The Countess of Erne, Portland Harbour

Simon Hanmer and Scubaplus have adopted the Countess of Erne an iron paddle steamer lost just inside Portland Harbour in 1935. Her remains currently lie at a depth of 10m and the site is visited by the group approximately 20 times a year.

History of Countess of Erne

The Countess of Erne was built by the firm of Walpole, Webb & Bewley of Dublin in 1868. She was an iron hulled paddle steamer approximately 73m (240ft) in length, with 2 engines, built by Fawcett Preston & Co of Liverpool, delivering a total of about 300hp to two side paddles. She was fitted out to able to carry approximately 700 passengers, with more than 100 of those being in first class. She was also able to carry 700 tons of cargo.

In 1869, ownership of the Countess was transferred to the London & North Western Railway Company for use on their Holyhead to Dublin route. In 1873, she was transferred to their Greenore route. During this time, we know she had the following masters (captains):

• 1868 - James Beaumont
• 1869 - Robert John Fridge
• 1870 - Edwin Cole
• 1873 - George J C Smith
• 1873 - Richard Owen

Sometime during 1888-1889, she was put up for auction in Liverpool, where she was purchased by the Bristol Steam Navigation Company who put her into service for 2 years, before she was sold for scrap. In 1890, she was converted into a coal hulk and used at several ports before finally being moored in Portland Harbour.

On the 16th September 1935, she broke free of her moorings and drifted before holing herself on the north-east breakwater of Portland Harbour and shortly afterwards sank.

Sidescan image of Countess of Erne

The Wreck of the Countess of Erne

Today, the wreck of the Countess of Erne lies on the sea-bed a few meters from the inner wall of the north-east arm of Portland Harbour. The seabed lies in a depth of approximately 15th meters, with the deck of the Countess being in about 9m.

The wreck is buoyed, normally on the stern and as you descend the shot line you will be able to start to make out the hull of the wreck. The superstructure has all been removed, leaving the hull open on the stern deck with three connected holds. The wreck can be very silty and care should be taken to ensure that good buoyancy control is used to prevent the visibility being reduced by disturbed silt.

The Countess is an important haven for marine life and many species can be spotted including pollack and wrasse, tompot blennies, crabs and the occasional lobster. More unusual sightings include triggerfish, lump suckers and very rarely red-band fish.

Reader Reviews:

Dive Site: The Countess of Erne

Location: 50°35.11N; 02°25.09W (Portland Harbour)

Description: 830 ton paddle steamer

Length: 80 metres (262 feet)

Depth: 12 metres max (40 feet), 6 metres to deck (20 feet)

Visibility: 2 metres (7 feet)

Rating: **

In its prime the Countess of Erne was a paddle steamer, but was used in later life as a coal hulk in Portland harbour. It sank in 1935 after its moorings broke lose. The site is within the shelter of the harbour, parallel to the northeast wall next to the white lighthouse - there is usually a fixed shot marking the stern which is the north end of the wreck. The wreckage lies upright and is still intact, although much of the superstructure has gone. The visibility can be really bad because of its location inside silty Portland Harbour. There is some fish life however, and a few holes in the wreck to inspect. It lies upright on the sea floor and some of the holds could be entered if the visibility allowed it.