The steel steam trawler Loch Wasdale was launched from the yard of John Duthie, Torry Shipbuilding Co Ltd. Aberdeen (Yard No 417) on 15th July 1915. She measured 116.2′ x 22.0′ x 12.0′ and her tonnage was 210 gross tons, 81 net tons. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine by William Beardmore Ltd delivering 70 registered horse power. She was ordered by the White Star Steam Fishing Co Ltd (Malcolm Smith) Aberdeen. Immediately after her launch she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted for use as a minesweeper. She survived the war and was returned to her owners in early 1919 to take up a successful fishing career based in Aberdeen. Her ownership was transferred to Malcolm Smith Ltd, still based in Aberdeen, in 1939. Despite the outbreak of Word War Two she continued to operate as a fishing vessel into the war years.
Builder’s profile drawing Loch Wasdale
Lloyds register 1939
On 14th December 1942 she was caught in a strong south east gale off Boddam, Aberdeenshire with a crew of twelve men aboard. Despite the efforts of the crew she was inexorably driven towards the shore and eventually aground in the early hours of the morning of the 15th at Skerry Rock off Boddam harbour. The crew were clearly in extreme danger. The ship had grounded too far from the shore for the men to make their way safely to the shore and the surf, which was breaking heavily over the stranded vessel, made launching the ship’s boat impossible. Thankfully the Loch Wasdale’s distress messages were picked up and the Peterhead lifeboat summoned. The usual lifeboat coxswain J B McLean was recuperating from an operation but still turned out to help with the rescue attempt from the lifeboat station. In his place, the harbourmaster Captain James Winter, took command of the Julia Park Berry which was launched at 4.20am. After a short trip they arrived at the scene of the wreck 15 minutes later.
Aberdeen Press and Journal 16th December
When they reached the site it was obvious the crew were in imminent danger. The Loch Wasdale was lying down by the stern, lashed by huge waves with the crew clinging to the forward rigging. Captain Winter wanted to approach the wreck from the lee side but the wreck was lying parallel to the rocks making an approach from the inside impossible. Despite the danger involved Winter brought the lifeboat close along side on the windward side of the vessel and managed to grab a rope thrown from the men on board. One by one, the crew jumped from the deck of the Loch Wasdale into the lifeboat. Unfortunately the last man fell between the two vessels and was crushed and injured. However, the lifeboat crew pulled him aboard and they set off for the safety of Peterhead harbour. Only a few minutes after they pulled away the Loch Wasdale rolled over and sank. The injured fisherman was taken to hospital and recovered from his ordeal. Captain Winter was awarded a Lifeboat Institution Bronze medal for his bravery and skill skippering the lifeboat and saving the crew.
Boddam and Skerry Rock on a stormy day
The wreckage of the Loch Wasdale lies in 10 – 15 metres of water off Skerry Rock. The wreckage, which is mainly the boiler, lies intermingled with the wreckage of the later casualty Constant Star in approximate position 57° 28.817′ N, 001° 46.082′ W.
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