Brigadier: Horse Island, Firth Of Clyde
Tug (20th Century)
Site Name Brigadier: Horse Island, Firth Of Clyde
Classification Tug (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Empire Frank; 'on The S Side Of Horse Island'; Ardrossan; Outer Clyde Estuary; Brigadier; Brigadier (Ex. Empire Frank)
Canmore ID 111913
Site Number NS24SW 8013
NGR NS 21110 42343
NGR Description NS c. 212 425
Datum WGS84 - Lat/Long
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/111913
- Council North Ayrshire
- Parish Maritime - North Ayrshire
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Maritime
- Former County Not Applicable
NS24SW 8013 c. 212 425
N55 38.6 W4 50.5
NLO: Horse Island [name: NS 213 427]
Ardrossan [name: NS 230 420].
Formerly entered as NS24SW 48 at cited location NS 2110 4234 (N55 38.5 W4 50.56), and also at cited location NS c. 213 427 [N55 38.7 W4 50.4].
(Classified as steel tug: former name cited as Empire Frank, and date of loss as 21 February 1960). Brigadier: this vessel stranded on the S side of Horse Island. Capt. McKeague.
Registration: British. Built 1942. 257grt. Length: 35m. Beam: 8m.
(Location of loss cited as N55 38.5 W4 50.57).
I G Whittaker 1998.
The location assigned to this record is essentially tentative, being derived from the unverified location that is cited by Whittaker.
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 20 September 2006.
Loss (21 February 1960)
(Classified as steel tug: former name cited as Empire Frank, and date of loss as 21 February 1960). Brigadier: this vessel stranded on the S side of Horse Island. Capt. McKeague.
Registration: British. Built 1942. 257grt. Length: 35m. Beam: 8m.
(Location of loss cited as N55 38.50 W4 50.57).
I G Whittaker 1998.
Note (20 September 2006)
The location assigned to this record is essentially tentative, being derived from the unverified location that is cited by Whittaker.
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 20 September 2006.
Reference (2011)
Whittaker ID : 474
Name : BRIGADIER (EX. EMPIRE FRANK)
Latitude : 553830
Longitude : 45034
Date Built : 1942
Registration : BRITISH
Type : TUG (STEEL)
Tonnage : 257
Tonnage Code : G
Length : 35
Beam : 8
Draught : 4m
Position : Exact Position
Loss Day : 21
Loss Month : 2
Loss Year : 1960
Comment : Stranded on S side of Horse Island. Capt. McKeague
Reference (19 April 2012)
UKHO Identifier : 004081
Feature Class : Wreck
Wreck Category : Wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure
State : DEAD
Classification : Unclassified
Position (Lat/long) : 55.64167,-4.84278
Horizontal Datum : ORDNANCE SURVEY OF GREAT BRITAIN (1936)
WGS84 Position (Lat/long) : 55.64162,-4.84396
WGS84 Origin : 3-D Cartesian Shift (BW)
Position Quality : Precisely known
Depth Quality : Depth unknown
Water Depth : 3
Vertical Datum : Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name : BRIGADIER
Type : TUG
Tonnage : 257
Tonnage Type : Gross
Date Sunk : 21/02/1960
Contact Description : Entire wreck
Original Sensor : Video Sensor
Original Detection Year : 1960
Original Source : Naval Vessel
Circumstances of Loss : **RAN AGROUND ON S SIDE OF HORSE ISLAND. OIL PUMPED OUT BY BARGE C.858, WHICH LATER SANK AT BERTH IN ARDROSSAN HARBOUR. LATER REFLOATED. (ARDROSSAN HR CO NM AND LL).
Surveying Details : **H3332/60 19.10.60 ST IN553830N, 045034W. (HMS VERULAM HN 1/60).- NM1864/60.
**H7551/68 17.1.69 NOT VISIBLE FROM SEAWARD. NOT FURTHER INVESTIGATED DUE TO LACK OF TIME. (HMS HYDRA ROS, 1968 HI27/68).
**H7551/68 27.10.80 NOT LOCATED. LOCAL INFORMATION IS THAT IT IS SUBMERGED. NOT VISIBLE BENEATH SURFACE. NOT INVESTIGATED BY DCS3 DUE TO PROXIMITY HORSE ISLE SHELVES. (HMS HERALD, H525 HI 5/79-80). DELETE. BR STD.
Chart Symbol : ST
Date Last Amended : 15/03/2006
Desk Based Assessment (27 November 2014)
The Brigadier is recorded to have been launched in 1942 by J Crown & sons Ltd, Sunderland (Moir and Crawford 2004: 57).
Information from Sally Evans (Cotswold Archaeology), 27/11/2014.
Project (October 2014 - April 2015)
The maritime archaeology of the Clyde has been identified as a focus for a major study of human interaction with the river through time by the RCAHMS following on from recommendations by the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF). Source to
Sea has been developed as the long-term research programme, of which the research into human connections with the River Clyde forms part. This project has comprised a study of the surviving shipwreck heritage of Clyde-built vessels lost within the Clyde estuary and Firth of Clyde.
This project has collated information from a range of sources and has enhanced knowledge of Clyde-built wrecks within the Clyde. In particular information from recreational divers has proved invaluable and has been the source of detailed information about the current condition of many Clyde-built wrecks, useful for on-going management. A number of wrecks previously recorded as of unknown identity in the RCAHMS database were positively identified during the project and more accurate positional information was established for a number of other wrecks. Additionally, the project identified a potentially significant wreck (Margaret Niven) the remains of which were not previously recorded. This project has also identified a number of other potentially significant wrecks within the Clyde, which reflect both its unique contributions to world-wide shipbuilding and local connections. These wrecks include paddle steamers (Lapwing and Princess of Wales), Clyde Puffers (e.g. Margaret Niven), steam-yachts with military connections (HMS Breda), a dredger (Greenock) and an 18th-century West Indiaman (Lady Margaret). Numerous other wrecks have been identified by this project, and all display some degree of significance.
Information from Sally Evans (Cotswold Archaeology) April 2015
