description SS Torrey Canyon Overview
SS Torrey Canyon was a Liberian registered oil tanker that struck Pollard's Rock in the Seven Stones reef between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in March 1967. Its grounding released a vast quantity of crude oil, contaminating coastlines in Britain and France and killing marine life and seabirds. The response included detergents and aerial bombing of the wreck, and the disaster prompted major scrutiny of tanker safety, pollution response, and international liability rules.
help SS Torrey Canyon FAQ
Where exactly did the SS Torrey Canyon run aground?
The Liberian-registered supertanker struck Pollard's Rock on the Seven Stones reef, a treacherous underwater obstacle located between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This massive maritime disaster occurred in March 1967.
What was the environmental impact of the SS Torrey Canyon disaster?
The grounding of the tanker tore open its hull, resulting in the spillage of over 100,000 tons of crude oil into the ocean. The resulting massive oil slick contaminated hundreds of miles of coastlines across Britain and France, causing the death of tens of thousands of marine birds and triggering a major environmental cleanup.
What unusual method did the British government use to try and burn the oil from the Torrey Canyon?
In a desperate attempt to limit the environmental damage, the British government ordered the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force to bomb the stranded tanker. The goal was to set the remaining oil cargo on fire, though the effectiveness of this extreme measure was mixed.
Who owned the SS Torrey Canyon at the time of the spill?
The ship was owned by the Barracuda Tanker Corporation, a subsidiary operating out of Liberia, and was chartered to British Petroleum (BP). The disaster led to massive financial losses and significant changes in international maritime laws regarding oil spills and liability.
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