Maritime record 2187 - RFA BIRCHOIL: RU MELVICH, SOUTH UIST, THE LITTLE MINCH

NF82SW 8000 8424 2411
N 57 6 W 7 13.75

Quality of fix = PA
Horizontal Datum = OGB
General water depth = 8

Circumstances of Loss Details
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The fleet oiler RFA BIRCHOIL ran ashore.
Source; World War II Shipping Loses.

Surveying Details
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The vessel ran ashore on Ru Melvich or bearing 357 degrees, 6.75 miles from the Trig Point.

24 August 1970. Being offered for tender.

9 October 1970. The wreck was sold to Elliot & Co (divers) Helenburgh.

26 February 1971. The site was investigated by boat using visual and echosounder means. No trace was found and it was assumed to have been dispersed.
Report by HMS HECCLA.

19 August 1975. The wreck is broken up with remains scattered over a large area. There is evidence of recent salvage attempts.
Report by letter from D. Sloan dated 31 July 1975.

28 October 1976. The vessel was not visible on RAF aerial photography dated 1971.

7 August 1984. The position was given as 57 06 00N, 007 13 45W. Only a few plates and a porthole were found at a depth of about 7 metres. Most of the wreck is thought to be in deeper water off Ru Melvick.
Report by Lt M. L. Law, REME.

6 March 1985. The site was dived upon in 1984. The bows of wreck lie close inshore in 3 metres of water and the stern is in 14 metres on a sandy bottom.
Report by P. Camilla, 25 February 1985.

Hydrographic Office, 1995.