Maritime record 13849 - BOSTON HERON: STILAMAIR, EAST LOCH TARBERT, HARRIS

NG29SW 8004 c. 2190 9424
N 57 51.07 W 6 41.29

(No former name cited: classified as steam trawler and date of loss cited as 3 December 1962). This vessel stranded on Stilamair Rock, near Scalpay, and sank.
I G Whittaker 1998.

(Location estimated as 57-51.15N 06-41.50E but indicated on plan at NG c. 2190 9424). The wreck of the Boston Heron (formerly Akita) has been identified just S of Stilamar [Stilamair] island in East Loch Tarbert. The vessel sank in December 1962, four of the seven crew being rescued; the rescuers received RNLI gallantry awards.
The vessel appears to have measured no more than 15m in length by 4m in beam, and the remains are broken into portions which measure between 10m (minimum) and 21m (maximum) in depth and stand 8m proud of the flat gravel seabed. The hull and decking have become more broken over the past two years and, at the present rate, the wreck may be completely flattened in another two years or so. The bow survives intact and other identifiable elements comprise the deck (of wood and metal), metal hull plating (the means of fastening not being identifiable), the mast (which has fallen), the winch (which bears a fishing net), the hold, the anchor and chain or cable, and the boiler. The wheel survives in the debris field to the S and SW.
The wreck is regularly dived and the underwater visibility generally between 4m and 15m. Identifiable dangers comprise fishing net or line, dredging and sharp edges or projections.
(Additional bibliography: Stornoway Gazette, December 1962 and Scuba World, June 1999).
NMRS, MS/829/15, visited 20 July 1999.

Material reported under RoW amnesty (2001):
A1082 1 brass ring: from seabed (Assigned to 'Boston Seahawk' at 'Inlet of Stimamair, Scalpy Island, Harris')
A2910 1 capacitor: from seabed.
NMRS, MS/829/35.

The citation of 'Boston Seahawk' as the name for this vessel is apparently erroneous, no such loss being noted by I G Whittaker (1998).
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 24 September 2003.
NMRS, MS/829/35.

REPORT DATE: 07/10/2003