The Stirling Castle is arguably the most impressive historic wreck in Britain. It was lost on the Goodwin Sands off Kent in 1703, in one of the worst storms ever to hit Britain. Unlike its two wrecked sister ships, where all perished, 21 men survived. What favoured the Stirling Castle that night?
The Stirling Castle seems to have dragged its anchor, slowing the ship's progress towards the Goodwin Sands. This delay meant it reached the sands at high tide, narrowly avoiding the fate of the other ships which were grounded. As the storm continued, the tides turned and dragged the ship sideways, trapping it between the new tidal currents and the oncoming storms. The resulting tumultuous seas swamped the ship. Full of water, it sank on to the sands, leaving just the stern exposed for a fortunate few to cling to.
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, with Charles II and Samuel Pepys in attendance.&width=510&height=345&credit=Richard Endsor)
