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Loss
Date 15 December 1861
Event ID 629858
Category Documentary Reference
Type Loss
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/629858
A veteran West Highland puffer, the LOGAN (98 tons), owned by Alexander McNeil, Greenock, sank off Lochaline pier [presumably Lochaline, Old Pier, NM64SE 25] on Friday, following hours of continuous effort to keep her afloat after she was towed from near Craignure with her boiler room awash, by a fishing boat.
The LOGAN was carrying 105 tons of coal from Troon to Skye, when on Friday afternoon, while sailing in the Sound of Mull, she sprang a leak near the stern. With a force 7 to 8 gale blowing, it was a struggle to keep the LOGAN afloat and steer her safely. After two hours, distress rockets were fired. The first five were not seen, but the sixth (and their last!) was seen by the Oban-bound fishing boat ARTEMIS.
The LOGAN was taken in tow to Lochaline pier, where she was made fast. Fort William fire brigade was summoned, and pumped water out of the puffer for some hours, but it was a hopeless task, as the LOGAN gave signs of sinking. After she had been moved about 100 yards north of the pier, as she was a potential danger to navigation, she went down in deep water
Source: Oban Times, 16 December 1961.
(Classified as puffer with a cargo of coal: date of loss cited as 15 December 1961). Logan: this vessel sank 100 yds from Lochaline pier.
Registration: British. Built 1921. 98grt. Length: 20m. Beam: 5m.
(Location of loss cited as N56 31.97 W5 46.97).
I G Whittaker 1998.