Resembling the skeletal remains of a huge whale, the shipwreck of SS Nornen can be spotted at low tide on Berrow Beach. The drive from Bristol is less than an hour to the wreck and the vessel’s bones sticking out of the sand provide a glimpse into the massive storm which hit the Bristol channel over a century ago and the heroic rescue which followed.
The coastal village of Berrow is between Burnham-on-Sea and Brean and the shipwreck is visible during low tide if you walk onto the beach from the Berrow beach parking area. It is about a 20 minute walk along the trails and across the beach.
It is not advisable to go when the tide is coming in and the sinking sand could be treacherous when wet. But ahead of and during high tide, it’s a spectacular walk across a vast expanse of beach and the black jagged remains of the wreck can be spotted from a fair distance away.
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The Nornen was a large Norwegian barque with three masts and under the captaincy of Peder Olsen, took many voyages across the Atlantic. The vessel carried goods between Europe and the American east coast ports.
Her final voyage took place after she had delivered a cargo to Georgia in the US, when she was travelling back to Bristol. On the night of 2 March 1897 and into the early hours of the following morning, a huge storm battered the coast of south west England.
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Captain Olsen tried to take shelter in the lee of Lundy Island, which was the largest island in the Bristol Channel. But the gale force winds ripped the sails as the crew tried to navigate the ship in driving rain and sleet.
The ship drifted helplessly, eventually running aground on Berrow Beach which was known for its sinking sand. The captain jumped into the icy waters of the estuary to raise the alarm.
According to records, neither the crew nor the ship’s dog followed, choosing to remain on board as their captain risked his life to save them. By mid-morning on 3 March the RNLI lifeboat ‘Godfrey Morris’ arrived at the vessel to help rescue the crew.
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The lifeboat with a crew of ten oarsmen had struggled through the high seas and howling gale to get to the stricken vessel. They managed to pull alongside and the crew and the dog were all rescued and taken to safety by 3pm that afternoon..
Villagers from Berrow were waiting to provide blankets and hot drinks. The heroic rescue in the face of such horrendous weather conditions is recorded on the honours board at the entrance to the Burnham RNLI Station.
Salvage started almost immediately and it was declared a wreck by the insurers. The brave captain’s last voyage was recorded as being in charge of another ship, the Gilead which disappeared on a trip back to England in 1901.
The shipwreck lies just south of Brean and north of St Mary’s Parish Church. The church dates back to the 13th century and was restored in the 19th century. It is a grade I listed building and contains a bell dating from 1801.
Berrow is a popular holiday destination and there are loads of restaurants and pubs after a long walk on the beach.
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