The steel steamship G A Savage was launched from the Troon yard of Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd (Yard No 86) on 17th January 1900. She measured 143.3′ x 24.1′ x 11.’ and her tonnage was 357 gross tons, 141 net tons. She was powered by a 2 cylinder compound steam engine by Ross and Duncan Ltd., Glasgow delivering 71 registered horse power. Built for the Zillah Shipping and Carrying Co Ltd of Warrington she was registered in Troon on 24th February 1900. Her official number was 111362.
G A Savage under way
Lloyd’s register 1915
The precise details of her loss are unknown but it is presumed she was lost due to enemy U-boat activity although nothing appears in the German U-boat records for the period. In any case, on 10th March 1917 she was en route from Workington to Swansea with a cargo of pitch under the command of Captain George Hardley who had a crew of eight men aboard. After she departed from Workington she was never seen again, lost with all of her crew.
The wreck believed to be G A Savage lies in position 54° 30.723’N, 04° 14.818’W. She lies in 42 metres with a least depth clearance of 36 metres oriented oriented 165/345 degrees. The wreck has not been positively identified but the configuration of the wreck, which is clearly a stern engined early century steamship, strongly suggests this is G A Savage. Divers report the vessel to be badly damaged towards the stern indicating a probable torpedo hit on the port side near the funnel leaving the propeller and rudder broken on the seabed beside the wreck.
G A Savage wreck site
We’d like to thank Newton Stewart Sub Aqua Club for their permission to use the underwater drawing of the wreck in this article. More information can be found at www.nsdivers.co.uk/wreck-histories/george-a-savage/
