English: MSC Napoli. This ship, carrying 2400 containers was holed in storms on 18th January 2007. The condition of the ship deteriorated while it was being towed to Portland Harbour, so it was deliberately beached to avoid it sinking (news story http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6283455.stm ). The actual location is 50 40.38N 003 09.59W which is actually 500m south of the stated location but the sites maps can't cope with squares all at sea.

Some of the containers that fell off were washed ashore at Branscombe Beach 240956 causing significant numbers of people to 'salvage' goods (including BMW motorbikes). In the frenzy containers not fully beached were opened, causing their contents to become water damaged and one container opened contained personal possessions of a family moving to South Africa. Story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6287457.stm

There was also a significant amount of oil from the ship, and possibly other chemicals from the cargo, released causing a large number of birds, mostly Guillemots to become oiled - about 1000 were taken into care from as far east as Chesil Beach 174345 and Portland Bill 95723 but northerly winds mean many times this number probably died at sea. Story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6297993.stm