Ben Tarbert: Peterhead Bay, North Sea

NK14NW 8007 c. 1365 4520

N57 29.82 W1 46.33

NLO: Peterhead [name: NK 135 465]

Peterhead Bay [name centred NJ 131 454].

Location formerly cited as NK c. 13 45 [N57 30 W1 47].

Two Aberdeen fishermen were missing, presumed dead early yesterday after two trawlers collided at the entrance to the Bay of Refuge, Peterhead [Peterhead Bay, name: NK 131 455], yesterday. They were crewmen of the Ben Tarbert, which sank in less than three minutes after being struck amidships by the Aberdeen Venturer. The Ben Tarbert, with a crew of 11 was lying at anchor when the collision occurred. As the damaged Aberdeen Venturer, with a crew of 13 lay 200 yards from the collision point, divers worked frantically to see if there were signs of life in the totally-submerged hull of the Ben Tarbert. Most of the 280 ton vessel's crew were picked up by Peterhead pilot boat and other vessels. Both vessels had developed radar faults and made for Peterhead for repairs. Both were intended to lie off the port until radar engineers could be sent out. The Aberdeen Venturer was manoeuvring to lie alongside the Ben Tarbert, but hit her amidships. There was a big hole in the Ben Tarbert's side amidships, and she went down fast, 600 yards from the South Pier.

(Photo of the sunk Ben Tarbert outside the entrance to Peterhead's Bay of Refuge. The Aberdeen Venturer is standing by).

Source: Aberdeen Press and Journal, 29 November 1975.

(Classified as steel motor trawler: registration number cited as A 418, and date of loss as 28 November 1975). Ben Tarbet: this vessel was in collision and sank in the entrance to Peterhead Harbour (Venturer).

Registration: Aberdeen. Built 1960. 280grt. Length: 30m. Beam: 8m.

(Location of loss cited as N57 29.77 W1 46.23).

I G Whittaker 1998.

The location assigned to this record is essentially tentative. The entrance to the the Outer Harbour (NK14NW 128.10) or Harbour of Refuge at Peterhead is centred at NK 13657 45208.

The wreck of this vessel was presumably raised and recovered without delay.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 15 January 2008.