CLAYMORE

Ooooooooooh Yaaa!

I remember that day as if it were yesterday - and it was the early summer of 1961, and Tobermory Bay was the location!  At first, I was terrified that the 'Claymore' would sink!   She gave the 'Druid' a fair old clunk, and the 'Druid's' starboard side was stove in.  So, given that the 'Claymore' was my heroine, I thought she got the better of it, and performed well in the maritime boxing-match.   The 'Druid' was always in trouble anyway!  Of course, it couldn't have been the 'Claymore's' fault.  No, no!   Biases apart, I don't understand to this day how it happened, given that the 'Claymore's' standard procedures and course were so well known.  She always pulled astern from Tobermory pier, and came round to port in the middle of the bay.  Then the engines were set at 'Full Ahead', and she rattled round to starboard and bore east of Calve Island down the Sound of Mull.  That was where she struck the 'Druid', I think, as the 'Druid' came into the bay.  The 'Claymore' had a very neat right-angle dent just below 10-ft depth-mark on the bow, which is clearly visible in this fine pic.  I have close-up pictures of this encounter, which I will post later this week.   The Great Collision was reported in most of the papers, and I have the clippings.  The hole was patched with cement, and she went to James Lamont's yard in Greenock for proper repairs.  Great picture - wonderful it see it.  I hadn't seen it before.   Donald.

Note how the 'Claymore' has been trimmed by the stern to raise the damaged bow.  Most interesting.  Donald.