cairnduff and carnduff website

SS Carnduff

1910 - 1955

The steam ship "CARNDUFF" was built, by Ramage & Ferguson Ltd., at Leith (Yard No 222) and completed in July during the year of 1910 for W.J.R. Harbinson of Larne.N.I . Constructed with one deck, part of which was of iron. The steamer had an open wheelhouse. As with most vessels built around this time, cargo battens were not fitted. The vessel was powered by a two cylinder 15"+32"-24-130lb engine that was placed aft. This engine was also built by Ramage & Ferguson Ltd, Near to Larne is a town called Ballycastle in Antrim, there is an area within called Carnduff, and I have found an entry of a resident with the Carnduff name in 1761 from the Carnduff area, Someone from the first owners or ship builders may of been residents from that area and this is where the ships name could of came from. The length of the ship was one hundred and twenty five feet two inch's inches and twenty two feet six inches wide. There was a gross tonnage of two hundred and fifty seven tons with a net tonnage of ninety two tons. The loaded draught was nine feet two inches. Registered and classified at Lloyds as +100 A1. The official number of the ship was 55602, (although some records state 129633) with a signal code/call sign of MFQJ. The port of registry was Belfast and the flag British.In 1921 the owners became Howden Brothers Ltd., (Larne) and later, in 1933, changing to Howdens Ltd., The "CARNDUFF" was one of the very few ships that remained with the same owners throughout her long life.

ACCIDENTS & INCIDENTS 1934.August the 1st. Ballyshannon. The first recorded incident was a stranding that took place in Tirconaill Bay (Now Donegal Bay). The vessel managed to refloat her-self without any assistance. There is no information regarding damage sustained, if any. 1938. August the 3rd. Liverpool. Shortly after sailing for Larne there was problems with the ships boilers. This necessitated a return to Liverpool, and a two day stop over in the Number 2 Branch of the Alexandra Dock. Repairs were completed by the 6th, on which day the voyage to Larne was resumed. 1946. September the 1st. While bound for Larne from Silloth (Solway Firth) with a general cargo. When in a position just off Curran Point, and at the entrance to the Bank Quay, the ship ran aground.nd so she remained for the next five days. After been refloated, and upon been surveyed it was found that a total of 15 shell plates had been damaged and had to be renewed. There was also a further 6 plates that had to be removed repaired (faired) and replaced. 1947. October the 4th. When in the Mersey and in dense fog, the crew were preparing the mooring ropes to make fast at Birkenhead, after arriving from Belfast. The "CARNDUFF" ran hard aground just south of the Seacombe Landing stage at Birkenhead. The time being about 4. am. She was refloated the same day and by 11.30am had entered the Alfred Dock at Birkenhead.Only moderate damage had occurred to the starboard side with a few plates being indented. This did not in any way effect the vessel, and no repairs were required. 1948.June the 23rd. A burst circulation pipe, that supplied water to the engine, forced the ship, that was on a voyage from Garston to Larne, to return to Garston. The vessel sailed again the following day. 1950.April the 30th. While on passage in ballast, from Glenarm, and bound towards Maryport, and in dense fog, the vessel ran aground in Larne Loch. It was later refloated the same day, and proceeded to Larne for examination. The extent of the damage, if any was not ascertained. 1955.November. This was the month that the S.S. "CARNDUFF" made her final voyage. It was to the yard of John Lee at Belfast. She was to be broken up and her metal to be reused in another guise.

15 Jan 2018

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