Christmas Eve rescue mission ‘in the most atrocious conditions imaginable’

Stricken ship and her crew in 1978 Dundee drama

It was the daring River Tay rescue mission “in the most atrocious conditions imaginable” which saved the lives of a stricken ship’s crew 40 years ago today.

Helicopters from Leuchars and Lossiemouth and lifeboats from Broughty Ferry and Arbroath were involved in the incident in 1978.

At the centre of the rescue was the 350-ton Hull-registered Fendyke, which was just 10 miles from Dundee Harbour when it was hit by a freak sea.

The coaster, with her cargo of drilling mud, was lifted by a giant wave before the sea crashed over her deck. Water poured down her funnel, into the wheelhouse and through hatchways to lower decks. The engine room was deluged and a board controlling the main electricity supply burned out.

In the wheelhouse, 58-year-old captain Ron Dennis was thrown one way then the other and broke both his arms.

The Fendyke was able to radio for help and a Leuchars rescue helicopter – guided by flares from the Fendyke – found the vessel being rolled through 35ft waves in 50mph winds.

The helicopter battled through the darkness and the injured captain was winched aboard and flown to Dundee Airport where he was taken by ambulance to Dundee Royal Infirmary.

Flight-Lieutenant Adrian Murray told reporters: “They were certainly the most difficult conditions under which I’ve flown. In reasonable conditions the thing over which we’re hovering does not really move all that much.”

The helicopter returned to the Fendyke and 55-year-old Nellie Watson – the wife of chief engineer Ivor Watson – was lifted from the drifting coaster.

As the Leuchars team returned again, Flight Sergeant Larry Evans crashed against one of the coaster’s aerials.

A Sea King helicopter hovered above the Fendyke as the six remaining crew members were winched to safety.

The coaster was eventually blown aground at Carnoustie Bay on Christmas Day where she was stuck fast.