British Peer
Ship Number
32
Vessel Type
Sailing Ship
Built
Belfast
Launch Date
31 January 1865
Delivered
February 1865
Owner
British Shipowners Ltd
Weight
1478 grt
BP Length
210 feet
Breadth
36 feet
No. of Screws
Speed (approx)
Propulsion
Sail
Official No.
51452
Registered
Liverpool
Fate
Sank
 British Peer

[Nautical Photo Agency]

Originally one of the fastest vessels in her class - she was what was termed a windjammer - alterations to increase her tonnage by lengthening her hull by 9 metres in 1877 completely spoiled her sailing powers and she was never as fast again. After these changes she measured 247.5 feet, and displaced 1478 tons.
 
On 3rd October 1896 the British Peer sailed from London with a general cargo, which included liquor, cork, candles, gunpowder, pianos, baths and building materials for the Cape.
 
On 8th December the ship passed Dassen Island and had Table Mountain in sight. The sky was clear, the sea calm and the wind light. At about 8 pm all but those on watch went below and turned in for the night.  At 11pm those below were woken by the shock of an impact and were immediately called onto the deck by the second Mate, Herbert Balfour, to find that the vessel had struck a reef. She sank rapidly by the bows as the crew battled to launch the ship's life boats.
 
The wreck of the British Peer itself still lies in quiet obscurity in about nine metres of water off the rocky point known to local fishermen Kabeljoubank.