Malakoff

History and context

The Malakoff was a French cargo steamer of some 7,000 tonnes, registered in Rouen and owned by the Société Auxiliaire des Chargeurs Français, which had acquired her in 1926 for its colonial routes. Coming from Madagascar and Réunion via the Suez Canal, she called at Algiers and set course for Marseille loaded with 4,353 tonnes of iron, other metals and cement. Aboard were 35 crew and 2 passengers: the wives of the captain and the chief engineer. On the night of 2-3 January 1929, in thick fog, the officer of the watch mistook the Artrutx tower for the Artrutx lighthouse, and shortly after eleven the ship struck the Escull d'es Governador, off the coast between Es Talaier and Cala en Turqueta (Ciutadella). Weighed down by her cargo, she sank within minutes. Only 9 of the 37 people aboard were saved: 6 survivors rescued at dawn by the Artrutx lighthouse keepers and 3 picked up by the steamer Ville de Paris near Illa de l'Aire. The other 28 perished. The remains, resting at 38 metres on white sand, were partially salvaged between 2 July 1954 and October 1958 on behalf of businessman José López, which deformed the original silhouette although much of the lower hull survives. Today it is considered one of Menorca's finest wrecks for the marine life that has colonised the hull.

Sinking date

Night of 2-3 January 1929

Cause

Struck the Escull d'es Governador in fog after mistaking the Artrutx tower for the Artrutx lighthouse

Vessel type

French cargo steamer of some 7,000 t (Société Auxiliaire des Chargeurs Français, Rouen)

Cargo

4,353 t of iron, other metals and cement

Casualties

28 dead; 9 survivors of 37 aboard

Depth

38 m; partially salvaged between 1954 and 1958