Meldon: Rubha Dubh, Loch Buie, Mull, Firth Of Lorn

NM52SE 8001 5731 2171

N56 19.5333 W5 55.55

NLO: Rubha Dubh [name: NM 569 212]

Firth of Lorn [name centred NM 69 19]

Loch Buie [name centred NM 59 22]

Lochbuie [name: NM 613 249].

Formerly entered as NM52SE 9195.

See also NM61SE 8001.

Quality of fix = HSA

Horizontal Datum = OGB

General water depth = 15

Orientation of keel/wreck = EW

Circumstances of Loss Details

-----------------------------

The MELDON was mined.

Sources: World War I Shipping Loses, Lloyd's World War I losses.

Surveying Details

-----------------------------

11 November 1951. A dangrous wreck (which dries to 1.8 metres clearance) is shown at 56 19 32N, 005 55 33W on survey.

3 October 1973. The mast which shows at low water is the after derrick. This unknown collier was carrying anthracite. The vessel was built about 1918 and has single steel propellor. A drawing of the wreck was supplied, showing the stern to the shore. The reporter was not able to ascertain the ships name. The vessel is about 300 feet (91.4 metres) long, and 45 feet (13.7 metres) in beam. From the keel to the main deck is 40 feet (12.1 metres). No local information was available to suggest an identity.

Report by RAF Coningsby sub-aqua club, September 1972.

7 March 1975. The collier MELDON was mined in the Firth of Lorne.

Report taken from a letter from P L Sellars dated 11 February 1975. Source; World War I Royal Navy Loses.

10 March 1975. The position given as approximately half a mile north of Garvellachs and half a mile west of the Isle of the Sea. The vessel was on hire by Admiralty at time of loss. It was carrying an Admiralty cargo of coal. The vessel is reported to have been located some years ago and minor salvage work was carried out.

Report by Department of Trade & Industry, 10 March 1975.

10 March 1975. The position given of 56 15 06N, 005 45 00W is only approximate. Note from the Wrecks Section.

9 March 1976. The site is reported to be the SS MELBOR, lost in 1938 and of approximately 2000 tons. The drying mast or after derrick referred to above is the rudder post.

Report by P L Sellars, 5 October 1975.

16 June 1982. The site is identified as the MELDON. She has broken amidships, but the bow and stern are intact. The vessel is lying with its keel on an orientation of 315/135 degrees. The bows are to seaward, and the rudder post shows above the surface. The general depth amidships is 15 metres.

Source; Diver Magazine, June 1982.

18 November 1982. The site is owned by Paul Camilli, Accrington, Lancs, who is salvaging non-ferrous materials.

Source; Diver Magazine November 1982.

19 November 1982. The vessel is fairly well broken up, with only the boilers and stern intact. It lies with its keel on an orientation of 090/270 degrees with its stern inshore and drying at low water. The bows are in about 15 metres of water.

Report by P Camilli, 16 November 1982.

Hydrographic Office, 1995.

(Classified as steel steamship, with cargo of coal: date of loss cited as 3 March 1917). Meldon: this vessel was mined 1/2 mile W of the Garvellachs and 1/2 mile W of Isle of Sea (?) [Seil?] but beached here.

Registration: Newcastle. Built 1902. 2514grt. Length: 94m. Beam: 13m.

(Location cited as N56 19.53 W5 55.55).

I G Whittaker 1998.

Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):

A1197 piece coal, bottle, brass taper seal: from seabed.

(Location cited as 'Loch Bruie').

A3958 piece coal: from seabed.

NMRS, MS/829/35.

Loch Buie is a broad but deep inlet set into the S coast of Mull. The village of Lochbuie itself is situated at the head (NE end) of the loch.

The location cited by Whittaker is that of (secondary) beaching, and is a short distance North of Rubha Dubh, on the W side of its entrance.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 9 May 2008.