The steel steam tanker Oliva was launched form the Neptune yard of Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Limited of Newcastle (Yard No 976) on 19th April 1916 for the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company of London. She measured 412.2′ x 53.3′ x 31.1′ and her tonnage was 5694 gross tons, 3335 net tons. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine by her builders delivering 518 nominal horse power. After her launch her fit out and testing was completed in July 1916 and she entered service for her owners, where she remained until her loss. Her official number was 139131.
Extract Lloyd’s Register 1928
Oliva dockside
The Oliva, inbound for Ardrossan from Borneo and Stanlow with a cargo of 5500 tons of benzine, went ashore approximately 1 mile west of Bennan Head around 05.30am on Monday 17th September, 1928. As the Oliva scraped over the outlying reefs one of her tanks was pierced and she was soon engulfed by fumes from the escaping oil. The vessel was evacuated as quickly as possible with the aid of the Campbeltown lifeboat and breeches buoy. Members of her crew returned to extinguish all fires aboard to prevent further mishap from a possible explosion. It was noted that those aboard numbered 12 European officers, 40 Chinese crew, 4 Chinese women and one boy of 10.
Oliva ashore at Bennan Head, Arran
The Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association started work on 21st September, by which time ten of her eighteen tanks and pump room were badly holed. The damage could not be repaired from the outside and the nature of the cargo made it impossible for divers to safely work inside. In order to salve the Oliva 1200 gallons of benzine were jettisoned into the sea to balance her remaining cargo, prior to a salvage attempt.
Oliva ashore at Bennan Head, Arran
The Oliva was finally refloated around 9.15am on Saturday 29th September and towed to Lamlash Bay where the remainder of her cargo was transferred to another vessel.
Oliva refloated and at anchor Lamlash Bay.
She was later towed to Greenock then Glasgow for survey after which it was decided to write her off as a constructive total loss, repairs being not financially viable. The Oliva was sold for dismantling and was towed to Granton arriving on the 1st January 1929 with work commencing two days later.
Lloyd’s casualty report.
We would like to thank Lloyd’s Register Foundation – Heritage & Education Centre for allowing us to reproduce documents from their archive in this article.
