The small stern engined cargo steamship Florence was launched from the yard of Samuel McKnight & Co Limited of Ayr in February 1898 (Yard No.52). Her steel hull had dimensions of 141.7’ x 24.1’ x 9.8’ and tonnage of 328 gross / 126 net. The vessel was powered by a two cylinder compound steam engine of 70 rhp provided by Ross & Duncan of Glasgow, driving a single screw. At date of her loss she was owned by Mrs Florence Follows and John Johnston of Liverpool. Her official number was 109396.
The Florence was en-route from Bo’ness to Arbroath with a cargo of 290 tons of coal for the Arbroath Gas Works when she ran aground in stormy weather on 3 October 1938. Her master and crew of six were rescued by the Arbroath lifeboat and landed safely.
Arriving late afternoon off Arbroath the Florence dropped anchor around 4.30pm to await a rising tide to allow entry into the harbour, at the time a full south easterly gale was blowing. The Arbroath Coastguard informed Captain T W Jones of Birkenhead that there would not be sufficient water to enter harbour until the following day. As a result the crew had no choice but to move offshore and ride out the storm. However, they were unable to raise the anchor which had become fouled in rocks, this put them in a very bad place.
The vessel was put at full steam for over an hour but without result and she was steadily pushed towards the rocks. The lifeboat, John & William Mudie and two large motor fishing vessels responded to the maroons sent up by the Florence with the hope of towing her to deeper water, but due to the horrendous weather conditions this proved hopeless. Coxswain William Swankie took his lifeboat along side the Florence and took all the crew onboard.
SS Florence aground on Knuckle Rocks, Arbroath
The Florence was left to the elements and it was hoped she maybe refloated but continuing bad weather prevented immediate salvage and the wreck was eventually put up for sale. The Florence and her cargo of coal were purchased in mid October by the Leith Salvage & Towing Company. They quickly went to work as winter approached and hoped to tow the vessel off later that month.
Recovery of cargo of coal prior to salvage
A date was set for the 26 October, large salvage pumps were in place, a powerful salvage tug sat offshore, crowds lined the beaches but the Florence remained firmly ashore. It transpired that damage to her hull was more extensive than was seen from visual inspections and water was rushing in almost faster than it was being pumped out. A week later the decision was taken to abandon any attempt until the following year, and the salvage team left the Florence to the mercy of the North Sea.
By mid February 1939 work had resumed to cut the wreck up in-situ. This activity and a number of storms in early February reduced the Florence to a pile of plates and twisted debris, only her bow section remained proud, this was also cut up and removed in early March. It’s not clear how financially successful the salvage effort was for the Leith based company, and there is unlikely to be much left. There are reports that sections of her boiler still sit in a few metres of water in position 56° 33.267’N 02° 34.555’W around the Knuckle Rocks off Arbroath Harbour.
February 1939 dismantled in-situ
