The steel motor trawler Ross Puma was launched from the Selby yard of Cochrane and Sons Ltd (Yard No 1447) on 15th March 1960. She measured 127.5′ x 26.6′ x 13.0′ and her tonnage was 352 gross tons, 116 net tons. She was powered by a 6 cylinder 4SA diesel engine by Ruston and Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln delivering 1080 brake horse power. Ordered by Ross Trawlers Ltd., Grimsby she operated out of that port for her entire career registered as GY646.
Extract Lloyd’s Register 1968
On 1st April 1968 the Ross Puma was returning to Grimsby after a successful trip to the northern fishing grounds under the command of her skipper Dennis Speck. He had a crew of fourteen men aboard and a full hold of fish. As they passed the western side of Orkney and Hoy heading for the Pentland Firth they encountered a severe north westerly gale and heavy dense snow which reduced the visibility dramatically. Presumably driven to the east of her intended course by the gale and swell she ran aground on Little Rackwick Shoal on the west side of Hoy.
MV Ross Puma under way
The weather was horrendous and the crew were in great danger as the trawler was high among the rocks and pounded by a huge westerly swell driving her higher and higher onto the reef. Efforts to successfully launch one of her four liferafts were abandoned after the swell swept away the first attempt and two more were capsized. The final raft was washed back aboard the trawler by a huge wave that crashed into the side of the vessel. The Longhope lifeboat, which had been launched quickly on receipt of Ross Puma’s distress messages, battled west through the headwinds and the teeth of the gale and finally reached the wreck site. Two trawlers, who had also responded to the SOS messages, were powerless to help and forced to stand by but the skills of the lifeboat coxswain, Dan Kilpatrick, were to save the day. He manoeuvred his boat close to the grounded vessel and eventually succeeded in getting a line aboard. The last remaining liferaft on Ross Puma was attached to the line and the crew jumped into the raft and, one by one, were pulled over to the lifeboat. At one stage the lifeboat itself almost wrecked as it touched bottom in the huge swell but eventually, with all the crew aboard, turned east and headed back to the safety and shelter of Longhope.
Artist Harry Berry captures the moment of the epic rescue by the Longhope lifeboat. Longhope Lifeboat Museum.
Ross Puma aground on Little Rackwick Shoal
The Ross Puma was to become a total wreck. In May 1968 tenders were received for the salvage of the wreck which was broken up in situ later. Some scattered remains of the salvage operation are reported and can be seen among the rocks near the wreck site in the approximate position 58° 48.808’N, 003° 20.459’W and is visible at low tide.
