S.S. Canadia
S.S. Canadia 12/03/1915
Displacement: 4322 grt.
Length: 114.3 m. Beam: 14.8 m. Draught: 0.0 m.
Propulsion: 2 x boilers. 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw,
Machinery: D. Rowan & Co. Glasgow
Complement:
Men Lost: 0
Armament: No
Displacement: 4322 grt.
Length: 114.3 m. Beam: 14.8 m. Draught: 0.0 m.
Propulsion: 2 x boilers. 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw,
Machinery: D. Rowan & Co. Glasgow
Complement:
Men Lost: 0
Armament: No
Mcmillan A. & Son Ltd. - Archibald Mcmillan, Dumbarton in 1899. Owned at time of loss by Fisker P. L. (A/S D.S Traffic), Copenhagen.
Lloyds Register 1905-06
The Loss.
On the morning of 11th March 1915, HMS Hilary stopped the Danish steamship SS Canadia and at 7.45pm placed a prize crew aboard led by Sub. Lt Herbert Spencer R.N.R. with orders to procced to Kirkwall for contraband control.
The weather at the time was foggy. Commander Bather of HMS Hilary requested a letter from the master of ''Canadia'' that he would assist with the navigation of the ship to Kirkwall.
The instructions given were to steam east and pass to the north of Fair Isle and then change course to south and make Copinsay Isle. At 4.30 pm on the 12th inst a bearing was taken on Westray 220 Deg at approximately 20 miles. A lead was cast to verify position. At 5 pm land was again visible and position was verified by line of course and distance by log.
The weather then closed in and reduced visibility but speed was maintained due to the fear of a submarine attack. The lead line was used every 15 minutes and soundings compared to the Danish chart onboard of the British isles.
At 7.10 pm 12th inst the course was altered to 120 deg. The position at that time was estimated to be 20 miles NW of Fair isle.
The charts onboard that were being used were magnetic and the master said there was a 3 deg westerly deviation. Lead soundings continued to be taken every 15 minutes and lookouts were posted to both the bridge and forward.
At 08.45 pm on the 12th inst lookouts called out land ahead and engines were put full astern and helm altered but with the northerly wind blowing at force 6-7 the SS Canadia went broadside onto the shore at 8.55 pm.
Orders were given to fire rockets, use Morse lamp and Morse code using steam whistle to attract attention from the land.
One of the rockets exploded and badly injured the master of ''Canadia''
Communication was established using the Morse lamp and the stricken crew were told that help from Kirkwall was on the way. HMS Cedric had been told to render assistance.
At 1 am on the 13th inst the ship began to break up and cargo of cotton bales began floating out of the holds. There was found to be 18 foot of water in the engine room.
All the crew abandoned the ship and climbed onto the rock.
At 6 am the crew started to be transferred from the rock to Fair Isle mainland by ropes hauled by the islanders. During this rescue one of the prize crew fell into the sea and nearly drowned but was rescued and given artificial respiration . Sub. Lt Spencer was the last man to leave the rock.
At first light the trawler ''Arley'' arrived on scene and found the SS Canadia wedged stern first between high rocks.
At 1 pm on the 13th inst. all the crew and prize crew, with the exception of the injured master, 1st mate and Chief Engineer, were put on the tender ''Palladine'' and taken to Kirkwall.
The weather at the time was foggy. Commander Bather of HMS Hilary requested a letter from the master of ''Canadia'' that he would assist with the navigation of the ship to Kirkwall.
The instructions given were to steam east and pass to the north of Fair Isle and then change course to south and make Copinsay Isle. At 4.30 pm on the 12th inst a bearing was taken on Westray 220 Deg at approximately 20 miles. A lead was cast to verify position. At 5 pm land was again visible and position was verified by line of course and distance by log.
The weather then closed in and reduced visibility but speed was maintained due to the fear of a submarine attack. The lead line was used every 15 minutes and soundings compared to the Danish chart onboard of the British isles.
At 7.10 pm 12th inst the course was altered to 120 deg. The position at that time was estimated to be 20 miles NW of Fair isle.
The charts onboard that were being used were magnetic and the master said there was a 3 deg westerly deviation. Lead soundings continued to be taken every 15 minutes and lookouts were posted to both the bridge and forward.
At 08.45 pm on the 12th inst lookouts called out land ahead and engines were put full astern and helm altered but with the northerly wind blowing at force 6-7 the SS Canadia went broadside onto the shore at 8.55 pm.
Orders were given to fire rockets, use Morse lamp and Morse code using steam whistle to attract attention from the land.
One of the rockets exploded and badly injured the master of ''Canadia''
Communication was established using the Morse lamp and the stricken crew were told that help from Kirkwall was on the way. HMS Cedric had been told to render assistance.
At 1 am on the 13th inst the ship began to break up and cargo of cotton bales began floating out of the holds. There was found to be 18 foot of water in the engine room.
All the crew abandoned the ship and climbed onto the rock.
At 6 am the crew started to be transferred from the rock to Fair Isle mainland by ropes hauled by the islanders. During this rescue one of the prize crew fell into the sea and nearly drowned but was rescued and given artificial respiration . Sub. Lt Spencer was the last man to leave the rock.
At first light the trawler ''Arley'' arrived on scene and found the SS Canadia wedged stern first between high rocks.
At 1 pm on the 13th inst. all the crew and prize crew, with the exception of the injured master, 1st mate and Chief Engineer, were put on the tender ''Palladine'' and taken to Kirkwall.
Chart plots from enquiry into loss of SS Canadia ADM 1/8414/74
The enquiry into the loss of the SS Canadia concluded it was down to one or more of the following circumstances:.
(1) The fixes obtained to the Northward of Orkney between 4.30 and about 5 pm being inaccurate.
(2) Failure to allow for the tide which was running to the Southward between the hours of 5.30 and 9 pm on the date
in question at a possible rate of 3 knots per hour.
(3) Reliance on soundings, which, in view of the configuration of the bottom in the vicinity of Fair Island, could not give any
indication of the postilion or the proximity of danger.
(1) The fixes obtained to the Northward of Orkney between 4.30 and about 5 pm being inaccurate.
(2) Failure to allow for the tide which was running to the Southward between the hours of 5.30 and 9 pm on the date
in question at a possible rate of 3 knots per hour.
(3) Reliance on soundings, which, in view of the configuration of the bottom in the vicinity of Fair Island, could not give any
indication of the postilion or the proximity of danger.
Manchester Evening News - Saturday 13 March 1915
A Lloyd's telegram from Fair Isle wireless station to-day say: Danish steamer Canadia, Galveston and Newport News for Gothenburg, ashore west of Scaddon Lighthouse in a dangerous position. The crew have all been landed.
A Lloyd's telegram from Fair Isle wireless station to-day say: Danish steamer Canadia, Galveston and Newport News for Gothenburg, ashore west of Scaddon Lighthouse in a dangerous position. The crew have all been landed.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Monday 15 March 1915
DANISH STEAMER WRECKED. The Danish steamer Canadia was totally lost Fair Isle, midway between Orkney and Shetland, during a severe storm on Friday night. The crew of 36 were saved, and on Saturday taken off from the Fair Isle, with the exception of the skipper, who was injured. The steamer was bound from Galveston for Gothenburg.
DANISH STEAMER WRECKED. The Danish steamer Canadia was totally lost Fair Isle, midway between Orkney and Shetland, during a severe storm on Friday night. The crew of 36 were saved, and on Saturday taken off from the Fair Isle, with the exception of the skipper, who was injured. The steamer was bound from Galveston for Gothenburg.
Western Mail - Monday 15 March 1915
Canadia.—Fair Isle telegraphs: Crew of Danish steamer Canadia. which stranded Seaddon Lighthouse, have all landed, Captain seriously Injured on face and hand owing to explosion of rocket.
Canadia.—Fair Isle telegraphs: Crew of Danish steamer Canadia. which stranded Seaddon Lighthouse, have all landed, Captain seriously Injured on face and hand owing to explosion of rocket.
Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 15 March 1915
During a storm on Friday the Danish steamer Canadia struck on Fair Isle, which lies between the Orkneys and the Shetlands, and is a total wreck. The crew were saved, but the master was badly injured.
During a storm on Friday the Danish steamer Canadia struck on Fair Isle, which lies between the Orkneys and the Shetlands, and is a total wreck. The crew were saved, but the master was badly injured.
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 15 March 1915
Fair Isle, 13 March 1915: The Danish steamer CANADIA has gone ashore at Fair Isle. owing to the heavy sea and dangerous position of the ship advised by signal to leave the ship and get to rock close amidships. Lifeboat failed to reach the vessel owing to the heavy sea; no life-saving apparatus; crew advised by signal to remain until day light. A steamer hove off the wreck at 3.30 am and sent a boat, but owing to the heavy sea has had to return to the vessel without approaching the wreck.
By means of temporary apparatus and old ladders, by which the bottom of the cliff (about 400 feet) was reached, and hence by heaving, communication with the wreck was effected, and the first men were landed at 7.10 am, and an officer who was last landing at 9 am. The captain, due to an explosion of the rocket, is seriously injured on the face and hand. medical treatment required. The crew of the vessel were all landed.
Fair Isle, 13 March 1915: The Danish steamer CANADIA has gone ashore at Fair Isle. owing to the heavy sea and dangerous position of the ship advised by signal to leave the ship and get to rock close amidships. Lifeboat failed to reach the vessel owing to the heavy sea; no life-saving apparatus; crew advised by signal to remain until day light. A steamer hove off the wreck at 3.30 am and sent a boat, but owing to the heavy sea has had to return to the vessel without approaching the wreck.
By means of temporary apparatus and old ladders, by which the bottom of the cliff (about 400 feet) was reached, and hence by heaving, communication with the wreck was effected, and the first men were landed at 7.10 am, and an officer who was last landing at 9 am. The captain, due to an explosion of the rocket, is seriously injured on the face and hand. medical treatment required. The crew of the vessel were all landed.
London Evening Standard - Tuesday 16 March 1915
SHIPPING NEWS. MARINE INSURANCE. ' The steamer Canadia, ashore near Seaddon lighthouse, is now reported to be a total wreck. Her crew have been landed at Kirkwall. As previously stated, the Canadia was of 4322 tons gross register, built at Dumbarton in 1899, and, including her general cargo on board, represented a value of £83,000. belonged to Messrs. Peter Brown and Co.
SHIPPING NEWS. MARINE INSURANCE. ' The steamer Canadia, ashore near Seaddon lighthouse, is now reported to be a total wreck. Her crew have been landed at Kirkwall. As previously stated, the Canadia was of 4322 tons gross register, built at Dumbarton in 1899, and, including her general cargo on board, represented a value of £83,000. belonged to Messrs. Peter Brown and Co.
Gloucester Journal - Saturday 20 March 1915
During a etorm on Saturday the Danish steamer Canadia struck on Fair Isle, which lies between the Orkney and Shetlands, and is total wreck. The crew were saved.
During a etorm on Saturday the Danish steamer Canadia struck on Fair Isle, which lies between the Orkney and Shetlands, and is total wreck. The crew were saved.
The Wreck.
There is no UKHO Wreck Card for S.S. Canadia. There is very little diving conducted around Fair Isle but it is possible the wreck has been dived.
Admiralty Chart 2622. Fair Isle (UKHO)
