The Elmbank, owned and managed by Andrew Weir & Company of Glasgow, was one of the many large sailing vessels which formed part of the Glasgow based Bank Line. An iron hulled barque rigged sailing ship she had been launched from the yard of Russell & Co Ltd., Port Glasgow (Yard No 227) on 26th March 1890. She measured 279.0′ x 41.9′ x 24.2′ and her tonnage was 2188 net tons.
The barque Elmbank
Lloyds register 1895
On Saturday 6th January, 1894 the Elmbank left Le Havre bound for Greenock under tow by the Clyde Shipping Company tug Hercules. Around 10pm on Tuesday 9th January, in poor visibility and squally conditions, she bottomed on rocks off the Mull of Galloway. The tug’s crew immediately cut the tow cable thinking that they might also be dragged ashore. However, shortly afterwards, the Elmbank, which was under partial canvas, managed to sail off shore apparently undamaged. Due to the deteriorating weather conditions the Elmbank could not regain her tow so she continued her journey closely followed by the Hercules.
During the night the easterly gale had blown the Elmbank off course and, by 6am on 10th January, Pladda was sighted approximately seven miles to the north east. The gale force winds and heavy seas slowly pushed the Elmbank closer to the south coast of Arran. She tacked and headed north east but it soon became evident that she would not clear Arran and her anchors were cast in the hope of holding her off shore. The anchor cables were no match for the violent conditions and finally parted. The Elmbank was eventually washed ashore at Shannochie approximately two miles west of Bennan Head.
Elmbank wrecked below Shannochie
The crew were rescued by the Kildonan Lifeboat and safely landed there around midday. Fortunately Captain Greig’s family, who were travelling aboard the Elmbank, had been transferred to the Hercules the previous evening. The Elmbank, insured and valued at £20,000, eventually became a total loss, a result of further gales and heavy seas during the following week. Some initial salvage was undertaken and the sale of the recovered items raised £18.15.4d. Towards the end of February, 1894 a salvage contract was let to the Glasgow Salvage Association on a “no cure, no pay” basis, but little more than ropes and fittings were recovered.
