Site Name: Vic 63 Colonsay - Outer Hebrides

The VIC 63 was built at Yard 667 of Pimblott's of Northwich, and was launched on 1 Sep 1945. She was built as a Victualling Inshore Craft during WW2, and was one of over 100 similar vessels built between 1941-1946. She has a length of 80.5 ft and a beam of 20 ft, weighing 147 grt. She had a 2 cylinder steam compound engine.

She was delivered to the Ministry of Transport in February 1946 and remained on naval service until transfer to the Admiralty at Devonport in 1947. In 1956, she was sold to James NcNeil of Greenock and renamed 'Colonsay'.

Her final voyage was on 9th November 1960. She had discharged a cargo of slate in Barra and sailed in ballast, but returned to Castlebay to shelter from a storm. She dragged her anchor and grounded. Her crew abandoned her and she later slid off the rocks and into deep water. She was declared a total loss.

This wreck was unidentified until recently.

The site can easily be found using an echo sounder. The Vic 63 Colonsay is reasonably intact and stands upright just off the reef in a maximum depth of 12 metres, making her a lovely Clyde puffer to explore. Her stern now lies closest to the shore with the bows facing south east. Her wooden decking and superstructure have rotted away but the boiler stack, engine room and hull are visible. The wreck can be penetrated but care must be taken with this. Some fixtures and fittings including bottles and other glassware can be found on this wreck.

Life includes nudibranchs, seaweeds, soft corals, sponges, hyrdroids, fish including 15 spined stickleback, wrasse and pipefish, sea urchins and starfish.

The visibility can be slightly poorer than expected due to fresh water run off on the site following rain. However as she can be dived in virtually all conditions, this is a small price to pay.

The Vic 63 Colonsay can be dived at any state of the tide and in most weather conditions due to her sheltered location. However if you are out in Barra for a while, its best to leave it for a poor weather day.