Keel of The Crystal – The Last Trading Schooner at Sandy Haven.
Leaning against the house wall at the side entrance to The Anchorage is a large black piece of wood. This is the largest remaining fragment of the sailing schooner – The Crystal. She was operated by the Beer family who built Rock House and the small stone quay just below the Anchorage. The old trading schooners were abandoned around Sandy Haven creek where their remains can still be seen. The sea corroded the iron pins holding their timbers together and they have now disintegrated into clusters of timber with rusty iron nails protruding. A photograph of The Crystal was published in the Western Telegraph in 1964 showing her resting place in Sandy Haven creek but with only a her bow remaining intact. The large fragment was collected by the owner in 1974.
There are the remnants of three ketches at the top end of Sandy Haven decayed into the mud, there is the bits of wreck nearer the crossing steps. There is confusion as to where the Crystal broke up. Do you know for certain which wreck the Crystal is. Do you know the names of the other wrecks in Sandy Haven? Any info would be most welcome.
I am trying to identify which wrecks are which in Sandy Haven. I know where the “Cornish Lass” is but confused about the Crystal. The wreck still visible at the head of the creek is locally called the “Hospital Ship” abandoned there about 1910. Do you know if the Crystal and the Hospital ship is the same vessel? If not could you tell me where the keel was taken from? perhaps near the two beaching poles near the stepping stones? . Also do you know if New Foundland and New Providence are also wrecked ketches in the Creek.?
Many thanks TOM Bennett