Glenhead: Kilbrannan Sound, Firth Of Clyde

24 March 1890. GLENHEAD. 3 years of Glasgow. Iron steamship. 34 ton. 4 men. Master W. McCulloch. Owner J.P. Turnbull, Glasgow. Glasgow to Campbeltown. Coal. Wind SE4. 1 mile NE of Dunbar lighthouse.

Source: PP Abstracts of Shipping Casualties on Coasts, or in Rivers and Harbours of the UK July 1889-90 (1890-91 [C.6468] LXXVI.485).

NMRS, MS/829/68 (no. 1496).

(Classified as iron steamship, with cargo of coal: date of loss cited as 24 March 1890). Glenhead: this vessel foundered 1 mile NE of Devaar [Davaar] Light. Capt. McCulloch.

Registration: Glasgow, Built 1887. 53grt. Length: 20m. Beam: 5m.

(Location of loss cited as N55 27.20 W5 31.17).

I G Whittaker 1998.

Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):

A3525 1 compass: from seabed.

(No accurate location cited).

NMRS, MS/829/35.

The location assigned to this record is essentially tentative. Otterand or Otterard Rock is not noted on the 1997 edition of the OS 1:50,000 map. Davaar (island) Lighthouse (NR72SE 13) is at NR 76078 20614.

No detailed description is apparently available for this wreck, and its equation with the recorded loss of the Glenhead remains unverified, but is accepted.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 14 June 2002.

Whittaker ID : 2657

Name : GLENHEAD

Latitude : 552712

Longitude : 53110

Date Built : 1887

Registration : GLASGOW

Type : SS (IRON)

Tonnage : 53

Tonnage Code : G

Length : 20

Beam : 5

Draught : 2m

Loss Day : 24

Loss Month : 3

Loss Year : 1890

Comment : Foundered 1 mile NE of Devaar Lt. Capt. McCulloch

Cargo : COAL

UKHO Identifier : 003970

Feature Class : Wreck

Wreck Category : Non-dangerous wreck

State : LIVE

Classification : Unclassified

Position (Lat/long) : 55.45333,-5.51967

Horizontal Datum : ETRS 1989

WGS84 Position (Lat/long) : 55.45333,-5.51967

WGS84 Origin : Original

Previous Position : 55.45300,-5.51805

Position Method : Differential Global Positioning System

Position Quality : Surveyed

Position Accuracy : 3.0

Depth : 32.0

Depth Method : Found by echo-sounder

Depth Quality : Least depth known

Water Depth : 35

Water Level Effect : Always under water/submerged

Vertical Datum : Mean Low Water Springs

Name : GLENHEAD

Type : SS

Flag : BRITISH

Length : 20.1

Beam : 5.3

Draught : 1.9

Sonar Length : 16.0

Sonar Width : 6.0

Orientation : 10.0

Tonnage : 53

Tonnage Type : Gross

Cargo : 80 TONS COAL

Date Sunk : 24/03/1890

Bottom Texture : Sand

Scour Depth : 0.0

Contact Description : Entire wreck

Original Sensor : Acoustic Sensor

Last Sensor : Acoustic Sensor

The Glenhead is recorded as having been built in 1887 by Scotts Bowling. More information available online at http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=8854 [accessed 2 December 2014]. Argyll Shipwrecks includes a plan of the area and details of the vessel (Moir and Crawford 1997: 36).

Information from Sally Evans (Cotswold Archaeology), 27/11/2014.

Name: Glenhead

Position: 55.45333, -5.51967

Basis for Identification: Ship’s bell and makers plate.

Shipbuilder: Scott and Son, Bowling

Build Date: 1887

Loss Date 1890

Vessel type: Iron steamlighter (Clyde Puffer)

Surviving Features and Condition: UKHO (1981) Surveyed in 1980. Side scan sonar indicates the wreck is 2.55mtrs high. No scour. Lying intact on heading 020/200degs. Length 40mtrs. Not swept due close proximity to Otterard Rock.

UKHO (1996, information attributed to Shipwrecks of the West of Scotland and shipwreck Index of British Isles): Wreck is intact and upright.

Moir and Crawford (2003): The wreck survives intact with the exception of the upper wooden superstructure. Damage to the vessel is visible in the bow area, possibly relating to the point of impact upon the seabed. Coal cargo is extant. The engine room and forecastle cabin have been noted (UKHO 2004 references this information.).

Moir and Crawford (pers. comm 2015). Note that this is a well preserved Puffer. Features, in addition to those detailed in Argyll Shipwrecks include the wheel hub, propeller, rudder, boiler and winch.

UKHO (2010): Surveyed in 2009: length 16mtrs, width 6mtrs. Lies 010/190 degs.

Seabed and type and marine environment: Mud and shingle. The depth of seabed is recorded at 35m by the UKHO. Surface sediments of Gravel and Sand recorded by the Institute of Geological Sciences (Deegan et. al. 1973).

Information from Sally Evans (Cotswold Archaeology), 27/11/2014.

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