The Janet McNicol was an Ardrossan registered wooden smack owned by Mr Alexander McNicol of Brodick, Arran. She had been carvel built by Messrs J. & H. Halliday at Rothesay in 1875 and was 42.5 feet in length, 14.8 feet in breadth and had a depth of hold of 6.4 feet, giving her a gross tonnage of 23.15 tons and registered tonnage of 19.49 tons.

Janet McNicol at Lamlash Quay around 1900

On 8th October 1907 at Irvine, the Janet McNicol, loaded a cargo of bricks for Brodick and sailed at 10:00 a.m., under the command of Mr. John B. McNicol, son of the owner. The crew consisting of Neil Stewart, mate, and Alexander Russel, deck hand. The Janet McNicol sailed over to Lamlash Bay where she anchored near the north-west end of Holy Isle, about three hundred yards from the shore. It was a safe anchorage, almost opposite a farm-house and the farmer, Mr. John McIntyre noted that the master and mate came ashore in the vessel’s small boat around 4:30 p.m. They returned around 7:00 p.m., perfectly sober as both men were total abstainers. Around 9:00 p.m., the farmer notes that the Janet McNicol’s light was visible. She had on board more than two gallons of the best paraffin oil, and properly fitted side lights, as well as a regulation galvanized iron anchor lamp of the best quality. Around 2:05 the following morning, the farmer went down to the slip to check on his boat. It was much darker and there were squalls and he could not see the smack or the light. A Saltcoats fisherman, John Shedden was anchored of King’s Cross and saw the Janet McNicol anchor and also saw the lights of the vessel at 9:00 p.m. and again at 2:00 a.m. as he was on deck with his brother at that time. Later both the farmer and the fishermen saw the mast-head and side lights of a small steamer enter Lamlash Bay from the south.

Glentow

The steamer was the Belfast registered Glentow, owned by Mr. Hugh McCalmont McGildowny of Ballycastle. Built of steel by Messrs. McArthur & Co., at Paisley in 1905, the Glentow was 108.5 feet in length, 19 feet in breadth with a depth of hold of 8.6 feet and 159.25 gross tons, 59.98 tons net. She had left Prince’s Dock in ballast at 8:00 p.m. under the command of Mr. James Kissack with a crew of six. It was raining and blowing from the north-east and the master decided to see shelter in Lamlash Bay around 2:00 a.m. The Glentow entered the bay from the south around 2:30 and proceeded at 5-6 knots, slowing to 2-3 knots as the point of anchorage was approached. The master was at the wheel and noted that he struck some object on his port bow and could see part of the mast reflect his starboard green light. He stopped and saw the light on the smack. He called out but got no answer. The mate indicated that he saw a light come up from the cabin or forecastle of the smack but after about 15 minutes it was extinguished. A deckhand on the Glentow named Nelson, said he heard some cries but the master did not take any further measures.

At 7 a.m., farmer John McIntyre went out in his boat and discovered about 4 feet of the mast of the Janet McNicol standing above the water but no sign of any wreckage. He went to the Glentow but got no response and then alerted the coast guard. A diver was summoned and went down in the afternoon. He saw that the stern and four or five feet of the post quarter had been cut off but was unable to enter the forecastle to ascertain if there were any bodies present.

The subsequent Court of Inquiry found that the loss of the Janet McNicol and the loss of life was due solely to the neglect of the master of the Glentow.