Servus

The steel motor vessel Ransel was launched from the Delfzijl, Netherlands yard of Niestern and Co (Yard No 192) in 1933. She measured 148.4′ x 23.6′ x 10.2′ and her tonnage was 360 gross tons, 201 net tons. She was powered by a 4 cylinder 2SA diesel engine by Appingedammer Brons Motorenfabriek delivering 62 net horse power.

She was ordered by J Teerling of Delfzijl and operated for this owner until 1937 when she was purchased by J F de Groot of Harlingen in 1937 who renamed her Servus and registered her in Zwartsluis. In 1950 her engines were upgraded to a 6 cylinder 4SA diesel by NV Motorenfabriek ‘De Industrie’ Alphen . In 1957 she was purchased by the Enid Shipping Company of Leith and she began operating on the Scottish east coast routes.

On 5th December 1959 Servus departed from Methil heading for Kirkwall with a cargo of four hundred and eighty five tons of coal under the command of Captain John Pirie who had a crew of seven men aboard. By 7th December, as they crossed the Moray Firth, they encountered a gale which steadily increased as they moved north. Captain Pirie decided to seek shelter in Wick but, as they approached Noss Head, the shaft driving the fuel pumps and auxiliaries snapped. Despite the crew’s efforts to fix the fault the Servus, now powerless was drifting towards the shore. Captain Pirie sent out a distress signal and soon the fishery research vessels Scotia and Explorer were at the scene. A line was passed over from Scotia but the tow was too difficult in the wind and swell of the gale. Almost immediately the tow line snapped and, despite several additional attempts to tow her with the lines snapping each time, the Servus drifted helpless towards the shore. Late in the evening, she came ashore underneath Dunbeath Castle with her stern directly under the towering cliffs. Just before she grounded the Cromarty lifeboat, skippered by coxswain Albert Watson, skilfully manoeuvred alongside the Servus and safely took off her crew. The Servus became a total wreck.