The iron steamship Dalton was launched from the Newcastle yard of A Leslie and Co Ltd (Yard No 222) on 18th December 1880. She measured 315.4′ x 34.7′ x 24.7′ and her tonnage was 2030 gross tons, 1255 net tons. She was powered by a 2 cylinder compound steam engine by R Stephenson and Co Ltd., Newcastle delivering 200 nominal horse power. She was ordered by the Liverpool, Brazil and River Plate Steam Navigation Co. Ltd and registered in Liverpool. Her official number was 84071.
Lloyd’s register 1895
The Dalton was en route from New York to Glasgow with a cargo of wheat, oil and wood when, around midnight on 27th September, 1895 she ran aground in dense fog at Tormisdale on the west coast of Islay. The sea was calm at the time and, as she was aground not far from the shore, Captain Arthur Barton and his crew of twenty eight easily managed to get ashore safely.
She was inspected by the local Lloyds agent the following day who reported water in the engine room and holds with the vessel lying facing the shore, heading ESE with a list to starboard. On the 30th the weather deteriorated with a strong ocean swell and although a diver from the Liverpool Salvage Association stood by to inspect the damage he could not enter the water safely. Within a week she had broken in two astern of the engine room and had become a total wreck.
Wreck location
The remaining wreckage of the Dalton lies in Tormisdale Bay in position 55° 44.414′ N, 006° 29.348′ W. The wreckage lies in an area from the middle to the north side of the bay and is scattered along a series of rocky gullies in 6 to 9 metres. Much of the wreck is concreted into the seabed but there are still many interesting items to be seen. The only significant hazard to the diver is the potential of a heavy swell due to the exposed nature of the site.
