Archaeology Notes
Event ID 820029
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/820029
NS16NE 8006 1528 6707
N55 51.6833 W4 57.1167
NLO: Skelmorlie [name: NS 192 675]
Toward Point [name: NS 136 672].
29 September 1895. WALLACHIA, 12 years, of Glasgow. Lloyds +100A1. Survey 9/95. Iron steamship. 1077 ton. 22 men. Master R. Walton. Owner Burrell and Son, Glasgow. Glasgow to Trinidad. General and 1 passenger. Collided Norwegian steamship FLOS. Calm. About ? mile SE of Toward Point, Argyllshire.
Source: PP Abstracts of Shipping Casualties on Coasts, or in Rivers and [record received incomplete].
NMRS, MS/829/68 (no. 1014).
WALLACHIA, sunk 30 Sep 1895 off Toward Point after collision. Inspection to be made by diver.
Source: Glasgow University Business Archives, UGD95/1/1 Glasgow Salvage Association, minutes 7 Oct 1895.
(Transits illustrated).
G Ridley 1984.
WALLACHIA is still largely intact.
(Source includes illustrations of transits for locating the wreck).
Source: Butland & Siedlecki, BSAC Wreck Register 1987.
Quality of fix = EDM
Evidence = Echo sounder
Horizontal Datum = OGB
General water depth = 32
Orientation of keel/wreck = N/S
Circumstances of Loss Details
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The WALLACHIA sank in dense fog after either running aground, drifting off and sinking, or after collision with Norwegian steamship SS FLOS. report by R Mccrindle. She was en route from Glasgow to the West Indies.
Surveying Details
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14 January 1977. A wreck was been reported with the least depth of 27 metres in a general depth of 40 metres at 13.40pm on 10 December 1976 (this gives the a low tide clearence of 22 metres in 35 metres). The site was located by HMS SHERATON using sonar, echosunder, and 3 divers. The position was fixed at 55 51 42N, 004 57 11W using compass bearings (no details submitted). The wreck is approximately 300 feet (91 metres) long, upright, and lying with its keel orientated 000/180 degrees. The wreck stands about 30 feet (9.1 metres) above seabed. Only the stern was examined by divers, and one (iron) propeller and rudder were sighted. There is no debris near the wreck.
Report by HMS SHERATON, 14 December 1976
22 March 1977. The wreck appears to be that of a clyde puffer. The bows are to the NE and the stern to the SW. The wreck sits upright with a stump mast rising about 13 metres above the seabed. The wreck is covered with nets, and otter boards have holed the starboard side. The vessels length approx is approximately 30 metres (98 feet). The least depth by the diver's reckoning was 20.7 metres (lowest astronomical tide) in a general depth of 34 metres (using a predicted tidal reduction of 2.3 metres).
Report by divers from CDO Clyde submarine base, 8 March 1977.
18 October 1978. A large wreck, almost intact, is reported in 32 metres of water. It is sitting upright with the keel on a bearing of approximately 165/345 degree (true). The highest point is the bridge amidships, which stands about 8.2 metres off the seabed. The superstructure and funnel have collapsed. The ship was identified by the builders yard number as the WALLACHIA, built in 1883.
Report by R McCrindle.
2 December 1981. There are possibly 2 wrecks in this vicinity.
Report by I G Whittaker, 18 November 1981.
19 November 1982. The hull is relatively intact, except for collision damage at the bows.
Source; BSAC Wreck Register.
12 May 1986. The wreck was examined on 16 July 1985 at 55 51 41N, 004 57 07W. Decca (n brit) red d 22.85, purple a 77.20. The least echosounder depth was 19.4 in general depths of 32 to 33 metres. No scour pits were observed. The side scan sonar indicated a height of 10 metres, and length of 85 metres (278 feet). The wreck is lying upright, orientated 000/180 degrees with high points amidships and at either end. There is no evidence of a second wreck in the vicinity.
Report by HMS GLEANER.
18 February 1987. The site was examined on 27 June 1986 in 55 51 41N, 004 57 08W. The least echo sounder depth was 22.2 in general depths of 32 to 33 metres. No scour pits were observed. The side scan sonar inicated a height of 9.5 metres, and length of 85 metres (278 feet). The wreck is lying with its keel orientated 000/180 deg.
Report by HMS HECCLA.
Hydrographic Office, 1995.
(Classified as iron steamship, with cargo of beer and chemicals: date of loss cited as 29 September 1895). Wallachia: this vessel was in collision and sank 0.75 miles SE of Toward (Flos). Capt. Walton.
Registration: Glasgow. Built 1883. 1724grt. Length: 79m. Beam: 11m.
(Location of loss cited as N55 51.70 W4 57.17).
I G Whittaker 1998.
Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):
A049 3 beer bottles (from seabed).
NMRS, MS/829/32.
Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):
A429 1 beer bottle: from seabed.
NMRS, MS/829/33.
Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):
A558 each individual letter from ship's name: from seabed
A650 full McEwan's beer bottle and cork: from seabed.
NMRS, MS/829/34.
Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):
A1167 scent bottle, 23 bakelite plates: from seabed
A1222 bottle beer/water: from seabed
A1334 4 stoneware jars, 1 bottle whisky (full), 3 portholes, 1 'stern wheel hub': from seabed
A1983 1 beer bottle: from seabed
A2497 12 bottles: from seabed
A2517 3 bottles, 1 door hinge: from seabed
A2728 2 brass T-connectors, 1 rubber drum, 1 sealed bottle of beer, 1 large bottle of beer, with remains of beer and cork
A3059 2 small beer bottles, 1 large beer bottle
A3083 4 bottles (with some contents): from seabed
A3230 Various bottles (some full, probably contain beer): from seabed
A3239 1 bottle, 1 ship's log: from seabed
A3350 1 beer bottle: from seabed
A3526 1 flagon (material unstated: approximately 2 gallons capacity): from seabed
A3585 1 beer bottle [described in detail]: from seabed
A4165 1 possible acid jar (empty): from seabed
A4257 5 bottles, 4 jars: from seabed
A4289 1 beer bottle: from seabed.
NMRS, MS/829/35.
