SS Moray Firth Bell

sketchfab

On March 27th, 1943, the British coaster Moray Firth suffered a devastating collision while en route from London to Kirkwall with a cargo of cement. The ship was built in 1927 for the Firth Shipping Co. by Lewis John & Sons Ltd., and at the time of its loss, it was owned by Grace Geo. W. & Co. Ltd. After colliding with the Berriedale approximately 4.5 miles northeast of Portnockie, the Moray Firth sank. A British Coastguard vessel recovered a ship's bell from the wreckage, which was later donated to the Deeside Sub Aqua Club by Neil Masson for preservation and historical significance. The Moray Firth was built in Newcastle, England, and its tragic fate serves as a reminder of the risks and sacrifices made by sailors during World War II. The incident is recorded on various maritime databases, including wrecksite.eu, which provides a detailed account of the ship's history and final resting place. Neil Masson, a member of the Deeside Sub Aqua Club, played a crucial role in recovering the ship's bell from the wreckage, ensuring that a piece of maritime history was preserved for future generations.