This Glasgow steamer drove ashore at Burnside, Scrabster. She had been sheltering in Scrabster harbour from a North-easterly storm while on a voyage from Stornaway in ballast, when the mooring ropes parted and the vessel was blown ashore and completely wrecked. The Protocol Book of Peter Keith, a Thurso solicitor, preserved in Inverness library Archives contains, 'A Protest against Wind and Weather'. This declaration duly signed and witnessed was made by the Master of the Speedwell, Duncan Leitch. Captain Leitch's 'Protest' was, under Scottish Law, to help protect him from any legal claims arising from the loss of the ship.
The Thurso schooner Tryst with a Leith crew, subsequently sailed from Scrabster for Montrose with the boiler and engine of the wrecked vessel. Off Clyth Ness the Tryst sank, her crew being landed at Fraserburgh. Allegations that holes had been bored in her hull were made and that she had been wilfully scuttled. In the court case which followed, two men accused of defrauding an insurance company by such means were immediately acquitted.
The Speedwell was built of iron in 1884 at Stockton. She was 36m long by 7m wide and 80 tons net, 195 tons gross.
Possible position 58 36 50N, 03 32 00W.
The Thurso schooner Tryst with a Leith crew, subsequently sailed from Scrabster for Montrose with the boiler and engine of the wrecked vessel. Off Clyth Ness the Tryst sank, her crew being landed at Fraserburgh. Allegations that holes had been bored in her hull were made and that she had been wilfully scuttled. In the court case which followed, two men accused of defrauding an insurance company by such means were immediately acquitted.
The Speedwell was built of iron in 1884 at Stockton. She was 36m long by 7m wide and 80 tons net, 195 tons gross.
Possible position 58 36 50N, 03 32 00W.