Advertisement

January’s mystery ship Answer

The mystery ship is the motor vessel Captayannis (8,459dwt), which was completed by Nakskov Skibsvaerft A/S in September 1946 as Norden for A/S Dampskilbsselskabet Norden. Measuring 12.41m by 17.18m, the 4,576gt vessel was powered by a 2,300hp B&W oil engine. She was sold to M. & S. J. Paleocrassas Brothers, Piraeus in 1963 and was renamed Captayannis.

On 27 January 1974, while she was waiting at the Tail of the Bank to deliver a cargo of sugar to the James Watt Dock in Greenock, she dragged her anchor In high winds and collided with the BP. tanker British Light. The tanker suffered little damage but Captayannis was holed and began taking on water. Her Captain tried to reach the sheltered waters of the Gareloch, but the water ingress was too great and she was beached over a sandbank. Although a tug was sent to assist the vessel, she heeled over and by the following morning was lying on her side, where she has remained to this day, though little of her superstructure now remains. All her crew were rescued and taken ashore.

Captayannis has never been removed because confusion surrounds the identity of her owners and insurers, and nobody will take responsibility for her removal. The wreck is a familiar site near the Tail of the Bank and can be seen on satellite images.

Philip SimonsPortslade, Brighton

Ships Montly - January 2024

Outfitting of the Nexans Electra CLV begins at Ulstein Verft

The hull of the state-of-the-art DP3 cable-laying vessel Nexans Electra arrived at Ulstein Verft on 5 July 2025. This marks the commencement of the...
Advertisement

Related articles

Outfitting of the Nexans Electra CLV begins at Ulstein Verft

The hull of the state-of-the-art DP3 cable-laying vessel Nexans Electra arrived at Ulstein Verft on 5 July 2025....

Historic cruise ship Astoria goes for scrapping

The world's oldest cruise vessel Astoria finally reaches the end of the line. After 77 years of service,...

Glen Rosa on target for 2026

In a letter to the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee, Ferguson Marine CEO Graeme Thomson...

Research vessel Oscar Dyson to be upgraded

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a $95.4 million contract to JAG Alaska Inc., based...