Graf Todleben: East Vows, Earlsferry, Firth Of Forth

NT49NE 8008 c. 482 990

N56 10.9 W2 50.1

NLO: East Vows [name: NT 482 990]

Chapel Ness [name: NT 481 992].

Formerly entered as NT49NE 8206 at cited location NT 4825 9910 (N56 10.9 W2 50).

Between 3 and 4 o'clock on Tuesday morning, the Russian steamer GRAF TODLEBEN went ashore near Chapel Point, Earlsferry. Attention was drawn by a rocket fired from the steamer, and her horn was sounded. The night, although very dark, was clear and quiet. The rocket apparatus turned out, and on the first attempt, a line was thrown across the vessel, which lay only about 100 yards from the shore. The crew, however, did not take advantage of this line, and little was done until daylight came in. It was then seen that the bow of the vessel was high on the rocks, and the stern was knocking against them. The crew of 20, including Captain Martin Grieve and his wife, were busied bringing ashore their personal belongings.

The 800 ton vessel had left Methil for Riga with 1800 tons of coal.

Two tugs and a lighter went alongside the following day, and a quantity of coal was brought ashore. There was practically no probability of getting the vessel off the rocks.

Two days later, a south westerly gale sprang up, and two small boats belonging to salvagemen who were endeavouring to refloat the GRAF TODLEBEN broke adrift and dashed to pieces on the rocks on the Elie side of the bay. The LSA were called to rescue the salvagemen stranded on the steamer. Three rockets were fired, and the salvagemen were brought ashore. After the period of rough weather, there was even less chance of the steamer being got off.

Source: East Fife Record, 22 February 1912.

The location assigned to this record is essentially tentative. The Vows Rock nor Rocks are not noted as such on the 1996 edition of the OS 1:50,000 map.

The loss of this vessel is not cited by I G Whittaker (1998).

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 20 May 2005.

The location assigned to this record is confirmed. The current edition (1996 and 1999) of the OS 1:50,000 map notes two pairs of Vows Rocks (each noted separately) off South Fife, off Tyrie or Seafield (S of Kirkcaldy, on map sheet NT28NE) and off Chapel Ness or Earlsferry (W of Elie, on map sheet NT49NE) respectively.

The reference to this vessel 'near Chapel Point, Earlsferry' places it within the Eastern pair. Chapel Point is presumably to be equated with Chapel Ness [name: NT 481 992].

Information from Mr S Liscoe (Fife Archaeological Unit) and RCAHMS (RJCM), 29 June 2007.

This vessel was salvaged intact and taken for breaking soon after her stranding.

The correct form of the name of this vessel (on the evidence of archive photography) is Graf Todleben.

Information from Mr S Liscoe, Professional Assistant (Archaeology), Archaeological Unit, Town Centres and Regeneration Team, Fife Council, 12 October 2010.