Lady Elizabeth Shipwreck
A three-masted iron barque of 1879, beached in Stanley Harbour since 1936.
Updated 4 September 2026
The Lady Elizabeth was built at Sunderland in 1879, struck Uranie Rock at the entrance to Berkeley Sound in 1913 and limped into Stanley too damaged to repair, after which she served as a floating wool store until she broke her moorings in 1936 and grounded at Whalebone Cove where she still sits. Three masts remain standing. She is the most complete of the hulks around Stanley Harbour. Several other hulks lie around Stanley Harbour, remains of ships that limped in from Cape Horn and were never repaired, and the town's waterfront is built partly on them.
What you'll find
- The three masts - still standing on the beached hull.
- The iron hull - the 1879 Sunderland-built barque, largely intact.
- The 1936 grounding - the storm that put her where she now sits.
- The harbour setting - Whalebone Cove at the eastern end of Stanley Harbour.
When to go
Year round. Low tide exposes more of the hull. Late afternoon light on the masts is best.
What to expect
The wreck cannot be boarded and is viewed from the shore. It is deteriorating and will not last indefinitely. There is no interpretation at the site itself.
Nearby
Stanley is west, and Cape Pembroke is southeast.
What to pack for Lady Elizabeth Shipwreck
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All packing kitsPlan your trip
Where to start if Lady Elizabeth Shipwreck is going on the list.
Booking links on this page are affiliate links - if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write about a place.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

