DUNCAN
Shipbuildervessel built by
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)
DateSeptember 1874
Object NameSCREW STEAMER
MediumIRON
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 189 3/6' x breadth 26 1/12' x depth 14 3/6'
Gross Tonnage: 627 ton
Gross Tonnage: 627 ton
Object numberABDSHIP001836
Keywords
Yard Number: 193
Official Number: 68275
Fate: Wrecked on Fair Isle, 19 July 1877.
Propulsion: Steam
Description: Screw steamer, iron, raised quarter deck 59' 4", bridge deck 60', 5 bulkheads.
Owners:
1874-77: P. M. Duncan, registered at Dundee.
Master:
1875-77: Master J. Spence
General History:
16/10/1875:
Gravesend, 14 Oct - Steamer DUNCAN, for the North, has put back with her machinery damaged.
(Dundee Courier)
14/04/1876:
Lloyd's telegram states terrible gale raging in the Baltic. Many vessels wrecked - wrongly reported to include DUNCAN, steamer, of and from Dundee for Revel with a general cargo.
(Huddersfield Daily Chronicle)
25/07/1877:
THE WRECK OF THE STEAMER DUNCAN. Yesterday evening the crew of the steamer DUNCAN, belonging to Mr P. M. Duncan, coal merchant, Dundee, which was lost on the Fair Isle, arrived in Aberdeen with the steamer ST. MAGNUS. The captain has remained at Lerwick, but all the others will leave Aberdeen this morning for Dundee. The mate, who belongs to Fifeshire, proceeded to Granton with the ST. MAGNUS. The men state that they went out of their reckoning in a dense fog. They "struck on a ledge of rock on the mainland of Fair Isle. The boats were at once lowered, and a quantity of stores, clothes, &c., sent ashore. In short time about a dozen skiffs, filled with islanders, went round the steamer, and assisted the crew to tow two kedge anchors seawards. When these were let the chains were hauled taut by winch, and the engines reversed at full speed, but the vessel remained fast. The men remained on her till her main deck was covered with water, when they left in their boats, three number, for the land. They all state that they were most hospitably received by the islanders. On Saturday morning the steamer entirely disappeared.
(Dundee Courier)
19/07/1877:
On a voyage from Dundee to Archangel
Cargo - Ballast
Position - Fair Isle, South Harbour, Head o' the Baa, 59.30.40N / 01.38.40W.
Struck the rocks in fog and wind condition E. Force 3. The passenger, the Rev. James Watt of Glasgow, had taken to his bunk being very seasick, and on hearing the noise and commotion of her stranding, thought that she had put into port somewhere. He therefore ran on deck demanding he be put ashore at once! Local fishermen took off the crew and shortly after she sank in deep water.
The wreck lies very scattered in 20m. depth, her prop shaft and four bladed iron propeller still visible amongst the rocks.
The Captain is named as Patterson.
(Richard and Bridget Larn (1997), “Shipwreck Index of the British Isles” (Lloyd’s Register, London), vol. 4, section 5)
Engines: 2 Compound inverted direct action, cylinders 24" and 40" diameter, 30" stroke, 72 h.p.
