1867 wreck of English cargo vessel. At 9pm on 23.03 the Hartlepool light bore W x S four miles distant, and when at midnight she was abreast of the Seaham lights, the BENTON altered course from N x E to NNE, and some 40 minutes later, a buoy was seen, which was taken to be one of the ballast buoys. The course was then altered to NE, and at 1am she struck on Whitburn Steel Rocks and became a total loss. The Court was of the opinion that the ship had hugged the coast too closely. The wind was fair and moderate from the SW and the night sufficiently clear for all the lights to be seen, although the master insisted that the weather was too thick for him to see the land, which was often caused by the smoke from the city of Sunderland obscuring it around Souter Point. The captain also neglected to take a cast of the lead, which would have warned him of his proximity to the shore. The Court was of the opinion that the loss was due `to the default of the master' and suspended his certificate for six months.

Master: William Forman

1758 wreck of English cargo vessel which stranded on Whitburn Steel en route from London in ballast. Built circa 1758, she was a wooden sailing vessel. Master: Francis Smallwood

English brig lost 1867. After leaving Heligoland the course steered was WNW with a southerly wind, which carried the ship too much to the north. She made land near Seaham on the 21st, and finding she would not stay, the master wore her around and ran for Sunderland. When off Sunderland lights, he resolved to run for Shields, against the advice of the mate. After passing through Sunderland Roads inside all the shipping at anchor, the course taken was N x W, and 2 hours later the ship struck. The latter course was considered most injudicious, as it would take the ship exactly to the rocks she had struck. In steering for Shields, the Tynemouth light should have been made well open before approaching Whitburn Rocks or Souter Point. The master appeared by the evidence to have been drunk during the whole voyage. The court found the master guilty of drunkeness and gross misconduct and suspended his certificate for two years.

Barque stranded and lost in force 9 wind conditions 1865. Built: 1850
Crew: 8
Crew Lost: 1

Schooner stranded and lost in force 9 wind conditions 1904. Built: 1873
Master: J McBain
Crew: 5
Owner: G G McRobie, Portsoy, Banffshire

Sloop foundered in Whitburn Bay in wind force 9, 1854. Crew of 4 saved.

Scottish Craft, February 1838. Master: Graham, Crew Lost 3.

1812 wreck of Swedish craft which stranded at Whitburn on her "northabout" passage from Kingston-upon-Hull to Liverpool; a wooden sailing vessel. Master: Hollander

1900 wreck of Scottish ketch which stranded at Wheatall Point en route from Bonar Bridge to Sunderland with railway sleepers. Constructed of wood in 1886, she was a sailing vessel. Built: 1886
Master: R Buthlay
Crew: 3
Owner: G Ross, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire

English barque stranded at the entrance to the south pier in force 9 winds April 1890. Built: 1869
Builder: J Blumer & Co.
Where Built: Sunderland
Construction: 1 deck; 1 bulkhead; Rear quarter deck 38ft
Master: J H Ritchie
Crew: 9
Passengers: 1
Owner: W Hine, Maryport