by Jon Malings

The following reports detail wrecks, accidents, mishaps and other disasters occurring to some of the ships belonging to the Deddington Steam Ship Co.

Elf: November 1883. Off Land’s End the ship sustained a broken tail shaft and had to be towed into Cardiff, resulting in a court case to determine the amount of salvage due.

Knight Templar:  December 1888, total loss. Enroute Odessa to London carrying grain.  While off Brest the ship developed a 15 degree list which made steering difficult, eventually grounding but then carrying on. The holds began to fill with water so the pumps were set, but, eventually the crew abandoned ship. Board of Trade Enquiry.

Oxon:  Enroute Juppirk (Sweden) for Hull, carrying iron and deals.  The ship suddenly “took the ground”  The crew remained onboard until the next day when they were taken off by some fishermen.  The Oxon was a total loss. Board of Trade Enquiry.

Garton: From The Times,  November 9, 1921 “The British steamer Garton, which is reported from the Dardanelles to be ashore on Diana Shoal, is a vessel of 2734 tons, built in 1894, and managed by H. Samman and Company. She is valued at £18,000. The Garton is laden with grain, and is on a voyage from Kehron to Gibraltar for orders.” She was presumably refloated as Garton went to the breakers in 1963.

Deddington:  Two incidents involving the first s.s. Deddington highlight some of the problems that were inimical to running a shipping company. In one case the vessel ran aground on Sherrards Island Reef in Queensland, Australia, but, (according to the Maitalnd Mercury, August 18th 1891) "is afloat again and proceeding on her voyage. In another most of the crew came down with Malaria.  The newspaper report of the latter includes a short itinerary of Deddington's voyage around Asia.