(This new feature from Northern Maritime Research, details wrecks from the
Northern Shipwrecks Database containing more than 61,000 records of North
American wrecks, will be maintained as time permits. Suggestions for
future features appreciated). 


Vessel: ANGLO SAXON  (227, 237, 238 or 290 of 445 lost, depending on source)

Date:	Apr. 27th, 1863.

The 1,700-ton iron Allan Liner ANGLO SAXON departed Liverpool, UK. on
April 16th (via Londonderry) for Quebec with 445 persons. Her Captain was
William Burgess. 

After crossing the Atlantic, the ANGLO SAXON approached Cape Race, the
southeastern tip of Newfoundland. Intending to meet the Associated Press
News boat and drop her mail and despatches so they could be wired to New
York, she came a little too close and stranded in the thick fog. 

(Cape Race boasts over 600 wrecks - including many trans-Atlantic vessels
who succumbed to the frequent fog plus northerly push of currents from the
Gulf Stream which passes to the south of Cape Race by approx. 100 miles
during the summer, and approx. 400 miles south during the winter). 

Stranded at the entrance of Clam Cove (1 mile south of Clam Cove and 4.5
miles north of Cape Race), the crew rigged ropes and a basket rescuing 130
passengers. Her hull pierced by sharp rocks, she slowly filled with water
as the seas turned her sideways against the rocky shoreline. Her bow anchors
were dropped in an attempt to secure her. Shortly after four lifeboats had
departed, the stern sank into deeper water and carrying with it those left
on board. The fifth lifeboat launched was stove-in by falling gear and
sank with her load, mostly of women and children. 

In 1864, a diving bell was used to salvage some of the cargo. Captain John
Sheridan, and party, 22 men, (of Nova Scotia), after working the wreck of
the BOHEMIAN at Portland Harbor, proceeded to Cape Race to work the ANGLO
SAXON. The salvaged items were carried to St. John's, Nfld. by the
schooners BRITISH EAGLE and VERMONT.
		(Royal Gazette - Newfoundland newspaper of Nov. 8th, 1864). 

From the `Newfoundland Telegraph' (newspaper) of April 29th, 1863...
	Passengers	360
	Officers & crew	 84     444 total

	Escaped by ropes 73
	Lifeboat #2	 14
	Lifeboat #4 & 6	 50
	Number of raft    7	154 saved

				290 lost (?)

Coincidentally, her sister-ship, the INDIAN was also lost at Cape Race only
3 and a half years previously. 

An unusual story that followed her loss was the recovery of a gold signet 
ring bearing the initial "P. B." from the entrails of a cod fish caught in
Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. The fisherman, John Potter, was contacted by
the Colonial Secretary who requested that the ring, as it was believed
that relatives of the owner had been determined. The ring was positively
identified (by the mis-spelled engraving "God above continew Our Love") as
being the wedding ring of Pauline Burnham, of Poole, England, which she
had worn since her marriage at Huddersfield in 1846. Mr. Potter was
rewarded with 50 pounds sterling by the son of Pauline Burnham. 

The inquiry held at Liverpool pronouned the loss was the fault of the 
Captain who was also lost with the vessel.


ANGLO SAXON  (sister-ship of INDIAN).
Tonnage:	GTon - 1,750/1,713 ?
Official #:	26380 ?
Place Built: 	Dumbarton, Scotland
Year Built:	1856
Builder:	W. Denny & Sons/& Bros.
Dimensions:	283.0 x 35.2 x 16.2 feet
Port of Reg:	Liverpool, UK.
Site:		46 40' North./ 53 West.
Loss of Life:	227, 237, 238 or 290 of 445 (85 crew & 360 passengers). 

References:
1. Dictionary of Disasters at Sea, by Charles Hocking.
2. Tragic Wreck of the ANGLO SAXON, by Arthur Johnson (published in
	the Newfoundland Quarterly. (198-?).
3. Newfoundland Historical Society (Anglo Saxon file).
4. Public Ledger. (Newfoundland newspaper)
5. (and many more).

For information on Northern Maritime Research's NORTHERN SHIPWRECK
DATABASE, see my www site listed in the signature block below. 

Yours,
Dave Barron

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| David N. Barron                             44 41' N./63 40' W.   |
| Northern Maritime Research  (research project name)               |
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| Canada.  B4A 3Z2                                                  |
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