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ST. GILES

Shipbuildervessel built by Hall, Russell & Company, Limited (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)

Shipownervessel built for North of Scotland & Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Company

Date1892

Object NameSCREW STEAMER

MediumSTEEL

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 160' x breadth 25' x depth 12'
Gross Tonnage: 407 ton

Object numberABDSHIP001916

Keywords

About MeYard: Hall, Russell & Co.
Yard Number: 273
Official Number: 99641

Fate: Ran ashore near Rattray Head Lighthouse in fog on passage south, 28 September 1902. Subsequently broke her back.

Propulsion: Steam
Description: Screw passenger and cargo vessel, 1 deck, forecastle 32', poop deck 99'.

Owners:
1892-1902: North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Co., registered at Aberdeen

Masters:
1892: Master T. Tait
1896: Master J. Esson

General History:
Sailed the direct Aberdeen to Lerwick Service, summer and winter throughout her career.
Lengthened by 23ft to cope with growing traffic, increasing tonnage to 465tons.

05/09/1892:
When north boat ST. MAGNUS was off Sunburgh Head an arm of a paddle broke, smashing paddle box and disabling the vessel. Signals of distress were made. About 2 hours later ST. GILES came alongside and managed to throw a rope aboard. After much trouble she got under way a towed ST. MAGNUS to Lerwick. Much praise due to Capt. Tait of ST. GILES.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

21/11/1893:
Steamer ST. GILES, Lerwick-Leith, unable to get into Aberdeen on account of tremendous sea running at the bar, shipped a heavy sea of Aberdeen which carried away one of the boats.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

31/01/1896:
Steamer ST. GILES went round from Lerwick to Scalloway and shipped about 20 tons of fresh fish consigned to southern markets.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

Glasgow Herald, 16/3/1897:
ST. GILES stranded near Scapa Pier, but got off on following tide and proceeded to Stromness. Master believes no damage done.

08/06/1898:
Steamer ST. GILES brought north over 100 women to be employed at Baltasound and other northern fishing stations.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

17/11/1899:
Steamer ST. GILES (Capt. Ensor) left Lerwick to search for disabled steamer CORQUET, reported 100 miles off Unst with propeller gone. ST. GILES steamed as far as 250 miles north of Flugga Light and scoured sea in every direction in stormy weather, but to no avail.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

20/02/1900:
Great anxiety felt for 2 days as to fate of mail steamer ST. GILES on passage Aberdeen-Lerwick. All hope of her having weathered storm almost abandoned when welcome news that she had reached Scalloway. During the 2 days at sea she had passed through fearful experiences. Shrouds of fore and main rigging were carried away. 2 boats were smashed and lost. Upper bridge was shattered. Being unable to keep vessel's head to wind, Capt. Tait decided to run her before the wind till Friday afternoon, when land near Hillswick was seen. Passage was most tempestuous ever experienced by any of crew.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

Note:
Triple expansion engines by Hall, Russell with cylinder diameters of 16", 26" and 43", length of stroke 30", 110 NHP.