The steel steam trawler White Pioneer was launched from the yard of John Lewis and Sons Ltd., Aberdeen (Yard No 134) on 1st August 1935. She measured 126.3′ x 23.2′ x 12.6′ and her tonnage was 271 gross tons, 118 net tons. She was powered by a 2 cylinder low pressure turbine steam engine by Whites Marine Engineering Co Ltd., Newcastle delivering 96 registered horse power. She was ordered by White Trawlers Ltd., Hebburn and registered in Newcastle NE3. In 1937 her name was changed to Mary White and her management changed to Peter Hancock and Sons of Milford Haven although she remained registered in Newcastle. In January 1940 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to boom defence vessel (No Z147) In March 1944 her ownership changed to Shire Trawlers Ltd, Grimsby. She survived the war and was returned to her owners who registered her in 1947 in Grimsby GY465. In March 1947 she was re-engined when a new diesel engine by Hall Russell Ltd, Aberdeen was installed and her registered tonnage adjusted to 254 gross tons, 98 net tons. On 3rd December 1948 she was acquired by Newhaven Trawlers Ltd, Granton (Managing owner Philip Liston) , re-named as Luffness and registered in Granton GN57.
Luffness as Mary White at mooring
Lloyds register 1958
On 21st January 1958 Luffness was heading into Aberdeen harbour under the command of skipper/owner Philip Liston. He had a crew of twelve men aboard and was returning to port as one of his crewmen, trimmer William Docherty, was taken ill with suspected appendicitis. As they approached the harbour entrance from the south there was a problem with the Luffness’ steering and she ran aground on the North Pier. The harbour tug Danny was called out immediately and reached the scene soon after but her attempts to get a line aboard were thwarted three times as the trawler rolled heavily in the swell snapping the line as soon as it was attached. The harbour pilot cutter then arrived and managed to pull alongside and offload the crew. As the cutter pulled away it was discovered that one of the crew was still on board but, thankfully, he was quickly taken off by the tug Danny. The men were taken to the Seaman’s mission and Docherty was taken to the hospital for treatment. He later recovered.
Luffness aground North Pier, Aberdeen
The Luffness was lying in a dangerous position (almost exactly the same position as the trawler Loch Lomond grounded in October 1952) and in danger of rolling off into the channel. Some ropes were attached to hold her in place but the following day, despite this precaution, she rolled over on her side although she did not slip of the rocky ledge avoiding a blockage to the channel. The Luffness was declared a constructive total loss. The wreck was handed over to the salvage firm Metal Industries who succeeded is raising her. However, the story was not quite complete. In May, after temporary repairs had been carried out, she was taken in tow heading to Metal Industries yard in the Forth for scrapping but, only a few miles into the voyage, she began to settle in the water and foundered. Some reports indicate that she was simply scuttled after she was refloated. We are unable to confirm which version of events is accurate.
Lloyds loss report
The wreck in position 57 05.341 N, 002 01.480 W is reported by the Hydrographic Department to probably be Luffness. She lies in 45 metres with a least clearance of 39 metres oriented 045/225 degrees. We have no dive reports to support this identification but the position and dimensions of the wreck would suggest that this is the case.
