The Charlemagne

[Widz]

Hi,
I was wondering if any one had any details on the charlemagne, are there any photographs or illustrations of the wreck?

[John]

Hi Widz
Info from Campbeltown Heritage Centre

CHARLEMAGNE


The Charlemagne was a full rigged three-mast iron clipper of 1017 tons. Alexander Stephens & Co. of Glasgow built the ship and registered her in Aberdeen. She was carrying passengers and cargo on her maiden voyage from Glasgow to Australia when she ran aground in fog on 19th May 1857. The only casualty was the Captain who broke a leg when the mast fell on him, the farmer at Feochaig, Allan McLean, carried him ashore. This rescue was celebrated in a local ballad composed to the tune of “Johnny Cope”.

Allan McLean he wasna slack
He carried the Captain on his back
And a gless o’ brandy he did tak’
When he got home in the morning.

The Charlemagne broke up before any official salvage attempt could be made. Most of the cargo was washed ashore including whisky in casks retrieved by locals, none of this reached the receiver of wrecks.

Today there is little left of the ship apart from the skeg and hull on the reef. The remains of the cargo are scattered down the reef to the seabed and are mostly well smashed. Clay pipes, ship’s crockery and black bottles both round and square, which are reputed to have contained gin, are the main items.

[Widz]

Thanks John.