New Year in 1907 began with a big bang in more ways than one for residents on the Lizard peninsula when the steamer Highland Fling ran ashore in poor visibility near Cadgwith, on January 7, 1907, and later dynamite had to be used in freeing the stern section of the ship from the rocks.

Sailing from the Thames on New Year's Day the 3,000 ton vessel was on a voyage from London to Buenos Aires carrying cement when she ran aground on the Criscan Rocks.

Coming down the Channel a serious leak was found in the boiler room. The ship deviated to Falmouth where a diver discovered a badly cracked plate. On instructions from surveyors the company had to send the ship around to Cardiff for dry-docking. The Highland Fling sailed from Falmouth, encountering dense fog off Coverack. Two and a half hours after leaving port the ship grounded.

The Cadgwith lifeboat Minnie Moon, a 39ft long rowing lifeboat with a 15-man crew, launched on service to assist the steamer.

The Falmouth tug Triton was in the area at the time and found the ship when the visibility improved. The ship's crew had lowered the lifeboats in readiness to abandon ship but following advice from the Triton's master and the lifeboat crew remained with the ship. A tow line was connected between the tug and steamer but despite best efforts the ship remained fast.

A salvage company managed to discharge most of the cargo into lighters. The tugs Triton, Eagle and Victor, owned by the Falmouth Towage Company, failed several times to refloat the vessel. Eventually the salvors used dynamite to blow the ship in half. The stern section was towed to Falmouth and scrapped.

The Board of Trade enquiry into the stranding found that the ship's deviation card was missing. An in-depth investigation found that the ship was travelling at an excessive speed in fog. Captain Purvis had his master's certificate suspended for six months.

In March 1907 the White Star liner Suevic homeward bound from Australia with frozen produce also grounded on the Lizard.