The Saint Oran was a stern engined coaster, built at Bowling by Scott & Sons (Yard No.230) and launched on 8th November 1911. The steel hull measured 122.0′ x 21.6′ x 9.4′ and her tonnage was 237 gross tons, 89 net tons. She was powered by a 2 cylinder compound steam engine developing 35 nominal horse power supplied by Fisher & Company of Paisley. The vessel’s official number was 132996. At the time of her loss she was owned by J & A Gardner of Glasgow, and worked mainly between ports in Scotland and Northern Ireland, delivering bulk cargoes such as coal.
Saint Oran dockside
The Saint Oran had loaded a cargo of coal during the afternoon of 29th December 1920 and, as she left Troon in the early evening, Captain Mitchell noted that visibility in the Firth was poor. The coaster headed south for Turnberry passing the Heads of Ayr and Dunure on the journey south towards Larne. At around 12.30am the following morning, a few miles south west of Turnberry Lighthouse, the lights of an inbound vessel suddenly appeared out of the gloom. Unable to alter course in time, both vessels came into collision with the Saint Oran badly holed causing her to begin to settle in the water almost immediately. She eventually sank around 02.20am on 30th December. Fortunately the other vessel, the Belfast owned steamer Eveleen, remained afloat and took the 8 crew of the Saint Oran aboard. They were later landed safely at Ayr. The Eveleen sustained damage to her bow.
The following day a lifeboat containing a lifebelt marked Saint Oran – Glasgow, the ship’s register, cargo book and official log was found afloat 4 miles south east of Ailsa Craig.
Lloyds casualty report
The wreck of the Saint Oran lies in position 55° 17.667’N, 04° 56.654’W approximately 4 miles north west of Girvan harbour. The wreck is oriented approximately 010°/190° with bow pointing south. Depths on the wreck are between 45-46 metres with general seabed depths of around 48-49 metres.
Bell recovered from wreck by divers
The hull is substantially intact, with the basic form of focsle, hold and stern engine room and accommodation still clearly in place. All deck structures, the funnel and mast have long since collapsed. There is netting draped over the bow section.
We would also like to thank Lloyd’s Register Foundation – Heritage & Education Centre for allowing us to reproduce a document from their archive in this article.
