Wreck of English barque, 'Commodore', Maplin Sands (EHER 82543)

1840 wreck of English barque which stranded on the Maplin Sand, about half a mile from the Blacktail Beacon. Bound from Mauritius, presumably to London, she was laden with hides and sugar. Constructed of wood with yellow metal sheathing, she was a sailing vessel. Status: Casualty

NRHE data transfer: 'Sheerness, Jan. 25. It has blown a gale all day from the westward and WSW, accompanied with heavy squalls. The COMMODORE, from the Mauritius, is on shore on the Maplin, about half a mile above the Blacktail Beacon...26th. The COMMODORE is a complete wreck.' <1> 'Whitstable, Jan. 28...Part of the cargo of the COMMODORE, from the Mauritius, has been landed here. A smack has just come into the bay laden with hides and sugar.' <2> Described as a barque, with felt and yellow metal sheathing added in 1838. She was bound from London to Mauritius on the voyage on which she was surveyed. Overstamped "wrecked" during the life of the register. <3> NB: The details of the voyage on which she was surveyed make it plausible that the vessel was returning to her home port of London, and the place of loss is consistent with a vessel turning into the Thames Estuary, so London is offered as a destination. Built: 1835. <3> Where Built: Newport. <3> Construction: felt and yellow metal sheathing. <3> Master: J Fisher. <3> Owner: Blyth. <3> Lloyd's Classification: A1. <3> Date of Loss Qualifier: Actual date of loss Note: The mapped location is a generic location used by the NRHE.