Maritime record 13928 - CONCORDIA: SUNKEN ROCK, SCALPAY, NORTH MINCH

NG29SW 8009 c. 24 94
N57 51 W6 39

NLO: Scalpay (Scalpaigh) [name centred NG 23 95].

15 July 1878, CONCORDIA, 5 yrs old, of Norway, wooden barque, 268 tons, 9 crew, Master J. O. Olsen, Owner C. H. Kundsen, Drammen, departed Liverpool for Cronstadt, carrying salt, wind SW3, stranded, total loss, Sunken Rock, half a mile S. of Scalpay Island, Hebrides.
Source: PP Abstracts Returns of Wrecks and Casualties on Coasts of the UK 1878 - 79 (1880 [C.2519] LXVI.47).

Stornoway, 17th July, 10.30 a.m., the barq. CONCORDIA, of Dram, Capt. Olsen, from Liverpool to Cronstadt, cargo-salt, struck on a rock at Glass island, about 30 miles from here, yesterday, and afterwards sank in 30 fathoms of water, where she now lies: crew came here.
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 20,039, London, Thursday July 18 1878.

Stornoway, 26th July, the Norwegian barque before reported sunk near Glass light, and laden with salt, has again appeared on the surface, or rather the after end of her, the bow apparently still resting on the ground. The GAZELLE (tug) proceeded yesterday from here with a view to remover her to a place of safety, but was unable to do so for want of a sufficient tow-rope.
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 20,049, London, Tuesday July 30 1878.

Glasgow, 29th July, the CONCORDIA (Norw. barque), which sank 16th July, near Scalpa [Scalpay], Harris, after having struck on a sunken rock, partly rose to the surface last week, owing to the cargo, salt, having melted. An attempt was made by a tug, 25th July, to tow her to a safe place, but without success: the next day, however, she was towed for about three miles into a safe place near Scalpa [Scalpay] will be patched up, and afterwards taken to Stornoway.
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 20,050, London, Wednesday July 31 1878.

Stornoway, 28th July, a telegram received today from Tarbert, Harris, reports the CONCORDIA taken into Seal bay. The Receiver of Wreck has taken charge of the vessel.
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 20,051, London, Thursday August 1 1878.

Glasgow, 9th Aug., the CONCORDIA, Olsen, which sunk after having struck a rock, has been taken into Stornoway from Scalpa [Scalpay] by a tug. After being righted and dismantled a large number of men at the pumps kept her afloat while coming to Stornoway. She will be put on the patent slip for survey and repairs. All the vessel's cargo of salt has been washed out of her, and her decks have been partly burst up.
Source: Shipping Intelligence, LL, No. 20,061, London, Tuesday August 13 1878.

Stornoway, 8th Aug., the CONCORDIA (Norw. barq.), which sunk near Glass… light, arrived here last night in tow of the GAZELLE (tug). The chief damage she appears to have sustained is in her cutwater and deck beams, several of which amidships appear sprung. [Record received incomplete].

NMRS, MS/829/69 (no. 2885).

(Classified as wooden barque, with cargo of salt: date of loss cited as 15 July 1878). This vessel stranded on [a] sunken rock 0.5 mile of Scalpay Island. Capt Olsen.
I G Whittaker 1998.

Sunken Rock is not noted as such on the 1997 edition of the OS 1:50,000 map. The citation of the loss as 'near Glass light' [Eilean Glass lighthouse: NG29SW 1 at NG 2474 9471] implies a location at NG c. 24 94.
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 17 May 2004.

REPORT DATE: 17/05/2004