The steel steamship Macduff was launched from the yard of Burrell and Son, Glasgow (Yard No 22) in 1892. She measured 66.0′ x 18.3′ x 8.5′ and her tonnage was 88 gross tons, 44 net tons. She was powered by a 16.5 nominal horse power compound steam engine by J D Gouldie Ltd, Glasgow. Built for the Macduff Steamship Company of Glasgow for operations around the Clyde estuary and the Inner Hebrides, she was sold five years later to Glasgow Steam Coasters Ltd in 1895 and continued to ply the same routes for her new owners. In 1902 she was purchased by her final owners, the Clyde Salvage Company Ltd, who rebuilt the vessel enlarging her capacity. She now measured 78.7′ x 18.3′ x 8.2′ and her tonnage was 104 gross tons, 56 net tons.
Lloyds register 1908
On 20th July 1908 the Macduff was en route from Ramsey, Isle of Man, to Lochboisdale with a cargo of salt when she sprang a leak off Ardmore Point, Mull. The engineer discovered the leak when he went below and immediately rushed on deck and raised the alarm. It was lucky that he did because, within a few minutes of the crew launching their boat and getting aboard, the little ship disappeared beneath the waves, sinking in water reported to be 100 fathoms deep. The crew rowed safely to the shore none the worse for their adventure.
The small wreck in position 56 39.588 N, 006 05.276 W has not been confirmed as Macduff but the wreck dimensions and location precisely reflect the details of the Macduff so it is almost certain this is indeed Macduff. She lies in 55 metres rising 3 metres from the seabed. She is oriented 020/200 degrees and appears to be sitting upright and in tact. We have no records of anyone diving the wreck despite it’s relatively shallow depth. The area is swept by very strong tidal flows with a short slack window which might explain the apparent lack of exploration
Unknown wreck believed to be Macduff
