Maritime record MHG14763 - HMS Beech: Holborn Head

ND17SW 8000 1102 7018
N 58 36.65 W 3 31.9

Formerly ND17SW 8403

Quality of fix = EDM
Horizontal Datum = OGB
General water depth = 13

Circumstances of Loss Details
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HM trawler HMS BEECH, formerly the LORD DAWSON, was purchased by the Admiralty in February 1939, and was used as a minesweeper, until it was bombed and sunk by aircraft in Scrabster Bay.
Source; Ships of the Royal Navy, World War II Shipping Loses.

Surveying Details
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The wreck's position is given as 58 36 39N, 003 32 00W, or bearing 147 degrees, 55 metres from Little Head light.
Report by Admiralty.

15 August 1941. The wreck has been dispersed to give a clearence of 9.1 metres.
Report by CSVO, Lyness.

29 June 1948. The wreck fouled a fishery protection cruiser. Report by Scottish Home Department, 23 June 1948.

29 October 1971. The wreck is reported by the Harbour Master, Scrabster, as non-existent.

9 February 1977. The site was not located by the detached survey party in the charted position using echosounder survey lines at 10 metre intervals out to 50 metres either side of the position. Local divers and the Harbour Master have searched for this wreck many times without success. It is considered probably to have disintegrated.
Report by HMS HERALD, 1 October 1976.

10 August 1977. Subsequent examination of the echo sounder traces revealed the wreck at 58 36 39N, 003 31 54W, having sunk level with the seabed. Report by HMS HERALD.

14 March 1978. The wreck's position is on a bearing of 104.75 degrees and 592 metres from Scrabster light.
Report by HMS HERALD, 6 October 1977.

23 Novermber 1981. A request to purchase the wreck has been made by Mr C W Stewart, Thurso.

1 March 1982. The wreck has been sold to Mr Stewart.

24 March 1982. The sale of the wreck to Mr Stewart is confirmed. Report by Directorate of Contracts/Supplies and the Equipment Procurement Executive, MOD, Bath, 26 February 1982.

Hydrographic Office, 1995. <1>