Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

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Wednesday, September 17, 1969 @ 1100
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Aircraft wreckage found off Portencross

From "The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald" dated 19th September 1969

PLANE FOUND

Naval divers from the submarine base at Faslane went to Portencross, Ayrshire, on Wednesday, in an effort to identify aircraft wreckage found at the weekend in 40 feet of water, a quarter of a mile offshore.
A three-bladed propeller, engine, cockpit and wing stubs were spotted by divers Iain Stevenson, of Helensburgh, and Tom Forrest, of Neilston, when taking part in a search, organised by the Free Fishers of Fairlie, for the wreck of a Spanish galleon, said to lie off the coast.
Mr. Stevenson joined the naval party on Wednesday, but poor visibility led to failure.
This week-end the two civilians plan another attempt to locate the wreckage, and mark the position with buoys.
Mr. Ian Hamilton said later that no further action would be taken if it turned out to be wartime wreckage.
In January a big search followed a report by a Millport couple that they had seen a small aeroplane crash into the sea off Portencross.