The iron steamlighter Arthur was launched from the Kirkintilloch yard of J and J Hay Ltd in 1877. A typical Clyde steamlighter she measured 65.7′ x 16.2′ x 5.9′ and her tonnage was 52 gross tons, 35 net tons. She was powered by a compound steam engine by Hay supplied from their Port Dundas engine works delivering 10 nominal horse power. Her official number was 95020. Employed by Hay’s own shipping company she operated on the Clyde and Inner Hebrides routes delivering small cargoes to the dozens of remote communities that relied on these small vessels to keep them supplied with their everyday needs.
Arthur loading or unloading at low tide
On 13th May 1903 Arthur departed from Hay’s base in Glasgow loaded with stone, bound for Cove on Loch Long under the command of her usual skipper Mr T Goodfellow. The voyage went well, in deteriorating weather, until she turned into Loch Long itself. By this point the increasing south westerly had reached gale force and the little vessel was in trouble. Struggling towards her destination she was now swept by heavy seas on her port beam rendering the vessel unmanageable. The skipper recognised the predicament and ordered the crew into the ship’s boat. Thankfully, despite the heavy swell, they made it safely ashore but Arthur was finally overwhelmed and foundered in deep water, reported the time to be between 20 and 25 fathoms, approximately one mile from Cove pier.
Sidescan of wreck
The wreck believed to be Arthur lies in position 56 00.115’N, 04 51.661’W lying in 28 metres oriented 015/195 degrees. The hull of the vessel, listing to starboard, is still relatively in tact but the above deck structures, probably mainly made of wood, have disappeared. The small boiler is visible but the seabed in the area is deep silt and quickly stirs to leave minimal visibility.
Stern of wreck
