Maritime record 2198 - IOLAIRE: BEASTS OF HOLM, ARNISH, LEWIS, THE MINCH

NB43SW 8001 4442 3041
N 58 11.3167 W 6 20.9333

Evidence = Divers Report
Horizontal Datum = OGB
General water depth = 11

Circumstances of Loss Details
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The Admiralty yacht IOLAIRE struck the rock known as Beasts of Holm [Biastan thuilm] and sank.
Report by Dr. Langdon, Channel Islands, letter dated 24 March 1970.

An account of vessel's loss may be found in 'Sea Sorrow' published by Stornoway Press. It states that an explosion occurred when she sank. Witnesses stated that the probable cause was the boiler bursting.
Report by RAF Brize Norton Sub Aqua Club 1976.

Surveying Details
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6 May 1971. A position is given of bearing 113 degrees, 1297 metres from Arnish Light, at a depth of 21.3 metres. The vessel is totally broken up. The bell and name plate have been recovered and were presented to Stornoway Town Council. Most of those lost when she sank were returning RNR personnel following the end of World War I.
Report by C. Robb, Receiver of Wreck, Stornoway.

2 March 1976. An area 'inboard' of Biaston Holm beacon was searched by divers who confirmed that the wreck is broken up. The general depth is 17 metres. The wreck's position was fixed 58 11 17.6N, 006 20 58.3W.
Report by HMS HERALD, 1 December 1975.

13 October 1976. The wreck was located and dived upon at 58 11 19N, 006 20 56W. The vessel is badly broken up with the highest point being 3 metres above the seabed. The wreck was searched for by divers in HMS HERALD's position, 58 11 17.6N, 006 20 58.3W, and not located.
Report by RAF Brize Norton Sub Aqua Club 1976 Hebrides Survey.

23 August 1979. The wreck lies close inshore just E of IOLAIRE monument, parallel to the shore in 12 metres and amongst rock outcrops. The wreck is well broken up with large boiler 3 metres in diameter. Some shellsand cordite lie around the wreckage.
Report by RAF Coningsby Sub Aqua Club 1979.

11 November 1985. The wreck lies in 23 metres(?). A large boiler and 2 iron propellers are all that remains of the main structure.
Report by RAF Lossiemouth Sub Aqua Club expedition, 1985.

Hydrographic Office, 1995.

NB she sank in the very early morning, 1st January 1919, just after the turn of the year, with the loss of over 200 lives. There were no passenger records. MML 18.3.99

The boat was not actually the Iolaire, but the Amalthea, renamed to avoid having to rename the Stornoway base