The Janet McNicol was a timber hulled sailing vessel built by J & H Halliday of Rothesay and launched in 1875. Her dimensions were 42.5′ x 14.8′ x 7.2′, her tonnage was 23.15 tons gross and net 19.49 tons. She was built to the order of a Alexander McNicol of Brodick, Isle of Arran and remained in his ownership until her loss. The vessel’s official number was 73462.
The Janet McNicol at Brodick.
The Janet McNicol left Irvine harbour around 10:30am on 8th October, 1907 bound for Brodick with a cargo of bricks. Aboard were John McNicol, son of her owner, Neil Stewart mate and Alexander Russell deckhand. As a result of deteriorating weather conditions during their passage across the Firth, John McNicol decided to spend the night in the shelter of Holy Isle in Lamlash Bay and anchored the smack off the north west side of the island shortly after 4pm.
The Janet McNicol alongside Lamlash Pier.
Around 2:30am the following morning the Belfast steamer Glentow entered Lamlash Bay from the south entrance and made for the north west shore of Holy Isle. As the Glentow entered the anchorage she struck the Janet McNicol on her port quarter, carrying away part of her stern. The Janet McNicol quickly filled with water and sank, unfortunately taking with her the three crew members.
At a subsequent enquiry, James Kissock, who had been in command of the Glentow, was found solely responsible for the loss of the Janet McNicol and her crew. He was severely censured as he held no master’s certificate, and ordered to pay £10 towards the costs of the enquiry. The enquiry report is reproduced below and provides a bit more detail on the accident.
Extract from Garmin Boating App
