The Jane was a small coastal steamship built at Bowling by Scott & Sons and launched on 28th February 1903 (Yard No 161). Her steel hull measured 100.4′ x 23.2′ x 10.6′ and her tonnage was 222 gross tons, 77 net tons. The vessel was powered by a 2 cylinder compound steam engine supplied by Fisher & Company of Paisley delivering 37 registered horse power.
Lloyds register 1926
In the early hours of 15th February 1926 the Jane was around two miles west of Crammag Head, battling a westerly gale while en-route to Glasgow from Liverpool. In these appalling weather conditions she then developed engine problems, specifically a broken pump link pin, and the engine came to a stop. Unable to repair, they drifted before the wind and eventually ran aground at the north end of Port Logan Bay. The Jane had gone ashore around high water and was stranded high on the exposed rocky beach in Portavaddie Cove in the continuing rough weather conditions. The initial damage report made grave reading and noted that her stern frame was badly damaged, rudder gone, propeller broken, bottom holed and engine disabled.
SS Jane ashore at Port Logan
With the bad weather unabated into the following day, the decision was taken to flood the Jane to help reduce further damage to the hull and to hold her on the beach. Both anchors were unavailable as they had been cast earlier in attempt to hold her offshore before the grounding and were lost. An inspection on the 17th February found more damage to the underside of her hull with inspectors describing the hull variously as as bulged, cracked, loose and extensively damaged. The surveyor on the scene finished his report with a recommendation that any salvage contract should be let on a ‘no cure, no pay’ basis.
There followed a lull in reports about the wreck until 24th February. By then a salvage team was on site plugging holes and getting pumps on board in readiness to attempt a tow off the beach. The salvage tug Danehurst was also on scene helping to rig anchors. By early March they had moved the Jane further down the beach but were not helped by another gale on the 4th March which moved the vessel further along the beach. Operations were postponed until a favourable tide on 12th March.
The Jane was finally refloated on the 14th March and towed to Stranraer by the Danehurst where she remained until taken to Troon for repair on the 16th March by the tug Frances Ann. The Jane was repaired and continued in operation for a range of owners over the next 30 years, until she was lost in the Baltic Sea in February 1956.
