I was serving in the RAF just after the Falklands war and three of us got up very early one morning with my camera to take photos. We walked out to her at low tide and clambered aboard her and very carefully keeping to the edges as the timbers weren’t to safe we had a good look around. The mechanism on the aft deck was part of the steering system and on the middle deck there was the bunk house for the crew. The masts and the spars were steel held up by steel rigging. We had a look into the hold to find it full of sand . It’s a very impressive ship, there was talk that the SAS set up an observation point in the hull during the war as the ship lays directly at the end of the Stanly airfield. We got a right bollocking from the RMP,s as we had walked through an un marked mine field. But I got some brilliant photos. One I have had blown up to 4x3 ft and is framed and hanging on my lounge wall. It’s taken from the shore looking at the ship with Stanly on the left and the mountains in the distance looking into the morning sunrise.
When I see this it brings such sadness. My Great Uncle, Alex Conrad Anderson was one of the four men who lost his life at Cape Horn in that horrible storm. He actually was washed overboard twice. The first time he was rescued. The story was legend in our family. The pain of the the family in Sweden was immense to the point it’s still talked about today among the cousins there. My grandfather always carried the loss of his older brother who was so young when he lost his life. My grandfathers grief affected my mom with fear of water. His life and the life of the three others was a Tragic loss. Only a few years later the panama canal was opened. Bittersweet to see this ship.
Wow, what a heavy story. It's good to remember him.. . Those guy's had immense strength and courage. Life on such a ship is simply unimaginable for people like us today.
I see I misspelled his name. It was Axel Conrad Andersson from Husbyvik near Mogata, Ostergotland, Sweden. It was a heavy story and to find the ship has been there all this time and not under the sea.
@@willy_wombat Yep, today they'd make a Tik Tok video to try to cancel the weather for hurting their feewings using the catchphrase 'weather IS violence'. Soy and social media have ruined the human race.
For people who would like to know how life on such a ship was you can read " The last grain race" by Eric Newby. Every year there was a fleet of big threemasters that sailed from England around the world to Australia and back for grain. They sailed around south America an then sailed around Afrca to come back. In that way they could use the winds to their benefit. It ended with the beginning of WW2 and never resumed. It's a fantastic account of someone who really experienced it. The ship on which he sailed was the Moshulu which is now a floating restaurant in a harbor in the USA.
Read it many times. i always enjoy the part in Belfast, when the dockies throw a dead cat into the hold. . . . . ! I went to Belfast in 1960 and inagined it still being there ! My sone= is doing a house up in a place called STreaky Bay, near to Port Augusta, SA right now.
Ooh, Cap'n Oneidin the foorestay on the man reggin ma ned a yard o whisky ta keep it oopraight in a stiff headwin Ha! When I was kid the start of the the Oneidin line was worth a watch. Worked on New Zealand deep-sea boats years ago and the old sea dogs would always tell people to never whistle onboard, you'd whistle up the wind. Telling the cadet to go down the engine room for a bucket of propwash and if they weren't busy they'd go through the whole rigamarole of getting the cadet into a four point harness, lanyard and take them aft deck, hiding a marble or a fish in people's cabins, n f they really didn't like you there was a certain sea sponge they called Russian mattress that actually looked it, but it was itchy as fug if it touched skin, so they'd dry it out, pound it to dust n sprinkle it on someone's bed. The ol' Jap boats had 50/60 crew depending, but going to the new Norge boats was a holiday camp. Got out just before they started twin trawls '00s. Don't miss been away 6-10month of the year, but miss the dudes i worked with. Bunch of pirates.
Completely agree in restoration and saving historic ships. For the Lady Elizabeth though, part of the beauty of this ship is its location where it has ran aground and the story behind it. You have to also take into account that it also contributes to the appeal of the Falkland Islands bringing in visitors and much needed revenue for local business that without these types of attractions would go under.
@@XenomorphUK, so you are saying that to preserve or restore her and allow tourists to actually walk on her decks is worse than just letting her sit and rust away?
@@richardcline1337 not at all, i am for both the restoration and for leaving her. The rather weak point i tried to make above is I would support the restoration and also leaving her where she is. Both at the end of the day have their appeal; it would be superb to see her restored. The longevity for the ship is naturaly in its restoration, but, i doubt the back story behind her will ever be strong enough to have someone put up the substantial money it would require. I seriously doubt FI government would put that sort of money up to restore it so sadly at some point, it will be beyond saving once it starts to fall in on itself. Its a measure to her makers she has lasted so long in the state and place she currently rests. If she was ever restored, the interesting debate would be where should she be on display, the majority of her life has been in the Falklands. Even on bad weather days, people still go and visit the ship, but when the weather was how it was on the day i filmed it, the images are amazing and its those views you get that people want to go and see her whilst they are there. Time is not on her side and i am sure there are many others in a similar state around the world and not just ships that need saving. Sadly unless theres a significant newsworthy back drop, this along with many other will wither and die.
@@richardcline1337even if tens of millions was avail to preserve/restore her, do you imagine that there are the necessary shipbuilding skills and facilities available on the Falklands to do it?
Although having closely followed the successful salvage and return to Bristol of the SS Great Britain from the Falklands, I was unaware that another rusting iron hulk vessel remained in the Falklands. The advantage SS Great Britain had as a national treasure was her association with Brunel and the fact that she was constructed in Bristol in the same dockyard where she now rests. Unfortunately for the Lady Elizabeth, she has no such pedigree. Although considered to be excellent shpwrights, R. L Thomson are not viewed as being on the leading edge of iron ship design or steam propulsion as demonstrated by Brunel.The R.L. Thompson & Son's shipyard in North Sands was demolished and today is the site of the University of Sunderland and the National Glass Center.
@H - M I would like to believe that "in another decade or two..." however, interest in both rescuing and restoring old ships is a matter of too few (read none) monies chasing too many ships. One only has to look at the precarious fate of Queen Mary in California and perhaps even worse, the deteriorating SS.United States in Philadelphia to understand the costs and complexity. The SS Great Britain was fortunate to have had Brunel as her designer so as to attract private and governmental finance. The fact that her Bristol dock birthplace was still in existence was also instrumental in her survival. Regrettably, none of these factors favor Lady Elizabeth.
When I was crew on Sea Cloud 40 years ago we played a film called Ghosts of Cape Horn to the passengers every week, it showed there to be more than just the Lady Elizabeth in the Falklands. As for Sunderland built ships I'd say she was as good as any to have been built on the Weir, certainly a lot prettier than the James Craig, a ship I was invited to help restore, but the James Craig is a fine example of what can be done to restore and get sailing again these old ships.
Even in its rusty dereliction, it's a thing of such beauty. If somehow she could be saved, restored and displayed in Port Stanley, wouldn't that be appropriate?
Its a hard one to judge, yes i agree that restoring it would be amazing but you lose that original nostalga of why its so popular in the first place. I wouldnt judge harshly if it stayed or got restored. As with anything of this ilk, you have first got to raise the resoration money and that will only come from private funding. I think it very unlikely the UK or Falklands government would fund such a project.
@@kman-mi7su It would need a project similar to the recovery of the SS Great Britian. She was in imminent danger of breaking in two at the time. She was basically got on to a huge submersible pontoon/barge which was then refloated and towed 8000 miles back to Bristol. The longest tow ever undertaken at sea. It must have cost millions just to get her back to UK.
A ship in much else condition was floated, plugged, towed from Tasmania to Sydney where they spent about a decade doing her up and now she’s the James Craig and takes day tripper tours
I have many photo's of her when i was down there in 1989 for a 4 month tour she is certainly a beautiful ship and that rustic colour is amazing in bright sunlight
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking. Great video.......... The drone tour was excellent, now we know what the video games trained us for!
I can’t believe after 100 years it is so complete and in such good condition Usually by now there is nothing but pieces on the ocean floor At this rate it will be there for another 100 years Good filming 👍👍
Thanks for the comment. Yeah it's a shame but it's also I dare say one of the many things that ticks boxes for some people that then makes them visit the islands. Would be lovely to see her sail again though. XenomorphUK
Photographed her in 1983..had to wait days to get a clear sunny day...she must have been a thing of beauty under full sail...they need a plan to protect her from further decay as she will eventually fall apart...👍👍
Oh my! Very well done. After watching I had to check the comments to make sure this was real. The colors are so "otherworldly" it almost looks as if it were artificially rendered or, at the very least, touched up. This is amazing!
I served in the Falklands at Stanley, 1983 / 84. I always wanted to go out to Lady Liz, but shift patterns and tides always stopped me. I have some good pics of her, both my own and others bt the RAF photo section.
Thank you for this film showing such and old ship, still beautiful and a great credit to her builders. Sad to see she looks very near her final end, so many holes in her plates...
She's a beauty, thank you for the excellent footage! A Laser 3-D Scan would be great and maybe salvaging the fittings for a replica in a distant future. Nothing else to do any more I fear. Seems to me she's already thin like paper. Amazing how well she withstood the elements for so long time!
For a ship that's been un-seaworthy for over a century and sitting out on a sandbar for 87 somewhat years, being exposed to the waves and weather the whole time, it's in remarkably good shape! I mean, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to go climb around on it for fear of collapse, but the fact that it's still standing is astounding. Honestly, I wonder if it could be reinforced, patched up, and re-floated just enough so that they could tow it in to harbor and berth it as a museum ship.
I don’t know if you are aware but the boat that towed her into Stanley Harbour, herself is now lying opposite the Narrows after she also broke feee from her moorings. I found that out from the museum in Stanley yesterday. When I come back down here to the FI again, I shall access the file on the Lady Elizabeth.
I remember riding in the back on the road in the video in the back of a 4 1/4 tonne wagon every morning and evening to the chinook servicing flight from our floating “hotel” way back just after conflict finished and thinking how beautiful that ship looked. In the land of”lumpy jumpers and bennies and stuffed penguins from the art shop.
Totally agree, she is stunning. The sad fact is the Falklands was unable to repair the damage to get her floating and seaworthy again. A major port and she may have made it.
So sad when looking at this still proud vessel . buildings can come and go , but ships are different , they carry the souls of the people that built them, sailed in them and became part of their life .
Great video , thank you , ive seen lots of pics of "Lady Liz" but nothing as comprehensive as your video , Im from Sunderland , my father and grandfather both worked in the "yards" I now live in Poersmouth and have seen first hand (HMS Warrior ) what can be done with a Falklands hulk It is amazingly sad Lady Liz has sat waiting in her present position since 1936 awaiting someone with the vision and means to rescue her ! This world can find money for so much crap , but seemingly nobody wants to rescue a fantastic Sunderland ship from 1879, from the same period in time of so much other British History R.I.P Lady Liz , the world didnt care sadly
Hi and thanks, Yeah it's sad but if it wasn't how it was I wouldn't have been able to do the video. In its current state it is a really good tourist attraction but it would be good to see her restored but as you put, finding that person or society willing to put up the immense amount of money it would cost is extremely unlikely. Fingers crossed someone does something before its gets past the point that's its feasible to do restore her. XenomorphUk
This is the cove where the SS Great Britain was neglected until she was rescued for posterity, Thank goodness. We Should also bring the Lady Elizabeth home. Look at how she is clinging on to existence. A ship of this type and period deserves better from her Island nation. Surely there cannot be all that many examples of this type left in existence.
I was unaware that she was there. What a beautiful vessel she was, & an attractive one she still is despite her predicament. It is a shame a salvage was not attempted. Hopefully, what with the drive towards more environmentally minded shipping, we will see a variant of her like again plying the oceans.
Its a pity that the mega rich with their billion dollar super yachts generally don't see the a place for themselves in the restoration of amazing old ships such as this.
I agree. There's so much other work these people could be proud of doing too. When I see videos of Russian lorries struggling windscreen deep across a remote river!
She would have been a graceful vessel in her time. I remember the sadness I felt that she was just left there to rot away when I viewed her from the shore
I've been looking at images of her since I was a boy in the 1980s. So sad that she hasn't been salvaged and restored as a museum somewhere. In her current situation it is just a matter of time before she disintegrates.
I fished in Alaska, and there are many wrecks on the shores. Some we could access, some not. But it's erie and humbling to walk the decks of lost boats, thinking about their last moments. And then there are the ones who never made it back to port. I prayed a lot then.
For all restored ships, the enormous cost of maintenance is the killer. They need income from paying passengers or visitors, and there would be few of them at Stanley.
And she’s still hanging on…… what an amazing project ….a fantastic piece of maritime history…… about to disappear…. How many more winters can she survive?
Amazing footage! I would love to use some of it in an upcoming video of mine, if that would be alright? More than happy to credit you in the video as well!
Yeah that's fine, post me a link when done if you wouldn't mind, like the channel, interested to see how you will use it 👌 I have the original footage if you want it without the watermark, let me know.
I don't believe that is the case Pete. It doesn't show up on this footage but Lady Elizabeth has a significant crack in the hull plates around mid-ships and there is no way that she could be refloated or moved without breaking her back.
This ship became a weapon of war in the Falklands conflict, where an SAS soldier hid out and operated from. It was searched by Argentinians, but he was not found and he continued to operate from the hulk. There are many similar ships around the islands that failed aftter rounding the Horn.
I am surprised at how small her hatch openings are. It must have been a devil of a job to stow cargo below decks but I guess she was this way to keep the big seas out of her hull
All cargo would have been handled by manual labour so we are looking at bags, bales and keg sized consignments. No large consignments as used these days. If she was in the bulk grain trade from Southern Australia it was common practice to breach the bags at the edge of the hatch and tip the grain into the hold via a "piano".
@@wayneantoniazzi2706 NP, Shutterstock probably the best one to look at for pure images but unsure what wrecks would be of more interest to you. www.falklandstamps.com/falkland-islands-wrecks.irc#:~:text=Over%20180%20ships%20are%20known,others%20which%20sank%20without%20trace. maritime-executive.com/editorials/royal-navy-releases-images-of-falklands-war-shipwrecks www.shutterstock.com/search/falkland-islands-shipwreck?c3apidt=71700000083936683&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2-2eBhClARIsAGLQ2RnC--dJUbyDkoCZtGVFzPob9croeuTMZ5BlkcF-R1feNycCswEIf1gaApI8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&kw=
@@XenomorphUK That looks very interesting, I'll definately check it out! I've read tht prior to the opening of the Panama Canal the Falklands was a major stop for ships after coming around the Horn or going to it. And some never made it past the Falklands after being heavily damaged passing the Horn.
The wind naturally blows in to the shore, but what you can't see is the rocky shelf it's caught on. You can wade out to her but it drops quite quickly at that point where she sits. I dare say as she sits in the middle, that has helped hold the sand as much as it has.
After almost 100 years in situ, still a proud vessel. Of course long beyond rescue, but she sits there, a little list because of the imaginary wind. Heading on a steady course to a distand horizon
she is stil reapareble!!! she can stil re sail the great sea! with alot of timber oil and loads of caring love❤ she wil sail but some has te rescue her!!!!!
It’s in incredible condition considering it’s age and location. If that was in the UK, or anywhere else in the developed world she would have been restored and used as a info/tourist location. Has there been any attempts to salvage her over the years.
Hi, no it's to do with the steering, probably the most common question asked and i wasn't sure till someone commented. Does look like a harpoon though.
I'd imagine the valuable load of timber from Vancouver (BC?) would be put to good use in the Falklands. I don't see any trees. That timber would be beams and other first growth material that even today is mandated to be used in mines all over the world.
Hi and thanks. Unsure on the harpoon thing, apparantly someone else commented saying it forms part of the steering mechanism. sure look slike a harpoon though.
Hi WIlliam and thanks for the comment. Ive not heard anything anywhere with regard to any attempt to restore her. Its a common theme within comments. I personally would be up for someone carrying out the restoration and on the flip side, i wouldnt have been able to take the footage unless she was where she was and as she is. Theres the beauty on both fronts but sadly leaving her where she is will not last forever. XenomorphUK
Ive been blown away by the amount of views on this video and im just curious as to where you are all getting the link advertised. From the analytics it comes across that a lot get it recommended from their TH-cam account, but if you have clicked on a link on a website, what was it on, please indicate by way of reply. I have only found this posted on one other site (talkmorgan.com) along with the Falkland Island Government FB site that i posted it on . 71k views is a lot from 2 sources so thanks to anyone who replies. XenomorphUK
It does state within the video but its not very clear, full details of what happened and why in paragraphs 1 and 2 and paragraph 3 is the years you metnion: On 4 December 1912, Lady Elizabeth left Vancouver bound for Delagoa Bay Mozambique, with a shipment of lumber. The ship encountered severe weather halfway through the voyage and was damaged just off Cape Horn. Four crew members were lost overboard, along with the ship's two boats and part of her deck cargo. She also sustained damage to the deck fittings, wheel, moorings, and other parts of the ship. Captain Hoegh ordered the ship to the nearest port for repairs. Lady Elizabeth altered course for Stanley, Falkland Islands. 15 miles (24 km) north of Port Stanley, Lady Elizabeth struck Uraine Rock just off Volunteer Point and suffered a 6-foot (1.8 m) break in the hull and keel along with a 1-foot (30 cm) hole. The ship began to sink but was able to get to Port Stanley for repairs. After she was examined, Lady Elizabeth was condemned (declared unseaworthy) because of the damage. In June 1913, she was condemned and converted into a coal hulk. She was sold to the Crown Receiver of Wrecks, Falkland Islands for £1,000. Lady Elizabeth remained stationed there until 17 February 1936 when her mooring lines broke during a storm and she drifted to where she now lies in Whalebone Cove in Stanley Harbour.
Yeah but the SS Great Britain was a much more well renowned ship. Sadly i dont think the Lady Elizabeth has the same following or someone to front up the money to move her. Would be great to see her floating but time is running out.
@@XenomorphUK I actually think she looks good where she is and serves as a timely reminder of mans' endeavors at sea over the centuries. Besides as a vessel of trade any repatriation would risk upsetting folk around the Atlantic slave trade. I am in Bristol UK and it is a sensitive time for these things.
@@gaycha6589yeah I've made a lot of contents and I'm for both restoration and leaving her as she is. Because of where she lies, it's a massive tourist attraction and I'm sure it would be a shame to lose her but equally seeing her refloated would be just as good. Completely understand your points and it could be the reason why no-one is willing to touch her.
I was serving in the RAF just after the Falklands war and three of us got up very early one morning with my camera to take photos. We walked out to her at low tide and clambered aboard her and very carefully keeping to the edges as the timbers weren’t to safe we had a good look around. The mechanism on the aft deck was part of the steering system and on the middle deck there was the bunk house for the crew. The masts and the spars were steel held up by steel rigging. We had a look into the hold to find it full of sand . It’s a very impressive ship, there was talk that the SAS set up an observation point in the hull during the war as the ship lays directly at the end of the Stanly airfield. We got a right bollocking from the RMP,s as we had walked through an un marked mine field. But I got some brilliant photos. One I have had blown up to 4x3 ft and is framed and hanging on my lounge wall. It’s taken from the shore looking at the ship with Stanly on the left and the mountains in the distance looking into the morning sunrise.
Thanks for the brief on the ship and yeah, heard the same thing with regards to SF during the war.
No plans to post the picture. Sounds like a great photo
She hasn't changed a bit since I was down there from 1983 to 1984.
I wish I could say the same about myself these days 😉
How did you get up onto it ?
@@meanderingbird286,
😄👍hah! Me too!
When I see this it brings such sadness. My Great Uncle, Alex Conrad Anderson was one of the four men who lost his life at Cape Horn in that horrible storm. He actually was washed overboard twice. The first time he was rescued. The story was legend in our family. The pain of the the family in Sweden was immense to the point it’s still talked about today among the cousins there. My grandfather always carried the loss of his older brother who was so young when he lost his life. My grandfathers grief affected my mom with fear of water. His life and the life of the three others was a Tragic loss. Only a few years later the panama canal was opened. Bittersweet to see this ship.
That is a sad story, how unlucky to get washed over twice. Poor chap
Wow, what a heavy story. It's good to remember him.. .
Those guy's had immense strength and courage. Life on such a ship is simply unimaginable for people like us today.
I see I misspelled his name. It was Axel Conrad Andersson from Husbyvik near Mogata, Ostergotland, Sweden. It was a heavy story and to find the ship has been there all this time and not under the sea.
So sorry for your loss
@@willy_wombat Yep, today they'd make a Tik Tok video to try to cancel the weather for hurting their feewings using the catchphrase 'weather IS violence'. Soy and social media have ruined the human race.
A hundred and fourty three years old, and still a lady of beauty. No warpage, no sagging still true to her original lines.
Amazing condition for it's age and lack of care. It's amazing the masts and rigging are still in place. Great video, thanks for sharing!
For people who would like to know how life on such a ship was you can read " The last grain race" by Eric Newby. Every year there was a fleet of big threemasters that sailed from England around the world to Australia and back for grain. They sailed around south America an then sailed around Afrca to come back. In that way they could use the winds to their benefit. It ended with the beginning of WW2 and never resumed. It's a fantastic account of someone who really experienced it. The ship on which he sailed was the Moshulu which is now a floating restaurant in a harbor in the USA.
Read it many times. i always enjoy the part in Belfast, when the dockies throw a dead cat into the hold. . . . . ! I went to Belfast in 1960 and inagined it still being there ! My sone= is doing a house up in a place called STreaky Bay, near to Port Augusta, SA right now.
Ooh, Cap'n Oneidin the foorestay on the man reggin ma ned a yard o whisky ta keep it oopraight in a stiff headwin Ha! When I was kid the start of the the Oneidin line was worth a watch. Worked on New Zealand deep-sea boats years ago and the old sea dogs would always tell people to never whistle onboard, you'd whistle up the wind. Telling the cadet to go down the engine room for a bucket of propwash and if they weren't busy they'd go through the whole rigamarole of getting the cadet into a four point harness, lanyard and take them aft deck, hiding a marble or a fish in people's cabins, n f they really didn't like you there was a certain sea sponge they called Russian mattress that actually looked it, but it was itchy as fug if it touched skin, so they'd dry it out, pound it to dust n sprinkle it on someone's bed. The ol' Jap boats had 50/60 crew depending, but going to the new Norge boats was a holiday camp. Got out just before they started twin trawls '00s. Don't miss been away 6-10month of the year, but miss the dudes i worked with. Bunch of pirates.
These historic ships should be saved. People quote that it's too expensive yet money is always found for war!
Completely agree in restoration and saving historic ships. For the Lady Elizabeth though, part of the beauty of this ship is its location where it has ran aground and the story behind it.
You have to also take into account that it also contributes to the appeal of the Falkland Islands bringing in visitors and much needed revenue for local business that without these types of attractions would go under.
@@XenomorphUK, so you are saying that to preserve or restore her and allow tourists to actually walk on her decks is worse than just letting her sit and rust away?
@@richardcline1337 not at all, i am for both the restoration and for leaving her. The rather weak point i tried to make above is I would support the restoration and also leaving her where she is.
Both at the end of the day have their appeal; it would be superb to see her restored. The longevity for the ship is naturaly in its restoration, but, i doubt the back story behind her will ever be strong enough to have someone put up the substantial money it would require. I seriously doubt FI government would put that sort of money up to restore it so sadly at some point, it will be beyond saving once it starts to fall in on itself. Its a measure to her makers she has lasted so long in the state and place she currently rests. If she was ever restored, the interesting debate would be where should she be on display, the majority of her life has been in the Falklands.
Even on bad weather days, people still go and visit the ship, but when the weather was how it was on the day i filmed it, the images are amazing and its those views you get that people want to go and see her whilst they are there.
Time is not on her side and i am sure there are many others in a similar state around the world and not just ships that need saving. Sadly unless theres a significant newsworthy back drop, this along with many other will wither and die.
@@richardcline1337even if tens of millions was avail to preserve/restore her, do you imagine that there are the necessary shipbuilding skills and facilities available on the Falklands to do it?
@@jonmarsden1366, it's amazing what can be accomplished if people really have the heart and desire to see it done.
Great to see this Majestic Old lady of the seas again, last saw her in 2006 whilst serving on the Falklands at Mount Pleasant.
Although having closely followed the successful salvage and return to Bristol of the SS Great Britain from the Falklands, I was unaware that another rusting iron hulk vessel remained in the Falklands. The advantage SS Great Britain had as a national treasure was her association with Brunel and the fact that she was constructed in Bristol in the same dockyard where she now rests. Unfortunately for the Lady Elizabeth, she has no such pedigree. Although considered to be excellent shpwrights, R. L Thomson are not viewed as being on the leading edge of iron ship design or steam propulsion as demonstrated by Brunel.The R.L. Thompson & Son's shipyard in North Sands was demolished and today is the site of the University of Sunderland and the National Glass Center.
@H - M I would like to believe that "in another decade or two..." however, interest in both rescuing and restoring old ships is a matter of too few (read none) monies chasing too many ships. One only has to look at the precarious fate of Queen Mary in California and perhaps even worse, the deteriorating SS.United States in Philadelphia to understand the costs and complexity. The SS Great Britain was fortunate to have had Brunel as her designer so as to attract private and governmental finance. The fact that her Bristol dock birthplace was still in existence was also instrumental in her survival. Regrettably, none of these factors favor Lady Elizabeth.
When I was crew on Sea Cloud 40 years ago we played a film called Ghosts of Cape Horn to the passengers every week, it showed there to be more than just the Lady Elizabeth in the Falklands.
As for Sunderland built ships I'd say she was as good as any to have been built on the Weir, certainly a lot prettier than the James Craig, a ship I was invited to help restore, but the James Craig is a fine example of what can be done to restore and get sailing again these old ships.
R.L. Thompson & Son's shipyard in Sunderland designed the Liberty ship of WW2. A quality ship maker enshrined in history.
@@jonathansimmonds5784 Small correction, It is actually the river Wear and not Weir. 😉
Amazing how some of her standing rigging still stands. I guess the colder temperatures has preserve her for over 100 yrs. Beautifully done video.
The Falklands are not that cold.
Wire rigging,possibly galvanised?
To those here who recall their period in the falklands, Thank You for Your Service.
Even in its rusty dereliction, it's a thing of such beauty. If somehow she could be saved, restored and displayed in Port Stanley, wouldn't that be appropriate?
Its a hard one to judge, yes i agree that restoring it would be amazing but you lose that original nostalga of why its so popular in the first place. I wouldnt judge harshly if it stayed or got restored. As with anything of this ilk, you have first got to raise the resoration money and that will only come from private funding. I think it very unlikely the UK or Falklands government would fund such a project.
That thing is so fragile at this point if they tried to tow it out of there, it would likely break up and sink.
@@kman-mi7su look at the recovery of the SS Great Britain it was in just as bad if not worse shape and yet they were still able to save it
@@kman-mi7su It would need a project similar to the recovery of the SS Great Britian. She was in imminent danger of breaking in two at the time. She was basically got on to a huge submersible pontoon/barge which was then refloated and towed 8000 miles back to Bristol. The longest tow ever undertaken at sea. It must have cost millions just to get her back to UK.
A ship in much else condition was floated, plugged, towed from Tasmania to Sydney where they spent about a decade doing her up and now she’s the James Craig and takes day tripper tours
I have many photo's of her when i was down there in 1989 for a 4 month tour she is certainly a beautiful ship and that rustic colour is amazing in bright sunlight
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.
Great video..........
The drone tour was excellent, now we know what the video games trained us for!
Beautful, makes me shutter at the sight.
What a beautiful old ship - amazingly well preserved.
I can’t believe after 100 years it is so complete and in such good condition
Usually by now there is nothing but pieces on the ocean floor
At this rate it will be there for another 100 years
Good filming 👍👍
Yeah it's in stunning condition and thanks
My great great granndpa was on this boat out of norway, but was lost at sea in a storm. i was named after him.
Known about this ship for a long time. Wonderful footage, well done.
Breaks my heart to see such a lovely ship rusting away at the bottom of the world. Lovely footage!
Thanks for the comment.
Yeah it's a shame but it's also I dare say one of the many things that ticks boxes for some people that then makes them visit the islands.
Would be lovely to see her sail again though.
XenomorphUK
Think of it as a peaceful end of her journey in time.
A sad sight to see a such a beautiful lady left in such distress !
Thanks for this. Memories from my own tour down there in 84-85.
Photographed her in 1983..had to wait days to get a clear sunny day...she must have been a thing of beauty under full sail...they need a plan to protect her from further decay as she will eventually fall apart...👍👍
Oh my! Very well done. After watching I had to check the comments to make sure this was real. The colors are so "otherworldly" it almost looks as if it were artificially rendered or, at the very least, touched up. This is amazing!
Hi and thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed it.
I served in the Falklands at Stanley, 1983 / 84. I always wanted to go out to Lady Liz, but shift patterns and tides always stopped me. I have some good pics of her, both my own and others bt the RAF photo section.
Yeah like I put in the description, pretty similar, I had to wait for the perfect weather and the day off to coincide
Thank you for this film showing such and old ship, still beautiful and a great credit to her builders.
Sad to see she looks very near her final end, so many holes in her plates...
She's a beauty, thank you for the excellent footage! A Laser 3-D Scan would be great and maybe salvaging the fittings for a replica in a distant future. Nothing else to do any more I fear. Seems to me she's already thin like paper. Amazing how well she withstood the elements for so long time!
For a ship that's been un-seaworthy for over a century and sitting out on a sandbar for 87 somewhat years, being exposed to the waves and weather the whole time, it's in remarkably good shape! I mean, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to go climb around on it for fear of collapse, but the fact that it's still standing is astounding. Honestly, I wonder if it could be reinforced, patched up, and re-floated just enough so that they could tow it in to harbor and berth it as a museum ship.
I don’t know if you are aware but the boat that towed her into Stanley Harbour, herself is now lying opposite the Narrows after she also broke feee from her moorings. I found that out from the museum in Stanley yesterday. When I come back down here to the FI again, I shall access the file on the Lady Elizabeth.
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this. Best regards from Brasilia, Brazil.
Glad you enjoyed it!
It says much for the build quality of the vessel. Even the handrail is intact. Thanks for the video.
Thanks
Yeah it's in remarkable condition for the length of time it's been there. Something needs to be done soon though or it will whither away.
I remember riding in the back on the road in the video in the back of a 4 1/4 tonne wagon every morning and evening to the chinook servicing flight from our floating “hotel” way back just after conflict finished and thinking how beautiful that ship looked. In the land of”lumpy jumpers and bennies and stuffed penguins from the art shop.
Wreck seen on national television... Fascinating story! Great video! -Ancona, Italy
Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed it.
Even now, she's a beautiful ship. Great lines. A shame she was never patched up and refloated.
Totally agree, she is stunning.
The sad fact is the Falklands was unable to repair the damage to get her floating and seaworthy again. A major port and she may have made it.
She’d have been scrapped 100 years ago if refloated
So holed n aground and remotely located have actually saved her from the scrap merchants
Such beautiful lines!
I climbed aboard this ship at low tide in 1985 when I was stationed at RAF Port Stanley.
Sorrowful yet Majestic at the same time...
I was at Stanley Airport every year from 1982 till 1985 with 63 sqn raf regt
Should be preserved even if a static museum.
Mesmerising! Drone power at its best.
Even now , she has a lot of grace and beauty...
She has, looks stunning, especially on days like it was when I filmed it.
So sad when looking at this still proud vessel . buildings can come and go , but ships are different , they carry the souls of the people that built them, sailed in them and became part of their life .
Great video , thank you , ive seen lots of pics of "Lady Liz" but nothing as comprehensive as your video ,
Im from Sunderland , my father and grandfather both worked in the "yards"
I now live in Poersmouth and have seen first hand (HMS Warrior ) what can be done with a Falklands hulk
It is amazingly sad Lady Liz has sat waiting in her present position since 1936 awaiting someone with the vision and means to rescue her !
This world can find money for so much crap , but seemingly nobody wants to rescue a fantastic Sunderland ship from 1879, from the same period in time of so much other British History R.I.P Lady Liz , the world didnt care sadly
Hi and thanks,
Yeah it's sad but if it wasn't how it was I wouldn't have been able to do the video.
In its current state it is a really good tourist attraction but it would be good to see her restored but as you put, finding that person or society willing to put up the immense amount of money it would cost is extremely unlikely.
Fingers crossed someone does something before its gets past the point that's its feasible to do restore her.
XenomorphUk
just awesome footage, thank you for doing this!
This is the cove where the SS Great Britain was neglected until she was rescued for posterity, Thank goodness. We Should also bring the Lady Elizabeth home. Look at how she is clinging on to existence. A ship of this type and period deserves better from her Island nation. Surely there cannot be all that many examples of this type left in existence.
I was unaware that she was there.
What a beautiful vessel she was, & an attractive one she still is despite her predicament.
It is a shame a salvage was not attempted.
Hopefully, what with the drive towards more environmentally minded shipping, we will see a variant of her like again plying the oceans.
Its a pity that the mega rich with their billion dollar super yachts
generally don't see the a place for themselves in the restoration of
amazing old ships such as this.
I agree. There's so much other work these people could be proud of doing too. When I see videos of Russian lorries struggling windscreen deep across a remote river!
She would have been a graceful vessel in her time. I remember the sadness I felt that she was just left there to rot away when I viewed her from the shore
Superbe vidéo de cette " vieille dame " et qui repose en paix ...
Thank you and for the comment
I've been looking at images of her since I was a boy in the 1980s. So sad that she hasn't been salvaged and restored as a museum somewhere. In her current situation it is just a matter of time before she disintegrates.
Yeah its a shame, mentioned a few times on here, its trying to find the money to pay for it, especially in the current times.
I fished in Alaska, and there are many wrecks on the shores. Some we could access, some not. But it's erie and humbling to walk the decks of lost boats, thinking about their last moments. And then there are the ones who never made it back to port. I prayed a lot then.
I was down in the Falklands on the Chinooks at San Carlos. I have a photo of this ship to this day as one of my screensavers on my PC's!
Thanks for the comment, don't blame you, she is a thing of beauty.
Thanks for sharing. I'm going to pass the link on.
Interesting story. Thanks!
Thanks for the watch and the comment.
@@XenomorphUK :-)
Another one Interesting video-Story please! =)
it amazes me that that rigging has been holding fast since the 1800's
A few people have said it, simply the quality of the build in its day
For all restored ships, the enormous cost of maintenance is the killer. They need income from paying passengers or visitors, and there would be few of them at Stanley.
Agreed, while it would be nice to see it restored, its final location is somewhat of a beauty spot when the weather comes out.
And she’s still hanging on…… what an amazing project ….a fantastic piece of maritime history…… about to disappear…. How many more winters can she survive?
Amazing footage! I would love to use some of it in an upcoming video of mine, if that would be alright? More than happy to credit you in the video as well!
Yeah that's fine, post me a link when done if you wouldn't mind, like the channel, interested to see how you will use it 👌
I have the original footage if you want it without the watermark, let me know.
REALLY, REALLY GREAT narration!!! :-)
This is in better condition that the James Craig which was rescued from the Derwent and now sails proudly on Sydney Harbour
That's good news, so it is possible. Who provided the money?
I don't believe that is the case Pete. It doesn't show up on this footage but Lady Elizabeth has a significant crack in the hull plates around mid-ships and there is no way that she could be refloated or moved without breaking her back.
Interesting video, I watched it on fast forward.
Glad you enjoyed it
This ship became a weapon of war in the Falklands conflict, where an SAS soldier hid out and operated from. It was searched by Argentinians, but he was not found and he continued to operate from the hulk. There are many similar ships around the islands that failed aftter rounding the Horn.
Well made ship. Still it's sad ending though
I am surprised at how small her hatch openings are. It must have been a devil of a job to stow cargo below decks but I guess she was this way to keep the big seas out of her hull
All cargo would have been handled by manual labour so we are looking at bags, bales and keg sized consignments. No large consignments as used these days. If she was in the bulk grain trade from Southern Australia it was common practice to breach the bags at the edge of the hatch and tip the grain into the hold via a "piano".
VERY interesting video! I dont' know if this is true but I've read there are quite a few abandoned ships in the Falklands, not just Lady Elizabeth.
Hi and thanks.
There are a few about yes but this was the only one I visited whilst there.
XenomorphUK
@@XenomorphUK Thanks for the reply!
@@wayneantoniazzi2706 NP, Shutterstock probably the best one to look at for pure images but unsure what wrecks would be of more interest to you.
www.falklandstamps.com/falkland-islands-wrecks.irc#:~:text=Over%20180%20ships%20are%20known,others%20which%20sank%20without%20trace.
maritime-executive.com/editorials/royal-navy-releases-images-of-falklands-war-shipwrecks
www.shutterstock.com/search/falkland-islands-shipwreck?c3apidt=71700000083936683&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2-2eBhClARIsAGLQ2RnC--dJUbyDkoCZtGVFzPob9croeuTMZ5BlkcF-R1feNycCswEIf1gaApI8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&kw=
@@XenomorphUK That looks very interesting, I'll definately check it out!
I've read tht prior to the opening of the Panama Canal the Falklands was a major stop for ships after coming around the Horn or going to it. And some never made it past the Falklands after being heavily damaged passing the Horn.
I've been aboard this ship, in 1985.
You're brave, it looks like you'd fall thru the deck today if you set foot on it. Maybe back then it was much more sturdy.
Impressive how it has created it's own massive sandbar.
The wind naturally blows in to the shore, but what you can't see is the rocky shelf it's caught on. You can wade out to her but it drops quite quickly at that point where she sits.
I dare say as she sits in the middle, that has helped hold the sand as much as it has.
@@XenomorphUK I can see the reef and obvious big drop off on the opposite side. Got hung up just right.
Awesome. As is the music...
A great use for a drone !
nice drone footage!
Thanks
After almost 100 years in situ, still a proud vessel. Of course long beyond rescue, but she sits there, a little list because of the imaginary wind. Heading on a steady course to a distand horizon
Just think, it was there when Von Spree attacked the island and then the Argentinians!
Can't help but think of the song, "Ragged Old Flag."
still impressive.
Great footage. Really interesting.
Just amazing! :-) Thanks
Glad you liked it!
I hace seen this vessel in 1974 during a cruise on Enrico C where I was as purser..long time ago and the ship still there
There is a schooner at South Georgia I believe.
I wonder if it's still safe to explore the inside of this ship.
I dare say people have done it.
Please save that ship !
There are more old square riggers in the Falklands
she is stil reapareble!!! she can stil re sail the great sea! with alot of timber oil and loads of caring love❤ she wil sail but some has te rescue her!!!!!
She is, but it's gonna take a heck of a lot of money, hard to find in these times at the moment
It’s in incredible condition considering it’s age and location. If that was in the UK, or anywhere else in the developed world she would have been restored and used as a info/tourist location. Has there been any attempts to salvage her over the years.
I asked while I was down there and no, nothing ever mentioned with regards to restoration.
Used as sightseeing and attraction with nothing planned.
From the days when we built ships to last!
It's lasting, just not in the ways it was planned to last
@@XenomorphUK Indeed, from the days when men were men and cabin boys were worried lol. Were you serving out there you had a great day for filming?
@@johnallen7807 Yeah, was there for a year and was just waiting for the perfect day.
Bring her Home.
Спасибо!
Добро пожаловать
There is something on her sternmost deck that almost looks like a harpoon gun for hunting whale. Is that what is?
Hi, no it's to do with the steering, probably the most common question asked and i wasn't sure till someone commented.
Does look like a harpoon though.
simply a beauty in age*
I'd imagine the valuable load of timber from Vancouver (BC?) would be put to good use in the Falklands. I don't see any trees. That timber would be beams and other first growth material that even today is mandated to be used in mines all over the world.
She still beautiful
Absolutely, stunning when the sun shines on her.
Looks like at low tide an easy wade to the Lady Elizabeth.
Yeah you can wade out to it at low tide, there are photos online of even kids at the ship.
@@XenomorphUK You don't need to wade, at a really low tide you can walk out to it and keep your feet dry. I have a chunk of rusty metal to prove it!
On a neep tide you can actually walk right up to it but I believe boarding is not permitted.
@@joebloggs2352 that would be a spring tide
@@millimetreperfect Spring tides are high tides whereas a neep is the lowest tide.
Thank you for this video. Is that some kind of kind of gun, or harpoon, on the deck at the stern ?
Hi and thanks.
Unsure on the harpoon thing, apparantly someone else commented saying it forms part of the steering mechanism. sure look slike a harpoon though.
Steering connection to the top of the rudder.
Any plans to save her
Hi WIlliam and thanks for the comment.
Ive not heard anything anywhere with regard to any attempt to restore her. Its a common theme within comments.
I personally would be up for someone carrying out the restoration and on the flip side, i wouldnt have been able to take the footage unless she was where she was and as she is.
Theres the beauty on both fronts but sadly leaving her where she is will not last forever.
XenomorphUK
Ive been blown away by the amount of views on this video and im just curious as to where you are all getting the link advertised. From the analytics it comes across that a lot get it recommended from their TH-cam account, but if you have clicked on a link on a website, what was it on, please indicate by way of reply.
I have only found this posted on one other site (talkmorgan.com) along with the Falkland Island Government FB site that i posted it on . 71k views is a lot from 2 sources so thanks to anyone who replies.
XenomorphUK
Yup, it just appeared among the recommended videos here on the right. Nice job!
@@algoquenosacordemos Thanks for taking the time to reply
@@XenomorphUK I also got it recommended by youtube, perhaps because i look t transport vds
..and so !, 4 years later, no chance to have this vessel saved as it happened for the Great Britain ?…🥺🥺
A sad case of who is going to front the vast amount it would require to complete the restoration.
From 1913 to 1926 where was she and what was she doing? A large gap here, Just curious
It does state within the video but its not very clear, full details of what happened and why in paragraphs 1 and 2 and paragraph 3 is the years you metnion:
On 4 December 1912, Lady Elizabeth left Vancouver bound for Delagoa Bay Mozambique, with a shipment of lumber. The ship encountered severe weather halfway through the voyage and was damaged just off Cape Horn. Four crew members were lost overboard, along with the ship's two boats and part of her deck cargo. She also sustained damage to the deck fittings, wheel, moorings, and other parts of the ship.
Captain Hoegh ordered the ship to the nearest port for repairs. Lady Elizabeth altered course for Stanley, Falkland Islands. 15 miles (24 km) north of Port Stanley, Lady Elizabeth struck Uraine Rock just off Volunteer Point and suffered a 6-foot (1.8 m) break in the hull and keel along with a 1-foot (30 cm) hole. The ship began to sink but was able to get to Port Stanley for repairs. After she was examined, Lady Elizabeth was condemned (declared unseaworthy) because of the damage.
In June 1913, she was condemned and converted into a coal hulk. She was sold to the Crown Receiver of Wrecks, Falkland Islands for £1,000. Lady Elizabeth remained stationed there until 17 February 1936 when her mooring lines broke during a storm and she drifted to where she now lies in Whalebone Cove in Stanley Harbour.
@@XenomorphUK thanks for the clarification
50 years agob, SS Great Britain was recovered, returned and restored from that part of the world
Yeah but the SS Great Britain was a much more well renowned ship. Sadly i dont think the Lady Elizabeth has the same following or someone to front up the money to move her. Would be great to see her floating but time is running out.
@@XenomorphUK I actually think she looks good where she is and serves as a timely reminder of mans' endeavors at sea over the centuries. Besides as a vessel of trade any repatriation would risk upsetting folk around the Atlantic slave trade. I am in Bristol UK and it is a sensitive time for these things.
@@gaycha6589yeah I've made a lot of contents and I'm for both restoration and leaving her as she is. Because of where she lies, it's a massive tourist attraction and I'm sure it would be a shame to lose her but equally seeing her refloated would be just as good. Completely understand your points and it could be the reason why no-one is willing to touch her.
@@XenomorphUK yes best left in that setting
Leo and Pete could restore her in two years
worth salvage and restoration!
She looks sleek and fast, preservation would be ideal, as a full restoration would be mammoth and to expensive
Still going to cost a fair amount to preserve her, unsure if anyone has ever tried to do anything towards it, no news i can find on the net.
@@XenomorphUK it's definitely age worthy it would be a shame to lose her
The volume is a bit too loud but otherwise good video i liked.
Thanks for the comment.
It could definitely be reconstructed...the james craig in australia was far worse
Then they should save HMVS Cerberus.
Is that a harpoon gun aft?
No it isn't you twit(s)! It's what's left of her steering gear, the worm shaft! I dunno, some people! Anyway, harpoon guns are on the front end!
no it not it part of stearing mecanisme main or emergency