The Pearl was a mid engined coaster, built at Port Glasgow by William Hamilton & Company (Yard No.49) and launched on 22nd June 1880. The iron hull Measured 143.9′ x 21.7′ x 12.0′ and her tonnage was 316 gross tons and 37 net tons. She was powered by a 2 cylinder compound steam engine developing 63 nominal horse power supplied by Fleming & Ferguson of Paisley. The vessel’s official number was 82326. Built to the order of Alexander Hay of Glasgow, she remained under his ownership until 1888 when he was declared bankrupt. During his ownership the vessel’s name was changed to Strathgarry in 1881. Ownership was transferred from Hay to a John Anderson in 1888, with William Robertson appointed as manager later that year. Finally in 1889 she was sold to a James Mawson of Barrow and remained in his ownership until her loss.
Extract Lloyds Register 1893.
On Monday 20th March 1893 the Strathgarry was inbound to Ardrossan from Castletown, County Cork in ballast when she encountered thick fog off the south coast of Arran. In the poor visibility she ran aground on rocks at Torrylinn Beach near Lagg. The crew quickly launched their ship’s boat and landed safely further along the coast near Kildonan. Interestingly the Strathgarry had been ashore only six days previously at Cahersiveen on the west coast of Ireland, but managed to refloat herself on a rising tide.
Builder deck plan SS Pearl – Lloyd’s Register
Unfortunately luck was not on her side this time and, despite a number of attempts to refloat her by the Glasgow and Greenock Shipping Company tug Admiral, she became a total wreck. By the 23rd March she had heeled over and was completely awash. She was declared a constructive total loss by her insurers and the wreck was put up for sale. Following an auction in Glasgow on 29th March the wreck and other effects were sold for 89 guineas. The vessel had been valued and insured for 5000 guineas but the low auction price reflected the wreck’s condition and her exposed and remote location.
SS Pearl Hull details – Lloyd’s Register.
Another vessel came ashore at Torrylinn on the same morning, the steamer Marlborough of London. Fortunately she grounded on a sandy beach and was successfully pulled off by the tug Admiral and continued her voyage to Glasgow. Three years later the Marlborough which had been renamed Urd, was lost following a collision with the steamer Elk two miles south west off Little Cumbrae on 26th March 1896.
We have been unable to trace any information relative to the salvage of the Strathgarry, and it is likely that she was worked and probably removed during the summer of 1894.
We would like to thank Lloyd’s Register Foundation – Heritage & Education Centre for allowing us to reproduce documents from their archive in this article.
