Shipwreck Treasure Trove of Whisky to be Auctioned After 128 years

At 10 am on 29th September, 1895 the cargo steamer SS Walachia departed from Queen’s Dock, Glasgow. On board was Captain Walton, a crew of twenty one and one passenger. It had a cargo that included whisky, gin, beer, acids, glassware, earthenware and other items. There journey was slow due to foggy conditions. Disaster struck when out of the fog loomed the 1406 ton Norwegian steamer Flos and there was a collision. Twenty five minutes after the original collision the Wallachia sank and fortunately all the crew and passenger survived.

The Wallachia lay forgotten for eighty years until rediscovered by divers from Girvan Sub-Aqua Club in 1977. One of the divers is now selling his find and an auction is to take place on 14th April at McTear's Auctioneer's in Glasgow.  The lot has seven bottles and half bottles of whisky from historic brands which experts believe could go for between £3,000 and £5,000. Included is what is believed to be one of only two decanters of Wilkinson’s Famous Liqueur Whisky recovered from the wreck. Although there has been a lot of interest in the collection, it is thought the bottles will be kept as collectors’ items rather than for drinking. Potential buyers of the 128-year-old amber nectar are advised to tread carefully should they be tempted to consume any of the contents.