The steam trawler (composite construction) Endeavour was launched from the Old Yard of Mackie and Thomson, Govan (Yard No 83) on 12th April 1894. She measured 103.7′ x 20.5′ x 10.7′ and her tonnage was 156 gross tons, 59 net tons. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine by Muir and Houston, Glasgow delivering 45 registered horse power. Built for the Great Northern Steamship Fishing Co Ltd, Hull she was registered in this port H243. In 1912 she was purchased by Mr George Craig of Aberdeen and registered there A493. In 1915 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a boom defence vessel and stationed in Orkney.
Contemporary painting of Endeavour
Lloyd’s register 1915
The details of her loss are not recorded but an Admiralty telegram from Longhope at 4.08pm 10th March 1918 provides a brief statement on the incident:
“Boom trawler Endeavour was sunk at 12:45 today Sunday at Kirkwall boom by being run down by tug Hercules all crew saved further details will be reported later”
The booms protecting the entrances to Kirkwall stretched from Tivvi Ness on Shapinsay to Thieves Holm and a second from Thieves Holm to Carr Ness on the Mainland.
In the 1990s the wreck of Endeavour was discovered by scallop divers and has been well known locally ever since. She sits upright and in tact in 21 metres with a least depth clearance of 16 metres in position 59° 04 499’N, 02° 56 642’W.
