Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

"Ardachy" aground at Irvine Harbour

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

RESCUE BY TROON LIFEBOAT

CREW OF 8 SAVED BY BREECHES BUOY AT IRVINE

An outstanding rescue at sea by Troon life-boat on Wednesday of last week reflects the highest credit on Coxwain Arthur Pearce and his crew.

During the late afternoon, the 200-ton Glasgow coaster "Ardachy", which was loaded with coal, went aground to the north side of Irvine Harbour bar in heavy seas and with a half-gale blowing.
Distress signals from the vessel were observed at the harbour and Troon Life-boat was summoned.

The life-boat received the call between 6 and 7 p.m. and, after batling against heavy seas, reached Irvine at 7.20.
Faced by confused seas, sleet showers, a high wind, and darkness which at times blotted out everything, the coxwain tried to manoeuvre the life-boat on the lee side of the stranded vessel.
The life-boat, however, touched ground hard and the coxwain decided to change position and take the men off by breeches buoy on the weather side.

During the operation, the sea at times broke clean over the life-boat and filled her, yet the crew of eight of the "Ardachy" were all slowly hauled successfully aboard the life-boat - soaked, shaken but uninjured.
They were landed at Irvine and then taken to the Seamen's Mission at Troon.

Coxwain Pearce had the highest praise for mechanic James Mackay and the crew of the life-boat, who, in his own words, "did a rotten job on a dark night admirably ; they had a hard job pulling the men through the water."

At the Seamen's Mission at Troon, about midnight on the same evening, we heard from Hector MacDonald, of Tiree, skipper of the stranded vessel, just how warm were the feelings of himself and his men towards the coxwain and crew of Troon Life-boat, and also to Mr. Marr and his helpers at the Mission, who had provided them with a hot meal, some dry clothing and a bed.
The men were still badly shaken from their ordeal but were, just as obviously, relieved to find themselves safe among good friends.

The "Ardachy" was successfully refloated on Tuesday and towed into Irvine Harbour.