HMD Leonard
HMD Leonard. (No2802) 12/02/1920
Displacement: 88 grt.
Length: 24.4 m. Beam: 5.60 m. Draught: 2.6 m.
Propulsion: . 1 x Boiler, single screw.
Machinery:
Complement: 6 officers and men.
Crew Lost: 6
Armament: 1 x 6pdr
Length: 24.4 m. Beam: 5.60 m. Draught: 2.6 m.
Propulsion: . 1 x Boiler, single screw.
Machinery:
Complement: 6 officers and men.
Crew Lost: 6
Armament: 1 x 6pdr
Steel drifter built in 1900 as ''Two''. Owned by the Smith's Dock Trust Company who named all their ships by numbers. Registered first in Yarmouth as YH473 and in 1907 was sold to Macduff near Banff and registered as BF632
The Loss
Dundee Courier - Tuesday 13 January 1920
NAVAL VESSEL BOUND FOR DUNDEE Is Now Several Days Overdue. Grave Fears for Her Safety. The worst fears are entertained for the safety of H.M. drifter Leonard. Nothing has been heard of her since she left lnverkeithing for Dundee on Thursday last. The Leonard was due to arrive at Dundee on the same day, and in the afternoon, in response to message from the naval base, the tug Tynedale proceeded to the mouth of the Tay to render assistance to a drifter whose arrival was expected by the naval authorities at Dundee. The Tynedale searched about for a considerable time, but could find trace of any vessel. Inquiry all the ports round the coast has failed to throw any light on the fate of the missing vessel. The Leonard, which carried crew of about nine men was registered at Banff, and the bulk . of her crew hailed from the North of Scotland. The vessel was recently repaired at Dundee.
Western Daily Press - Wednesday 14 January 1920
MINE-SWEEPER MISSING. Grave fears are entertained concerning the safety of H.M. Drifter Leonard, which sailed , with crew nine men from Inverkeithing, for Dundee, last Thursday, and has not since been heard of. The vessel should have reached Dundee the same day. A small craft was observed in distress at the mouth of the Tay that afternoon, but a tug which put out to lender assistance failed to find her.
NAVAL VESSEL BOUND FOR DUNDEE Is Now Several Days Overdue. Grave Fears for Her Safety. The worst fears are entertained for the safety of H.M. drifter Leonard. Nothing has been heard of her since she left lnverkeithing for Dundee on Thursday last. The Leonard was due to arrive at Dundee on the same day, and in the afternoon, in response to message from the naval base, the tug Tynedale proceeded to the mouth of the Tay to render assistance to a drifter whose arrival was expected by the naval authorities at Dundee. The Tynedale searched about for a considerable time, but could find trace of any vessel. Inquiry all the ports round the coast has failed to throw any light on the fate of the missing vessel. The Leonard, which carried crew of about nine men was registered at Banff, and the bulk . of her crew hailed from the North of Scotland. The vessel was recently repaired at Dundee.
Western Daily Press - Wednesday 14 January 1920
MINE-SWEEPER MISSING. Grave fears are entertained concerning the safety of H.M. Drifter Leonard, which sailed , with crew nine men from Inverkeithing, for Dundee, last Thursday, and has not since been heard of. The vessel should have reached Dundee the same day. A small craft was observed in distress at the mouth of the Tay that afternoon, but a tug which put out to lender assistance failed to find her.
Dundee Courier - Friday 06 February 1920
BLOWING UP WRECK OF CLAN SHAW. FIRST CHARGE FIRED BY SALVAGE MEN.
Strange Discovery Near The Scene Of The Explosion.
Another chapter has been added to the tragic history of the Clan Shaw. The first charge in the process of blowing up the wreck was fired by the salvage men yesterday. Complete success attended the operation. Not much wreckage was visible on account of the Clan Shaw being an iron-built vessel. - The sea was strewn with the bodies of dead fish, while pieces of jute were scattered about on the surface of the water. Sea Strewn With Dead Fish. It to low tide when the salvage authorities reached the scene of operations at the mouth of the River Tay. The first thing that caught the eye on arrival there was the mast of another vessel protruding above the water, while her masthead light was also visible. Those in charge of operations decided buoy the stranger's mast. On this being completed a diver from each vessel made a short survey of the scene. The sunken stranger may or may not be the Government drifter Leonard which been missing for several weeks. The " Courier" was informed last night that the matter would be reported to the Senior Naval Officer at Dundee.
BLOWING UP WRECK OF CLAN SHAW. FIRST CHARGE FIRED BY SALVAGE MEN.
Strange Discovery Near The Scene Of The Explosion.
Another chapter has been added to the tragic history of the Clan Shaw. The first charge in the process of blowing up the wreck was fired by the salvage men yesterday. Complete success attended the operation. Not much wreckage was visible on account of the Clan Shaw being an iron-built vessel. - The sea was strewn with the bodies of dead fish, while pieces of jute were scattered about on the surface of the water. Sea Strewn With Dead Fish. It to low tide when the salvage authorities reached the scene of operations at the mouth of the River Tay. The first thing that caught the eye on arrival there was the mast of another vessel protruding above the water, while her masthead light was also visible. Those in charge of operations decided buoy the stranger's mast. On this being completed a diver from each vessel made a short survey of the scene. The sunken stranger may or may not be the Government drifter Leonard which been missing for several weeks. The " Courier" was informed last night that the matter would be reported to the Senior Naval Officer at Dundee.
Dundee Courier - Saturday 14 February 1920
The Fate of the Drifter Leonard. In view of recent developments by the discovery of indications of another wreck believed to the Government drifter Leonard laying in close proximity to the Clan Shaw at the mouth of the Tay, a number of Harbour officials yesterday visited the scene on board the tug Gilroy. On arrival, however, it was found that the weather conditions were against a diver making a thorough inspection of the wrecks and the project was abandoned.
The Fate of the Drifter Leonard. In view of recent developments by the discovery of indications of another wreck believed to the Government drifter Leonard laying in close proximity to the Clan Shaw at the mouth of the Tay, a number of Harbour officials yesterday visited the scene on board the tug Gilroy. On arrival, however, it was found that the weather conditions were against a diver making a thorough inspection of the wrecks and the project was abandoned.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Saturday 14 February 1920
DRIFTER LEONARD'S FATE ASCERTAINED. SUNK OFF MOUTH OF THE TAY. Facts which have now come to light leave little or doubt that the mysterious wreck lying beside the sunken Clan Shaw at the mouth of the estuary of the Tay is that of the lost drifter Leonard, Thursday the Lily, the vessel engaged in salving work at the Clan Shaw, and two harbour tugs, the Gilroy and Charles Barrie, visited tho wreck, and it is learned that from investigation made, the fate of the Leonard is now practically settled. The wreck lies close to the Clan Shaw,- so close, indeed, that it has been decided not to place a wreck buoy on it, the buoy marking the Clan Shaw being considered sufficient.
Recently, it will be remembered, wreckage, apparently of a vessel of the Leonard class, was picked up by the Lily, the harbour tugs, and pilot cutter North Esk. None of the bodies of the crew the drifter has, however, yet been found. The Leonard, under the command Skipper Thomas Lawson, of Buckie, with a crew of some half-dozen men, left Inverkeithing on January 8th for Dundee, to be fully re-equipped after war service. She did not arrive next day, as expected, but vessel was reported that night to be in distress at the mouth of the Tay. A tug boat went out, but could find no signs of a disabled vessel. It was generally believed that the Leonard, had foundered with all hands, but no definite evidence of her fate was obtained. No official intimation has been made as yet in the matter by the Admiralty beyond the statement that the Leonard is missing. Two of the crew belong to Shetland, one hails from Aberdeen. one from Peterhead, and one from Hull.
DRIFTER LEONARD'S FATE ASCERTAINED. SUNK OFF MOUTH OF THE TAY. Facts which have now come to light leave little or doubt that the mysterious wreck lying beside the sunken Clan Shaw at the mouth of the estuary of the Tay is that of the lost drifter Leonard, Thursday the Lily, the vessel engaged in salving work at the Clan Shaw, and two harbour tugs, the Gilroy and Charles Barrie, visited tho wreck, and it is learned that from investigation made, the fate of the Leonard is now practically settled. The wreck lies close to the Clan Shaw,- so close, indeed, that it has been decided not to place a wreck buoy on it, the buoy marking the Clan Shaw being considered sufficient.
Recently, it will be remembered, wreckage, apparently of a vessel of the Leonard class, was picked up by the Lily, the harbour tugs, and pilot cutter North Esk. None of the bodies of the crew the drifter has, however, yet been found. The Leonard, under the command Skipper Thomas Lawson, of Buckie, with a crew of some half-dozen men, left Inverkeithing on January 8th for Dundee, to be fully re-equipped after war service. She did not arrive next day, as expected, but vessel was reported that night to be in distress at the mouth of the Tay. A tug boat went out, but could find no signs of a disabled vessel. It was generally believed that the Leonard, had foundered with all hands, but no definite evidence of her fate was obtained. No official intimation has been made as yet in the matter by the Admiralty beyond the statement that the Leonard is missing. Two of the crew belong to Shetland, one hails from Aberdeen. one from Peterhead, and one from Hull.
Londonderry Sentinel - Thursday 15 January 1920
DRIFTER MISSING. A Dunbar message says—H.M. drifter Leonard, which sailed from Inverkeithing, on the Firth Forth coast, last Thursday, has not since been heard of. The vessel was bound for Dundee, where she should have arrived the same day. A ship was observed distress the mouth of the that afternoon, and tug, which proceeded to render assistance, failed find any trace of her. The Leonard is in the minesweeper service, and carried nine men.
DRIFTER MISSING. A Dunbar message says—H.M. drifter Leonard, which sailed from Inverkeithing, on the Firth Forth coast, last Thursday, has not since been heard of. The vessel was bound for Dundee, where she should have arrived the same day. A ship was observed distress the mouth of the that afternoon, and tug, which proceeded to render assistance, failed find any trace of her. The Leonard is in the minesweeper service, and carried nine men.
Broughty Ferry Guide and Advertiser - Friday 27 February 1920
It is now officially accepted that the mysterious wreck which was discovered in the neighbourhood of the sunken Clan Shaw at the mouth of the Tay Estuary is that of the drifter Leonard, which disappeared with all hands while on a voyage from Inverkeithing to Dundee on 8th January.
It is now officially accepted that the mysterious wreck which was discovered in the neighbourhood of the sunken Clan Shaw at the mouth of the Tay Estuary is that of the drifter Leonard, which disappeared with all hands while on a voyage from Inverkeithing to Dundee on 8th January.
Dundee Courier - Wednesday 03 March 1920
THE CLAN SHAW OPERATIONS. Leonard Victims' Bodies Irrecoverable. Considerable progress continues to made in disposing of the Tay shipping menace —the Clan Shaw wreck and, given favourable weather, Mr Thomas Round, Sunderland, the contractor, is hopeful that in two months' time his heavy task w ill have been completed. During the recent spell of favourable weather every opportunity has been taken of observing the results of the blasting operations which have to the present been carried through, and the results have been found to be eminently satisfactory. Mr Round's salvage vessel Lily was again engaged at the scene of the wreck yesterday. when the diver descended and made a thorough inspection of the work which has already been accomplished. Efforts were made to lay another big charge which would materially hasten the process dispersal, but owing to the water not being over clear On account of the recent rain thi9 project was partially abandoned pending an opportunity for clearer vision. It is expected that the charge will be finally laid to-day. No Bodies Found. Mr Round stated to the Courier last night that the wreck the Government drifter Leonard in the vicinity had now been completely disposed of, and that the operations on the Clan Shaw could now be carried on without hindrance far as the other wreck is concerned. Some surprise has been caused by the fact that none of the bodies of the crew of the ill-fated Leonard have been discovered. A careful scrutiny of the Leonard was made prior to the operations, but no trace of any corpses were found the vicinity. Mr Round stated last night that in his opinion none the Leonard's crew were aboard her when she foundered, and that in all probability they had put.off their small boat and been swamped possibly some distance from the scene of the disaster, mountainous seas were running at the time.
THE CLAN SHAW OPERATIONS. Leonard Victims' Bodies Irrecoverable. Considerable progress continues to made in disposing of the Tay shipping menace —the Clan Shaw wreck and, given favourable weather, Mr Thomas Round, Sunderland, the contractor, is hopeful that in two months' time his heavy task w ill have been completed. During the recent spell of favourable weather every opportunity has been taken of observing the results of the blasting operations which have to the present been carried through, and the results have been found to be eminently satisfactory. Mr Round's salvage vessel Lily was again engaged at the scene of the wreck yesterday. when the diver descended and made a thorough inspection of the work which has already been accomplished. Efforts were made to lay another big charge which would materially hasten the process dispersal, but owing to the water not being over clear On account of the recent rain thi9 project was partially abandoned pending an opportunity for clearer vision. It is expected that the charge will be finally laid to-day. No Bodies Found. Mr Round stated to the Courier last night that the wreck the Government drifter Leonard in the vicinity had now been completely disposed of, and that the operations on the Clan Shaw could now be carried on without hindrance far as the other wreck is concerned. Some surprise has been caused by the fact that none of the bodies of the crew of the ill-fated Leonard have been discovered. A careful scrutiny of the Leonard was made prior to the operations, but no trace of any corpses were found the vicinity. Mr Round stated last night that in his opinion none the Leonard's crew were aboard her when she foundered, and that in all probability they had put.off their small boat and been swamped possibly some distance from the scene of the disaster, mountainous seas were running at the time.
SS Clan Shaw
The Wreck
Chart 1481. River Tay 1920 & 1921. UKHO
There is no wreck card for HMD Leonard but there is a wreck card (3015) for the SS Clan Shaw. The chart from 1920 shows the charted wreck of the Clan Shaw, wreck (1917).It is most likely that HMD Leonard, in poor weather, struck the wreck of SS Clan Shaw. The wreck of the SS Clan Shaw was dispersed during the early part of 1920 and on the 1921 chart it is shown as ''Foul Ground'' and the wreck card gives a cleared depth of 22 feet by August 1920. In November 1920 the light buoy marking the wreck was removed. From the newspaper articles it was noted that the wreck of HMD Leonard was also reduced by explosives and the two wrecks are most likely intermingled together.
Bob Baird, in his great book Shipwrecks of the Firth and Tay writes '' The wreck of the Leonard is easy to find. Just swim along the exposed propeller shaft of the Clan Shaw to the propeller, which is sitting 1.5 meters high off the sand. Directly off the end of the propeller, less than 20 feet away, lies the small wreck of the Leonard.
Bob Baird, in his great book Shipwrecks of the Firth and Tay writes '' The wreck of the Leonard is easy to find. Just swim along the exposed propeller shaft of the Clan Shaw to the propeller, which is sitting 1.5 meters high off the sand. Directly off the end of the propeller, less than 20 feet away, lies the small wreck of the Leonard.
The Crew.
Henry Bruce (46), Trimmer, no. 5423TS, RNR. Son of Walter and Mary Bruce, of Haroldswick, Unst, Shetland Isles; husband of Isabella Smith Bruce, of 97, West North St., Aberdeen, Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Charles Rowland Colby, Trimmer, no. 7240TS, Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Robert Fisher, (42), Engineman, no. 4335ES, , Son of Thomas Fisher; husband of Henrietta Fisher, of 31, West Dock Avenue, Hessle Rd., Hull, Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Roderick Gillies, (20), Deckhand, no. 20647DA, Son of Murdo and Annie Gillies, of 20, South Dell, Ness, Stornoway, Ross-shire, Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Thomas Lawson, Skipper, 4 Colonsay Place, Buckie,
John Murray (19), Deckhand, no. 22055DA. Son of Donald and Flora Murray, of 21, Swanibost, Ness, Stornoway, Ross-shire, Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
