Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Yacht sinks after being driven against "Glen Sannox" at Fairlie

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 26th September 1969

Fierce Gales

Strong winds and heavy seas battered the Firth of Clyde last week-end.

Some local anglers got into difficulties when they were returning from a fishing trip off Largs and Greenock.
They were unable to enter Saltcoats Harbour and had to moor their boats at Ardrossan Harbour.
Also at Saltcoats the storm caused two small craft to sink at their moorings.

"Spindrift" weatherbound at Brodick.

Mr. Hugh Robertson who delivers the Sunday papers to Arran in his boat "Spindrift" was unable to return to the mainland on Sunday due to the weather, and was forced to spend the night on the island.
The wind-guage at Ardrossan Harbour recorded gusts of up to 75 miles-per-hour, although Harbour Master Captain J Scott stated it was "All Clear" as far as shipping was concerned.

Arran Damage

The coastguards had a busy weekend as several small boats in the area were reported to be in difficulties.
A number of boats sheltered from the storm in Lamlash and Brodick Bays.
Some small boats were carried out to sea from their moorings at Lamlash.

Fairlie

Pleasure craft at Fairlie felt the full brunt of the storm but damage was comparatively slight. One yacht and two motor cruisers were blown ashore and damaged.
A yacht yacht sank after being driven against the "Glen Sannox" at Fairlie Pier. Divers began work on the wreck on Monday.
Later the "Glen Sannox" had some difficulty in leaving the pier, and the "Queen Mary 11" was diverted to Largs.

Last Friday, Ardrossan and West Kilbride Police received reports of a distress signal from a vessel off Loup Cottage, Seamill.
Troon life-boat later searched the area, but could find no trace of any boat in distress.