Unknown: Wormit, Outer Tay Estuary, North Sea

NO32NE 8005 3982 2645

N56 25.59 W2 58.55

NLO: Dundee [name centred NO 40 30].

See also NO32NE 8004, with which confusion is possible.

(Location cited as NO 398 265 and location as Newport-on-Tay). 19th century wooden barque.

N C Dobson 1997.

(Location cited as NO 3982 2645). The remains of a substantial wooden vessel lie in the intertidal zone at Newport on Tay, a short distance E of the main wharf area. A heavy growth of seaweed covers both the wreck and the wharf, and the wreck shows no signs of recent interference.

The remains measure about 25m in length and the vessel appears to be listing to starboard and facing inshore, the ribs and outer planking being exposed. The planks appear to have been fastened to the ribs by treenails for the most part, but iron bolts were identified in the bow timbers while fragments of red roofing tiles noted between the frames may indicate the nature of the vessel's function and trade.

These remains have been identified as those of the converted barque that was used by the Middlesborough Salvage Company in the salvage and rebuilding of the Tay railway bridge (NO32NE 11 and NO32NE 17 ) after the disaster of 1879. This vessel was distinguished by the addition of massive salvage horns at the bow, and was recorded photographically both in harbour and (probably in the 1930's) after abandonment, apparently in the location of these remains.

NMRS, MS/829/8, visited 1997.

The wreck site was visited during low spring tides when it was completely uncovered. This allowed site visits up to six hours. Investigation was also made of the remains of an adjacent revetted platform on the foreshore.

MS/5452, S Liscoe 1997.

(Location cited as NO 398 265). Fife: Forgan, Newport-on-Tay.

N C Dobson (Maritime Fife) reports that A Wood (Maritime Fife) completed a detailed survey of a wreck site for Historic Scotland and Fife Council. It is believed to be the remains of a converted wooden barque which belonged to the Middlesborough Salvage Company, which won the contract for the recovery and rebuilding of the [old] Tay Rail Bridge (NMRS NO32NE 17) after its collapse in 1879. The new bridge (NMRS NO32NE 11) was completed in 1887 and the vessel was apparently abandoned. The remains measure 25m in length and appear to be listing to starboard and facing inshore; they consist of ribs and outer planking which appear to be fastened to the ribs by trenails and iron bolts. Fragments of red roofing tiles were also seen between the vessel's frames.

M Ponsford and R Jackson 1998.

These remains may be equated with those recorded under NO32NE 8004.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 9 October 2006.