This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-49516292
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
US Civil War steamship that sank in Liverpool gets protected status | US Civil War steamship that sank in Liverpool gets protected status |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The wreckage of a Liverpool-built steamship that sank on its maiden voyage while carrying supplies for the Confederate forces during the American Civil War has been granted protection. | The wreckage of a Liverpool-built steamship that sank on its maiden voyage while carrying supplies for the Confederate forces during the American Civil War has been granted protection. |
Paddle steamer Lelia left the city for Bermuda in January 1865, but foundered in Liverpool Bay due to stormy weather. | Paddle steamer Lelia left the city for Bermuda in January 1865, but foundered in Liverpool Bay due to stormy weather. |
Forty-seven crew members died, as did seven rescuers. The ship now lies at the bottom of the bay. | Forty-seven crew members died, as did seven rescuers. The ship now lies at the bottom of the bay. |
Historic England said the wreck was "significant as historical evidence". | Historic England said the wreck was "significant as historical evidence". |
The ship, which was built at Millers shipyard in Toxteth, was clandestinely ordered to help slave-owning Confederate forces in the southern states of the US, fighting the Unionist forces in the North. | |
"The Lelia is one of a small group of British ships involved in British complicity in running guns and munitions to the Confederates," said Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England. | "The Lelia is one of a small group of British ships involved in British complicity in running guns and munitions to the Confederates," said Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England. |
"Though the UK remained officially neutral throughout the American Civil War, the Lelia comprises evidence of the British financing of blockade runners that sent munitions and luxuries to Confederate ports in return for cotton and tobacco." | "Though the UK remained officially neutral throughout the American Civil War, the Lelia comprises evidence of the British financing of blockade runners that sent munitions and luxuries to Confederate ports in return for cotton and tobacco." |
The shipwreck was located after a bell from the Lelia was discovered by a diver in the early 1990s. | The shipwreck was located after a bell from the Lelia was discovered by a diver in the early 1990s. |
The ship has been granted protection by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England. | The ship has been granted protection by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England. |
Recreational divers can still descend to the site but they are not allowed to remove anything from the wreck. | Recreational divers can still descend to the site but they are not allowed to remove anything from the wreck. |
The partially buried remains lie 15m (50ft) below the surface, 10 miles north-west of Hilbre Point on the Wirral. | The partially buried remains lie 15m (50ft) below the surface, 10 miles north-west of Hilbre Point on the Wirral. |
Heritage minister Rebecca Pow said protecting the site "helps us to preserve an important story about Britain's role in the American Civil War". | Heritage minister Rebecca Pow said protecting the site "helps us to preserve an important story about Britain's role in the American Civil War". |