Irish Wrecks On-Line - Towy SS (No. 800)

*Vessel Type:*	Steam Coaster	*Location:*	Co. Antrim
*Date of Loss:*	20th June 1930	*Place:*	Portrush
*Cause of Loss:*	Holed	*Boat Dive from:*	Portrush
*Charted Depth:*	15 - 18m	*Irish O.S. Map:*	Discovery Series No. 4
*Height of Wreck:*	Scattered	*Admiralty Chart No:*	49 and/or 2798
*Hull Material:*	Steel/Iron	*Latitude (Decca):*	55 12 28 North
*Type of Seabed:*	Sand and shingle	*Longitude (Decca):*	06 41 22 West
*Average Visibility:*	5 - 10m	*Diving Experience:*	Experienced Novice

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Diving Information:

Now scattered over a wide area.
Subject to mild currents.
Best dived at slack High or Low water.

Historical Information:

Measuring 110.3 x 21.1 x 10.1ft, the "Towy" was powered by compound 2 cylinder coal fired engine, and grossed 204 tons, 83 tons net.
Completed in April 1914 by Day, Summers & Co. Ltd., Southampton, for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., London, she was later sold to Ninian Shipping Co. Ltd., Cardiff on 28th May 1920; re-sold to Spillers Steamship Co. Ltd., Cardiff, on 6th April 1921, and finally sold to the Whiteabbey Shipping Co. Ltd., Co. Antrim on 19th March 1929.
While leaving Portstewart for Irvine in ballast, she grounded.
A tow to Portrush was organised, but she sank only a short distance from Portrush harbour on 20th June 1930.
The "Towy" was the last trader to use the harbour at Portstewart.

Source Publications:

"Munroe Brothers, Shipowners"
by R.S. Fenton

World Ship Society 1982 - ISBN: 0905617223

"Shipwreck Index of Ireland"
Richard & Bridget Larn

Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2002 - ISBN: 1900839970

"Shipwrecks of the Ulster Coast"
by Ian Wilson

Impact Printing 1997 - ISBN: 0948154993

Other Sources:

Ian Morrison

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Email (2001)

Norman Woods

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Portstewart SAC (1990)

Last update - 03-Apr-2003