Highcliffe: Forewick Holm, Papa Stour, Sound Of Papa
Cargo Vessel (20th Century), Steamship (20th Century)
Site Name Highcliffe: Forewick Holm, Papa Stour, Sound Of Papa
Classification Cargo Vessel (20th Century), Steamship (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Atlantic; Highcliffe
Canmore ID 102918
Site Number HU15NE 8001
NGR HU 18794 59408
Datum WGS84 - Lat/Long
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/102918
- Council Shetland Islands
- Parish Maritime - Shetland Islands
- Former Region Shetland Islands Area
- Former District Maritime
- Former County Not Applicable
HU15NE 8001 1879 5940
N60 19.1333 W1 39.5833
NLO: Forewick Holm [name: HU 187 594]
Papa Stour [name centred HU 16 60].
Formerly entered as Site no. 8989.
Highcliffe: [max. date] 1940
3847 tons gross, 364' x 50' x 23'. Cargo of iron ore, bound from Narvik to Methil
Archive Ref: Shetland Life Nov. 1981 - The Wreck of the Highcliffe by Andy Carter
Source: Shetland Archive Service [undated].
MS/3025 (no. 988).
(No accurate location cited). This wreck is one of the largest on Shetland and was the subject of intensive salvage (by the late John Robertson) with the objective of retrieving some of her cargo of iron ore.
The incomplete remains extend from just below the surface (at the NE) to a depth of about 30m. Nothing remains of the forward part of the vessel, but the boilers and engine survive amidships. Part of the after hold survives, with a tangled mass of metal aft. The non-ferrous propellor shaft liner and the stern of the ship are identifiable; the latter supports the 'after cabin' [poop] and a gun.
Several portholes have been recovered from this wreck.
(Photograph in text).
[Shetland Sub-Aqua Club] 1989.
[Dive described: the wreck is broken and divided but apparently essentially coherent].
G Ridley 1992.
Horizontal Datum = OGB
Circumstances of Loss Details
-----------------------------
The HIGHCLIFFE was wrecked on Forewick Holm, Shetland Isles. It was carrying a cargo of iron ore from Narvik to Immingham and Methil.
Source: Dictionary of Disasters at Sea.
Surveying Details
-----------------------------
The wreck was also reported at 60 19 13N, 001 39 50W
Report by Naval Officer in Charge, Wick Radio Lerwick.
4 August 1987. The vessel sank at 60 19 08N, 001 39 35W.
Hydrographic Office, 1995.
HIGHCLIFFE, British cargo steamship of South Shields, James Henderson master. 3847 tons gross, 364' x 50' x 23'. Bound from Narvik to Methil with a cargo of iron ore.Wrecked at Papa Stour Lat. N60 19.08 Long. W01 39.35 on 6 February 1940.
Archive Ref: Shetland Life Nov. 1981 - The Wreck of the Highcliffe by Andy Carter
Source: Shetland Archive Service [1998].
(Classified as steel steamship, with cargo of iron ore: date of loss cited as 6 February 1940). Highcliffe: this vessel stranded near Forewick Holm. Capt. Henderson.
Registration: South Shields. Built 1927. 3847 tons [unspecified]. Length: 110m. Beam: 15m.
(Location of loss cited as N60 19.13 W1 39.58).
I G Whittaker 1998.
Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):
A961 3 large brass bolts, 1 cable retainer (6ins: full circle), 1 brass lamp lid: found on seabed.
NMRS, MS/829/34.
Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):
A1816 2 deck lights: from seabed
A3421 1 log spinner and swivel: from seabed
A4178 2 brass sight mounting plates: from seabed.
NMRS, MS/829/35.
Reference (1995)
Horizontal Datum = OGB
Circumstances of Loss Details
-----------------------------
The HIGHCLIFFE was wrecked on Forewick Holm, Shetland Isles. It was carrying a cargo of iron ore from Narvik to Immingham and Methil.
Source: Dictionary of Disasters at Sea.
Surveying Details
-----------------------------
The wreck was also reported at 60 19 13N, 001 39 50W
Report by Naval Officer in Charge, Wick Radio Lerwick.
4 August 1987. The vessel sank at 60 19 08N, 001 39 35W.
Hydrographic Office, 1995.
Reference (2011)
Whittaker ID : 574
Name : HIGHCLIFFE
Latitude : 601908
Longitude : 13935
Date Built : 1927
Registration : SOUTH SHIELDS
Type : SS (STEEL)
Tonnage : 3847
Length : 110
Beam : 15
Draught : 7m
Loss Day : 6
Loss Month : 2
Loss Year : 1940
Comment : Stranded near Forewick Holm. Capt. Henderson
Cargo : IRON ORE
Reference (19 April 2012)
UKHO Identifier : 000056
Feature Class : Wreck
Wreck Category : Dangerous wreck
State : LIVE
Classification : Unclassified
Position (Lat/long) : 60.31889,-1.65972
Horizontal Datum : ORDNANCE SURVEY OF GREAT BRITAIN (1936)
WGS84 Position (Lat/long) : 60.31834,-1.66161
WGS84 Origin : 3-D Cartesian Shift (BW)
Position Quality : Precisely known
Depth Quality : Depth unknown
Water Depth : 16
Vertical Datum : Mean Low Water Springs
Name : HIGHCLIFFE
Type : CARGO STEAMSHIP
Flag : BRITISH
Length : 110.9
Beam : 15.2
Draught : 7.0
Tonnage : 3847
Tonnage Type : Gross
Cargo : IRON ORE
Date Sunk : 06/02/1940
Contact Description : Entire wreck
Original Sensor : Reported Sinking
Last Sensor : Diver Sighting
Original Detection Year : 1940
Last Detection Year : 1992
Original Source : Other
Last Source : Other
Circumstances of Loss : **BUILT BY J READHEAD & SONS. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY G.T. READHEAD & CO. PASSAGE FROM NARVIK FOR IMMINGHAM & METHIL. WRECKED ON FOREWICK HOLM, SHETLAND IS. (DODS).
**GROUNDING CAUSED BY MASTER APPARENTLY MISTAKING THE NEAP OF NORBY FOR FITFUL HEAD. ALL 35 CREW RESCUED BY LIFEBOAT. (SHIPWRECKS OF ORKNEY, SHETLAND AND PENTLAND FIRTH).
**BUILT IN 1927, WITH 3 CYLINDER TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE AND 3 BOILERS. STEEL HULL. (SIBI).
Surveying Details : **H811/40 VESSEL ALSO REPD IN 601913N, 013950W. (WICK RADIO LERWICK N.O. IN C).
**4.8.87 VESSEL SUNK IN 601908N, 013935W [OGB]. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). NCA, EXISTING SCALES TOO SMALL.
POSITIONS BELOW THIS POINT ARE IN DEGREES, MINUTES AND DECIMALS OF A MINUTE
**16.1.04 GOOD DIVE WITH LOTS OF WRECKAGE REMAINING. LIES ON A SLOPE 6-26MTRS DEPTH, BOILER IN GEN DEPTH 12MTRS. STERN GUNWHALE RISES TO WITHIN 4-5MTRS OF SURFACE, WITH PROPSHAFT AT 20MTRS. BROKEN AMIDSHIPS. LOCATION DIAGRAM. (DIVE SCOTLAND, PUBLISHED 1992).
Charting Comments : EXISTING SCALES TOO SMALL
Date Last Amended : 28/07/2010
