By Amber-Louise Thornborrow
The sinking of the FV Antares in November 1990 remains one of the most significant maritime tragedies in modern Scottish history. Four men died when their trawler was pulled under during a Royal Navy submarine exercise. The incident exposed deep flaws in the relationship between commercial fishing and naval operations, and it led to major reforms in safety at sea.
The Antares was launched in 1965 from the yard of J and G Forbes and Co. Ltd. in Sandhaven. At around seventeen metres long and powered by a Caterpillar diesel engine, she was typical of the wooden fishing vessels that worked Scottish waters throughout the second half of the twentieth century. Originally registered in Leith, she later came under the ownership of skipper James Russell of Carradale and carried the registration CN123.
By November 1990, the crew of Antares were fishing the deep-water grounds of the Firth of Clyde. The season offered opportunities for mackerel and herring, and the Antares had been landing catches at Largs before returning to an area known as Arran Trench each night to resume work. On the evening of the 21st of November, she remained in the fishing grounds overnight alongside the trawlers Heroine and Hercules III. Conditions were typical for the time of year and the crew, all experienced men, continued their work as they would on any other trip.
The four men aboard were James Russell, aged 36, William Martindale, aged 24, Dugald John Campbell, aged 20, and Stewart Campbell, aged 29.
Shortly after two o’clock on the morning of 22nd of November, the Royal Navy submarine HMS Trenchant was carrying out part of the Submarine Command Course in the same waters. While submerged, the submarine encountered an obstruction which damaged the sonar dome and brought parts of a trawl net to the surface when it rose. The officers on board saw two fishing vessels in the area and believed these to be the only trawlers present. They assumed that one of them had lost gear but was otherwise unharmed. Unaware that a third vessel had been fishing nearby, the submarine continued with its exercise.
The Antares had, in fact, been struck underwater. Evidence gathered later showed that the trawler had capsized when her gear was dragged by the submarine and that she was pulled upside down along the surface before sinking rapidly. The crew had no chance to escape. In the hours that followed, nearby vessels discovered fish boxes and oil on the water. Antares was declared missing and a search began.
Within a short time, sonar detected a previously uncharted object on the seabed. Divers later confirmed that it was the wreck of the Antares. Three of the bodies of the crew were recovered soon afterwards. The fourth was found the following year, caught in a trawl net by another vessel.
Public concern grew rapidly as details of the incident emerged. A full Marine Accident Investigation Branch report, completed in 1994, placed the responsibility firmly on the crew of HMS Trenchant. Several critical failings were identified. The submarine’s crew miscounted the number of fishing vessels operating on the surface. They had limited awareness of the depth at which mid water trawlers worked their gear in the Arran Trench. They also assumed that a damaged vessel would remain immediately visible, not considering that a collision of this kind might cause a rapid capsize and sinking.
The loss of the Antares brought about significant change. A Code of Practice was introduced to regulate submarine movements in areas used by fishing vessels. Submarines at periscope depth were required to maintain a specific distance from fishing boats, and submerged submarines were ordered to allow far greater clearance. Designated submarine exercise areas were also introduced so that fishermen could better understand when naval activity was likely to be taking place. These reforms reduced the risk of similar incidents and ensured that the lessons of the Antares were not forgotten.
Following the conclusion of the investigation, Antares was transported to the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine. The intention was to preserve her as a memorial exhibit. Visitors could stand before the vessel and see firsthand the scale of the trawler and the damage she sustained. Tours of the vessel were also offered. The display served as a reminder of the risks faced by fishermen and of the events that led to the loss of the Antares and her crew.
For many years the museum cared for the vessel, but maintaining a wooden trawler in a stable condition is a costly and complex process. By 2008, the hull had deteriorated beyond repair. The decision was made to dismantle the vessel at Troon. The museum retained artefacts and records, ensuring that the Antares would continue to have a place in its collections.
The loss of the FV Antares highlights the importance of communication, caution and respect among all who use the water, whether for work, training or defence. The Code of Practice that resulted from this tragedy aims to prevent an incident like this from happening again.
