The wooden steam drifter Ocean Retriever II was built in Lowestoft and launched in 1914. She measured 87.6’ x 19.5’ x 9.8’ and her tonnage was 94 gross tons, 44 net tons. She was powered by a small 2 cylinder compound steam engine developing 25 nominal horse power. Her official number was 135080.
On 4th August 1931 the Ocean Retriever II was returning to Mallaig after a successful fishing trip when she ran aground on Sgeir Dhearg a reef, marked by a beacon, which lies to the north of the harbour entrance.
Ocean Retriever II
Two drifters, the Sunspot and the Doonie Brae tried to tow the stranded drifter off the rocks but due to the state of the tide and the fact the Ocean Retriever II was loaded with 40 cran of herring, the attempt was unsuccessful.
A further attempt was made the following day at high water, this again was unsuccessful and it was later found that the hull was breeched. Further attempts were not made and her nets and gear removed later and taken onboard the Ocean Crest.
Her owners confirmed the vessel was a constructive total loss on 10 August.
The remains of the Ocean Retriever II are reported to lie on the west side of Sgeir Dhearg, and consist of mainly metal parts, namely the boiler and the small steam engine. From the picture of her ashore, she is on the northern part of the reef which would give a position of 57° 00.682’N, 05° 49.626’W to start any search.
