The Bouncer was originally built in 1879 by HM Dockyard, Pembroke.  It would seem that his ship had a colourful career to say the least, serving at various times as a submarine tender, supply boat and as a gunboat.  It was in her role as gunboat that she met her fate on the rocky shores of Rathlin.  The Bouncer was engaged on salvage work on the wreck of the Knights Gareth.   Work had almost been completed for the winter but as the weather was favourable and the seas calm, the owners decided that they would spend a few more days working the wreck.  On the evening of the 27^th the crew were informed that there was to be a ceilidh in the island’s hall.  It was the unanimous opinion of all that they should attend, so with the extra anchors out, the crew all set out for an evening’s entertainment.  During the night, a heavy swell got up and it was much to the dismay of the crew when they returned the next morning to find that the Bouncer’s moorings had parted and that she had become a victim of the rocks from which she had been trying to salvage the Knights Gareth.  The next day, the underwriters agents visited the scene, but nothing could be done as they declared her a total loss.

Diving information – The location and conditions for the Bouncer are the same as those for the Knights Gareth as the two were wrecked in the same spot, the Bouncer’s steel propellor can be seen in the cave opposite the wreck site and some of her mooring bollards can be seen serving the same purpose on the island harbour.