Maritime record 13921 - SURPRISE: RUBHA AIRINIS, LEWIS, NORTH MINCH

NB43SW 8044 c. 42 30
N58 11 W6 23

NLO: Cala Steornabhaigh [name centred NB 431 315]
Cala Ghlumaig [name centred NB 427 009]
Rubha Airinis [name: NB 432 008]
Stornoway [name: NB 425 330].

8 December 1865, SURPRISE, 126 tons, of Carnarvon, departed Port Dinorwic for Alloa carrying slates, stranded inside of Arnish Lighthouse, Stornoway, total loss.
Statement showing the Casualties that occurred on and off the Islands on the Western Coast of Scotland, between 1st December 1865 and 30th June 1866. Wrecking in the Hebrides.
Source: PP Abstracts Returns of Wrecks and Casualties on Coasts of the UK 1866 (1867 [3901] LXIV.235).

Stornoway, 11th Dec. The SURPRISE (schr.), of Caernarvon, from Port Dinorwic to Alloa, with slates, in working out of the harbour 8th Dec., struck on a ledge of sunken rocks close to the lighthouse, and is likely to become a total wreck, but her cargo will be saved.
Source: LL, No. 16,124, London, Thursday, December 14 1865

Stornoway, 23rd Dec. The SURPRISE (schr.), of Caernarvon, from Port Dinorwic to Alloa, which went ashore in working out of the harbour 8th Dec., has become a total wreck: cargo, with the exception of about 6 tons, saved. [Record received incomplete].

NMRS, MS/829/68 (no. 2289).

This vessel is said to have been stranded 'inside of' Arnish lighthouse' (NB43SW 20). This description suggests a location to the W of the peninsula of Runha Airinis [name: NB 432 008], within Cala Ghlumaig [name centred NB 427 009].
The loss of this vessel is not cited by I G Whittaker (1998).
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 25 June 2002.
R and B Larn 1998.

REPORT DATE: 18/03/2004