Unknown: Firth Of Clyde
Requisitioned Trawler (20th Century), Trawler (20th Century)
Site Name Unknown: Firth Of Clyde
Classification Requisitioned Trawler (20th Century), Trawler (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Hms Topaze; Farland Head; Outer Clyde Estuary
Canmore ID 102487
Site Number NS14NW 8001
NGR NS 12343 46891
Datum WGS84 - Lat/Long
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/102487
- Council North Ayrshire
- Parish Maritime - North Ayrshire
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Maritime
- Former County Not Applicable
NS14NW 8001 1230 4689
N55 40.75 W4 59.1
NLO: Farland Head [name: NS 177 485].
Formerly entered as NS14NW 9116.
Quality of fix = EDM
Evidence = Echo sounder
Horizontal Datum = OGB
General water depth = 74
Orientation of keel/wreck = 315135
Circumstances of Loss Details
-----------------------------
HMS TOPAZE sank following a collision with the battleship HMS RODNEY. The TOPAZE was being used for anit-submarine duties.
Source; World War II Shipping Loses
Surveying Details
-----------------------------
17 Decemeber 1962. A sonar search was made without success. A more elaborate search was not considered justified in view of the general depth of about 73 metres.
Report by HMS SHACKLETON, September 1962.
17 January 1969. The site was not found during intensive search. However several "fair" bottom echoes were obtained 250 yards (228 metres) of position 55 41 38N, 004 59 07W.
Report by HMS HYDRA.
25 February 1976. The site was searched for using side scan sonar and was not found. No sizeable wrecks were reported to exist within 2 miles of this charted position. It was considered that if it was ever in this posn than the vessel has sunk into the sediment.
Report by HMS HECLA, 6 February 1976.
2 December 1981. There is thought to be a possible wreck at 55 41 57N, 004 58 15W.
Report by I G Whittaker, 18 November 1981.
13 May 1985. The wreck was examined om 7 April 1984 in 55 40 45N, 004 59 06W. Decca [n. brit] red d 22.10, purple j 58.15. The least echosounder depth was 61 in a general depth of 74 metres. No scour pits were observed. The side scan sonar indicated a height of 9 metres, and a length of 60 metres, approximately. The wreck is lying broken in two parts, with about 12 metres between the two sections. The larger part lies with its keel on an orientation of 315/135 deg.
Report by HMS BEAGLE.
Hydrographic Office 1995.
Reference (19 April 2012)
UKHO Identifier : 004083
Feature Class : Wreck
Wreck Category : Non-dangerous wreck
State : LIVE
Classification : Unclassified
Position (Lat/long) : 55.67912,-4.98617
Horizontal Datum : ETRS 1989
WGS84 Position (Lat/long) : 55.67912,-4.98617
WGS84 Origin : Block Shift
Previous Position : 55.67917,-4.98500
Position Method : Electronic Distance Measuring System
Position Quality : Surveyed
Position Accuracy : 13.0
Depth : 61.0
Depth Method : Found by echo-sounder
Depth Quality : Least depth known
Water Depth : 74
Water Level Effect : Always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum : Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name : HMS TOPAZE
Type : HM TRAWLER
Flag : BRITISH
Length : 47.9
Beam : 7.9
Draught : 3.7
Sonar Length : 60.0
Shadow Height : 9.0
Orientation : 135.0
Tonnage : 608
Tonnage Type : Displacement
Cargo : BALLAST
Date Sunk : 20/04/1941
Scour Depth : 0.0
Contact Description : Entire wreck
Original Sensor : Reported Sinking
Last Sensor : Acoustic Sensor
Original Detection Year : 1941
Desk Based Assessment (27 November 2014)
The RCAHMS entry records this point as a wreck of unknown identity. The UKHO identify the remains as those of the Topaze, launched in 1935 and built by Smiths Dockyard Co, Middlesburgh (Moir and Crawford 2004: 204).
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
