On 8th January 1912 the Lucy Ashton was sailing from Craigendoran to Garelochhead in a snowstorm when she ran into the stern of the Allan liner Siberian which was moored between Rahane and Mambeg. She was travelling at speed when the accident occurred and stove in her bow both above and below the waterline. The vessel was able to make Garelochhead and disembark her passengers. She then returned to the Siberian to see if assistance was required. The skipper was Roderick McDonald who had a reputation for driving the little steamer hard.

The Siberian was laid up at the time.  Apparently, the moorings of the Siberian had dragged her anchor in the storm and moved her into the track normally taken by the steamer.

Siberian in Service

The following account is from a contemporary newspaper:

“During the severe snowstorm in the Gareloch on Monday night the North British steamer Lucy Ashton, while on her late run up the Gareloch from Craigendoran between five and six o’clock, was in collision with the Allan liner Siberian, moored between Rahane and Mambeg, near the head-of the loch. The Lucy Ashton’s passengers were on the companion way preparatory to stepping out on deck, and they were thrown on the floor at the foot of the stairway when the Lucy Ashton struck the Siberian. The passenger boat had her bow buckled eight or nine feet of its length being crushed into a compact flattened face several feet broad.

“Captain McDonald, in command, finding that the boat did not make water, proceeded to Garelochhead and landed his passengers. Here the injured were attended by Dr McRitchie. Captain McDonald took the Lucy Ashton back to the Siberian to give assistance there if necessary, but the liner, although a hole showed near her stern, was in no danger, and the men on board remained with her.

Lucy Ashton at Craigendoran with her damaged bow

“The Lucy Ashton lay overnight at Garelochhead, and yesterday morning proceeded to Craigendoran under her own steam. She will be taken up the river for repairs when Mr Gilchrist, the North British steamboat manager, who was at Craigendoran yesterday, has completed arrangements. Yesterday the Talisman, another boat of the North British fleet, took up the runs of the disabled steamer.

“The names of those who sustained injuries are:— Mr William Stewart Turnbull, J.P., Aitkenshaw, Rahane, suffering from injuries to right shoulder, and right collarbone broken. Mr John McEwan, Lochanbrae, Mambeg, fractured nose and injuries to jaw and cheekbone. Miss Elizabeth Chalmers, Grenlea, Rahane, wound above and behind left ear. Mrs John Ross, Fernbank, Rahane, large bruise and cut below right eye. Miss Margaret McDonald, 3 Glencairn Terrace, Garelochhead, concussion of brain and large wound above left temple. Thomas Murray, fireman, 32 Maclean Street, Plantation, Govan, injury to lower ribs and severe shock. William Docherty, donkeyman, 6 Park Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow, cut above right eye and right hand cut. The two last-named were going on board the Siberian, and had joined the steamer only a few minutes before at Shandon.”