The iron steamship Frogmore was launched from the yard of T Roydon & Sons of Liverpool (Yard No 201) in June 1880. She measured 259.5′ x 33.9′ x 17.9′ and her tonnage was 1547 gross tons, 1000 net tons. She was powered by a compound steam engine by J Jack, Liverpool delivering 163 nominal horse power. The vessel transferred to new Glasgow based owners (J Neil and Co Ltd) in 1898 who changed her name to Hermia.
Thursday 21st December, 1901 was not a good day for Captain Gunson of the Allan Line steamer Carthiginian. In the early hours of the morning, en route to Philadelphia via Liverpool, his vessel was in collision with the SS Glenmore off the Mull of Galloway. The Carthiginian had sustained extensive damage to her stem and bow plating and, as a result, Captain Gunson decided to head for Glasgow for repairs.
Twelve hours later, with tugs in attendance, the Carthiginian passed Port Glasgow heading up river in the failing light. Approaching the Garmoyle Lightship, the lights of an outgoing steamer were suddenly sighted a short way off. Captain Gunson immediately ordered ‘engines full astern’ but could not stop his vessel colliding with the oncoming steamer, the Hermia.
SS Hermia near Garmoyle lightship
The forecastle of the Hermia folded like a concertina killing two Spanish crewmen asleep below. Elias Ybarra, a fireman, was also in his bunk and was unceremoniously awoken by the buckling hull plating hitting him on the head. He eventually escaped and was rescued by one of the tugs. The rest of the crew were saved and taken to the Mariner’s Home in Greenock.
On deck of stranded vessel
The Hermia quickly filled after the collision and sank on the south side of the main channel. The wreck’s position in the main channel proved a major hazard to other shipping. On 17th December, the SS Stream Fisher ran onto the Hermia, causing further damage to the sunken vessel. The Stream Fisher was towed off on the next high tide undamaged. The Hermia was finally removed in February 1902, in two sections, by the East Coast Salvage Company. The Hermia was written off as a total loss.
