The steel steam trawler Rockcliffe was launched from the Aberdeen yard of J Duthie and Sons Ltd (Yard No 270) on 22nd October 1906. She measured 126.8′ x 22.0′ x 11.9′ and her tonnage was 237 gross tons, 63 net tons. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine by W Lidgerwood, Coatbridge delivering 68 nominal horse power. Built for W Sutcliffe, Blackpool and T White, Fleetwood (Rossall Steam Fishing Co Ltd) she was registered in Fleetwood FD98.
In November 1907 Rockcliffe, under the command of Thomas Perry with a crew of 10 men aboard, had completed a successful fishing expedition in the ‘Klondyke’ area some 60 miles north west of Rathlin and headed for home with full fish holds at around 6pm on 10th November. By 1:45am on 11th they were abeam of Rathlin in fine clear weather with the skipper in charge on bridge. After passing Rathlin the course was set SSE heading directly for Fleetwood steering a course between the Maidens on their west side and Mull of Galloway of east side. At this point the skipper retired below leaving vessel in command of the third hand Millross. At 4am they reported the Maidens on their starboard bow at an estimated a distance of 2 or 3 miles. As instructed, they sent a message to the skipper but he did not immediately come to bridge. With weather deteriorating with some fog and rain they continued on the SSE course instructed by skipper. At about 5am a deckhand took the wheel and continued on the same course but soon after a dark shape appeared directly ahead and they ran aground at Carinbrock near Corsewall. The skipper rushed on deck and tried reversing engines but his vessel was stuck fast. The crew scrambled ashore safely but the Rockcliffe was to become a total wreck.
The subsequent inquiry held that the skipper did not navigate his ship with proper seamanlike care and that the third hand should have taken quicker avoiding action when they saw the land ahead. It also held that a proper lookout was not in place and that, although some rough estimations of positions were taken, they were not accurate as it would not have been possible to run ashore where they did if the positions stated off Maiden Island were accurate and the course given was indeed steered. It was also observed that the skipper had not tested or have any knowledge of magnetic deviations on his compass. It appears that possible deviation on the compass, tide and wind drift to the west and poor navigation combined to have the vessel well east of their intended position when the accident occurred. The skipper and third hand’s certificates were suspended for six months.
Scattered wreckage in approximate position 54° 56.830’N, 005° 11.217’W was identified by local diver Peter Miller in the 1980’s when he recovered the ship’s nameplate and builder’s plate from the site. We have no more up to date information on the wreck site which was reported in shallow water around 4 metres but it is likely some scattered wreckage still remains.