Nessmore: Eilean Bhoramuil, Coll, Passage Of Tiree

NM15SW 8004 1174 5080

N56 33.6333 W6 41.55

NLO: Eilean Bhoramuil [name: NM 115 506]

Coll [name centred NM 20 57]

Gunna Sound [name centred NM 092 504]

Tiree [name centred NM 00 45].

Cross Ref: NM15SW 9183 HYAENA

Formerly entered as NM15SW 9182.

On Wednesday night last week the steamer NESSMORE, 4500 tons, Captain Hawkett of Barrow, from Montreal to Liverpool with cattle and general cargo, stranded on a rock off Caoles, south west of Coll. In the darkness of the night she had gone considerably off her course, and got into the sound between Coll and Tiree, through which, owing to the difficulties of navigation, not even the West Highland steamers Hebridean and Dunara Castle will venture, except with daylight.

The tide was strong in the channel, and the danger increased by the presence of Canna Island, three quarters of a mile from the north end of Tiree. There were 550 cattle on board, and part of the cargo of 4000 tons was 20000 cheese. Every possible endeavour was made by the captain and crew to save the cattle, but the steamer, it was feared, would become a total wreck. The position was an exposed one. Lloyds telegram stated that there was 14ft of water in her holds fore and aft. The wrecking steamer Ranger with pumps and appliances has been sent to her assistance. It was expected that a good deal of the general cargo would be salved on Saturday, as the weather was lovely. The vessel lies about half a mile off the shore.

Four days after leaving Montreal, the vessel experienced thick weather with gales which rendered observation impossible. When she struck on Wednesday night, the boat which was lowered capsized in the heavy surf, and the seamen who were thrown into the sea made for the land. One of them shouted for help but was not heard, and in the pitch darkness was afraid to move amongst the rocks on the unknown coast. In the early morning he was accosted by a shepherd whom he surprised by asking what part of Ireland they had come to. The crew, numbering 50 were all saved.

A large steamer was expected to reach Coll on the Sunday to assist in the salvage of the valuable cargo. On Saturday, the cattle on board the NESSMORE were put ashore on Coll. On being thrown overboard, the majority swam the half mile between the vessel and the shore. They were collected on the farm of Caoles. A few are said to have reached Tiree, and others putting out to sea were drowned.

A difficulty arose as to whether cattle for which there was no certificate could be landed on the island of Coll where so many animals are kept for dairy purposes. The local sanitary inspector has wired the procurator fiscal for instructions. We understand that the Board of Agriculture have granted authority for the reshipment of the cattle from the port in Coll.

Source: Oban Times, 30 November 1895.

A fortnight's storm and the Atlantic swell have now almost battered the NESSMORE to pieces. Were it not for the sake of saving a valuable steam engine and pump worth about #400, which were still on board the wreck, Captain Young of the Salvage Association would have left some days ago, the scene of the disaster.

The Coll and Tiree people were not seemingly to get all the spoil, notwithstanding its proximity to their shores. The westerly winds which have prevailed generally during the week have driven large quantities of wreckage - cheese, flour, apples and even American organs on the north west coast of Mull, the shores of Gometra and the Treshnish Isles. Gometra has been favoured with a musical instrument, Quinish with cheese and a vast abundance of apples. The flour which has been washed ashore is said to be in a wonderfully preserved state, the salt water in many cases not having penetrated more than half an inch.

Source: Oban Times, 4 December 1895.

20 November 1895 NESSMORE, 13 years, of Barrow. Lloyds +100A1 spar deck. Survey 8/95. Iron steamship. 2216 ton. 56 men. Master A. Hawkett. Owner W. Johnston, Liverpool. Montreal to Liverpool. General and cattle. Wind SSE9. West Crosspool Bay, Island of Coll, Argyllshire.

Source: PP Abstracts of Shipping Casualties on Coasts, or in Rivers and Harbours of the UK July 1895-96 (1897 [C.8453] LXXVIII.693).

NMRS, MS/829/67 (no. 986).

Horizontal Datum = OGB

Circumstances of Loss Details

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The NESSMORE, built 1882, was wrecked on the island of Coll, whilst en-route from Montreal to Liverpool. It was owned at the time of loss by William Johnston & Co. Its general cargo included cattle.

Source: Dictionary of Disasters at Sea.

Surveying Details

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5 September 1969. The vessel ran aground on Caoles reef.

Report by K M M Bialowas.

17 February 1986. The wreck was located against the skerry which dries to a height of 1.7 metres at 56 33 38N, 006 41 33W. It is very broken up and mostly lying beneath sand. Only the shafts and some girders show resting against the reef.

Report by Andrew Jennions, 27 January 1986.

17 July 1991. The wreck lies near Caolas Eilean Bhoramuil.

Source: Dive NW Scotland.

Hydrographic Office, 1995.

(Classified as iron steamship, with cargo of cattle and general goods: date of loss cited as 20 November 1895). Nessmore: this vessel stranded on Caroles Reef, SE Coll. West Crossapol Bay. Capt. Hawkett. (Barrow reg?)

Registration: Liverpool. Built 1882. 3377grt. Length: 102m. Beam: 12m.

I G Whittaker 1998.

Caroles or Caolas Reef is not noted as such on the 1996 edition of the OS 1:50,000 map.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 7 October 2003.