The Aberdeen registered trawler, Dalewood (A481), left Aberdeen at around 10.15am bound for the Faroese fishing grounds under the command of Skipper Joe Parker. She was later driven at full speed on to some rocks in a small cove under the west of Dunnet Head lighthouse. She came to rest badly holed across a rocky outcrop at the foot of the sheer 400 feet cliffs.
Lighthouse keepers watched helplessly as the Dalewood's crew leaped aboard their liferaft just 100m out from the base of the cliffs.
The first distress call was made at 9.27pm giving their position as Duncansby Head and this misled rescuers. A second call at 9.36pm said that they were "making water quickly" and that the crew were "taking to the boats." Skipper Parker, mate Brian Craig and Chief Engineer John Gray remained on the trawler for more than an hour after the lifeboats were launched. One liferaft with five med on board was picked up by the naval tug, Cyclone and then transferred to Thurso lifeboat. The skipper and his two companions joined a second liferaft with three men on board and were brought ashore by the trawler, Sealgair.
The Dalewood was badly holed in the engine room and became a total loss.
The Dalewood was launched on 8 September 1960 and completed in December 1960. She was built by T Mitchison Ltd, Friar's Goose, Gateshead, Yard Number:501. Her dimensions were 234 gross registered tons, 66 net registered tons, 150 dead weight tons and she was 115'.4" long x 25'.4" wide x 11'.0" draught.
She had an oil engine, 4SA, 8cyl (222 x 292mm), making 660bhp. Her engine was made by Lister Blackstone Marine Ltd, Dursley. She had one screw propellor.
The Dalewood had Reg Number 302234.
In December 1960 she was owned by the Ashley Fishing Co Ltd (John Wood), Aberdeen.
In 2010 a wreck was discovered at NGR 316667E 975503N by an acoustic sensor survey. Wreck lies in 49 metres of water on a pebble seabed and it has been suggested that this could be the Dalewood.
Lighthouse keepers watched helplessly as the Dalewood's crew leaped aboard their liferaft just 100m out from the base of the cliffs.
The first distress call was made at 9.27pm giving their position as Duncansby Head and this misled rescuers. A second call at 9.36pm said that they were "making water quickly" and that the crew were "taking to the boats." Skipper Parker, mate Brian Craig and Chief Engineer John Gray remained on the trawler for more than an hour after the lifeboats were launched. One liferaft with five med on board was picked up by the naval tug, Cyclone and then transferred to Thurso lifeboat. The skipper and his two companions joined a second liferaft with three men on board and were brought ashore by the trawler, Sealgair.
The Dalewood was badly holed in the engine room and became a total loss.
The Dalewood was launched on 8 September 1960 and completed in December 1960. She was built by T Mitchison Ltd, Friar's Goose, Gateshead, Yard Number:501. Her dimensions were 234 gross registered tons, 66 net registered tons, 150 dead weight tons and she was 115'.4" long x 25'.4" wide x 11'.0" draught.
She had an oil engine, 4SA, 8cyl (222 x 292mm), making 660bhp. Her engine was made by Lister Blackstone Marine Ltd, Dursley. She had one screw propellor.
The Dalewood had Reg Number 302234.
In December 1960 she was owned by the Ashley Fishing Co Ltd (John Wood), Aberdeen.
In 2010 a wreck was discovered at NGR 316667E 975503N by an acoustic sensor survey. Wreck lies in 49 metres of water on a pebble seabed and it has been suggested that this could be the Dalewood.