HMS Foudroyant, once Admiral Nelson’s flagship between 6 June 1799 and June 1801, ended her illustrious career in a dramatic wreck off the Blackpool coast in 1897. After years of distinguished service, the ship had retired and embarked on a fundraising voyage around Britain to promote her preservation. Her journey, however, came to an abrupt and tragic conclusion.
The Foudroyant arrived in Blackpool on 4 June 1897, anchoring two miles offshore between Central and North Piers. On the morning of 16 June, a hurricane-strength storm swept through the area, and the ferocious winds caused the ship to break anchor. Buffeted by the storm, the vessel drifted perilously close to land, narrowly missing the jetty at North Pier before running aground near Cocker Square.
The wreckage became a sensation, with crowds gathering to witness the once-mighty ship’s unfortunate end. A local syndicate purchased what remained of the Foudroyant, salvaging its timbers to create souvenirs, allowing fragments of the ship’s legacy to endure. However, a subsequent storm in November 1897 inflicted further damage, destroying much of what was left of the historic vessel. Though the Foudroyant was lost to the sea, her memory lives on through the artefacts crafted from her remains, serving as tangible connections to Nelson’s time and Britain’s naval heritage. Her dramatic demise near Blackpool remains one of the most memorable shipwrecks along the Fylde Coast, a poignant chapter in maritime history.
There have been several shipwrecks on the beaches of the Fylde coast over the years, a few more can be found on the timeline: The Riverdance, the Abana and the Sirene.
HMS Foudroyant Shipwreck blue plaque just to the right of North Pier. © Deeper Blue Marketing & Design Ltd
HMS Foudroyant Shipwreck blue plaque on display just to the right of North Pier. © Deeper Blue Marketing & Design Ltd
