Black and white

Acc.no: PEZPH : 2016.50.1299

Identification

Item: St Materiana Churchyard, Tintagel, Cornwall.

Description: In the distance is the church of St Materiana, regarded as the 'best small Norman church in Cornwall (1). The focus of the photograph, however, is the simple wooden cross in the foreground with its lifebuoy bearing the name 'Iota Napoli'. The 'Iota' was an Italian barque with a cargo of coal that was sailing from Cardiff bound for the West Indies. In the late afternoon of 20 December 1893, the barque was driven by a terrific north westerly gale onto the Lye Rock off Bossiney Cove. Three members of the crew perished in the heavy seas but the nine remaining were able to jump onto the rock and cling to a narrow ledge. Their position could not be seen from the mainland until two of them climbed to the top of the rock. Rocket apparatus was used to fire a line to the two Italians in the hope that they could be winched across but the latter couldn't master the equipment. Considerable bravery was then shown by a party of four who scaled down the cliffs, waited for the tide to ebb, and then climbed the almost vertical face of the island rock. The equipment was then set up correctly and the first two Italians winched safely across. The seven Italians still clinging on the ledge were rescued by Charles Hambly, a volunteer, using a rope ladder. He was later awarded a bronze medal for gallantry by the Board of Trade (2). Of the three Italians drowned, only one body was recovered - that of the 14 year-old cabin boy, Cantanese Domenico. His name is written on the reverse of the lifebuoy. Visible in the bottom left hand corner of the photograph is the distinct shadow of another photographer at work, perhaps suggesting that the two Gibson brothers were both at the same scene. References: (1) Beacham, 629; (2) The Cornish and Devon Post, 23 December 1893 and Lake's Falmouth Packet 20 January 1894.

Condition: Good

Description

Material: Photographic paper

Production

Method: Printed

Category: Photography

If you are interested in learning more about this item please contact us and reference "PEZPH : 2016.50.1299"