Orkney Image Library

The Ross Puma was salvaged by Robbie and Jimmy johnston. The wheel was given to the late Jackie Groat and is now in the lifeboat museum in Brims

My late uncle Jimmy Watters worked at a wrecked trawler along with Jimmy and Robert, trying to get an engine out. They cut the side out of the engine room, but I cant mind if they got it or not, I think it was a Dorman engine . did their boat have a Dorman?

The engine that Jimmy and Robbie removed was a Ruston and I think it drove a generator or a hydrolic pump and was under the focsall. They cut a hole and took it out using a davit, they then lowered it into their fishing boat Shirly.
I well remember the evening they took it into Longhope pier it was a heftie load in the Shirly, Geordie Kirkpatrick lifted the engine using the Hoy Head derrik and landed it onto a trailer brought down by the boys' father Sodger Bob.
Sadly the engine never was fitted to there other boat Luster, as they both lost ther lives on the Lifeboat in 1969.

Jimmy Watters cut a section oot o the side wae burning gear so that Jimmy and Robbie could work at gettan the generator oot ower a period o days. Jimmy had tae work up tae his neck in watter, by feel, tae let the howlding doon bolts go. They got an auld diving soot fae Nundy and it wid only fit Jimmy. Tae cut a long story short the wither was tae break and they made a last try. Both were on the winch, when there wis an almighty bang and the wire went slack. Robbie wis takan in the last o the slack when it came fast. Jimmy looked ower intae the hole and there wis the engine catchan on wan side o the hole. The engine was stripped doon intae drums o diesel and pit under benches in the boatshed, The main frame wis stored right at the back o the shed and wis a lump o rust. Unfortunately by the time I found the bits, the salt water had done for all the alloy, which there wis an awfie lot including the sump. Injectors big ends etc were lumps o rust. There wis nothing which could be salvaged. A sad end tae an awfie lot o hard work.

My dad was on all the Ross ships. His name was David Wakefield (Wacker).

My Dad Stephen Drever was on this ship when it ran aground. He was the Chief Engineer and still lives in Grimsby where the ship sailed from originally. God bless the fishermen and lifeboat crews.

I remember Steve Drever (of Westray descent),Dennis Speck (skipper) and Dennis Avery (mate)coming down to Groat's shop every morning after the grounding, for a cup of tea. They stayed in the Royal until the boat was written off as a total loss.

Steve Drever is also my Father. He has often spoken about the events that day and how sad he was to hear of the loss of the Lifeboat crew the following year. It is true he is now living back in Grimsby with our Mother after many years living and working in S. Africa. He is now 81 years old.

Stewart I mind on folk speakan aboot a Drever man fae Westray who was a trawler skipper oot o Grimsby- would that Steve Drever be any kin tae that man on the "Puma"?

I mind them comman ashore off the Lifeboat that mornin. Hid was the first day April 1968 and a lot o snow fell that night. The roads on the island were blocked next day- I mind towing the post van down tae the shop next mornin and meetan the Crew aboot the pier.

Later that day the lifeboat took most o the crew across to catch a flight home to Grimsby.

After all these years, its still a vivid memory. afterwards I went chief of the Ross Kelly. we were on our way home when we heard of the loss of the Longhope Lifeboat. I cried remembering all those splendid fellows that saved our lives that dreadful night.We got to know every one as we had a stay waitng for rhe Lloyds agent to write the ship off, and well remember our chinwags down at "Jackie Groats" As I was so scantily clad he loaned me his Duffle coat. Sad memories.

John the Drever from Westray that you were talking was Bill Drever who was skipper of the "Westella" for many years. His son Charlie was also a trawler skipper out of Hull and became Commodore skipper of the Marr fleet.

Steven thank you for your kind words. I joined the Lifeboat after the very sad loss of our fine crew in 69. It was such a rewarding time in my life and I served until 2009. We will never forget the boys who died that night, the lifeboats are so much better today and in no small measure due to the sad loss of our crews from Longhope and Fraserburgh who died in 69 & 70. The service is the finest in the world today.

I was on the "Ross Puma" on the day she ran aground on the "Old Man of Hoy". We were on our way home from the fishing grounds, in heavy seas and a snow storm, as we approached Pentland Firth. As we all know we didn't get to the Firth as the snow storm caused the ships radar to fail.
The skipper, Dennis Speck, immediately put out a "May Day".
It was Dan Kirkpatrick, coxswain of the Longhope lifeboat and his crew who came to our rescue. THEY SAVED OUR LIVES.
A year later all the crew from the Longhope lifeboat lost their lives to the elements, doing what was second nature to them. "Attempting to save the lives of others" Yes I still remember it well.
Specky was a brilliant skipper, Steve Drever a great Chief engineer and Dennis Avery a really good Mate.

Barry, I was at the pier when you all landed from the Lifeboat. Although 1st April a heavy snow fell that night, I remember being so proud of the lads that night and how you were all safe.

As the Lifeboat came home they burnt the green flare which indicated 'job done coming home'. I don't think such flares are carried now but long ago it was the sign to all on shore that the mission was over.

The green flare was burnt at an old lifeboat mans funeral to give the same message to all.

Seems strange looking at the old Puma, after all these years.. I am 83 now. and have returned to Waltham/Grimsby.. Spent 23years in South Africa. Best wishes to all who are mindful of the incident.

doe's anyone know how I can find out info on my dad who worked on the Grimsby trawlers in the 1960s.his name was Joe Horvath (Hungarian Joe) and he was a cook. much appreciated if you could point me in the right direction.

The sad new is that Stephen Drever passed away in Grimsby 1/8/13 RIP Dad. You are now sailing the big ocean in the sky. Love your son Donny Drever (Chicago USA)

[Is the date in US format, i.e. meaning 8th January 2013? - Steven]

My Grandad Dennis Speck was the skipper of the Ross Puma when she ran aground, he was skipper all of the Ross Fleet. Came by this getting some information on the Ross Fleet so proud of my Grandad! He sadly passed away on the 5th September 2013.

Daniel so sorry to hear your grandad has died. I remember him from the time of the loss of the "Ross Puma". He was a gentleman and so grateful for all that was done to help his crew that night.

For anyone that's interested - John Budge - Barry Dixon (my dad) passed away earlier this year xx

Amazing time moves on and we lose our loved ones just like the Puma lost its battle against the gale that night . May they all RIP.

Does anyone remember Ernie Stephenson engineer on the Ross Revenge and also worked on the ship when it was used as Radio Caroline's radio ship?

after more research on my father i have found out the trawlers he worked on as a cook.
ross zebra 22/7/1961 to 25/9/1961.
ross falcon 27/10/1961
saxon venture 1/5/1962 to 18/5/62
de hoop 21/10/62 to 3/7/63
ross jackal 21/8/1972 to 24/8/72.

was on all of the cat boats bird boats daring dainty ross fame ross fortune back in the 60s the puma i done a few trips on her

Hi Alan, we would like to include this photo in a sequence of images on a backdrop for a performance of a song about the Longhope lifeboat tradition, at our local folk club next month. Would you be willing to give your permission for us to do that, and to include it in a little leaflet we are handing out on the night?