Nationality: British
Location: Culver Hole near Overton Mere
Date of Wreck: 15/02/1913
Cargo: 600 tonnes of coal
Visible Remains: The remains of one side of the hull. Many smaller remains nearby.
Visible only at very low tides, the remains of the Bluebell are fairly extensive and include a good stretch of one side of the hull. Both the outside panelling and the internal ribbing are visible, along with holes through which the ships rope must once have been fed. Of interest is the visible evidence of the salvage operation that took place once the Bluebell had been declared a total loss. Cut edges abound with what is left presumably representing that metal which was either too hard to cut away or had no real economic value. Further twisted metal lies scattered around the wreck, though its original purpose is now impossible to determine.
The Blubell was a 280 ton Manchester registered steamer, and had been en-route from Partington to Swansea along with its 600 tonne cargo of coal destined for the Swansea Gas Company. In the early hours of the morning locals living in Overton were raised from their slumbers by the noise of a ships siren and warning flares. Investigations soon found the Bluebell on the rocks and taking on water. The Port Eynon lifeboat Janet was quickly on the scene and was able to rescue the twelve crew members. As the photographs show the hazardous rocks quickly broke apart the Bluebell, spilling her cargo across the shore. The locals made good use it, never being ones to turn down a free winters supply of fuel.
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