South Co. Down List "C"
©
Back to Main Index Map

 
 
 
 
Vessel Type:

Square Rigger

Location:Co. Down
Date of Loss:10th January 1879Place:Ballywalter
Cause of Loss:FounderedBoat Dive from:Bangor or Groomsport
Charted Depth:Irish O.S. Map:Discovery Series No. 15
Height of Wreck:Admiralty Chart No:2093 and/or 2156
Hull Material:IronLatitude (approx.):54° 32' 02" North
Type of Seabed:RocksLongitude (approx.):05° 27' 22" West
Average Visibility:8 - 10mConvert Lat. & Long. to -Decimal - CLICK HERE
Image available?Yes - see below Diving Experience:Novice
 
Diving Information:
  • The rock of Skullmartin is oval shaped, and divided in two by a gully.
  • The vessel is fast upon the northern portion of the rock, with her bows to the south west.
  • Another name for this portion of rock is North Pladdy.
 
Historical Information:
  • Last square rigger to be built on the Clyde 1878, by A & J Inglis.
  • She measured 225.0 x 35.8 x 21.6ft. and grossed 1284 tons.
  • Owners were Messrs. Aitken & Co., Glasgow. Master was Gavin Weir.
  • Bound Melbourne from Glasgow carrying emigrants, spirits, linen, iron railings, coal and machinery.
  • Was her 2nd voyage to Australia. Voyage approx. 85 days.
  • Ran aground after being blown off course. Tugs failed to tow her off.
  • Most cargo, including gunpowder, was salvaged and no lives lost.
 

S.V. Loch Sunart

artist unknown

All external copyrights respectfull acknowledged

 
Source Publications:
"Irish Wrecks Database"
by
Roy Stokes & Liam Dowling
"Shipwreck Index of Ireland"
by
Richard & Bridget Larn
Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2002 - ISBN: 1900839970
"Shipwrecks of the Ulster Coast"
by
Ian Wilson
Impact Printing 1997 - ISBN: 0948154993
"Wrecks & Reputations"
by
Don Charlewood
Angus & Robertson
 
Other Sources:
Belfast News Letter
-
Belfast News Letter Library
Ulster Folk Museum
  

South Co. Down List "C"

Last update - 18-Jan-2005

Back to Main Index Map

A page from "www.irishwrecksonline.net" ©