The iron steamship Finland was launched from the Victoria Dock yard of Earle’s Shipbuilding Co Ltd., Hull (Yard No 268) on 31st October 1884. She measured 271.1′ x 35.1′ x 18.6′ and her tonnage was 1904 gross tons, 1242 net tons. She was powered by a triple expansion engine by Earle’s delivering 164 nominal horse power. Ordered by G R Sanderson and Co Ltd., Hull she operated for this company for nine years until, in June 1893 she was purchased by Thomas Wilson and Sons who owned her until she was lost. Her official number was 88168.
SS Finland under way
Lloyd’s register 1915
On 16th November she was en route from Blyth to Trondheim, Norway with a cargo of coal under the command of Captain T W Moss. He had a crew of twenty six men aboard. The details of the incident that resulted in her loss are not recorded but, when she was steaming north off the east cost of Copinsay, she was involved in a collision with the SS Pole Star. The damage of the collision caused Finland to founder soon after, thankfully after the crew managed to abandon ship safely, in a position recorded as 10 miles north east by east from Auskerry.
SS Pole Star
The wreck believed to be Finland lies in position 59° 07.116’N, 02° 19.226’W. The wreck was explored by divers in 2009 who reported the wreck of a steamship with tow boilers and a triple expansion engine sitting upright in 74 metres, oriented 086/266 degrees, with a least depth clearance of 67 metres. The location and configuration of the wreck would strongly suggest this is indeed Finland.
