The wreck of the ‘Ocean Tide’
Photograph of the wreck of the ‘Ocean Tide’ off Mannal in 1942.
Courtesy of Ms Linda Gowans
George Holleyman, an archaeologist in the RAF police posted to Tiree during World War II, photographed the wreck of the ‘Ocean Tide’ in January 1942. A trawler from Leith, the ‘Ocean Tide’ had run aground off Mannal in poor weather.
Repeated attempts were made by RAF personnel and three local volunteer coastguards to shoot a line to the stricken vessel without success. Buffeted by the wind and the incoming tide, the trawler was listing so badly it was in danger of turning over.
The crew made a last desperate attempt to save themselves and launched a small boat. Within minutes they lost control and were driven on to a rocky promontory. By luck, two of the lines had caught on the rocks and the six crew members, one of them injured, were able to struggle ashore.
Black and white photograph of SS Ocean Tide in 1942.
The SS Ocean Tide on the rocks at Mannal in January 1942 photographed by George Holleyman.
Black and white photograph of SS Laristan in 1942.
The SS Laristan on the rocks at Craignish in 1942 photographed by George Holleyman.
Black and white photograph of Hugh MacNeill, Balevullin.
Hugh MacNeill of Balevullin, Tiree demonstrates how his mother, Flora MacNeill, would make small clay pots known as craggans which were believed to have special healing properties. Photographed by George Holleyman.
Black and white photograph of a horn spoon, a serving mallet and a butter pat.
Horn spoon from Balevullin (left); serving mallet made of whalebone found in a ruined cottage in Caoles (middle); wooden butter pat (right), all photographed by George Holleyman.
Black and white photograph of six Tiree craggans.
Six Tiree craggans photographed by George Holleyman between 1941 and 1943, and published in the paper ‘Tiree Craggans’, by G. A. Holleyman, in Antiquity 21, December 1947, pp 205-211. On the original slide, the craggans are captioned individually: 1 from Sandaig, 2 from Balevullin, 3-6 made by Hugh MacNeil in 1942.
Collection of four original photographs and two postcards.
Postcard of renovated house in Scarinish (1997.149.1 – A34); Postcard of Ruaig school (1997.148.35 – B19); group of unknown people (1997.148.36 – B20); Wartime revue (1997.148.37 – B21); Margaret Brown, Gott (1997.150.1 – B23); Scarinish pier with Eairdsidh na pacaid (1997.163.1 – C18); Bringing in the hay ( 1997.160.10 – D31).
Collection of five original photographs and one postcard.
The postmistress and postmen on horse and traps in Scarinish (1997.168.6 – A6); MacArthurs` shop in Scarinish (1997.175.1 – E1); postcard of Mannal (1997.175.2 – E3); Tiree regatta 1939 (photo number unknown); Scarinsh harbour and the old prison (photo number unknown); Tiree Youth Club 1950 (photo number unknown).
Small photo album titled `Places and Faces in Tiree 1932`.
Small photograph album titled `Places and Faces in Tiree 1932` said to come from Silversands and containing 17 black and white photographs with captions.
Black and white photograph of the new road to Silversands, Vaul.
Photograph from a small album from Silversands, Vaul, titled `The new road to Silversands`, probably taken in the late 1920s to early 1930s.
Black and white photograph of a collier on the beach at Brock.
Photograph from a small album from Silversands, Vaul, titled `Collier on the beach at Brock` of a puffer waiting to discharge coal into horse-drawn carts, probably taken in the late 1920s to early 1930s. For additional information see catalogue for 1997.176.7.
