Bessa: Quarry Point, Furnace, Loch Fyne, Firth Of Clyde
Motor Fishing Vessel (20th Century)
Site Name Bessa: Quarry Point, Furnace, Loch Fyne, Firth Of Clyde
Classification Motor Fishing Vessel (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Furnace, New Quarry Point; Outer Clyde Estuary
Canmore ID 135270
Site Number NS09NW 8001
NGR NS 0296 9990
Datum Datum not recorded
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/135270
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish Maritime - Argyll And Bute
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Maritime
- Former County Not Applicable
NS09NW 8001 0296 9990
N56 9.06 W 5 10.36
NLO: Furnace [name: NN 024 001]
Loch Fyne [name centred NR 94 89].
This vessel sank (apparently while secured alongside) off the S corner of the pier NS09NW 25 in summer 1998 and lies inverted, oriented roughly NNW-SSE, in 18m depth of water. The wreck is not yet stabilised, being supported by a single radar mast (a simple tube) close to the edge of a steep drop-off.
The wreck is a wheelhouse-forward fishing vessel of length about 40 ft (12.2m) bearing the name and identification BESSA B2000. The propellor is missing but the cathodic protector, wheelhouse and power block remain intact. The vessel remains in clean condition with no growth of weed, but some fishing line has accumulated across the hull.
Visited by R J C Mowat and M Hossack (South Queensferry Sub-Aqua Club, BSAC-1262), 6 September 1998.
The loss of this vessel is not cited by I G Whittaker (1998).
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 27 March 2007.
This wreck now lies in 43m depth of water.
It is in poor condition, the wheelhouse having collapsed in and
The number on the bow appears to be B200.
Information from Mr John Nicolson (Eastwood Sub-Aqua Club), 4 July 2007.
Desk Based Assessment (27 November 2014)
No further information found on shipbuilder or build-place of theBessa. No vessel under this name appears on www.clydesite.co.uk [accessed 2 December 2014] which may indicate that the vessel was not Clyde-built.
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
