The Spanish steamer Villasandino, abandoned in 1925, has been found aground 85 miles from its last known location near Land’s End
Cornwall: So, almost a century ago, the Spanish steamer Villasandino was left to drift in the Atlantic. It all went down on February 26, 1925, when the ship hit some really rough weather and its condenser broke.
The crew quickly realized that water was flooding the engine room because the pipes had cracked. That’s when they decided it was time to call for help and abandon ship.
The Villasandino, built way back in 1888, signaled for assistance. The tanker British Chancellor tried to tow it back but faced a tough time. They made four attempts, but each time the tow line snapped. By morning, the situation had worsened, and the crew had to leave the ship as it was sinking.
Eventually, the Villasandino ran aground with its coal cargo near Bude’s Compass Point. Fast forward to the 1970s, and divers reported that the wreck was scattered across the seabed, with bits like a rudder and propeller lying around.
As for the British Chancellor, it was an oil tanker built in 1921. It had its own drama in July 1940 when it got damaged and sunk during an air raid on Falmouth Docks. After that, it took about ten months to get repaired in Plymouth.
