The iron steamship Bear was launched from the yard of Sir Raylton Dixon and Co Ltd., Middlesbrough (Yard No 137) on 31st March 1877. She measured 174.4′ x 25.6′ x 14.3′ and her tonnage was 572 gross tons, 354 net tons. Ordered by J Watson and Co Ltd of Glasgow, she was powered by a 2 cylinder compound steam engine by T Richardson and Sons of Hartlepool delivering 80 horse power.
Lloyd’s register 1890
In the early hours of the morning of 11th January, 1891 she was inward bound for Grangemouth from Middlesbrough with a cargo of pig iron steaming north through the night under the command of Captain John Howrie with a crew of thirteen men. Meanwhile the steamship Britannia, belonging to Messrs James Currie and Co, was heading south on her voyage to Newcastle.
Around three o’clock in the morning the two ships approached each other in the darkness close to St Abbs Head. It was reported later that both ships sighted each others lights and took action to avoid a collision however, the changes of course clearly were ordered too late as, shortly after the whistles were blown to indicate the course changes, the two ships collided with the Britannia crashing into the Bear midships.
A boat was launched from Britannia immediately but the Bear was critically damaged and sank very quickly giving most of her crew little chance of escape. Only four crewmen were on deck at the time and of these only two, the second mate Anderson and the lamp trimmer Allan, survived to be picked up by the Britannia.
However, the adventure was not yet over as the Britannia had also been badly damaged at the bow in the collision and was rapidly filling from the gaping hole in her stem. Luckily the steamship Thames had reached the scene by this point and quickly took off the 45 passengers on board the Britannia including the two rescued seamen from the Bear. A hawser was attached to the disabled steamer and the Thames began the long tow back to safety. Most of the journey went well but, as they approached their destination and the safety of Leith, the towrope suddenly snapped causing the Britannia to list heavily and begin to sink. The crew had barely time to jump from the sinking ship when it disappeared beneath the waves leaving her crew floundering in the water. Thankfully the crew were wearing lifebelts as precaution and all of them, except chief engineer David Etterbanks who sank before anyone could reach him, were rescued and pulled aboard the Thames and another ship, the Yorkshire Lass, which had arrived to give assistance. The Britannia was later successfully raised, repaired and re-entered service.
Dundee Courier 12th January
The wreck of the Bear lies in position 55° 55.360’N, 002° 07.596’W (WGS84) close to St Abbs Head. The wreck is upright and in tact in 69 metres with a least depth over the wreck of 63 metres.
