This record comprises a documentary reference to a shipping casualty which has been assigned to the maritime named location WEST HOYLE BANK pending more information which may allow a more precise location for the loss to be assigned.

Event and Historical Information:
The MINNIE BROWN was wooden sailing barque built by A MacDougall at Maitland, Nova Scotia, in 1881. Technical and configuration specifications are given as 1045gt, 983nt; 185ft 3in length x 37ft 2in breadth x 22ft depth; 1 deck, sheathed in felt and yellow metal. At time of loss on 22 December 1894, the vessel was woned by G Browne & Watson of Glasgow and registered at that port. The barque was carrying coal from Liverpool to Buenos Ayres when it was caught in a force 10 west-northwesterly gale and stranded on the north side of the West Hoyle Bank (about 3 miles southwest of NPRN 519075, RENFREW). Nineteen crewmembers were drowned.

Sources include:
Board of Trade Wreck Return 1894 Appendix C Table 1 pg130 (653)
Larn and Larn Shipwreck Database 2002
Liverpool Mercury, 5 october 1895, issue 14902
Liverpool Mercury, 10 october 1895, issue 14906
Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 1 July 1894 - 30 June 1895, number 1297 in M

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, February 2010.