The Stassa was en route from Archangel in northern Russia to Limerick when it struck the rocks at Renish Point at the eastward end of Harris Sound on 15 July 1966. The Stassa was refloated the same day and taken into the sheltered waters of Loch Rodel on the east side of the isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides.
Perhaps the ship could have been saved, but the captain refused any further assistance. One rumour is that hidden below the cargo of Siberian timber was an illegal shipment of arms for the IRA, indeed there are further rumours that divers have found boxes of small arms amongst the remains of the cargo. The crew later deserted the ship, which then sank at anchor in Loch Rodel on 17 August 1966.
My first impression of the Stassa was how incredibly complete it is. I don't believe I have ever seen a wreck so intact outside of tropical waters. At the closed end of a loch the marine life is not the spectacular anemones found on wrecks exposed to a current. Just a carpet of translucent white tunicates with a few sprigs of kelp on the port and upper side of the hull and tufts of hydroids lower down.
Open ventilation hatches provide easy access to the engine room. Once inside the cavernous engine room a light is useful but not essential as daylight enters through the hatches and through a break in the side of the hull; perhaps the original damage that sank the ship, or maybe a result of subsequent settling on the seabed. The boilers are still intact and firmly attached to the floor, as is the steam engine and assorted railings and catwalks.
Continuing aft, between the holds is another intact mast with an enormous winch on either side. After more than 30 years it is amazing that rust and gravity have not broken it loose. The aft hold is also empty, save for debris as in the previous hold.
On the stern deck is a closed hatch cover, assorted bollards and deck fittings and a large post. Almost in the right place for auxiliary steering, but it didn't seem quite right. Presumably the spare propeller was once attached to the deck here.
The railings at the stern show some sign of age, rusted through at the ends and completely broken in places. For a change the marine life here includes some bright strawberry tunicates.
Moving round the stern toward the keel, the rudder and prop shaft are intact, but the prop has been salvaged at some stage. Crossing over the railing and descending to the seabed, the spare propeller has broken loose and rests on the silt.
Now heading for the bows, following the seabed at 20 metres along below the mast gives an opportunity to poke around amongst some of the debris that has dropped from the deck and holds. The starboard railings are mostly buried in the silt.
The actual bow deck is dominated by the anchor winch. On either side are the usual mooring bollards. Anchor chains are still in place and can be followed to the anchors on the seabed.
Time will probably be running low by now, but it is hard to resist a quick look at the top of the forward mast. I suppose in the era of sailing ships this would have been called the "crow's nest", but I don't know if that is still the correct name. You can then follow the mast down to the winches and the buoy line.