'I spotted huge shipwreck on Google Earth so went to find it – it was crazy'

Google Street View is well known for occasionally hilariously capturing images of residents in action as its vehicles make their away around the country, but it appears its cousin, Google Earth has some hidden gems too.

One user of the tool who was casually scanning the coastline of Great Britain spotted a shipwreck and duly decided to go and check it out for himself. Explorer Josh, whose TikTok account is dedicated to all things Google Earth set out on a hiking adventure in a bid to record footage of the former vessel.

“While scrolling through Google Earth, I stumbled across what looked like a massive shipwreck tucked away in a secluded cove along England’s stunning coastline,” he penned in a caption alongside his video. “Naturally, I couldn’t resist the urge to go check it out for myself!”

After travelling to Lands’ End, Cornwall – the most south westerly point of the UK mainland, Josh began a cliff-edge walk he described as “stunning”. However, he continued: “Don’t let its beauty fool you – this coastline is deadly. There are over 130 registered shipwrecks here.”

Josh soon came across a small building in the distance, which he hurried over to to discover was a former coastguard lookout post. But his mission was complete a short distance further as he stumbled upon the rusting shipwreck he was looking for, nestled in a tiny, secluded cove.

“It looks absolutely massive,” he declared as he commenced a dangerous descent down the rocky terrain to view it at close quarters. “It looks like part of the ship has broken off,” he continued, noting the “large metal chunks” spread across the cove.

Climbing abord the slanted deck, Josh came across a door amongst a series of rusting steps ladders and windows, which he entered, only to find a series of empty rooms. “This is a crazy place,” he enthused. “But it left me wondering why did this massive ship wreck here?”

“The hike to the wreck was breathtaking,” Josh said afterwards. “The rugged coastal cliffs, with waves crashing below, created a dramatic and awe-inspiring backdrop for the journey. I also got very lucky with the weather which made the hike even better!”

However, he urged caution should others want to follow his lead. “Exploring shipwrecks can be dangerous,” he warned. “These areas are unstable, with sharp edges and deteriorating structures. I’m a trained professional, and my actions are not meant to be recreated. Always prioritize safety and avoid entering or climbing shipwrecks.”

One local wrote in response: “I live in Cornwall and I had no clue that was there!” A second added: “I remember seeing that shipwreck years ago it was in a much better state. Sad how time erodes this stuff.”

A third person, meanwhile, claimed the ship was the RMS Mülheim, a German cargo ship that ran aground as recently as 2003. Indeed, Cornwall Live, states: “On a foggy morning around 5am on 22 March 2003, RMS Mülheim, a 294ft cargo vessel carrying 2,200 tonnes of scrap car plastic, ran aground in Gamper Bay between Sennen Cove and Lands’ End.

“The story goes that the chief officer of RMS Mülheim on watch had caught his trousers in the lever of his chair, fallen over and passed out. By the time he regained consciousness, there was nothing he could do to stop the ship hitting the rocks. Sennen Lifeboat and Land’s End Coastguard rescue team were quickly on scene and the six Polish crew members were airlifted to safety by a search and rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose.”