This Belfast registered steamer, owned by the Ulster Steamship Co., was on a voyage from Middlesborough to Montreal with a cargo of 2500 tons of pig iron. It seems that her Master had underestimated the strength of the currents in the Inner Sound between Stroma and Caithness. There was also a strong south-east wind causing a fairly heavy sea in the Inner sound with flood tide. The skipper of a Grimsby trawler coming up astern said that the tide suddenly the cargo vessel's starboard bow and before anything could be done she had run aground. The trawler passed a hawser to the stricken ship but it parted after several fruitless attempts at refloating had been made. The Huna lifeboat was launched and rendered assistance. Two days after going ashore the steamer's back broke, her hull became badly twisted and all compartments were flooded. In spite of this an attempt was made to salvage the ship and she was in fact refloated at the beginning of November by the salvage tug Ranger of the Liverpool Salvage Association, but had to be beached in Gills Bay as she was making so much water. Two men were badly injured during salvage operations when they were struck by a parting tow rope.
The Malin Head was refloated in Gills Bay a month later but grounded yet again, then owing to deteriorating weather the salvage vessel was forced to take shelter in Longhope while the Malin Head became a total wreck. Divers were employed and much of the cargo was salvaged.
On 28 October 1910 the local paper the John o' Groat Journal reported that: "She struck an outlying reef of rocks immediately below the Church of Canisbay. She had left Middlesborough on the 19th October and in spite of strong head winds all went well until the vessel passed Duncansby Head at 8.15am on the 21st. At 8.40am she entered the inner sound and encountered a strong flood tide. At 10am the ship was barely making head way and was abreast of Huna lifeboat station and steering west by north. Within the next quarter hour the ship suddenly veered to port and the helm was "ported" to bring her back on course, but to no avail. The master realising that the ship would not answer the helm ordered the engines full steam astern but at 10.18am the vessel grounded on the Ness of Quoys.
Mr. Sutherland, deputy receiver of wreck at Huna, wired the danger of the vessel to HM Customs at Wick and representative officials immediately proceeded to the scene by motor car.
The fishing liner Helica of Grimsby, which was passing at the time proceeded to render assistance but owing to the tide being on the turn and the fact that the Malin Head was making water, it was found impossible to tow the vessel off.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made, but the hawser snapped and the attempt to refloat her was abandoned meantime, although the Helica stoodby. The pumps were immediately started and for a time kept the water under.
The crew assisted by a number of men from the shore commenced to jettison the cargo in order to lighten the ship before the next high water when an attempt to tow her off would be made. The pumps were not sufficient to cope with the inflow and by noon on Saturday the ship was full of water, so that the second attempt to take her off also failed. The private effects of the crew were taken ashore but the men themselves remained on board.
Classed A1 at Lloyds, her captain was William J. Campbell; crew of 34 all British. Cargo consigned by Harris & Co. Middlesborough, owned by G.Heyn & Son, (The Ulster Steamship Co) vessel and cargo understood to be insured.
The position where the vessel lies is an extremely dangerous one. It is a long reef of rocks known as Ness of Quoys. The Malin Head is almost on top of another vessel which was wrecked their a few years ago. Several vessels have struck here previously and although frequent applications have been made to the Board of Trade, to have the sunken wreck removed, no action has been taken. The excuse being that it is not on the regular route of navigation.
Mr. David Leith, Bridge St. Wick, Lloyds agent, visited the wreck on Friday and made official enquiry into the cause of the accident. The Liverpool Salvage association have sent representatives north with a view to salving, although locals are pessimistic".
On 4 November 1910 the John o' Groat Journal reported that: "During last week the tugs Flying Kestrel and Ranger of the Liverpool Salvage Association have been engaged in trying to salve the Malin Head. After discharging about 500 tons of pig-iron into the ss Lancashire, the Malin Head was successfully refloated off the rocks on Monday. The LSA had problems with the strong current and despite pumping she was taking considerable water. She was beached in Gills Bay. Two men were hurt and weather worsening. Note that the same salvage company floated the Indian in Reiss Bay and officer in charge, Captain Bachelor, raised HMS Gladiator".
On 11 November 1910 the John o' Groat Journal further reported: "Again driven ashore in Gills Bay during a storm on the Sunday night, this time on a rocky bottom where it is feared she will become a total wreck".
A Board of Trade enquiry was held on 1 December 1910 at Belfast. Evidence from Andrew Steel, Chief Engineer. Enquiry found Master at fault for going too close to coastline. Recommended beacon at Ness of Quoys. The full Board of Trade Wreck Report can be read by clicking here.
A piece of the Malin Head has been driven ashore by storms and can be seen at low water. In 1984 the Thurso lifeboat received a £500 legacy from the Underwriters as a token for assistance given to the vessel and the Salvage Association by the Huna lifeboat.
Built in 1892 in Belfast for G.Heyn and Sons of Belfast the Malin Head (ex A.J. Balfour), displayed a white shield with superimposed red hand of Ulster on an otherwise black funnel. She was steel built, 105m long by 13m wide. Her draught forward was 24' and draught aft was 24'11". She was 3467 tons gross, 2227 tons net.
The Malin Head was refloated in Gills Bay a month later but grounded yet again, then owing to deteriorating weather the salvage vessel was forced to take shelter in Longhope while the Malin Head became a total wreck. Divers were employed and much of the cargo was salvaged.
On 28 October 1910 the local paper the John o' Groat Journal reported that: "She struck an outlying reef of rocks immediately below the Church of Canisbay. She had left Middlesborough on the 19th October and in spite of strong head winds all went well until the vessel passed Duncansby Head at 8.15am on the 21st. At 8.40am she entered the inner sound and encountered a strong flood tide. At 10am the ship was barely making head way and was abreast of Huna lifeboat station and steering west by north. Within the next quarter hour the ship suddenly veered to port and the helm was "ported" to bring her back on course, but to no avail. The master realising that the ship would not answer the helm ordered the engines full steam astern but at 10.18am the vessel grounded on the Ness of Quoys.
Mr. Sutherland, deputy receiver of wreck at Huna, wired the danger of the vessel to HM Customs at Wick and representative officials immediately proceeded to the scene by motor car.
The fishing liner Helica of Grimsby, which was passing at the time proceeded to render assistance but owing to the tide being on the turn and the fact that the Malin Head was making water, it was found impossible to tow the vessel off.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made, but the hawser snapped and the attempt to refloat her was abandoned meantime, although the Helica stoodby. The pumps were immediately started and for a time kept the water under.
The crew assisted by a number of men from the shore commenced to jettison the cargo in order to lighten the ship before the next high water when an attempt to tow her off would be made. The pumps were not sufficient to cope with the inflow and by noon on Saturday the ship was full of water, so that the second attempt to take her off also failed. The private effects of the crew were taken ashore but the men themselves remained on board.
Classed A1 at Lloyds, her captain was William J. Campbell; crew of 34 all British. Cargo consigned by Harris & Co. Middlesborough, owned by G.Heyn & Son, (The Ulster Steamship Co) vessel and cargo understood to be insured.
The position where the vessel lies is an extremely dangerous one. It is a long reef of rocks known as Ness of Quoys. The Malin Head is almost on top of another vessel which was wrecked their a few years ago. Several vessels have struck here previously and although frequent applications have been made to the Board of Trade, to have the sunken wreck removed, no action has been taken. The excuse being that it is not on the regular route of navigation.
Mr. David Leith, Bridge St. Wick, Lloyds agent, visited the wreck on Friday and made official enquiry into the cause of the accident. The Liverpool Salvage association have sent representatives north with a view to salving, although locals are pessimistic".
On 4 November 1910 the John o' Groat Journal reported that: "During last week the tugs Flying Kestrel and Ranger of the Liverpool Salvage Association have been engaged in trying to salve the Malin Head. After discharging about 500 tons of pig-iron into the ss Lancashire, the Malin Head was successfully refloated off the rocks on Monday. The LSA had problems with the strong current and despite pumping she was taking considerable water. She was beached in Gills Bay. Two men were hurt and weather worsening. Note that the same salvage company floated the Indian in Reiss Bay and officer in charge, Captain Bachelor, raised HMS Gladiator".
On 11 November 1910 the John o' Groat Journal further reported: "Again driven ashore in Gills Bay during a storm on the Sunday night, this time on a rocky bottom where it is feared she will become a total wreck".
A Board of Trade enquiry was held on 1 December 1910 at Belfast. Evidence from Andrew Steel, Chief Engineer. Enquiry found Master at fault for going too close to coastline. Recommended beacon at Ness of Quoys. The full Board of Trade Wreck Report can be read by clicking here.
A piece of the Malin Head has been driven ashore by storms and can be seen at low water. In 1984 the Thurso lifeboat received a £500 legacy from the Underwriters as a token for assistance given to the vessel and the Salvage Association by the Huna lifeboat.
Built in 1892 in Belfast for G.Heyn and Sons of Belfast the Malin Head (ex A.J. Balfour), displayed a white shield with superimposed red hand of Ulster on an otherwise black funnel. She was steel built, 105m long by 13m wide. Her draught forward was 24' and draught aft was 24'11". She was 3467 tons gross, 2227 tons net.