Time could soon be up for historic lightship

North Carr, the second and last of only two lightships that Scotland has ever had, has been given a death sentence that will be executed in January 2024 if no one saves her.

Built in 1933 at a cost of £15,430 and remaining on station at North Carr, in Dundee, until 1975, the small Taymara charity that uses her as an HQ simply does not have the financial wherewithal to keep the 100ft vessel afloat.

According to the government-funded organisation National Historic Ships UK, the vessel served during the Second World War, accompanying ships between the Mull of Kintyre and the Mull of Galloway and only lighting her light at pre-arranged times when ships were passing.

Deafening Edinburgh

“When she was being fitted out, her fog horn was tested only three quarters of a mile off the coast and this caused outrage as far away as Edinburgh (70 miles),” said the organisation. “The large horn on deck had to be turned away from the wind so that the sound carried. If the ship moved because of tides and currents, the man on watch had to run forward and turn the fog horn by means of the wheel beside it and run back to the stern of the ship before he was deafened by it going off again.”

In December 1959, tragedy struck when a terrible gale caused the vessel to break her moorings and drift northwards.

Only one lifeboat, the Mona, was able to go and assist, and tragically capsized, killing eight of the crew onboard.

The North Carr crew were eventually rescued by helicopter.

In 2010, Taymara bought the vessel and moored her at Victoria Dock, Dundee.

“We take all sorts of disadvantaged people and children on boat trips to help them learn about how to safely run boats, and the North Carr has been our headquarters,” said David Morrison, with the charity. “But now we just don’t have the financial means to keep her going.”

Deterioration

“Over the past five years it has become apparent that the hull has suffered a significant level of decay,” says Taymara. “There has been a number of damaging leaks which we have duly pumped out, and perforations in the hull have been repaired by our volunteers using cement boxes and other means.

“Unfortunately, it has come to the time when no more can be done and there is a danger that the proliferation of leaks will become unsustainable – with potentially dire consequences.“

Morrison said there were many artefacts on board that would be saved before North Carr was decommissioned, such as an original cast-iron stove, engine equipment from the 30s and 40s, radio and other pieces.

“She is sort of painted into a corner with a marine playground in front of her, and the seawall is broken, so we can’t get her out anyway,” he said. “The only way would be for a huge crane to lift her out, but this would be impossible.

“These things have a history and once you destroy them there’s no going back.”

“This is a very sad time for our members, who have a tremendous affection for the iconic vessel and who have worked tirelessly to try and ensure that she might have a future,” says the charity.

“Regrettably, given the state of the vessel, there is no other way forward.”