The steel steamship Claremorris was launched from the yard of Scott & Sons of Bowling (Yard No.260) on 4th September 1917. She measured 179.6′ x 28.6′ x 10.9′ and her tonnage was 632 gross tons, 238 net tons. Power came from triple expansion steam engine by Ross and Duncan, Glasgow developing 91 registered horse power driving a single shaft and propeller. The vessel’s official number was 136366.
Claremorris leaving harbour
Lloyd’s register 1924
Ordered by John Kelly Limited of Belfast and designed as a collier, on her launch she was immediately requisitioned by the Royal Navy serving as Collier No 2093 from March till December 1918 before she was returned to John Kelly Limited to begin her peacetime role. She was employed on regular trips from Northern Ireland to south west Scotland and northern England. On the morning of Tuesday 23rd December, 1924 she was en route from Dundalk to Ardrossan when she went ashore in rough weather a few miles south of Corsewall Point.
Claremorris ashore at March Point
The Claremorris was jammed between two large rocks close to the shore at March Point. The lamp trimmer, James Thomson, volunteered to attempt to reach the shore and summon help. As the sea crashed on the rocks around him he scrambled down a ladder onto the rocks but was caught by the waves and dragged out to sea. Meanwhile the continuous sounding of the ship’s horn had alerted a local farmer and he, with some other local inhabitants, arrived on the scene and succeeded in getting a rope to the wreck. The crew of ten then safely struggled ashore. James Thomson’s body was eventually washed ashore some days later and taken home to Northern Ireland for burial.
Claremorris at March Point starboard view
The wreck of the Claremorris lies in Redstone Cove in position 54° 56.061’N 05° 11.235’W (GPS) and can be located to the north of the prominent rocky outcrop in the photo above. The wreck is heavily broken and concreted into the surrounding rock and boulder seabed which is covered in thick kelp during summer months. Depths across the site range from 3 to 8 metres at high water, parts may almost break surface at low water.
The wreck’s layout is very much as the picture of her afloat, with engine room to seaward and bow in shallows further into the small bay. This site is extremely exposed to the prevailing wind and although tidal streams are noticeable offshore they do not affect the area of the wreck itself. Like most of the wreck sites along this section of coastline the Claremorris is only accessible by boat and can be used as a second dive after visiting either the Haileybury or Rowan further offshore.
