Anwoth

The steel steam trawler Anwoth was launched from the Leith yard of John Cran and Co Ltd (Yard No 101) on 17th December 1914. She measured 115.9′ x 22.0′ x 11.9′ and her tonnage was 211 gross tons, 92 net tons. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine by Cran delivering 74 registered horse power.

Built for Mr James McGlashan of Granton she was registered in this east coast port as GN29 on 23rd February 1915. However, she was immediately requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to a minesweeper (Admiralty No 1158) and, with listening hydrophones fitted, she was based at Portland. While serving for the Admiralty she was purchased by the Vale of Leven Steam Fishing Co Ltd and was returned to them in 1919. Later that same year she was purchased by Thomas Scales and Sons Ltd, Newhaven and registered in Leith LH2 on 5th May that year.

Her voyage from the fishing grounds off the Hebrides in April 1932 under the command of skipper William Forbes with his crew of nine, was to start in triumph but to end in tragedy. They had gone to the assistance of one of Thomas Scales’ other boats, the 247 gross tons trawler Ratapiko, which had developed engine trouble off the Butt of Lewis, and had successfully managed to get a line aboard and tow the disabled vessel to safety in Oban. Skipper Forbes then steamed south to continue fishing when, on the 3rd April as she rounded the Mull of Kintyre, she ran ashore near Sheep Island, Sanda.

Initially the weather was calm but, as the wind rose, her ten crewmen were safely brought ashore in a local farmer’s boat when she developed a list to port and the stern settled beneath the surface. Soon waves were breaking over her and she was abandoned as a total wreck. The remaining wreckage of the steam trawler lies on the north east side of Big Scart Rock in position 55° 17.491’N, 005° 33.766’W. The wreckage, which is buried in deep kelp, is mainly unrecognisable metal lying in 4 – 10 metres but was confirmed as wreckage from the Anwoth when the ship’s bell was recovered from site.