We’ve been researching Tiree history. From the Londonderry Sentinel newspaper, Tuesday 26th August 1930, a thrilling description of shipwreck off the Isle of Tiree.
“Thrilling stories of shipwreck off the Isle of Tiree, in the Inner Hebrides, were told the crew of the Fleetwood steam trawler ‘Saxon’, who returned home on Sunday. In a gale which made visibility almost impossible the Saxon struck a submerged rock on Wednesday, and the crew of twelve reached the shore of Tiree in a boat.”
“It was 21st July 1930 about 5 miles westwards of Tiree and Coll. Although every moment they expected the small craft to be swamped by the huge breakers the crew lustily sang the Stein Song” as they rowed. The skipper asked tor three volunteers to take out the kedge anchor, and myself and two others pushed the lifeboat over the side of the trawler.”
“As we jumped in it the boat nearly capsized. We were tossed about so much that we never thought we would survive. It was touch-and-go every minute. We got the anchor fixed, but although were only 200 yards from the Saxon it took us an hour to row back. I think we should have given up only we thought if we were lost in the small boat the other chaps would all be drowned.”
“Mr. James Crompton, of Radcliffe-road, Fleetwood, mate of the trawler, said;— Without warning the Saxon struck submerged rock amidships, and would not move. The noise when she struck roused the nine members of the crew who were below, and they rushed to the deck scantily clad. When we got back we learned that the ship was holed and water was pouring into the engine-room. The skipper gave orders for every man to get in the small boat. We grabbed a few of our belongings and got into the boat, which was being thrown about in heavy seas and we rowed five miles towards Tiree, and although sometimes had no hope of reaching land we kept our spirits. Somebody started singing the Stein Song.”
“Eventually we got ashore pretty well exhausted, and had to walk two miles across wet sand and marsh to Kiikenneth, where we were looked after the villagers.”
The following day the Saxon was almost submerged and three days after that the heavy swell had broken her up.
Illustration by AI.
