British teen found hiding on ship sailing to Africa 12 days after disappearance

24 September 2023 , 15:40

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The ship's crew found Isobel, 15, hiding out in their quarters

When a 15-year-old girl told her parents she was off to catch a film, little did they know the next few weeks would be like something out of a Hollywood movie.

Teenager Isobel Scott told her parents she was going to the cinema for the evening – and almost ended up on the other side of the world. It was a story that made headlines far and wide after she lied to her mum and dad and ended up on a ship bound for Casablanca in western Morocco.

Isobel, from Edinburgh, Scotland, went off to Leith Docks instead of the pictures on January 6, 1957, and wasn't seen again for another 12 days. Her frantic parents launched appeals in an effort to find the teen but there was no trace of her to be found in the capital city, reports Edinburgh Live.

Isobel was found around 500 miles away hiding on board a Panama-registered cargo steamer

However, eventually she was discovered hiding on a cargo ship bound for Africa that she had somehow managed to board in their seaside town. The ship's crew found her hiding in their quarters of the the 3,000 ton Panamanian cargo steamer. A London newspaper from the time explained how Isobel shared a cigarette and a joke with the crew.

A huge effort had to be put into place by the captain of the ship to return her home to the UK to her dad who was waiting at Dover. A small pilot cutter had transported Isobel to dry land but the girl stubbornly refused to reveal the reason behind her great escape. The Daily Mirror had reported at the time of her miraculous return back home.

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At the time, Isobel's dad and ex-serviceman Mr Frank Scott said: "All I want is to get Isobel back home. It was a silly thing of her to do." But questions still remained about how the teen managed to board the ship when she had initially planned for a trip to the cinema. The crew had to radio over to Dover Police to make their shocking discovery known.

A sailboat was later organised for the teen to take her back to dry land. It was reported at the time of her discovery, Isobel shared a joke and cigarettes with the crew of the rescue ship as she was transported back. She said: "It's certainly not fun stowing away – I found that out." The local authorities said no criminal charges would be brought against the teenager.

It has been suggested that Isobel had made the decision to board the ship in hopes of finding romance, but these beliefs were dispelled by her father who had travelled to Dover to take her home. Isobel was then photographed at home by the Daily Mirror and expressed her regret at her spontaneous act.

Sam Elliott-Gibbs