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Wave Queen - a general history

Launched 13 July 1858 as Wave Queen; completed September 1858 by J Pile: Official No. 22179; Code Letters NKJP.

Owners: 1858 Greek & Oriental SNC (Stefanos Xenos) London-renamed Admiral Miaoulis.

Masters: 1858 Westcott.

The Wave Queen was uncompleted when Richardson Brothers ceased trading so she was finished by John Pile & named Better Luck pro tem before beingrenamed Admiral Miaoulis when purchased by Stefanos Xenos.

On her maiden voyage the Admiral Miaoulis left Cardiff with 1,000 tons of iron to sail via Havre & then for Cronstadt. At Havre she loaded three state railway carriages that had been built in Paris & were destined for the Emperor of Russia & the imperial family.  A pilot was taken on board but in a thick fog she struck rocks in the Baltic Sea about eight miles from the island of Osel at the entrance to the Gulf of Riga on 14 October 1858. Because she was going at full speed she struck the rocks with incredible force so was wrecked almost instantly. The crew managed to save themselves in their three boats but did not have time to collect any belongings or the ship’s papers. The wreck sank in deep water so nothing could be recovered from her. The ship & her cargo were adequately insured so no loss was suffered by the owner.

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