Captayannis: Upper Firth Of Clyde

(Classified as M[otor] V[essel], with cargo of bulk sugar: former name cited as Norden, and date of loss as 28 January 1974). Captayannis: this vessel ran aground following a collision. Capt. Ionnis.

Registration: Piraeus [Greece]. Built 1946. 4576grt. Length: 126m. Beam: 17m.

Location of loss cited as N55 58.95 W4 44.87).

I G Whittaker 1998.

Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):

A1336 electronic log: from seabed

A3516 1 porthole: from seabed.

NMRS, MS/829/35.

This wreck is a prominent and distinctive feature of the local seascape, lying on one side and being exposed at all states of the tide. It is locally known as the 'sugar ship' and the massive hull is clearly visible from the Glasgow-Helensburgh railway line, which runs along the shore to the E. It is also clearly visible on vertical air photographs (Fairy Coastal Colour 51588027-8, flown 10 June 1988].

The location (N55 58.95 W4 44.87: NS 2892 7929) cited by Whittaker appears improbable, placing the wreck close to the E side of the Gare Loch approach channel and in a charted depth of about 10m. It is more probably to be equated with the exposed wreck that is charted at N55 58.57 W4 44.55, lying in about 7m charted depth of water on a seabed of mixed mud and sand. This location lies 1.1nm SE of Rosneath Point and 1.35nm NNW of Ardmore Head.

Tail of the Bank is not noted as such on the 1995 edition of the OS 1:50,000 map.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 9 September 2002.

I G Whittaker 1998.

HO chart no. 1994 (1974).

Whittaker ID : 354

Name : CAPTAYANNIS (EX. NORDEN)

Latitude : 555834

Longitude : 44431

Date Built : 1946

Registration : PIRAEUS

Type : MV

Tonnage : 4576

Tonnage Code : G

Length : 126

Beam : 17

Draught : 7m

Position : Exact Position

Loss Day : 28

Loss Month : 1

Loss Year : 1974

Comment : Ran aground after collision. Capt. Ionnis

Cargo : BULK SUGAR

UKHO Identifier : 004131

Feature Class : Wreck

Wreck Category : Wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure

State : LIVE

Classification : Unclassified

Position (Lat/long) : 55.97609,-4.74037

Horizontal Datum : ORDNANCE SURVEY OF GREAT BRITAIN (1936)

WGS84 Position (Lat/long) : 55.97600,-4.74158

WGS84 Origin : Original

Previous Position : 55.97612,-4.74042

Position Method : Differential Global Positioning System

Position Quality : Surveyed

Position Accuracy : 10.0

Height : 2.4

Water Depth : 7

Water Level Effect : Always dry

Vertical Datum : Lowest Astronomical Tide

Name : CAPTAYANNIS

Type : MV

Flag : GREEK

Length : 127.4

Beam : 17.1

Draught : 7.6

Orientation : 160.0

Tonnage : 4576

Tonnage Type : Gross

Cargo : 7000 TONS OF BULK SUGAR

Date Sunk : 28/01/1974

Bottom Texture : Mud

Contact Description : Entire wreck

Original Sensor : Reported Sinking

Last Sensor : Other

Original Detection Year : 1974

Last Detection Year : 1997

Original Source : Other

Last Source : Survey Vessel

Markers : W CARD, Q(9)15S CLOSE W

Captayannis (formerly Norden) was built by Nakskov Skibs A S, Denmark (Moir & Crawford, 2004: 19)

Information from Sally Evans (Cotswold Archaeology), 28/11/2014.

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