Epic trip that defied disaster
Steamer was feared lost in 100mph winds
By Lorraine Shearer
(From The Orcadian dated January 2, 2003)

The North Isles steamer Earl Thorfinn, which survived horrendous sea conditions in 100mph winds.

The epic journey of Captain Hamish Flett and his crew on board the North Isles steamer, Earl Thorfinn, during the hurricane that swept across Orkney in January,1953, has taken an honoured place in the annals of Orkney seamanship.

For several hours at the height of the storm, the ship – with ten passengers and 13 crew aboard – was missing, having left Kirkwall on her regular sailing to Westray on Saturday morning, January 31.

Nothing more was heard of her until late on Saturday night, when with great relief, Orkney learned that the Thorfinn – under the command of 32-year-old Captain Flett – had made it to Aberdeen harbour – 140 miles off course.

The ship, which was owned by the Orkney Steam Navigation Company, had narrowly missed running aground in the North Isles and had been swept by tremendous seas while running before the gale.

The full force of the hurricane hit the 150ft-ship around 9am, while sailing between Sanday and Stronsay.

John Burgher, who was to succeed Hamish Flett as captain of the Thorfinn, was a 29-year-old deckhand at the time of the arduous journey.

“It was not a bad morning,” he recalled from his home on Glaitness Road in Kirkwall. “With every shower that came the wind seemed to get up and did not go down again until it reached storm force. We could see nothing because of the snow showers.”

The ship would not keep her head to the wind meaning she was pitching and diving high in and out of the water.

“The propeller was coming out of the water and the engine was racing,” Captain Burgher (79) said. “The throttle was closed to save the engine. We did not have the power to take her head up. She blew before the wind and away.”

Captain Flett made for the open sea, according to The Orcadian of February 5, 1953.

The passengers were down below in the saloon and Hamish Flett said afterwards: “They didn’t know just how bad things really were. I’ve never seen the like of it before. Visibility was nil and the gale was more than 100 mph. Twice we nearly went aground on Sanday.”

Running before the wind, the Earl Thorfinn was driven southwards.

“With the wind behind us we were constantly being pooped by waves breaking over the stern. Lockers and seats aft were torn away and one lifeboat was swung out of her cradle. At one time the starboard lifeboat was buried in the sea as the Earl heeled over,” he added at the time.

John Burgher said that, for most of the time, there were at least four men trying to control the steering wheel.

“We would pull the wheel one way and it would go the other. There was two men on the front and two men at the back, sometimes more when we thought we were beat.

“Once we got past Peterhead we started getting into the shelter of the land. But we didn’t know how far off we were and had to get far enough out so we didn’t go ashore.”

With no radio or radar, the men flashed their lamp in an attempt to signal Peterhead that they were all right. But there was no response.

Boats take shelter in Kirkwall harbour from the heavy seas in 1953.

“We arrived into Aberdeen bay, but we were not allowed in. There were a lot of ships that couldn’t get in. They finally took us in on Sunday afternoon with high water.”

When asked if he was glad to touch dry land again, he said: “God, aye! I was kind of tired by then as we had struggled on with the wheel all day.”

Most of the telephone lines were down in Kirkwall, so his parents waited, along with other relatives, in the post office for news.

“A lot of things went through your mind. I saw the cliffs at Burgh Head off Stronsay at one point – it was close. The captain was up top watching in case we ran into something. If anything had come on, there is nothing we could have done to stop it.”

The young deckhand remained at sea for the next 30 years.

According to The Orcadian several weeks after the event, a glimpse of land off Stronsay permitted a definite course to be set.

“For half an hour or thereby the sea ran fairly true, but in the neighbourhood of Auskerry the sea became confused, and it was here that the most dangerous moment of the journey was experienced.

“The vessel took three heavy seas in quick succession over the starboard side and it was, in the master’s opinion, only a miracle that the third sea did not roll the ship completely over.

“The shock of this experience was hardly overcome when the steam steering gear was carried away, filling the wheelhouse with escaping steam. The engines were immediately rung ‘full astern,’ thus keeping the vessel’s stern to the seas whilst the damage was being examined.”

The newspaper continued: “The engineer related that when he received the signal full astern he thought that the ship was in danger of going ashore.

“Finding that the damaged steering gear could not be repaired, the hand steering gear was engaged and the vessel was once more set away on a southerly course at full speed.”

The master directed the steering from his position in the upper wheelhouse, passing orders to the mate down below.

However, as darkness arrived, visibility improved and the showers lessened, although the wind didn’t ease. When Rattray was raised a definite fix of position was obtained and the ship’s speed was calculated at just over ten knots.

They reached Aberdeen Harbour at 9.30pm, but had to dodge the other ships until she finally docked at 3.15pm on Sunday – ending an epic journey.

“Anxiety at the Orkney end was relieved when Mr Robert Mackie, manager of the North of Scotland Shipping Company, phoned from Aberdeen to say that the Earl Thorfinn had berthed safely at Aberdeen and that all aboard were safe and well,” The Orcadian said.

Captain Flett and his crew were on duty for more than 30 hours with only one cup of lukewarm soup, which they managed to snatch before the sea put out the galley fire.

The physical and mental strain of working under such conditions in sodden clothing must have been terrific.

Amazingly, the ship sustained little damage and was back on duty the following weekend.

Captain Flett and his crew received a special commendation for their efforts in keeping the ship afloat on that momentous day.

The crew of the Earl Thorfinn who had a miraculous escape during the 1953 storm in Orkney. Pictured, back row, from left, are: Billy Brown (able seaman); Richie Rendall (able seaman); Mack Brown (fireman); Harry Lovie (able seaman); David Hutchison (able seaman); John Burgher (able seaman); Jackie Bain (steward). Front row: William Rendall (boatswain); Ron Vickery (mate); Captain Hamish Flett (master); Duncan Manson, Sandy Ross (chief engineer). Sitting: Tommy Gray (cabin boy).

 

See also - Storm which changed the face of Orkney