co.uk/post/ben-asdale*** **[Accessed 6th April 2021]**
**Sadly, the crew and villagers were left to reflect on this tragic modern-day shipwreck, and ponder on the lives that had been lost.**

My Project Photography:

Over a three-month period I regularly free-dived the Ben Asdale wreck, creating a body of images using my waterproof camera; being mindful of the ships decaying state and the lives that were sacrificed too.

Ben Asdale Ruins off Maenporth Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall — Harper, C. (2021) ‘*Memories of past use.’*

Harper, C. (2021)*. ‘Sun lite majestic curiosity’.*

Harper, C. (2021). ‘The Ben Asdale: presenting powerfully at low tide.’

Harper, C. (2021)*. ‘Magnificent in its decay; beautiful in its flora evolution*.’

Harper, C. (2021)*. Beautiful flora evolution born from a tragic accident*.’

Harper, C. (2021). *’Lasting workmanship embraces the sea’s flora*.’

Personal Reflections on My Project Experience.

Harper, C. (2021).’Reflecting, Self Portrait.’ PH0702, Informing Context, University of Falmouth.Whilst reflecting on this project, it has reminded me of the importance of capturing moments in time, and how eclectically captivating and challenging a project like this can be, as it combines history, archaeology, storytelling, photography, ethereal and regenerating elements too.I have also gained a little insight into the historical significance of the sea, which I plan to explore further. The risks of my chosen aquatic activity have also been reinforced. — **Harper, C. (2021).’Reflecting, Self Portrait.’**
Whilst reflecting on this project, it has reminded me of the importance of capturing moments in time, and how eclectically captivating and challenging a project like this can be, as it combines history, archaeology, storytelling, photography, ethereal and regenerating elements too; but also stands to remind us all just how powerful and unforgiving our ocean can be especially when combined with the force of our planets wind and storm elements.