The steel motor vessel Ignition was launched from the yard of John R Hepworth and Co Ltd (Yard No 98) in the village of Paull on the north bank of the Humber on 19th June 1967. She measured 32.24m x 6.89m x 2.9m and her tonnage was 199 gross tons, 130 net tons. She was powered by a 4SA 6 cylinder Kelvin diesel engine and was built for the London and Rochester Trading Co Ltd. She operated for this owner till April 1982 when she was sold to Mr David Oakey of Sheerness who renamed her John J. She was purchased by her final owner, Mr Christopher Nicolson of Stornoway in January 1985 and renamed Eilean Roisin Dubh. She operated on the Scottish west coast routes between the mainland and the Hebrides.
MV Ignition quayside
On the evening of 30th October 1986 she was lying at anchor south of the island of Wiay, off the east coast of Benbecula. Her crew of three were in their bunks ready for a busy day ahead as they were planned to load a cargo of seaweed early the following morning. They were anchored close to the Reagam Rocks and had blown the ship’s water ballast in preparation for filling her holds at 5:00am. During the night a violent hurricane arose with wind gusts recorded in the area at 137mph. The small coaster had no chance. A heavy onshore swell developed snapping the anchor chain and driving her ashore with such violence that, when the rudder struck, her wheel was spun so hard that steering cogs, followed by the steering spindle, were thrown through the wheelhouse windows. Thankfully the crew were taken off by the coastguard helicopter from Prestwick before she hit the rocks.
Wreck of Eilean Roisin Dubh on Reggam Rocks
She was immediately written off as a total wreck. Some of her machinery was successfully removed and salvors removed some of her metalwork cutting away a major part of her stern before she was finally abandoned. We have no information about how much wreckage remains at the site which was reported as 57° 23.056’N, 007° 12.948’W.
