Hulk of Thames sailing barge, 'Scotia of London', east of The Hythe (EHER 13742)

The remains of a Thames sailing barge, Scotia of London. She was built in 1899 and later re-rigged and subsequently used as a lighter in the 1950s, before being hulked in the saltings below the bridge at Maldon. It is not known what year she was hulked at Maldon but it was certainly before 1974.

Scotia of London, official No. 110198, 67 ton. Built of steel by Fays of Southampton in 1899 for E.J. and W. Goldsmith, she was later re-rigged by Ian Mackensie before use as a lighter by Sadds and subsequently hulked in the Saltings below the bridge at Maldon. <1> <2> See aerial photograph <3>. See also photo. Scotia can be seen hulked alongside Oxygen (EHER 81999) <4>. NRHE data transfer: Wreck Site and Archaeological Remains. Method of Fix: PHOT <5> <6> Horizontal Datum: OGB <5> Vertical Datum: LAT <5> <6> 09-SEP-1981: Stranded in 51 43.44N 000 41.35E (HMS HECATE). <5> <6> Position fixed by aerial photography, in 2m depth: sonar length 12m. <5> Seen to be located in the inter-tidal zone, north of the Marine Park and of the navigational channel respectively; west of No.19 buoy. Position compared with that of UKHO No.13327 also charted close east; but 13327 was not recorded until 1990, suggesting that the recording of 13077 in 1981 shows the wreck of the SCOTIA as in 1974 (alternatively it may be that 13327 and 13077 are variant accounts of the same site, recorded at different times from differently interpreted aerial photographs). In either case the position is certainly the SCOTIA. Position also compared with that mapped in source <8> for the SCOTIA, also suggesting a match. <7> Position compared with that as mapped in source <8> and identified from this position. <9> Documentary Evidence. 4.4.b.i. SCOTIA of London, 67 tons register; history of ownership given as Goldsmith, then Sadds, later Ian Mackenzie but without dates of ownership; became a lighter 1950, rerigged in the 1950s, and hulked, date not given. Certainly hulked by date of Society for Spritsail Barge Research walk 07-APR-1974 when her location was recorded. <8> Built: 1899 <8> Builder: Fay <8> Where Built: Southampton <8> Official Number: 110198 <8> Owners: Goldsmith; Sadds; Ian Mackenzie <8> Date of Loss Qualifier: Recording date of loss