James Watt tours

On the night of 27 January 1974 fierce winds were battering the north Atlantic and Scotland’s west coast. Moored on the River Clyde, and waiting to unload its cargo of raw east African sugar was MV Captayannis and it took the full force of the violent storm. With gusts of more than 60mph whipping up the river into a frenzy, the Greek ship dragged its anchor and started to drift out of control. The captain, ordered his crew to start up the engines. His plan was to head for the more sheltered waters but before he could get the engines started disaster struck.The ship collided with the anchor chains of a BP oil tanker ripping a hole in the hull of the Captayannis. As the water flooded in, the captain had to think quickly, he took evasive action and decided to head for a nearby sandbar. His actions saved his 30-strong crew, as the ship listed on its port side, the crew were able to jump onto the deck of one of the rescue boats. The following morning, as the tide receded, the Captayannis keeled over on its side, never tosail again.Over the decades, looters have stripped the vessel of its most valuable fittings, but the ship remains stubbornly intact. Despite the passage of time, the deck is still largely intact and is a haven for fish and seabirds that have colonised its empty hatches.

The Captayannis is now known locally as the “Sugar Boat”. And today we hope you will be able to share in the history of one of the River Clyde’s most famous shipwrecks.

Feel free to bring snacks and drinks, however Please NO Alcohol on board.

Duration: 1 Hour
Capacity: 10 Passengers