The paddle steamer Her Majesty was on passage from Londonderry to Fleetwood with passengers and cattle when she ran onto rocks on the west side of the island during dense fog. All of the passengers and crew managed to get ashore in the ship’s boat. It was much to the surprise of some of the passengers to discover, when they made their way inland, that they were back home on Rathlin as it was thought by the crew they had run aground on the Mull of Kintyre.

No attempt was made to salvage the vessel although the landlord and owner of the island, Mr. Gage, made arrangements to rescue the cattle the next day. The vessel broke up within a few days. Many years later the copper and brass from the wreck was salvaged by the Murray brothers of Waterfoot.

Diving information – the only paddle steamer ever to have been wrecked on Rathlin was Her Majesty. She lies about half a mile north of Rue Point. There is a large piece of metal lying on the beach opposite the wreck site so this should help act as a guide. The wreck itself is only about 20 metres off the shore in about 6 metres of water. Very little remains of the wreck, except the engine and some plating. Although, some very nice pieces are still being recovered such as large brass hatch hinges, steam whistle, and parts of china plates with the ship’s name on them. A careful search of the area is needed as the site is covered in thick kelp and large boulders. This is an ideal dive for the beginner as there is little or no current over the site but be careful not to move too far offshore as the current there runs quite strong towards Rue Point and it also makes a good second dive on the road back from the Lochgarry.