Maritime record MDO20004 - Elizabeth Robertson

'Sank following a fire on board, believed to have been caused by a Butane gas leak.' (1)

The vessel was charted by the UK Hydrographic Office as the ELIZABETH ROBERTSON (Possibly) at the approximate position of 50°28.47N, 001°55.82W [WGS 84], but the position was amended to DEAD in 1981 when the vessel could not be found. It was reported that 'locals state that wreck was 'looted' within days of sinking and that nothing remains. No position could be given.' (2)

Source 3 states that the vessel was lost in July of 1975 rather than April which is given by sources 1 and 2, but is believed to be an error, as the report of the sinking is dated April 1975. (1)

'Her crew of two were rescued by helicopter from Portland helicopter base but the wreck has not been found.' (4) This source states that she was a wooden fishing vessel.

Built: 1946 as MFV 1094, re-named ELIZABETH ROBERTSON in 1947 (3).
Builder: Forbes (3)
Where built: Peterhead (3)
Propulsion: Screw-driven oil engine. (2)
Length: 19.8m (1), full dimensions are not known.
Tonnage: 69 grt (1)
Crew: 2 (2)
Owner: A Robertson, W Cormack and others. (3)

No further information about the vessel could be found.

Date of loss qualifier: Reported date of loss

Additional sources cited in Shipwreck Index of the British Isles:
Lloyds List 26.04.1975 ®

<1> Larn, R, and Larn, B, 1995, Shipwreck index of the British Isles, volume 1 : Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset Section 6, Dorset (AJ) Vol 1 (Monograph). SWX4541.

<2> https://www.wrecksite.eu/Wrecksite.aspx, Accessed 21-JUL-2010 (Digital archive). SDO20096.

<3> www.shipnostalgia.com, Accessed 21-JUL-2010 (Digital archive). SDO20512.

<4> Hinchcliffe, J and V, 1999, Dive Dorset: a diver guide (3rd Edition), 193 (Monograph). SWX1.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1521350 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 16 2024 12:16PM