Chusan

The iron paddle steamship Chusan was launched from the Fairfield yard of John Elder and Co Ltd., Govan (Yard No 178) on 17th September 1874. She measured 300.0′ x 50.2′ x 10.0′ and her tonnage was 1381 gross tons, 953 net tons. She was powered by a paddle steam beam engine delivering 300 horse power by Delameter Iron Works, New York driving two huge paddlewheels which extended fifteen feet from the side of the ship.  Built for the Shanghai Steam Navigation Company, she was an unusual craft, more reminiscent of a Mississippi steamboat than a Clyde steamer. 

The task of delivering her to her owners on the other side of the world was given to a Glasgow company owned by Mr Charles Norman. She left Glasgow on 8th October, 1874 for the long voyage to Shanghai via Suez and Singapore, under the command of Captain Johnson with a crew of forty two. She reached Waterford in Ireland but was forced to return to the Clyde due to a fault in her engines. She left Waterford for the Clyde on 21st October and reached Arran by 3am the next morning before encountering a violent storm which forced the captain to run for shelter in Ardrossan Harbour.

The Chusan was within two hundred yards of the safety of the breakwater when she was swept, out of control, onto Crinan Rocks and immediately began to break up in huge seas. The frantic efforts of those ashore to save the stranded crew were hampered by the absence of the Coastguards who were off site on exercises at the time of the disaster. The sea quickly broke the Chusan in two as the crew of a small tug bravely tried to get a rope to the stricken vessel. The smaller forepart of the wreck was washed into the harbour and those on board this section were saved . The remainder of the ship was stuck fast on the rocks and was soon smashed to pieces as the horrified crowd looked on helplessly. Nine of the crew, including Captain Johnson whose body was washed up on North Crescent Beach, Ardrossan the following day, were drowned.

The wreck remained on the Crinan Rock for the following year although some salvage was undertaken to recover valuable items which included her three main steam boilers and items of ship’s chandlery. The wreck and all loose equipment was put up for public auction on 16th August 1875.  The sale attracted a lot of local interest and all items were sold.