Glenearn

The iron steamship Glenearn was launched from the Govan yard of the London and Glasgow Eng’g and Iron Shipbuilding Co Ltd (Yard No 171) on 7th November 1873.  She measured 330.1′ x 35.3′ x 24.8′ and her tonnage was 2209 gross tons, 1624 net tons.  She was powered by a 2 cylinder compound steam engine by the builders delivering 320 nominal horsepower.  Built for Leonard Gow (Glasgow) and James McGregor (London) she was registered in Glasgow on 3rd March 1874.  In 1894 she underwent a major refit with a new triple expansion steam engine and an new 160lbs/sq.in boiler by Gourlay Bros, Dundee delivering  201 nominal horse power.  On 16th March 1899 she was purchased by the Mossgiel Steamship Co Ltd., Glasgow (John Bruce mgrs) 

The stranding of the Glenearn on 10th February, 1900 was substantially due to a breakdown of official communications.  She departed from Glasgow for Alexandria, Egypt on 13th December, 1899 and commenced her return voyage via various Mediterranean ports on 11th January, 1900. Her final stop before she set off for the Clyde was Palermo, Sicily. Meanwhile,on 18th December, 1899 the Clyde Lighthouse Trustees issued a notice to the effect that the character of the leading light on the Little Cumbrae was to be altered. This alteration took effect on 6th February, the lights changing from a fixed light to a grouped flashing light.

Around 4:30am on 19th February the Glenearn was off Whiting Bay, Arran, with the captain and crew completely unaware of the recent changes made to the light of the Little Cumbrae. About this time the bow lookouts reported a flashing light off the starboard bow to the north. After consulting the most recent Notices to Mariners on board, Captain Laurence identified this light as Ardrossan Harbour. The confusion was compounded by the fact that Ardrossan Light had also recently been amended from a fixed to a group flashing light. Captain Laurence ordered a change of course to port to take the Glenearn up by Cumbrae Heads. He then went below leaving instructions with the mate to report to him when the fixed light of Little Cumbrae was sighted. 

Around 5:30am Captain Laurence, uneasy with the situation, returned to the bridge. The mate reported that the fixed light of Little Cumbrae had not yet been sighted, but a flashing light was clearly visible, close on the starboard quarter. Almost immediately the dark form of land was sighted dead ahead and the Glenearn drove ashore in Dunagoil Bay, Bute. Fortunately no one on board was injured and the crew got safely ashore.

Salvage operations were started almost immediately to try and recover not only the vessel, but her valuable cargo of wine and fruit. However, much of the cargo in her bow holds washed out, leaving surrounding beaches strewn with citrus fruits. This resulted in the wreck locally being referred to as the “Orange Boat.”  She was successfully refloated in July that year and towed to Greenock for repairs’ Later that same month she was sold to Mr G Brown of Glasgow. In January 1901 she was  sold to Italian owners, renamed Elena and operated in Mediterranean waters until her final loss in a gale off Boretto, Italy on 24th October 1902.