The MV Hero was a rear engined coaster built by J Pattje of Westerbroek in the Netherlands (Yard No16) and launched in 1931. Her steel hull measured 105.9′ x 20.3′ x 7.0′ and her tonnage was 168 gross tons, 91 net tons. She was powered by a 4 cylinder oil engine by MV Motorenfb ‘De Industrie’ driving a single propeller . The vessel went through a succession of owners and name changes of Titia in 1933, Klazina in 1935, before being purchsed by a Belgian owner who named her Pallieter.
MV Klazina dockside
Lloyds register 1942
Due to wartime reporting restrictions, few details are available regarding the loss of the Pallieter, west of Ailsa Craig on 1st February 1941. She was en route from Dublin to Ardrossan with a cargo of scrap metal under the command of her skipper L. Ghys when she was caught in a storm. The rising seas caused her cargo to shift and the increasing list eventually caused her to roll over and founder. The crew managed to escape to safety in the ship’s lifeboat and were eventually picked up.
The wreck of the Pallieter lies 5 miles west of Ailsa Craig in position 55°14.844’N, 05° 15.205’W. The wreck is substantially intact, lying 170/350 degrees with bow facing north west. Seabed depths around the wreck are 50-51 metres. The vessel must have impacted heavily in the seabed as the top of the focsle is almost level with the surrounding seabed.
Position of wreck west of Ailsa Craig
Moving aft from the bow the main hold is full and covered with louvred metal grating, all that can be seen between the slats is mud. As you move towards the stern, the wreck starts to rise from the seabed and is around 2 metres above the seabed at the front of the wheelhouse. The main accommodation and engine room are in the stern section, and by the time you reach the steering quadrant above the rudder stock the deck is around 5-6 metres above seabed. We suggest diving this wreck on slack water, especially on spring tides.
Soup terrine recovered from wreck
