Rod Macdonald's video: SS Fernside

The small SS Fernside was built in 1921. By WWII she was involved in the transport of precious war coal cargoes up the east coast. She set off on a voyage from Hartlepool to Wick in February 1942 - scheduled to arrive at Wick on 27 February. She never arrived and was listed as missing, presumed bombed, in the Moray Firth. Whilst shotting a local wreck 5 miles off Stonehaven, the SS Gowrie, we snagged our line about 50 metres away from our usual spot. When we descended expecting to see the Gowrie we found we were snagged on a totally different unknown wreck sitting just out of sight. Deeside BSAC found the bell, which confirmed the identity - we hadn't expected the Fernside to turn up here - so far from where she was presumed lost in the Moray Firth.