Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Stranded "Ardachy" is refloated at Irvine Harbour

From "Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 6th January 1950

Stranded Ship Refloated

The 200-ton coasting steamer "Ardachy," which was driven ashore in a fierce squall on Wednesday of last week, to the north of Irvine Harbour entrance, was successfully refloated and brought into the harbour at about noon on Tuesday of this week.

The "Ardachy" is owned by Messrs. J. & A. Gardner, Glasgow, and was on a run from Irvine to Loch Riddon with 160 tons of coal.
As she left the shelter of the port she was caught in a squall and battered by heavy waves. The crew put out an anchor in an endeavour to prevent her from being driven ashore, but it failed to hold and the vessel went aground on a sand bank on the North Shore.

After efforts to bring her off, a message was sent by Irvine Harbour authorities for assistance from Troon lifeboat.
When the lifeboat arrived on the scene, a breeches buoy was thrown to the stranded vessel, and the crew were transferred by it to the lifeboat, landed at Irvine Harbour and sent to the seamen's hostel at Troon.

On Tuesday of this week the vessel was comfortably moored at the east end of Irvine Harbour awaiting survey.