The Clynder was a large barque rigged sailing ship built by Russell & Company of Port Glasgow (Yard No.41) and launched in November 1881. Built to the order of the Glasgow based shipping company Thom & Cameron, the iron hulled general cargo vessel had dimensions of 215.5’ x 35.3’ x 21.1’ and a gross tonnage of 1145 tons. Her official number was 85874.
Barque Clynder ashore at Abbey Burn Foot
Initial hopes were high that if a third of her cargo was removed, and the holes repaired, that she might be refloated. Work commenced immediately to recover as much of her cargo as possible and the steamlighter Stormlight and local labour were put to work. A tug and powerful pumps were also sent south to the wreck site. Regular reports from the Salvage Associations local officer appeared in Glasgow newspapers, by the 16 December the weather was holding, more cargo being discharged, but rock below the bilges had to be blasted before hull repairs could be made. By this stage the Clynder was broadside to the beach with a list to seaward, so more cargo had to be removed between mid tides, the aft end was awash at high tide.
By the 20 December reports did not make such good reading. Overnight strong winds had further moved the ship along the beach. An inspection took place at low water and the decks were found to be set up in the aft section, beams between the two main decks were bent, the remaining cargo was being washed out of the holds and there was no prospect of the current salvage plan working. As a result the tug and pumps were sent back to Greenock. The only hope now was to discharge all the cargo, and a temporary road to the wreck and a platform was constructed alongside.
The Clynder finally succumbed to the elements during a southerly gale late on Monday 22 December into the following day, the masts collapsed into the sea and the hull went to pieces, what remained of her cargo was partially washed onto the surround beach.
A Board of Trade inquiry was held into the loss of the Clynder in January 1891, which found that the cause of the loss was due to the failing of her captain to verify his position about noon on 13 December when he found himself a long distance from where her intended to be. In short the vessel had not been navigated in a proper and seamanlike manner, and the captain was in default.The Board suspended Captain Roach’s certificate for 6 months.
The wreck, the remaining cargo and salvaged effects were put up for auction on 26 March 1891. It is not clear the outcome of this although the Galloway Gazette of 3 July 1891 notes that samples of the remaining cargo had been taken to establish its worth and potential use.
As for the Clynder some remains may still lie on on the beach 50-100 metres east of Netherlaw Rocks at Abbey Burn Foot in position 54° 46.687’N 03° 57.481’W.
