The Wilhelmina was a steel coastal motor vessel launched in 1936 from the yard of E J Smit of Westerbroek in Holland (Yard No 645). She measured 112.0′ x 21.6′ x 8.3′ and her tonnage was 199 gross tons, 114 net tons. She was powered by a 4S CSA 6 cylinder diesel engine by Humboldt-Deutzmotoren AG, Koln delivering 150 brake horse power. Ordered by Mr T Smid of Groningen, Holland she underwent a number of name changes ( Velocitas in 1949, Willem in 1951 and Marken in 1954) before she was acquired by her final owners NV Scheepvaartbedr Gruno, Amsterdam (Rederi Teunika) in 1954 who named her Teunika.
Lloyds register 1969
At 0808 GMT on 16th May, 1969 the radio at Oban Radio crackled into life with a mayday message from the MV Teunika, in trouble with her engine out and making water off the west coast of Mull giving her position as 10 miles north west of Tobermory. The MV Claymore set out from Tobermory to her rescue and other ships nearby also raced to the scene.
Maker’s plate recovered from wreck by divers.
Forty minutes later the first to arrive was the trawler Corena. Her skipper sent a short radio message cancelling the mayday, giving their position as 12 miles west of Tobermory, as she had taken the Teunika in tow and they were heading for the Sound of Mull. At first it seemed that the Teunika was safe but, less than 40 minutes later another message arrived at Oban from the Corena, the Teunika had foundered eleven miles west of Tobermory. Thankfully the crew were safely aboard the Corena.
The motor trawler Corena took Teunika in tow
The Mallaig lifeboat, which had been standing by, gave the position of the loss as 253 degrees two and a half miles from Calaich Point.
The wreck of the Teunika lies in position 56°36.212’N 006°23.651’W. She lies upright and intact, oriented 135/315° with her bow toward Mull. Much of the superstructure has disintegrated leaving the top of the wreck almost flush with the mast collapsed across the holds. Her deck level is between 74.5 and 75.3 metres with seabed depths between 76.5 and 77 metres. The stern wheelhouse and accommodation area has fallen away and lies across the decks. When first dived the visibility on the wreck was in excess of 15 metres. The site is tidal and should be explored during slack water.
Site of wreck of Teunika
