Rfa Isleford

UKHO Identifier : 000911

Feature Class : Obstn

Obstruction Category : Foul ground

State : LIVE

Classification : Unclassified

Position (Lat/long) : 58.44033,-3.06657

Horizontal Datum : ETRS 1989

WGS84 Position (Lat/long) : 58.44033,-3.06657

WGS84 Origin : Block Shift

Limits : 58.44153,-3.06820,58.44153,-3.06195,58.43987,-3.06180,58.43987,-3.06597

WGS84 limits :

Previous Position : 58.44070,-3.06500

Position Method : Compass Bearing and Radar Range

Position Quality : Precisely known

Depth Quality : Depth unknown

Water Depth : 15

Vertical Datum : Lowest Astronomical Tide

Name : RFA ISLEFORD

Type : SS

Flag : BRITISH

Length : 45.7

Beam : 7.9

Tonnage : 423

Tonnage Type : Gross

Cargo : AMMUNITION

Date Sunk : 25/01/1942

Bottom Texture : Sand

Contact Description : Notable debris

Original Sensor : Reported Sinking

Last Sensor : Diver Sighting

Original Detection Year : 1942

Last Detection Year : 1992

Original Source : Other

Last Source : Other

Circumstances of Loss : **BUILT IN 1912 BY ARDROSSAN DRYDOCK & SHIPBUILDING CO LTD, ARDROSSAN FOR MESSERS MANN, MACNEIL & CO, GLASGOW. TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINE, SINGLE SHAFT. PURCHASED BY THE ADMIRALTY 26.3.13 AS AN ARMAMENTS STORES CARRIER. PASSAGE LYNESS FOR INVERGORDON. DRIFTED ASHORE ON N SIDE OF WICK BAY IN HEAVY WEATHER. 14 MEN & 1 GUNNER LOST. (RFA WEBSITE & SIBI).

Surveying Details : **H067/42 27.1.42 SMALL COASTER, PRESUMED SS ISLEFORD REPORTED SUNK WITH ALL HANDS UNDER NORTH HEAD, WICK. TOTAL LOSS. (RNO WICK, 25.1.42).

**H5855/53 24.11.53 WK IN 582629.5N, 030347.5W, OR 074DEGS, 4.75C FROM S PIER LT. (WICK HARBOUR TRUST). INS AS DW.

**H1506/59 18.3.59 WK NOT LOCATED. HARBOUR MASTER STATES VESSEL STARTED TO BREAK UP SOON AFTER SINKING AND WILL NOW HAVE BEEN POUNDED TO PIECES. (HMS SCOTT, ROS, 1958). BR STD.

**12.9.91 CONCERN BEING EXPRESSED REGARDING CARGO OF THIS WK AND ATTEMPTS TO BE MADE TO RESTRICT DIVING ON IT. (D STALKER, TREASURY SOLICITORS, TELECON).

**HH266/470/01 13.12.91 FOUL GROUND DUE TO PRESENCE OF UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE IN AREA BOUNDED BY POSNS [OGB]: [A] 582629.5N, 030405.5W, [B] 582629.5N, 030343W, [C] 582623.5N, 030342.5W, [D] 582623.5N, 030357.5W. (HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE). CHART AS LEGEND FOUL GROUND (UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE) CENTRED ON 582626.5N, 030354W [OGB]. - NM 3598/91.

**HH266/470/02 9.7.92 CLEARANCE OPS BY RN CLEARANCE DIVING UNIT COMMENCED 30.6.92. EXPECTED TO LAST 2 WEEKS. (WICK HARBOUR TRUST NM, 26.6.92).

**HH266/470/02 5.8.92 CLEARANCE OPS CONDUCTED BETWEEN 30.6.92 AND 4.7.92 DURING WHICH A NUMBER OF 4.7" CARTRIDGE CASES, .303 ROUNDS, .50 CALIBRE AMMUNITION AND A DEPTH CHARGE WERE REMOVED. A 1000LB SOLID SHOT PROJECTILE WAS LOCATED BUT LEFT IN SITU. RECOMMEND LEGEND REMAIN UNCHANGED ON CHARTS BECAUSE FURTHER ORDNANCE MAY BE UNCOVERED IN THE FUTURE. (FOSNI, 13.7.92).

POSITIONS BELOW THIS POINT ARE IN DEGREES, MINUTES AND DECIMALS OF A MINUTE

**25.2.04 [EUT] POSN: 5826.420N, 0303.994W. NE 1462.

General Comments : ONLY DEBRIS REMAINS