As the result of a run aground St. George lost its rudder in the autumn 1811. Provisionally repairs were made, but the loss left the ship with limited steering. Hence, the loss is considered one of the determining factors in the stranding of both HMS St. George and HMS Defence only weeks later. Over 1300 British seamen where killed in what is considered the biggest stranding catastrophe ever.

Today the wrecks are resting on the west coast of Jutland just outside the Danish fishing village Thorsminde. Together with the Danish National Museum and the “Strandingsmuseum St. George” JD-Contractor have recovered thousands of objects from the wrecks. The objects can be seen at "Stranding museum" in Thorsminde.

With its weight of eight-and-half-ton and length of twelve metres the rudder is one of the largest objects ever recovered from St. George. The rudder is remarkably well preserved and is considered to be the museums new landmark.

JD-Contractor recovered the rudder on free of charge.