Lochgarry

Type: Length - 265.0ft x 33.5ft x draft 15.5ft; 1,670 gross ton Ferry.

Wreck Information: The Lochgarry was taken into the MacBrayne fleet in 1937, having previously been named the 'Lairdstock', and built in 1898 as the 'Vulture'. The new fittings were of a high standard, with electric lighting, hot and cold water in the 48 berths, a dining saloon to accommodate 100 guests at a sitting and spacious sun and shelter decks. As the advertising leaflet said, 'The Lochgarry is a proud ship.' The Lochgarry was used on the Glasgow to West Highland passenger service until World War II when she was requisitioned for war service in 1940 and served at Dunkirk. The Lochgarry struck rocks off Rathlin Island in bad seas and sank with the loss of 23 lives.

Travel and Parking directions: Ferry from Liverpool or Heysham to Douglas with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

Distance from harbour: Free slip at Ballycastle, 5.5 miles Portstewart 19.5 miles

Lat & Long: 55 15.957N, 6 10.436W The wreck is on the East side of rathlin island and is usually buoyed.

Chart: GB 2635

Depth: 32m

Tides: Tide tables The best slack water is two hours before low-water Belfast.

Diveboat: Dive North Aquaholics Loyal watcher Rosguil

Diveshop: Dive North Aquaholics

Accommodation: Contact me

Suggested experience: Sport diver

Other comments: The Lochgarry is the most popular wreck in the area, the sea above it can be busy with dive boats, especially at weekends. She sits on an even keel on a flat seabed. The bow points away from Rathlin Island and midships the triple expansion steam engine is open to view. This is what I call a rummage dive, lots to see and touch just lying there.

Created by: John Nicolson

Date: 7/7/07

Revision: 1

Thanks To: Paul W for the U/W pictures

Links:

Underwater photos: Utube Utube

Wreck diagram: Contact me

Dive Report: John Nicolson 20/7/09 This is a dive you need local knowledge to get the tides right, Not a bad dive even though we got the tides wrong.....good viz at about 10-12m. I saw the famous black and white tiles and gave them a clean. Also saw the chains the navy dumped on top of the amunition.