This Findochty fishing trawler under skipper Alexander Campbell, was proceeding through the Pentland Firth on passage from Stornaway to Stronsay when the wind fell away and she was swept by the strong tide on to the NW side of the Pentland Skerries. Shortly afterwards she broke up and sank leaving the crew floundering in the water, clinging to a rough raft of spars and buoys. James MacHardy, one of the Pentland Skerries assistant Lighthouse keepers, swam out with a line to the raft which was then drawn ashore by the other lighthouse keepers.
Huna lifeboat had been alerted when the incident occured but the crew were safe by the time she arrived. The crew were recovered from the Skerries by the lifeboat and taken to Huna. The Stratheyre was valued at £440 and the gear at £350. All was lost. Possible position 5841.00N 0255.00W or 5841.33N, 0256.00W.
Note: Seven of the Skerries keepers have been commended for their bravery in rescuing sailors from ships wrecked on their doorstep.
The report of the incident in the John o' Groat Journal dated 27 May 1910 states: "While several fishing boats were proceeding east through the Pentland Firth on Wednesday, one of their number, Strathyre of Findochty, was owing to the want of wind carried by the strong flood tide on to the Skerries. Striking a rock she repeatedly began to fill. The crew realising their danger quickly constructed a raft of spars and buoys and attaching a line to a lifebuoy they managed to float it ashore. The lighthouse keepers were thus able to drag them all safely to land. But for this fortunate circumstance there is every probability that in the strong current not one of the crew would have been saved. The accident to the vessel was seen from the mainland and the Huna lifeboat was immediately launched and proceeded to the Skerries. The crew having already been saved the lifeboatmen endeavoured to take in tow the stranded boat, which by this time had floated off the rocks, the ballast having gone right through her. Owing to the strong current the towing was found to be impossible and nothing but a few buoys were saved from the wreck. The crew were landed by the lifeboat at Huna and some of them had to be supplied with clothes by the lighthouse keepers."
The Stratheyre (BF 493) was built of wood in 1900 and was 24m long by 6m wide.
Huna lifeboat had been alerted when the incident occured but the crew were safe by the time she arrived. The crew were recovered from the Skerries by the lifeboat and taken to Huna. The Stratheyre was valued at £440 and the gear at £350. All was lost. Possible position 5841.00N 0255.00W or 5841.33N, 0256.00W.
Note: Seven of the Skerries keepers have been commended for their bravery in rescuing sailors from ships wrecked on their doorstep.
The report of the incident in the John o' Groat Journal dated 27 May 1910 states: "While several fishing boats were proceeding east through the Pentland Firth on Wednesday, one of their number, Strathyre of Findochty, was owing to the want of wind carried by the strong flood tide on to the Skerries. Striking a rock she repeatedly began to fill. The crew realising their danger quickly constructed a raft of spars and buoys and attaching a line to a lifebuoy they managed to float it ashore. The lighthouse keepers were thus able to drag them all safely to land. But for this fortunate circumstance there is every probability that in the strong current not one of the crew would have been saved. The accident to the vessel was seen from the mainland and the Huna lifeboat was immediately launched and proceeded to the Skerries. The crew having already been saved the lifeboatmen endeavoured to take in tow the stranded boat, which by this time had floated off the rocks, the ballast having gone right through her. Owing to the strong current the towing was found to be impossible and nothing but a few buoys were saved from the wreck. The crew were landed by the lifeboat at Huna and some of them had to be supplied with clothes by the lighthouse keepers."
The Stratheyre (BF 493) was built of wood in 1900 and was 24m long by 6m wide.