The iron steamship Dunscore was launched from the Thistle yard of J McArthur and Co Ltd, Paisley (Yard No 120) on 23rd November 1898. She measured 100.0′ x 20.1′ x 8.3′ and her tonnage was 176 gross tons, 68 net tons. She was powered by a 2 cylinder compound steam engine Bow McLachlan and Co, Paisley delivering 24 registered horse power. Ordered by Paton and Hendry of Paisley she was first registered in Glasgow on 30th November 1898. In august 1900 she was purchased by John Frew of Glasgow and continued to operate mainly on the west coast trading routes until she was sold to Andrew Buchan and John Hogg of Grangemouth for operations on the east coast trade.
Builder’s profile plan
Lloyds register 1934
On 5th December 1934 she was on a voyage from Seaham to Fraserburgh under the command of skipper William McKinlay with a crew of five men aboard. As she passed Longstone Light the weather deteriorated and soon the ship was struggling steaming into a full north easterly gale. With seas breaking over the wheelhouse the cargo of coal shifted causing a dangerous list. The crew scrambled into the holds and tried to redistribute the coal but this was dangerous, and in the event, useless work as the ship rolled heavily out of control in the heavy swell. They decided to try to make it into the shelter of the Forth but, off St Abbs Head, the ship was hit by another huge wave leaving her effectively dead in the water. The captain ordered flares to be fired which luckily were spotted and soon the St Abbs lifeboat, Helen Smitten, was fighting its way out of the harbour and into the midst of the storm. The Eyemouth lifeboat also attempted to reach the area but was beaten back by the huge waves. The Helen Smitten managed to reach the scene and pick up the exhausted crew who had abandoned ship in their boat only minutes before the Dunscore sank in a position reported to be 5 miles ENE of St Abbs Head.
Lloyds casualty report
The wreck of the Dunscore lies in position 55° 56.723’N, 002° 03.349’W and has been identified by recovery of the ship’s bell. The wreck lies in 64 metres with a least depth clearance of 57 metres and is oriented 000/180 degrees.
We would like to thanks Lloyds Register Foundation for their permission to reproduce their documents in this article.
