The steel steam trawler Strathtay was launched from the Footdee yard of Hall Russell and Co Ltd (Yard No 268) on 3rd October 1891. She measured 102.8′ x 20.2′ x 10.6′ an her tonnage was 155 gross tons., 42 net tons. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine by Hall Russell delivering 60 registered horse power. Ordered by the Aberdeen Steam Trawling and Fishing Co Ltd she was registered in Aberdeen (A661).
Strathtay painting (A Harwood)
Lloyds register 1900
The storm of 15/16th February 1900 was one of the deadliest storms in history with the loss of dozens of fishing vessels around the British coastline. Over those 48 hours five vessels from Aberdeen alone disappeared off the north of Scotland with the total loss of their crews. Four other trawlers from Hull and North Shields also disappeared somewhere off the Northern Isles. The Banff coast was awash with wreckage of two local boats lost with the fourteen men of the crews. HMS Jackal was dispatched to the area but it was an impossible search. Over the next few days and weeks wreckage of some of the vessels was washed ashore at various locations around Orkney, Shetland and the Scottish north east coast.
Details of the loss of Strathtay are vague as none of her nine crew survived to tell the tale. She departed from Aberdeen on 9th February heading for the fishing grounds off Shetland. There are no confirmed reports of her being sighted after that date. However it was reported that a trawler was sighted from Sumburgh Lighthouse steaming to her anchors between Sumburgh Head and Horse Holm in an attempt to survive the horrendous storm sweeping through the area. Later the men in the lighthouse spotted distress flares but there was nothing that could be done given the violence of the storm. The next morning the trawler had disappeared. Clearly the vessel had foundered with the loss of her crew. It was not confirmed at that stage that the trawler was Strathtay.
The identity of the trawler was revealed many years later when wreckage was discovered by divers off Scatness and the Strathtay maker’s plate was recovered. The mystery of her loss was finally solved. The wreckage of the Strathtay, which consists of her engine and various other metal remains including her spare propeller, is reported to lie in approximate position 59° 51.333′ N, 001° 18.500′ W off the south tip of Scatness scattered on a rocky seabed in 14 metres. We have no up to date or more accurate information on this site.
Strathtay maker’s plate recovered by divers
