Cargo vessel · 1945–1953 · Argyll, United Kingdom

MV Tapti

Also known as Tapti, SS Tapti.

Reaching the Tapti takes commitment — a 35-nautical-mile boat ride from Lochaline through some of Scotland's most scenic coastal waters — but those who make the journey find a wreck that rewards the effort handsomely. Built on the Clyde in 1945, this cargo motor vessel met her end in January 1953 when a storm drove her onto the rocks of Gunna Sound between Coll and Tiree.

She broke into four distinct sections, and today the bow piece is the star of the show, lying on its port side and towering 15 metres off the seabed. Devonshire cup corals, soft corals and plumose anemones smother every surface, while the boiler, mast and winches remain clearly identifiable. The site is exposed and weather-dependent, giving it an adventurous quality that the more sheltered Mull wrecks lack.

Type
Cargo vesselBritish
Year built
1945Charles Connell & Co., Scotstoun, Glasgow
Lost
January 17th, 1953Grounding
Depth
9–25 m
Location
Argyll, United KingdomInner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland

3 of 5 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 67 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Loss date: Sources give January 17th, 1953, 1953-01-17, 1951. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost January 17th, 1953 · Grounding · Argyll, United Kingdom.

A storm drove her onto the Eileen Soa rocks in Gunna Sound, the stretch of water separating Coll from Tiree, and there she broke up into four sections.

Built 1945 by Charles Connell & Co., Scotstoun, Glasgow; 8 years in service, also recorded as Tapti and SS Tapti. Lost January 17th, 1953, grounding.

Condition of the WreckBroken, in 9–25 m.

Intactness

Broken into four distinct parts. The bow section is the most impressive, lying on its port side and rising approximately 15 metres toward the surface. Boiler, mast and winches are identifiable.

Notable Features

  • Broken into four parts
  • Bow section rises 15m toward surface
  • Soft coral and Devonshire cup coral covering
  • Identifiable boiler, mast and winches

Additional Details12 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Builder
Charles Connell & Co., Scotstoun, Glasgow
Propulsion
Motor
Loss date
January 17th, 1953
Latitude
56.5611° N
Longitude
6.6308° W
Water body
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Broken

Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.

  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Historic Environment Scotland.
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.

A further 4 fields were derived from the wreck’s recorded position rather than taken from a source.

Licences and credits for the open data used on this site are on the Attribution page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MV Tapti?

MV Tapti is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Argyll, United Kingdom, at 25 metres. MV Tapti ran aground and was wrecked in 1953.

How deep is the MV Tapti?

MV Tapti lies at 9 to 25 metres, South of Soa Island, Gunna Sound, between Coll and Tiree.

How did the MV Tapti sink?

MV Tapti ran aground and was wrecked on January 17th, 1953, off Argyll, United Kingdom.