The iron steamship Ansgar was launched from the Copenhagen yard of Burmeiser Waine (Yard No 110) in September 1879. She measured 235.8′ x 33.1′ x 15.8′ and her tonnage was 1347 gross tons, 840 net tons. She was powered by a four cylinder compound steam engine by Burmeister & Wain delivering 161 nominal horsepower.
Steamship Ansgar at anchor
Lloyd’s register 1909
On 13th February 1910 she was en route from London to Methil in ballast under the command of Captain Heningsen with a crew of seventeen on board intending to load a cargo of coal for her owners, Thomas Sonne and Co of Copenhagen. Shortly after passing Bass Rock, with the mate in charge on the bridge, she was nearing the end of her voyage. Entering the Firth of Forth she had to deviate from her course a number of times to avoid trawlers working in the area but little attention was given by the mate to updating their exact position. When Captain Heningsen returned to the bridge and took charge of his ship they quickly spotted a light which the captain initially mistook for Inchkeith Light but which, in reality, was Elie Ness. A number of other rudimentary errors were made in assessing their position as they continued their course. Soon after, several other lights appeared on their starboard bow. Disoriented and realising his error the captain gave the helmsman an order to proceed dead slow. Ten minutes later the captain spotted a flash to stern which was identified May Island Lighthouse. He went to the chartroom to examine his ship’s course but, while he was doing this, the ship ran aground near Elie Ness.
The ship’s boats were immediately prepared before an attempt was made to back the ship off the rocks but this was not successful. She began to leak as soon as she struck and water quickly flooded the engine room stopping the engines.
The distress messages broadcast from the Ansgar were picked up by local coastguards who quickly summoned the lifeboat from Anstruther. The crew of the lifeboat James and Mary Walker assembled without delay. However, the launch was difficult as the tide was low and a heavy wind was blowing into the harbour mouth. On the first attempt the lifeboat was washed behind the West Pier and was in danger of being damaged on the rocks. One of the crew swam ashore with a line attached to a rope allowing the boat to be hauled back to the harbour. Then, using their oars, the crew pulled the boat out finally managing to set sail and head for the steamer. It was about 1am when the boat finally left Anstruther, and at about 3 o’clock they found the Ansgar hard on the rocks near Ardross Castle with the stern section already awash and mostly under water. The lifeboat was soon alongside safely taking off the eighteen crewmen. It is thought, based on the description of her loss that the Ansgar went ashore close to position 56° 11.373’N, 02 47.517’W.
The Ansgar became a total wreck and was later sold for scrap as she lay. At the subsequent inquiry the mate was censured for his failure to update the captain on the ship’s position and for failing in his duty to be better prepared with knowledge of the local charts and obstructions. Captain Heningsen was held to blame for his ship’s loss and fined 500 kroner for lack of due care and responsibility in the navigation of this ship.
