MSC Napoli, Gone At Last.

It's arrival sparked interest around the world. Not only was the event it's self so unusual but the scenes of mayhem and looting over the following few days, which local police appeared helpless to stop, and did little to improve the image of the South West. Getting the Napoli on to the beach at Branscombe Beach took less than a day. Getting rid of the wreak took two and a half years and cost about £100 million. Living in Torbay I did look at the map which showed the route the stricken ship was towed along and note how easy it would have been to bring the ship in to the Bay. It might even have occurred to who ever was in charge on that night that Torbay would have been a good place to beach the Napoli. Remember at the time it was expected the ship was about to sink but if beached it could be repaired and later re floated. Torbay would have been a more sheltered spot then Branscombe. Well if the idea did cross the mind of who ever was in charge that night to come into the Bay thank you for thinking of Branscombe. Sorry Branscombe.
Being towed to it's long resting place at Branscombe.

Ten minutes after coming ashore.

The most famous looted item in history, a BMW motorbike. With looter.

After all the containers had been removed.

The back of the ship being cut up in dry dock in Belfast. They should have cut it up into small pieces and sold them for souvenirs.

For all the interest it caused when it got here it's final departure gained a two minute film on BBC Spotlight and a mention in the Sidmouth Herald.