This Grimsby trawler, (GY 77), west-bound, ran aground on Little Skerry.  There was a south-east gale, dense fog and heavy rain at times with a heavy easterly sea running.  The vessel's distress signals (four blasts of siren being heard at 12.45am on the 19th and two flares at 1.40am), were observed by the lighthouse keepers on Muckle Skerry who tried to call help, but the weather and visibility were so bad that their signals were not seen.  When daylight came it was found that the vessel had been thrown over the reef and had sunk in deep water.  Her crew of thirteen including Captain Inman were drowned.

The Merrivale (ex William Wesney, ex Marne) was 38m long by 7m wide and 257 gross registered tons.

Possible position 58 40 50N, 02 55 00W.