Maritime record 13762 - BALGAIRN: LIURSAIGH GLAS, LITTLE MINCH

NF84SE 8002 c. 868 403
N57 20.7 W7 12.5

NLO: Liursaigh Glas [name: NF 868 403].

11 October 1882, BALGAIRN, new, of Aberdeen, Lloyd's 100 A.1., last survey 10.82, iron S.S., 1,661 tons, 38 crew, Master W. A. Crombie, Owner J. Davidson, Aberdeen, departed Aberdeen for Cardiff, in ballast, 11 passengers, wind S6, stranded, total loss, Grey Island, S. Uist, Hebrides.
Source: PP Abstracts Returns of Wrecks and Casualties on Coasts of the UK 1882-83 (1884 [C.4154] LXXI.621).

BALGAIRN, of Aberdeen, Official No. 84,363, built by Hall , Russell & Co., Aberdeen.
Table III: List of the 184 Steamers totally lost included in Table 1 of this Appendix, with the Builder's Name and Address in each case if known.
Source: PP Abstracts Returns of Wrecks and Casualties on Coasts of the UK 1882-83 (1884 [C.4154] LXXI.621).

BALGAIRN, new steamer, on her maiden trip from Glasgow, where she was built, Davidson master, J. & A. Davidson, onwers, stranded on Learsay Island, off Lochcarnan, South Uist, at 2 a.m., this morning, 11th: crew and passengers saved. Ship at high tide full of water. (North Uist, Hebrides, Oct. 11, 5.55 p.m.).
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 21,358, London, Thursday October 12 1882.

BALGAIRN. Tugs have arrived from Glasgow, having been greatly delayed owing to the foggy weather, but all attempts to get the ship off have proved unavailing. Indeed, it is deemed almost impossible that the BALGAIRN could be saved, as her condition is such that it seems, if she could be pulled off the rock, she would probably sink, her bulkhead compartments having been greatly injured, and the hole in her bottom extending more than 30 feet. So little ground is there for believing that the ship can be saved, that the representative of the builders and the several owners, who were on board, have left the place. One of the owners sends by telegraph an interesting account of the catastrophe. After describing the scene of excitement and confusion on board when, without a minute's warning, in the dark and foggy night, the vessel crashed on the reef, the vain signals for help on a spot completely unknown to them, and the anxiety felt every moment lest the ship would break off and sink, he describes the pleasure with which they discovered that they were on an island. A ladder was got out, and run out from the ship to the edge of the rocks, but the ladder would not rest on the rock owing to the continual wash of the sea. One of the engineers poured a large quantity of oil on the water, which had the effect of at once making the sea smooth. About three-fourths of those on board then got run down on the rock. The island was not a quarter of an acre in extent, and was evidently covered at high tide. They subsequently proceeded in the boats to ta neighbouring island, and eventually were rescued by some boatmen, who conveyed them to Benbecula, whence they were taken on a cart to Lochmaddy. (Aberdeen, Oct. 14).
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 21,362, London, Tuesday October 17 1882.

BALGAIRN. Telegram dated Oct. 14, states: Hole 23 feet by 10 feet forehold starboard bilge, and another large hole in number three hold: vessel resting on boilers and engine space: boliers forced up 4 inches high: water covers vessel from forward to number two hatch: stern 11 feet out of water overhanging rocks 90 feet: water smooth, case entirely depends on weather as it will take time to close up fractures. (Liverpool, Oct. 16, 2.40 p.m.).
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 21,362, London, Tuesday October 17 1882

BALGAIRN (s). Gale of Saturday considerably altered position for the worse: boiler now set up 17 inches: vessel listed four feet six inches seawards: signs of deck, bulwark and shearstrake started fore side of bridge, owing to vessel overhanging fore and aft. She was twisted considerably at high water. (Liverpool, Oct. 16, 8.9 p.m.).
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 21,362, London, Tuesday October 17 15 October 1882.

BALGAIRN. A second sale of materials and stores, salved from the wreck of this steamer, will be held at Ardrossan Nov. 23. (Glasgow, Nov.).1882-83 (1884 [C.4154] LXXI.621)
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 21,391, London, Monday November 20 [1882].

NMRS, MS/829/69 (no. 3315).

(Classified as iron steamship, in ballast; date of loss cited as 11 October 1882). This vessel was wrecked on Grey Leversay [Liursaigh Glas], at the SE end of Benbecula Sound. Capt. Crombie.
I G Whittaker 1998.

REPORT DATE: 30/06/2004