Wrecking (shipwreck)

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For other uses, see Wrecking (disambiguation)

Wrecking is the practice of taking valuables from a shipwreck which has foundered near or close to shore.

In some cases ships were deliberately lured into danger; by faking the signals from lighthouses, or even tying lights to mules and horses walking them along coastal paths and beaches at night so resembling ships bobbing about at anchor, as well as passing ships looking for safe harbour and perhaps to shelter from bad weather. By following the lights it would cause them to run aground on rocks and headlands. The 'Wreckers' would then plunder the ships valuable cargo, possibly consisting of gold, jewelry, wine, spirits, silks and/or tobacco. Wrecking is no longer economically significant, however as recently as the 19th century in some parts of the world it was the mainstay of many otherwise economically marginal coastal communities.

Wrecking was well known in Devon and Cornwall where the rocky coastline, and strong prevailing onshore winds helped attract merchant ships. The false lights on the shore would sometimes lead ships into disaster. Then rather than helping shipwrecked sailors, the wreckers often murdered and stripped the unsuspecting crew of any valuables and possessions.

Wrecking was a major industry in the 19th Century, and as far back as the 16th Century, especially ships returning from the New World using the Gulf Stream, which passes through the far south west of England which would help to speed these ships on their way to France and Spain.

'Wreckers' would attempt to frighten off the curious, suspicious or unwanted visitors, by spreading wild rumours concerning supernatural activity, ghosts and cannibals (as occurred in Clovelly) near their wrecking sites.