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jock leith
23-Oct-08, 23:50
I answered the thread regarding the Spindrift,and it brought back wonderful memories of the large fleet of fishing boats that I used to deliver butcher meat to,when I worked as a butcher boy for Donny Angus (anyone remember him and Willie Coghill ) it got me trying to naming them all, can anyone add to the list.There were lots ??????
Avelon, Ajax, Ardent,
Boy Andrew, Boy Peter
Chance,
Endevour,
Gleaners 1 ,Gleaners 2
Intrepid
Morning Cloud, Morning Star, Maid of Honour,
Spindrift, Silver Cloud,

hotrod4
24-Oct-08, 06:58
I answered the thread regarding the Spindrift,and it brought back wonderful memories of the large fleet of fishing boats that I used to deliver butcher meat to,when I worked as a butcher boy for Donny Angus (anyone remember him and Willie Coghill ) it got me trying to naming them all, can anyone add to the list.There were lots ??????
Avelon, Ajax, Ardent,
Boy Andrew, Boy Peter
Chance,
Endevour,
Gleaners 1 ,Gleaners 2
Intrepid
Morning Cloud, Morning Star, Maid of Honour,
Spindrift, Silver Cloud,

Also remember the Transcend, Morvenna and Glen Loth.
My grandad worked on the Morning star for years forget the boat he was on before that though.Did anyone else's relatives?

Graet idea for a thread well done you! :)

brokencross
24-Oct-08, 08:06
Ah memories when there was a fleet in Wick. Used to love to go down to the South Pier watching the boats coming in and also the mart and see them unloading the catch. Golden Dawn is another I remember.

ploo251
24-Oct-08, 08:16
Two Boys
Day Star
Provider

plumber
24-Oct-08, 09:00
I answered the thread regarding the Spindrift,and it brought back wonderful memories of the large fleet of fishing boats that I used to deliver butcher meat to,when I worked as a butcher boy for Donny Angus (anyone remember him and Willie Coghill ) it got me trying to naming them all, can anyone add to the list.There were lots ??????
Avelon, Ajax, Ardent,
Boy Andrew, Boy Peter
Chance,
Endevour,
Gleaners 1 ,Gleaners 2
Intrepid
Morning Cloud, Morning Star, Maid of Honour,
Spindrift, Silver Cloud,
My father and his brothers owned the Morning star, and one of my uncles worked on the Enterprize.

pat
24-Oct-08, 09:16
before Boy Andrew time there was 'Kittiwake'

Cannot think of the names - some names will come back in time

DEEKER
24-Oct-08, 09:21
this brings back memories for me too,when my father ran the same butcher shop after donny angus.
the harbour was so busy then, used to deliver to the boats as well.
not so good on names but i remember star mackays boat, the Crusader

Tighsonas4
24-Oct-08, 10:06
Spray
sprightly
tern
golden eagle
immaculate
jean and florence

speedo215
24-Oct-08, 10:07
my dad worked on the andreas

Mizpah
24-Oct-08, 11:20
I answered the thread regarding the Spindrift,and it brought back wonderful memories of the large fleet of fishing boats that I used to deliver butcher meat to,when I worked as a butcher boy for Donny Angus (anyone remember him and Willie Coghill ) it got me trying to naming them all, can anyone add to the list.There were lots ??????
Avelon, Ajax, Ardent,
Boy Andrew, Boy Peter
Chance,
Endevour,
Gleaners 1 ,Gleaners 2
Intrepid
Morning Cloud, Morning Star, Maid of Honour,
Spindrift, Silver Cloud,

Hi there it certainly sets the memory working, another few to add to your list are

White Heather
Rose in June
Laurel
Spray
St Vincent
Atalanta
Letitia

and I am sure there are many more to be added yet.:)

hotrod4
24-Oct-08, 11:27
My father and his brothers owned the Morning star, and one of my uncles worked on the Enterprize.

My grandad must've worked for your dad then! Its a small world. :)

peter macdonald
24-Oct-08, 12:11
Alvera Elaine (became Strathdonan) Skipper Alec Mackenzie then Andy Sutherland
Moray Lass Skipper Donald Harper
Bluebell Skipper George More
Boy Peter Skipper John Sinclair then James Sutherland
Girl Linda Skipper Donald Stewart
Girl Mina Skipper Donald Stewart
Girl Angela Skipper James Plowman
Avalon Skipper Donald MacKay
Avalon 11 Skipper Donald MacKay then Raymond Ross
Avalon 111 Skipper Raymond Ross
Enterprise Skipper Malcolm Steven then George Swanson then Pat Nichol
Golden Spinney Skipper John McKenzie then David John Mckenzie
Ocean Swell Skipper William Bain
Starlight Skipper George Sinclair
Convallaria Skipper George Sinclair
Good Hope Skipper George Donn
Quo Vadis Skipper George Donn
Seagull Skipper Thomson Sutherland
Ivy Skipper John MacLeod then jack Ross
Mhari Bhan Skipper John macLeod
Sceptre Skipper John Bisset
Silver Chord Skipper Ian Ritchie
Rosemary Skipper Hugh Calder
Maid of Honour Skipper Jack Carter
Lea Rig Skipper Hugh Carter then Jimmy Carter
Valhalla Skipper Hugh Carter
Quiet Waters Skipper Donald Shearer
Ebeneezer Skipper Ernie Miller then James Sutherland
Olive Leaf Skipper James Sutherland
Girl Ann Skipper Peter Rosie
Maid of Honour Skipper Hugh Carter
Sapphire Skipper Jimmy Carter
Alban Skipper Alex Cowie then Derek MacKillop
Stroma Isle Skipper David Dunnet
Tern Skipper George MacCaughy
Loch Inchard Skipper Desmond McLeod
Star of Peace Skipper John Bremner
Halcyon Skipper Earnie Miller
Harbinger Skipper Donald Miller
Maldon Skipper Malcolm Steven
Pilot Star Skipper Alister Budge
Maldon Skipper Gordon Steven
Superb Skipper Alister Budge
White Heather Skipper William Miller
Golden Eagle Skipper Robert Swanson
El Alamein Skipper William Smith
Alert Skipper Robert More
Andrias Skipper Jack Ross
Rosebank Skipper George Thain
Rival Skipper Bill Wiseman
Stack Rock Skipper Bill Wiseman
Smiling Morn Skipper tom Gunn
Leticia Skipper Sandy Miller
Rose in June Skipper Tom Budge
Faithfull Skipper George More
Laurel Skipper Jack Farquhar
Brighter Morn Skipper Jimmy Gunn
Firecrest Skipper Jack Ross then Sandy Gunn
Royal Burgh Skipper Bill Shearer
Steadfast Skipper Donald Sutherland
Ben Loyal Skipper Jimmy Carter
Fram Skipper Ronnie Sutherland
Heather Anne Skipper Alec Mackenzie
Leandris Skipper Jack Ross
Astra Skipper Ronnie Sutherland
Glen Loth Skipper Andy Sutherland
Earna Skipper Harold Thurop
Pentland Swell Skipper Iver MacKay
Chance Skipper John Sinclair then Donald McKay
Chance Skipper Donald McKay then George More
Gleaners Skipper Roderick Bremner then Robert Swanson
Gleaners 11 Skipper Roderick Bremner then Jim Bremner
Ardent Skipper John Malcolm
Spindrift Skipper Archibald Miller
Kittiwake Skipper John Bremner then Norman Bremner
Crusader Skipper Donald MacKay
Ajax Skipper Alister Budge then Donald Plowman
Spray Skipper John Rosie
Atalanta Skipper Alister budge
Westward Skipper Begg
I just cant mind who had the Economy or the Snowdrop

trinkie
24-Oct-08, 13:28
Such memories....

I remember The Golden Dawn, skipper Alfred MacKay - hope I'm right.

Our Butcher was Geordie Doull

dirdyweeker
24-Oct-08, 13:43
Now Peter that list is surely something to be proud of. Well done you for supplying such an interesting piece of history.
Some of those bring back lots of memories from when I was just a slip of a thing!

peter macdonald
24-Oct-08, 15:31
Trinkie Sanny Adamson was skipper of the Golden Dawn.. Alfred had a share in her along with Sanny and Sannys brother Robert The Golden Dawn was sold to Ireland about 1963
Dirdyweeker Thanks but Ive missed a couple I think !!!

Mizpah
24-Oct-08, 15:32
:D
Such memories....

I remember The Golden Dawn, skipper Alfred MacKay - hope I'm right.

Our Butcher was Geordie Doull


Hi I think you are wrong there he was one of the crew but the skipper was Sanny Adamson.

Another boat to add to the list is the Fisher Boy Skipper James Bremner:D

COACHMAN
24-Oct-08, 15:34
Morning Star WK 27 Skipper-Dusty MacDonald i think.

peter macdonald
24-Oct-08, 15:40
Spray
sprightly
tern
golden eagle
immaculate
jean and florence

Sprightly skipper Sanny Adamson
Tern skipper James Swanson
Jean and Florence skipper Ronnie Sutherland
Golden Eagle skipper Robert Swanson
Immaculate was owned by Walter Sutherland the chemist


An other one was the
Solace skipper Harry Clyne
There were 2 Fisher Boys that Jimmy Bremner had ,the first one was built in Wick and was wrecked on Thurso beach in a gale in the early 1950s the second one was also built in Wick and was wrecked on Brimms Ness around 1956

Coachman you are correct The Morning Star was built for Donald MacDonald (Dusty) and Hugh MacDonald (Big Hughie from Armadale) around 1955 by Millers of St Monance She was sold to John Taylor of Ulbster and his brothers (Alec MacKenzie skippered her for a while) She then was sold again and Donald Plowman was skipper until she was sold to Hatlepool in 1981 She is now a houseboat in the south of England An occupation shared by the Spindrift and Bill Wisemans old boat the Rival to name but 2

Amy-Winehouse
24-Oct-08, 15:49
Maranda skippered by Jimmy Carter
Saffron also skippered by the "president" Jimmy Carter
Stack Rock owned by the wisemans of Staxigoe
Southards owned by Donnie Bain

parkie
24-Oct-08, 17:41
how could i forget be in time,skipper j sinclair

Amy-Winehouse
24-Oct-08, 18:18
I forgot to add the Amethyst WK 635 Skippered by Geoff Henstridge, He also had the Alvidra Elaine WK 111 after Ike mackenzie before selling her to Andy Sutherland.

i remember the boats all coming in to land in the afternoon in the summer time one year & they were all gutting in the harbour, there were 38 Danish boats in that day & 14 Wick boats with a couple of Grimsby trawlers !!!

My brother came home with a bag full of haddies for us that day, he had been gutting fish & helping one of the Wick boats get their fish ready for market.

The haddies were lovely though:)

brokencross
24-Oct-08, 19:34
Morning Star WK 27 Skipper-Dusty MacDonald i think.
If its the same Dusty "We're a' catched"

peter macdonald
24-Oct-08, 19:39
The Immaculate was skippered by Sandy Miller She was WK94 The Economy was skippered by George Thain The Snowdrop was skippered by (Wellum Chimes) William James Coull and then James McKay (Fletter)
Others I forgot about were
Integrity Skippered by Hugh Calder WK412
Godetia Skippered by John Sinclair WK164
Fulmar Skippered by Malcolm Steven WK 90 ?
Girl Margaret Skippered by Jack Ross snr WK343
Trust Skippered by Jim Oag WK428
Speedwell Skippered by John Sinclair WK355 ?

Wellum Chimes had the St Vincent for a while as did Sandy Spence who later worked for Highland buses
John Sinclair that had the Be In Time had the Ebeneezer for a while before before she was sold to John Sutherland of Lybster (not the one Ernie Miller had) Did he not have the Sustain as well???? for a time

peter macdonald
24-Oct-08, 19:41
Broken cross Yes Same man the Morning Star was used on the "bill heads " of Millers of St Monance for years

bonami
24-Oct-08, 20:16
Aye great times and if the harbour ever fills with yachts it will never be the same. Some of the old boys mentioned would not believe it possible if they saw the harbour now.:~(:~(

peter macdonald
24-Oct-08, 20:29
Seonaid Skipper Donnie Calder then Dod Bremner (or was it one of the Dunbars) WK29
North Star Skipper Hugh Calder WK29
Silver Cloud (two boats) Skippered by George Carter WK80 WK270
Deveronside Skipper Donald Calder WK176
Fram Skipper Noel Sutherland WK28
Moira Skipper Alec Calder then Noel Sutherland WK439
Restless Wave Skipper Alec Calder WK439
Alban Skipper Alec Cowie WK222
Fairy Queen Skipper Donnie Calder WK204
Wanderer Skipper Billy Keith WK501
Procure Skipper Jack Young WK186
Cordelia Skipper Don Carter WK226
Valena Skipper George Carter ??
Loch Lorna Skipper Donald Cormack WK156
Morvenna Skipper Alec Calder WK439
Restless Wave 11 Skipper Jim Dunbar WK339
Glad Tidings Skipper John George Forbes ??

A list of the top of my head so any more ?? ;-))))

Tighsonas4
24-Oct-08, 20:52
memory fails at this.back of the war
ronnie sutherlands father skippered the immaculate[tommy]
the tern was robert swanson num brother derby wiseman brother in law and dutchy and geordag thain for a time
num then had the golden eagle built in scalloway
when you look over all this some were staxigoe somelybster others keiss and from all over
who was it picked up the abandonded scrob off orkney and towed her in
not sure was it the endeavour
she lay at the foot of the shore road for ages until money changed hands
another scrob came over then and took her back home
wiseman and alister henderson then went together memory fails tony

peter macdonald
24-Oct-08, 21:06
The Norwegian picked up off Copinsay was the Juny She was found by George Swanson in the Enterprise WK229 off the top of my head John Bain William Swanson Andrew Taylor and ?? Robertson were the crew at the time Billy MacKenzie that worked for the GPO was out pleasure tripping when they found her I think this would be in 1966

Apologies Tony ...Robert Swanson had the Tern It was the Pursuit WK69 that James "Derby" Swanson had!!

Tighsonas4
24-Oct-08, 21:39
thats definrtly some of the crew that picked up the norwegian at least long john and taylor were on her
they abandonded ship on the norgwegan coast
she had a shot of fish aboard too[smellan] tony

peter macdonald
24-Oct-08, 21:46
Tony Did it not half hum !!! I must look into where she came from in Norway She was about 60ft in length

Tighsonas4
24-Oct-08, 21:58
must check who thisswanson was and if he came from staxigoe as derby never had a boat maybe come up with it tomorrow tony

plumber
24-Oct-08, 22:02
must check who thisswanson was and if he came from staxigoe as derby never had a boat maybe come up with it tomorrow tony
Sure he was from Kiess

peter macdonald
24-Oct-08, 22:22
Plumber Correct George was from Keiss and drove lorries for the council after the Enterprise was sold to Pat Nichol
PM

Amy-Winehouse
24-Oct-08, 22:40
Was Girl Ann not skippered by Peter Rosie at some point?

I recall someone onboard her telling my dad a story about a time they landed in Stromness & the skipper said to his boys to stocker(sell fish for cash) a couple of boxes of fish so that they had an entrance fee for the bar.

When the skipper came back the crew gave him £60, so he started dishing it out equally among them only to be told, no , thats yer share!!!
He said` what do ye mean?` the crew said we stockered all 12 boxes, we got £60 each [lol]
Lets just say, Id get banned off here if I said what was really said next!!

jock leith
24-Oct-08, 22:54
Thanks Peter what a great list you have compiled,surprising that I remember so many more now that I have seen them in writing.Once again thank you

trinkie
24-Oct-08, 23:33
Peter and Mizpah - of course you are right - thank you.
I stand corrected.

Trinkie

Echidna
25-Oct-08, 00:11
Hi all,
I have enjoyed reading through this fabulous thread. For us family researchers from afar, is it possible for someone to link up these boat names and skippers with their registration numbers??

I did ask the North HIGHLAND Archive for this info a while ago but the costs are very prohibitive for overseas genealogy researchers at current exchange rates lol.

I am researching Alexander, Nicolson, Bremner, Budge, Jack families from Slickly, Keiss, Auckingill and Freswick.

thanks in anticipation
Echidna

brokencross
25-Oct-08, 09:03
Does anyone remember the "Pentland Wave"? (Don't know if that was her original name)

In the late 1960's, it was a former seine netter which had its wheelhouse removed and was gutted internally and then refurbished as a large cabin cruiser. Think the conversion was carried out in Orkney.

I was lucky enough to get shown round at Scrabster. Think it might have been owned by Mr Henderson of Scrabster.
A good few years later I saw her berthed at Whitby, she was so distinct with the fishing boat hull shape.

Amy-Winehouse
25-Oct-08, 09:17
Gunnhilda WK 272 was owned by Sanders McNab
He had another couple of boats in the 90`s, 1 was a netter but no sure of her name? I think the other was Sharron Rose bought from Eyemouth and converted to the clams.
Bonaventure was skippered by Bert Mackenzie then Hartley Smith & Raymond Ross
Prolific was skippered By Walter Mcphee
Laurie Marie was skippered by Walter Mcphee

peter macdonald
25-Oct-08, 09:45
Alvera Elaine (became Strathdonan) Skipper Alec Mackenzie then Geoff Henstridge then Andy Sutherland WK111
Moray Lass Skipper Donald Harper WK167
Bluebell Skipper George More WK279
Boy Peter Skipper John Sinclair then James Sutherland WK164
Girl Linda Skipper Donald Stewart WK426
Girl Mina Skipper Donald Stewart WK172
Girl Angela Skipper James Plowman WK130
Avalon Skipper Donald MacKay WK189
Avalon 11 Skipper Donald MacKay then Raymond Ross WK343
Avalon 111 Skipper Raymond Ross WK343
Enterprise Skipper Malcolm Steven then George Swanson then Pat Nichol WK229
Golden Spinney Skipper John McKenzie then David John Mckenzie WK245
Ocean Swell Skipper William Bain WK23
Starlight Skipper George Sinclair WK107
Convallaria Skipper George Sinclair WK254
Good Hope Skipper George Donn WK209
Quo Vadis Skipper George Donn WK401
Seagull Skipper Thomson Sutherland WK38
Ivy Skipper John MacLeod then Jack Ross WK396
Mhari Bhan Skipper John MacLeod WK176
Sceptre Skipper John Bisset WK73
Silver Chord Skipper Ian Ritchie WK488
Rosemary Skipper Hugh Calder WK412
Maid of Honour Skipper Jack Carter WK30
Lea Rig Skipper Hugh Carter then Jimmy Carter WK3
Valhalla Skipper Hugh Carter WK171
Quiet Waters Skipper Donald Shearer WK12
Ebeneezer Skipper Ernie Miller then James Sutherland WK135
Olive Leaf Skipper James Sutherland WK 457
Girl Ann Skipper Peter Rosie WK527
Maid of Honour Skipper Hugh Carter WK30
Sapphire Skipper Jimmy Carter WK230 ?
Alban Skipper Alex Cowie then Derek MacKillop WK222
Stroma Isle Skipper David Dunnet WK408
Tern Skipper George MacCaughy WK449
Loch Inchard Skipper Desmond McLeod WK110
Star of Peace Skipper John Bremner WK36
Halcyon Skipper Earnie Miller WK194
Harbinger Skipper Donald Miller WK 96
Maldon Skipper Malcolm Steven WK188
Pilot Star Skipper Alister Budge WK 188
Maldon Skipper Gordon Steven WK279
Superb Skipper Alister Budge WK432
White Heather Skipper William Miller WK184 (sold to Tom Ross Lybster)
Golden Eagle Skipper Robert Swanson WK359
El Alamein Skipper William Smith WK235
Alert Skipper Robert More WK119
Andrias Skipper Jack Ross WK470
Rosebank Skipper George Thain WK155
Rival Skipper Bill Wiseman WK123
Stack Rock Skipper Bill Wiseman WK197
Smiling Morn Skipper Tom Gunn WK70
Leticia Skipper Sandy Miller WK321
Rose in June Skipper Tom Budge WK73
Faithfull Skipper George More WK126
Laurel Skipper Jack Farquhar WK42
Brighter Morn Skipper Jimmy Gunn WK78
Firecrest Skipper Jack Ross then Sandy Gunn WK207
Royal Burgh Skipper Bill Shearer WK561
Steadfast Skipper Donald Sutherland WK20
Ben Loyal Skipper Jimmy Carter WK3
Fram Skipper Ronnie Sutherland WK439
Heather Anne Skipper Alec Mackenzie WK111
Leandris Skipper Jack Ross WK471
Astra Skipper Ronnie Sutherland WK28
Glen Loth Skipper Andy Sutherland WK28
Earna Skipper Harold Thurop Wk354 (skipper killed in an accident aboard her North Sea)
Pentland Swell Skipper Iver MacKay Wk157
Chance Skipper John Sinclair then Donald McKay WK126
Chance Skipper Donald McKay then George More WK126
Gleaners Skipper Roderick Bremner then Robert Swanson WK325
Gleaners 11 Skipper Roderick Bremner then Jim Bremner WK164
Ardent Skipper John Malcolm Wk55
Spindrift Skipper Archibald Miller WK177
Kittiwake Skipper John Bremner then Norman Bremner WK203
Crusader Skipper Donald MacKay WK172
Ajax Skipper Alister Budge then Donald Plowman WK 106
Spray Skipper John Rosie WK188
Atalanta Skipper Alister Budge Wk161
Westward Skipper Rob Begg Wk798
Maranda Skipper Jim Carter WK230
Two Boys Skipper Dan Plowman WK151
Tern Skipper Robert Swanson WK99
Pursuit Skipper James Swanson WK69
Golden Dawn Skipper Sanny Adamson WK173
Jean and Florence Skipper Ronnie Sutherland WK109
Immaculate Skipper Tommy Sutherland WK94
St Vincent Skipper (Wellum Chimes) William James Coull WK117
Economy Skipper George Thain WK45
Snowdrop Skipper James Flett Mckay WK41
Sprightly Skipper Sanny Adamson WK124
Star of Peace Skipper John Bremner WK150
Fisher Boy Skipper Jim Bremner WK152( lost Brimms Ness 1953)
Fisher Boy Skipper Jim Bremner WK 152 (lost under Marine Inn Thurso 1949)
Integrity Skipper Hugh Calder WK412
Godetia Skipper John Sinclair WK164
Fulmar Skipper Malcolm Steven WK 80
Girl Margaret Skipper Jack Ross snr WK343
Trust Skipper Jim Oag WK428
Speedwell Skipper John Sinclair WK355 ?
Provider Skipper Liam Smith WK84
Daystar Skipper Liam Smith WK 84
Bonaventure Skipper Alec Mackenzie then Hartley Smith then Raymond Ross WK235
Resonance Skipper Hugh Malcolm WK368
Solace Skipper Harry Clyne WK50
Boy Andrew Skipper Norman Bremner WK171
Opportune Skipper David Fraser WK171
Boy Andrew Skipper Andrew Bremner WK170
Boy Andrew Skipper Norman Bremner WK172
Crusader Skipper Donald MacKay WK460
Reward Skipper Bill Shearer WK239
Blenheim Skipper George Simpson WK158
Amethyst Skipper Geoff Henstridge Wk635
Reaper Skipper William Budge WK83
Andrias Skipper Jack Ross WK489
Be In Time Skipper John G Sinclair Wk430
Astra 11 Skipper Ronald Sutherland WK210
Beacon Light Skipper James Bain WK58
Transcend Skipper Alec Calder WK167




PM

Fly
25-Oct-08, 12:45
What about:-

Resonance Skipper Hugh Malcolm
Royal Burgh Skipper "Beelie Caa" (can't remember his proper name)
Reaper Skipper Wm Budge, Keiss (crab boat who fished handlines in winter)

Pilot Star originally skippered by Tom Budge, father of Alister
Rosebank skippered by "Beathie" before George Thain
Snowdrop also skippered by Tom Watson

peter macdonald
25-Oct-08, 13:59
Hi Fly "beelie caa" was really William Shearer who had the Royal Burgh built in Wick He had a boat called the Reward before that . The Royal Burgh was sold to Macduff before returning as the Deveronside to Lybster when Donald Calder bought her
All best
PM

Tighsonas4
25-Oct-08, 17:44
this has been some thread . talk about nostalgia peter even the late willie sinclair harbour would be proud of you
its not the boats alone but the WORTHIES that have come up with it
well done regards tony

Pennylane
25-Oct-08, 18:07
Such memories....

I remember The Golden Dawn, skipper Alfred MacKay - hope I'm right.

Our Butcher was Geordie Doull

Geordie and Arthur Doull best butchers in Wick Trinkie, Then came The Harrold Brothers ,ofcoarse thats from the Wick side,great butchers from Pountley side too, not forgetting Donnie Angus at Harbour,wonderful memories.

Pennylane :)

Pennylane
25-Oct-08, 18:09
Geordie and Arthur Doull best butchers in Wick Trinkie, Then came The Harrold Brothers ,ofcoarse thats from the Wick side,great butchers from Pountley side too, not forgetting Donnie Angus at Harbour,wonderful memories.

Pennylane :)

Sorry forgot to add that they all supplied to the fishing boats :roll:

peter macdonald
25-Oct-08, 18:39
Aye Tony There were some rare guys about Robert Swanson (num) George Thain Donald MacDonald (dusty) James MacKay (fletter) George More (and his dad Rab) Ronnie Sutherland (pep) etc etc and while they enjoyed their dram it would be a great mistake to underestimate their skill and intelligence These guys were suberb navigators in a time before radio navigation aids when there was only clocks and compasses to help them
They have my total admiration

I beleive both Bill Wisemans boats the Rival and Stack Rock are still going as houseboats in England as is the Golden Spinney Superb Procure Spindrift and Ajax
The Gleaners and Girl Linda are houseboats in West Scotland I beleive whilst the 1st Boy Andrew is now a diving boat called the Gallic Rose and the Ardent is a houseboat on the Caledonian Canal
All best
PM

Amy-Winehouse
25-Oct-08, 18:54
The Ardent WK 55 is now a house boat on the Caledonian Canal Im told. I believe there is a picture of her on Shipsnostalgia.com somewhere & a few of her on Trawler photos

Tighsonas4
25-Oct-08, 19:35
Sorry forgot to add that they all supplied to the fishing boats :roll:
that shop was originally jean reids and geordie and arthur both worked for her. my first job was message boy there and also made the sausages
in those days the shop closed at nine o clock at night also worked in drs and humped oil down to the boats
dobie cormack did the delivery on wheels tony

jm.mack
26-Oct-08, 08:54
I'll always remember George Lyall's at the harbour front,I think he delivered stores to the majority if not all of the boats in Wick.......

Bill Fernie
26-Oct-08, 15:43
A few older fishing boats from Wick can be seen in this project from Hillhead school in 2001
www.caithness.org/links/kids/kidsphotofeatures2001/hillheadschoolproject/index.htm

Tighsonas4
26-Oct-08, 18:07
danny alexander built several boats at his yard but cant remember them all now tony

peter macdonald
26-Oct-08, 18:31
Tony .off the top of my head
Venus
Fisher Boy
Girl Mina
Pentland Swell
Royal Burgh
Good Hope
Fisher Boy
Two Boys
Enterprise
Ocean Swell
Golden Dawn
Golden Chance

All best
and the dredger Badger
PM

ala
26-Oct-08, 18:40
I used to deliver groceries to the same boats as Jock . I worked in George Lyalls next door to Donnie Angus. Rare old times. I remember you there Jock.

ala
26-Oct-08, 18:57
Peter - there was a film made in Wick after the Enterprise towed in the juny. I can not for the life of me remember the name of the film.We all got 5 bob for doing extra's in some of the scenes. The premiere was shown in the pavilion. Some of the scenes were shot in a house in Argyle Sq.

Tighsonas4
26-Oct-08, 19:30
this would be some film to get a hold off.
know two of the crew in the enterprise at that time and will see if they know anything of it tony

domino
26-Oct-08, 20:49
Am I right in thinking that the Royal Burgh was the last fishing boat built in Wick. I remember her being launched into the river, off the north pier.

domino
26-Oct-08, 20:50
Somewhere I have a fairly nice photo of the Alert in Wick bay.

elamanya
26-Oct-08, 21:27
drumbeat..... skipper hank henstridge

peter macdonald
26-Oct-08, 21:53
Domino the last one was the Golden Chance for Gilbert Reid of Thurso
Venus WK33 built for MacKay of Dunbeath then sold to Stromness 1959
Fisher Boy WK150 built 1932 for Bremners Wick lost at Thurso 1949
Girl Mina WK172 built for Stewarts Wick sold to Sanday broken up recently
Pentland Swell Wk353 built 1948 for Thurso Fishselling Co became Mayflower FR210 in Fraserburgh
Royal Burgh WK561 built for William Shearer sold to MacDuff then back to Lybster as Deveronside WK176
Good Hope WK209 built 1948 for Donn Latheronwheel sold to Fleetwood
Fisher Boy WK 150 built 1952 for Bremners Wick lost Brims Ness 1953
Two Boys WK 151 built 1947 for Plowman Wick went to Thurso then Ireland in 1960
Enterprise WK229 built for M Sinclair Keiss sunk off Noss Head 1975
Ocean Swell WK23 built for Bain Wick sold to Lossiemouth as Osprey INS 142
Golden Dawn W173 built for Adamson Wick sold to Ireland
Golden Chance WK 22 for Gilbert Reid sold to Maryport broken up recently
PM

jm.mack
27-Oct-08, 09:33
Would love to see any old films with the old Wick boats in.

The film after the Juny was brought in would be great to see as my father was on the Enterprise the day they found her. I was only a baby when this happened but I seem to remember my dad telling me that the skipper of the Juny visited our house, must have been when they came to pick her up.

trinkie
27-Oct-08, 09:46
This is a wonderful thread.... many thanks

Peter - did you mention The Elsie Budge? Likely I've missed it, you have named all of the others ! What a memory you have.
Can you not smell the sea water ?

Trinkie

Amy-Winehouse
27-Oct-08, 14:25
Am I right in thinking that the Royal Burgh was the last fishing boat built in Wick. I remember her being launched into the river, off the north pier.


Does Ronnie Plowmans boat Rhona not count as a fishing boat?? Jimmy McCaughey was still building fishing boats in the 90`s , maybe not seiners or Herring boats but they were still fishing boats.

Kestrel was built in Wick, Bill zFernie has provided the link to it , sadly there wont be anymore boats built here as the boatyards have all shut :(

dirdyweeker
27-Oct-08, 14:27
Does Ronnie Plowmans boat Rhona not count as a fishing boat?? Jimmy McCaughey was still building fishing boats in the 90`s , maybe not seiners or Herring boats but they were still fishing boats.

Kestrel was built in Wick, Bill zFernie has provided the link to it , sadly there wont be anymore boats built here as the boatyards have all shut :(

Th e boat is called Ma-rona and I guess being a boat that goes to sea for Lobsters and Crabs it is a fishing boat. (twin hulled)

dirdyweeker
27-Oct-08, 14:31
Ronnie also previously had the "rona" and "wave dancer". I don't think they were mentioned.

Tighsonas4
27-Oct-08, 20:37
amongst the list of skippers especially the worthies there was one that never got a mention [KORKY] worthy of a mention [lol] tony

celtic lass
27-Oct-08, 20:39
well peter youve got some memory this is an excellent thread i mind when my dad would go of to the sea on a sunday night and come home late thursday night if the boat didnt get cleaned on the thursday night it was done first thing on the fri morning then it was of to the pub just for a quick one ha ha or rather thats what he would tell my mum ha ha

celtic lass
27-Oct-08, 20:45
amongst the list of skippers especially the worthies there was one that never got a mention [KORKY] worthy of a mention [lol] tony
i dont think thats very nice to call some of these men worthies fishing is hard at the best of times fishermen were always noted for working hard and playing hard

peter macdonald
27-Oct-08, 21:02
Tony Aye George (Korky) was great crack ..dear me some yarns he could tell .. and if you wanted a yarn about politics who better was there than Jockie Bhan??? I hadna forgotten Sanders MacNabs Kestrel or Ronnies boats but I could not get any more words on the post !!!
Amy Very true about Jimmy McCaughys boats and also a chap called Edwardson also built a couple of boats in Wick before he moved to Invergordon and built some more

Some more from my notes though before my time a few!! but after WW2

Sustain WK290 Skipper Sinclair sold to Berwick as school training vessel
Ever Ready WK100 Skipper George Carter sold to Wales
Ebeneezer WK227 Skipper John G Sinclair sold to Lybster
Scot WK297 Skipper George Carter sold to Peterhead
Eileen WK143 Skipper Jack Watt struck flaggie and sank
Glad Tidings Skipper John MacLeod (I think)sold to Lybster
All best
PM

Amy-Winehouse
27-Oct-08, 21:03
Ronnie also previously had the "rona" and "wave dancer". I don't think they were mentioned.


It was the Rona I was meaning, I was at the launching back in 1998 & we ended up at the Staxigoe hall. It was a great night.

Theres a lot of the wee creelboats that havent been mentioned, Sulair, Bon Ami, Rona, Boy Ritchie 1&2 , Maria B . But I think this thread is more about the seiners tbh.

Tighsonas4
27-Oct-08, 22:21
i dont think thats very nice to call some of these men worthies fishing is hard at the best of times fishermen were always noted for working hard and playing hard
quite agree but you miss the point
worthies is in no way detrimental in fact very much the reverse
you would need to have met them to understand regards tony

jock leith
28-Oct-08, 00:09
There is a great painting of him in the Frances Street Club.Hope it is still there as its been a few years since I visited Home .
Tony Aye George (Korky) was great crack ..dear me some yarns he could tell .. and if you wanted a yarn about politics who better was there than Jockie Bhan??? I hadna forgotten Sanders MacNabs Kestrel or Ronnies boats but I could not get any more words on the post !!!
Amy Very true about Jimmy McCaughys boats and also a chap called Edwardson also built a couple of boats in Wick before he moved to Invergordon and built some more

Some more from my notes though before my time a few!! but after WW2

Sustain WK290 Skipper Sinclair sold to Berwick as school training vessel
Ever Ready WK100 Skipper George Carter sold to Wales
Ebeneezer WK227 Skipper John G Sinclair sold to Lybster
Scot WK297 Skipper George Carter sold to Peterhead
Eileen WK143 Skipper Jack Watt struck flaggie and sank
Glad Tidings Skipper John MacLeod (I think)sold to Lybster
All best
PM

TBH
28-Oct-08, 00:19
So, all in all we have almost lost the experience these skippers and crewmen have aquired through the generations and we have also lost the boat-building expertise.:~( Once it's gone it's gone so they say.

ala
28-Oct-08, 20:49
Jockies boat the Ivy was aground at low tide on a sandbank at the quay heads. The crew were having a cup o tea . Jocky was heard to say over the radio. " Wur drinking water for e' want o' water and if we had plenty water we'd be drinking beer." He had some logic.
His crew at one time was Billy Bain and Jimmy Bruce who used to help him out when he was home from merchant navy.
My Grandfather was Donald Miller ( sorrie) and I remeber him telling me this story

Tighsonas4
28-Oct-08, 21:01
i would just like to say a BIG THANK YOU to you all jock for starting this off and especially peter for his wealth of knowledge
also alll who contributed to it
its been one of the best threads in my short time here
regards to all tony

Mizpah
28-Oct-08, 21:11
i would just like to say a BIG THANK YOU to you all jock for starting this off and especially peter for his wealth of knowledge
also alll who contributed to it
its been one of the best threads in my short time here
regards to all tony

Hi would fully agree with you this must have been one of the best threads ever on here and the wealth of knowledge that has come up because of it has been amazing.

jock leith
28-Oct-08, 22:24
Tony,thank you for your kind words,it just shows that people do enjoy childhood memories,remembering some of the "old boys" who were living legends when I was growing up.Especially the fishermen, some of the stories of their exploits were just magic to us young one's.But at the same time each and every one was a gentleman regards jock.

Amy-Winehouse
28-Oct-08, 23:05
There is a superb photo of Wick Harbour taken in the 60`s from above the power station on another website & the boats are lying 4-5 abreast in the outer harbour!!!!
Ill see if I can get permission from the owner but it really is a great pic of how things used to be in the good old days.

TBH
28-Oct-08, 23:28
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/voltarol/CaithnessWickHarbour.jpg

peter macdonald
28-Oct-08, 23:33
Annabel Wk94 Skipper Ian Simpson
Primula Wk97 Skipper Angus MacIntosh
Boy Allan WK252 Skipper Magnus MacKay
Barbara Mackay WK 9 Skipper Billy MacKay
Venture WK98 Skipper A MacIntosh
Sealgair WK241 Skipper Magnus MacKay
Golden Chance WK22 Skipper Gilbert Reid
Maureen WK270 Skipper William Simpson then Nicky Simpson
Pavonia WK53 Skipper Donald Simpson
Two Boys WK151 Skipper John MacLeod
Albion Skipper WK 88 Skipper Tommy Reid
Pentland Swell WK353 Skipper Magnus Mackay
Amber Queen WK230 Skipper Alfie Sinclair
Liberty Wk218 Skipperr Donald Corbett
Pentland Wave Wk245 Skipper Magnus MacKay
Pentland Skerry WK 251 Skipper Jim Bruce
Pentland Firth Wk224 Skipper William Sinclair
Crest WK87 Skipper Donald Mackay
Rambler WK174 Skipper Gilbert Reid
Undaunted WK210 Skipper Jimmy McIntosh
Streamlet WK332 Skipper John MacLeod also called Emerald
Bydand WK155 Skipper Arnot Sinclair
Better Hope WK138 Skipper Magnus MacKay
Loch Fyne WK248 Skipper William Simpson
Crissy WK69 Skipper D MacKay
Ben More WK52 Skipper Jimmy McIntosh
Lea Rig WK331 Skipper John Macleod
Hopeful WK196 Skipper William Simpson
Provider KY201 Skipper Alex Mackay ??
Daisy WK21 Skipper D Maclean
Star Devine WK16 Skipper Jack Ritchie
Prolific WK53 Skipper Denny Simpson
Challenge WK27 Skipper George King
Viking Queen WK510 SKipper Jim Mackay
Orion WK112 Skipper Bews
As you can see by the question marks this from memory with a few notes Feel free to add
any or fill in the blanks

peter macdonald
28-Oct-08, 23:49
The pic above (going clockwise)
Spindrift WK177 Morning Star WK27 Maid of Honour WK30
Girl Linda WK426 Ajax WK106
Golden Spinney WK245
Ivy WK396
Ardent WK55
On slip Left to right is the Superb WK432 ?? Boy Peter WK64 Ithink the Green boat in front of George Lyalls is the Rose Valley that the Macleod brothers had and it could be the Be in Time lying outside the Ivy
The Girl Linda was yellow painted when Donald Stewart bought her from Billy Rendall from Stronsay .She was yellow (I think ) when she was the Venture WK98 in Thurso when skippered by Angus MacIntosh (Pudders) the Superb was red and maroon when Alister Budge bought her from Stonehaven (A611)
Thanks for posting the picture Tony ..taking back memories from 1968 perhaps??
PM

Alli
29-Oct-08, 00:54
Peter, you mention that Alistair Budge was the skipper of Atalanta, can you tell me more as that boat name has never come up in conversation when I have asked about my Grandads fishing history.

peter macdonald
29-Oct-08, 14:48
Hi Ally You are not the first one to ask me about this I checked the customs register and Alister was given as skipper of the Atalanta for a short period before he bought the Ajax from Lossiemouth The Atalanta was owned by J Shearer of Thurso but was out on "deal" or hire fairly often to various skippers ..Alisters brother Benny also skippered her for a time .Ill try to get the exact dates for you when I get a chance
On the list I put on the thread I mostly only named one skipper though some boats eg Pentland Swell etc had a up to 6 different skippers named ..this was due to space (and my poor typing!!)
All best
PM

bonami
29-Oct-08, 16:45
This surely must be one of the best threads ever on the org and will have brought back many memories to a lot of people. Maybe it is time someone with the knowledge and knowhow put together a book on the subject of the WK boats and the men who skippered and crewed them. A lot of this is slowly dissappering and as nature takes its course will be gone forever. There is probably hundreds of photos around homes in the county that have never been seen by the public and the storys passed from some of the (OLDBOYS) would fill a book on there own. These were men that really new there jobs and who sailed with just a compass and clock.All modern boats wheelhouses are filled with modern gadgets that once set will litterally take a boat to sea and home again once set. Takeing nothing from the modern fisherman it is still a very skilled job that probably does not get the credit it deserves but these old guys realy new their busness. They or their boats should not be forgotten in the mists of time I doubt we will never see their likes again or so many boats with WK on there bows Their skills here like in so many other fishing ports are gone.

Fly
29-Oct-08, 18:05
Peter, you mention that Alistair Budge was the skipper of Atalanta, can you tell me more as that boat name has never come up in conversation when I have asked about my Grandads fishing history.

The crew was D.H.Plowman
George Henderson
Kelly Stewart
James Bain who replaced DH when he broke his arm on the winch.

Sometime in 1954-55 in thick fog the Atalanta picked up the Arran Lad a boat
from the Frazerburgh/Buckie area who had broken down and been missing for about a week.

The "reward" was a huge haul of cod, 98 boxes, which was towed into Wick harbour and the crew of the pilot boat helped to empty the net, one fish at a time.

The engine was a Ruston air start 98?hp which was not easy to start in cold weather.

Tighsonas4
29-Oct-08, 19:02
hi peter it was tbh that posted the picture and not me
just for the record tony

Alli
29-Oct-08, 19:04
Hi Peter and Fly, thanks for the info. I asked my Dad and he remembered, he was only 10/11 at the time! Another piece of the family history added to the file thanks.

Tighsonas4
29-Oct-08, 20:42
THE WEST SIDE i see now we have moved to scrabster and the same tales applies over there
bet the was many a yarn spun in the wifies. she had the trawler men to contend with too
i had a copy of a cassete it was ian sutherland interviewing angie meech and a man thomson .they were telling that it was salmon fishers that first helped to get them set up with the seine netthey were down off strathy and working two coil a side
it was rich only disruption was angies pipe as he kept scratching matches
you certainly needed the local dialect to listen to it [lol] tony

nicnic74
29-Oct-08, 20:53
Certainly brought back memories for me seeing the Mhari Bhan mentioned
my uncle Jocky Bhans boat. A few years after he passed away my late mum got a little replica of the Mhari Bhan made for her (from an old photo of the boat lying in the harbour) a old mannie fae thurso made it for her it was brilliant every little detail was on it.

Amy-Winehouse
29-Oct-08, 22:04
This surely must be one of the best threads ever on the org and will have brought back many memories to a lot of people. Maybe it is time someone with the knowledge and knowhow put together a book on the subject of the WK boats and the men who skippered and crewed them. A lot of this is slowly dissappering and as nature takes its course will be gone forever. There is probably hundreds of photos around homes in the county that have never been seen by the public and the storys passed from some of the (OLDBOYS) would fill a book on there own. These were men that really new there jobs and who sailed with just a compass and clock.All modern boats wheelhouses are filled with modern gadgets that once set will litterally take a boat to sea and home again once set. Takeing nothing from the modern fisherman it is still a very skilled job that probably does not get the credit it deserves but these old guys realy new their busness. They or their boats should not be forgotten in the mists of time I doubt we will never see their likes again or so many boats with WK on there bows Their skills here like in so many other fishing ports are gone.


Good post there Bon-Ami , my brother & father often said this, there should be a book written with some of the cracks they used to tell us when theyd come home stinkin of fish.
The Chance WK 126 was legendary for some of the things that used to happen , splicing the ropes through 2 different wheelhouse windows & not realising until it was done !!! Sinking in the firth & 1 old boy asking did they want a cuppa as the sweat was pouring off them as they were bailing out!!!
They also had dirty water, so the cook made the mince in lemonade but didnt tell anyone until theyd eaten it- he coyly asked did they enjoy it & the crew said aye but a bit sweet[lol] cue hysterics!!!

Another one was a certain boat had its radar fall off the wheelhouse roof!!! Or back to the chance again, the wheelhouse used to roll a bit further than the momentum of the boat!!!

It would be good to get some of those tales in a book, because Ive heard many & they always raise a chuckle

peter macdonald
29-Oct-08, 23:25
Tony That would be Alec Thomson that was with Angus Macintosh in the tape They were both in the Primula WK97 Pre 1939 Angus had a boat at the seine net called the Eastward which I think would have been built by Allans of Thurso he was awarded the DSM and Croix de Guerrre in WW2 due to his efforts in the Norwegian campaign then made a MBE He passed away 13th Feb 1992 aged 84 having retired at the age of 70

Tighsonas4
30-Oct-08, 11:55
thanks peter that was the boats mentioned and it seemed seine netting was in its infancy when the cassete ,must see if i can find it
am i right in thinking that angie was cox on the lifeboat at one time?? tony

peter macdonald
30-Oct-08, 15:32
Tony Yes he was Coxswain of the Thurso lifeboat ..Did not Gilbert Reid succeed him?? Fly thanks for the history!!!

Dunbeath
Venus WK31 Skipper Mackay built Alexanders Wick 1929 sold to Stromness 1959
Harvester WK33 Skipper Cowie built 1929 Noble Fraserburgh sold to Swansea 1967
Amaranth WK242 Skipper Mackay built Stephen MacDuff 1934 sold to the Orkneys 1957
Tidy WK297 Skipper Sutherland built Banff 1908 sold to Wick (renamed Scot) in 1947,She was sold to Peterhead 1953
Fram Wk28 Skipper Noel Sutherland built Montrose 1969 sold to Mull of Galloway when Noel bought the Moira from Alec Calder of Lybster I think she is still going in Sligo Ireland as SO915

The Venus and Harvester were delivered within a week of each other to the village ..The Harvester had no wheelhouse when new !!!
One boat I forgot about was the green painted Foxglove WK12 which used to lie at the "cellars" for a couple of years in the 1980s She was owned by Shearer of Clyth in 1983 and was bought from the Milne family of Whitehills She went to the west coast and is now lying wrecked at Kerrera near Oban A MFV she was built in Bideford in 1945
PM

Fly
31-Oct-08, 00:01
Domino the last one was the Golden Chance for Gilbert Reid of Thurso
Venus WK33 built for MacKay of Dunbeath then sold to Stromness 1959
Fisher Boy WK150 built 1932 for Bremners Wick lost at Thurso 1949
Girl Mina WK172 built for Stewarts Wick sold to Sanday broken up recently
Pentland Swell Wk353 built 1948 for Thurso Fishselling Co became Mayflower FR210 in Fraserburgh
Royal Burgh WK561 built for William Shearer sold to MacDuff then back to Lybster as Deveronside WK176
Good Hope WK209 built 1948 for Donn Latheronwheel sold to Fleetwood
Fisher Boy WK 150 built 1952 for Bremners Wick lost Brims Ness 1953
Two Boys WK 151 built 1947 for Plowman Wick went to Thurso then Ireland in 1960
Enterprise WK229 built for M Sinclair Keiss sunk off Noss Head 1975
Ocean Swell WK23 built for Bain Wick sold to Lossiemouth as Osprey INS 142
Golden Dawn W173 built for Adamson Wick sold to Ireland
Golden Chance WK 22 for Gilbert Reid sold to Maryport broken up recently
PM


The Enterprise was actually built for Jock Rosie Keiss. His daughter Jean
named her at her launching. He was the ex-serviceman.

peter macdonald
31-Oct-08, 09:19
Fly many thanks for the correction . I saw a picure of the crew of the Enterprise recently taken in 1955 when they picked up the crew from the Aberdeen trawler Gava which went ashore on the Pentland Skerries ..Malcolm Steven George Swanson Wull Steven and one other whose name escapes me for the moment
Again thanks
PM

peedie man
31-Oct-08, 22:55
has the Golden Strand skipper J Sutherland been mentioned

peter macdonald
01-Nov-08, 13:09
Thats right peedie man She was Norwegian built in 1981 and I think came to James from Shetland She was later sold to Ireland and I think sank a few year ago in the Irish Sea She was WK164

Amy-Winehouse
01-Nov-08, 13:16
What number was the Olive Leaf Peter? was she no WK.164? or am I wrong? I have no pics of the Golden Strand to refer to but I am sure she had a different number ?

peter macdonald
01-Nov-08, 13:28
Amy the Olive Leaf was WK 457 The Gleaners 11 was WK164 The Olive leaf was called the Margerita at one time in Buckie and was built in 1955 by Herd and Mackenzies She was sold to Ireland when she left Wick Another one that was WK164 was the Godetia She was sold to Shetland in 1954 Jocky Sinclair skippered her
Hope that helps
PM

stansmith
01-Nov-08, 14:13
Not sure if this boat has had a mention, father and son, saw a picture of it in a pub on the caledonia canal as it was passing through, it had a WK no.
Does anyone know about it.

Tighsonas4
01-Nov-08, 19:42
was the SPRAY the only wick boat that was comissioned by the admirality during the war . she was based in stromness as an examanition boat or some thing tony ???

peter macdonald
01-Nov-08, 22:37
No Tony the Girl Mina was taken in as well She was used in Scapa but spent most of the war around Oban

Kenn
01-Nov-08, 22:50
Absolutely fascinating thread .
I too come from a fishing port and fortunately a local family have kept a record of the boats and crews in words,documents,photos and films, this has now been attached to the town website and sure had me off down memory lane.
I wonder if at some point Wick Heritage Centre might be able to do a similiar excercise or if that is some thing already in hand having perused their fabulous photo collection.

Fly
02-Nov-08, 00:11
Fly many thanks for the correction . I saw a picure of the crew of the Enterprise recently taken in 1955 when they picked up the crew from the Aberdeen trawler Gava which went ashore on the Pentland Skerries ..Malcolm Steven George Swanson Wull Steven and one other whose name escapes me for the moment
Again thanks
PM


Could it possibly be Bobby Sutherland?

peter macdonald
02-Nov-08, 10:44
Fly Spot on!! That was the name Ill see if can put the picture on here
I think the Smiling Morn was also on War service The boat that became Chance WK126 in 1954 was also in Scapa during WW2 when she was owned in Lossiemouth Her name during that period was the Screwtater
PM

Tighsonas4
02-Nov-08, 12:13
the spray was skippered by a chap from yarmouth but he was a brother in law of the thomsons of lossie.alister sutherland from wick was on her
and robbie coghill and jimmag somebody from keiss
there was boats from every port right down the east coast
in most cases they left the nane but took the numbers off tony

caroline
03-Nov-08, 01:34
Love this thread. Two fishing boats I know of in my Caithness family :

Sweetpea owner Neil Stewart he was also a coxswain and think he was one of the people honoured for his bravery concerning the Norway boat mentioned previously.

Kate crew I know of John Manson & Donald Leith (my gr grandfathfather)

Does anyone know if there is a list recorded somewhere in the Caithness Archives recording the boatbuilders names and years of the fishing boat been built. My Jack family where mostly boatbuilders.

Tighsonas4
03-Nov-08, 13:35
hi old neil stewart had the sweet pea wk 12 and young neil would have been with him. young neil was cox on the lifeboat for years and was also assistant harbour master and then harbour master
he had several awards. have seen them but dont know what they were for tony

brokencross
06-Nov-08, 16:06
Was surfing and found this by accident from the Old Pultney website so acknowledgment to them, contains footage of herring days plus advert/info on the whisky production as well. Worth a little look and listen. http://www.oldpulteney.com/playclip.php?id=heritage4

George Brims
06-Nov-08, 21:53
There were 2 Fisher Boys that Jimmy Bremner had ,the first one was built in Wick and was wrecked on Thurso beach in a gale in the early 1950s the second one was also built in Wick and was wrecked on Brimms Ness around 1956

Choost wan "m" in Brims please, Peter!

weedonald
07-Nov-08, 01:48
From my old photos

peter macdonald
07-Nov-08, 11:44
Wee Donald Looks like the Branch WK294 from Helmsdale She was sold to Ullapool in 1972 and finished up in Northbay Barra She was bought to Helmsdale by John Innes in 1964 having been registered ME158 She was built in Fraserburgh in 1951

horseman
07-Nov-08, 13:26
peter macdonald = memory that could outstrip an ellephant or access to a lot of records-what ever way-well done you,very comprehensive an well presented.
Can claim to know r.swanson (num),an there would be loads more, but memory will not sretch that far. I went out once with my brother in law alla swanson (an that was enough for me) I was never designed for boats, memories of deadliest catch, but I cannot recall the boats name. sandy plowman figures along about that time too.But again a blank is in place.But as I said before well done for your smashing posts.

Average
07-Nov-08, 13:38
Seonaid Skipper Donnie Calder then Dod Bremner (or was it one of the Dunbars) WK29
North Star Skipper Hugh Calder WK29
Silver Cloud (two boats) Skippered by George Carter WK80 WK270
Deveronside Skipper Donald Calder WK176
Fram Skipper Noel Sutherland WK28
Moira Skipper Alec Calder then Noel Sutherland WK439
Restless Wave Skipper Alec Calder WK439
Alban Skipper Alec Cowie WK222
Fairy Queen Skipper Donnie Calder WK204
Wanderer Skipper Billy Keith WK501
Procure Skipper Jack Young WK186
Cordelia Skipper Don Carter WK226
Valena Skipper George Carter ??
Loch Lorna Skipper Donald Cormack WK156
Morvenna Skipper Alec Calder WK439
Restless Wave 11 Skipper Jim Dunbar WK339
Glad Tidings Skipper John George Forbes ??

A list of the top of my head so any more ?? ;-))))

Was ther a boat called the Souter Lass or something similar. It was green. I remember as a boy getting a shot of steering it towards Lybster Harbour on one of the harbour trust days. edit, actually may have been thinking of the Restless wave, was that green? Think it was the "sister ship" of the silver cloud.

One Lybster boat which mean alot to me is the Maple Leaf, Owned by Jock Canadian. My old man used to work on it occasionally. Is Jock still alive.

peter macdonald
07-Nov-08, 16:06
Average Aye the Restless Wave was green as was the Alban
Two Lybster boats i could not remember the numbers of were the Glad Tidings WK372 and Valena WK99

A couple of Wick boats I cant remember but was told of were the Sunbeam , Sprig and the Bonito WK20 which George More had before he bought the Bluebell The Speedwell was WK3 not as i had written

Horseman its a bit of both re memory and records The memory is fine for stuff like this but if you ask me what happened last week I would not have much of a clue !! The records I have are scribbled down bits of paper Olsens Almanacs various books etc
Ive really enjoyed putting the bits and pieces on here if nothing else to remind people how it once was
PM

jm.mack
07-Nov-08, 17:52
Another Wick boat I don't think has been mentioned (or just have'nt noticed it) is the Moray Lass, can't remember the skippers name but remember Wull Tait worked aboard her at one time. She was a green boat with the accomodation forward. Can't remember the registration number!

peter macdonald
07-Nov-08, 19:09
Jim WK167 and the skipper was the late Donald Harper

horseman
08-Nov-08, 01:14
You can't get much better than that! An I remember she had a pointy bit up front;)

Tighsonas4
08-Nov-08, 11:47
peter macdonald = memory that could outstrip an ellephant or access to a lot of records-what ever way-well done you,very comprehensive an well presented.
Can claim to know r.swanson (num),an there would be loads more, but memory will not sretch that far. I went out once with my brother in law alla swanson (an that was enough for me) I was never designed for boats, memories of deadliest catch, but I cannot recall the boats name. sandy plowman figures along about that time too.But again a blank is in place.But as I said before well done for your smashing posts.
hi num was ullas uncle and him and i were pals for years
he wanted me to take a berth when they got the golden eagle but oh declined for me tony

AllanT
08-Nov-08, 16:10
Another Wick boat I don't think has been mentioned (or just have'nt noticed it) is the Moray Lass, can't remember the skippers name but remember Wull Tait worked aboard her at one time. She was a green boat with the accomodation forward. Can't remember the registration number!

Willie Tait was my father and he part owned the Moray Lass with Donald Harper and Jimmy Jappy. As a bairn in the early 70's every Saturday morning was spent on the Moray Lass. It seemed to be the gathering point for all the other fisherman to gather for a coffee and to get all the crack. This was quite profitable for me as all the men would give me a penny at least after a good week and I would then head off to George Lyall's. Happy days.

I wonder what happened to the Moray Lass after she was sold around 1980?

Fisherbigin
09-Nov-08, 16:08
What about the Plough, two Sealgairs,two Kestrels that Ron Aitkinhead had.

stansmith
09-Nov-08, 17:08
You can't get much better than that! An I remember she had a pointy bit up front;)


As do most boats.

Amy-Winehouse
09-Nov-08, 18:16
What about the Plough, two Sealgairs,two Kestrels that Ron Aitkinhead had.

Not being pernickity but Ronnie fished from Scrabster & this is a Wick boats thread BUT if we are to include Lybster boats as well as Dunbeath boats we could include all the Scrabster boats as weel ( there were many of them too )
Challenge - Owner George King
Prolific - Denny Simpson?
Kermarvin - Skipper Ross Farqhuar (still fishing:D)

peter macdonald
09-Nov-08, 18:38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Annabel Wk94 Skipper Ian Simpson
Primula Wk97 Skipper Angus MacIntosh
Boy Allan WK252 Skipper Magnus MacKay
Barbara Mackay WK 9 Skipper Billy MacKay
Venture WK98 Skipper A MacIntosh
Sealgair WK241 Skipper Magnus MacKay
Golden Chance WK22 Skipper Gilbert Reid
Maureen WK270 Skipper William Simpson then Nicky Simpson
Pavonia WK53 Skipper Donald Simpson
Two Boys WK151 Skipper John MacLeod
Albion Skipper WK 88 Skipper Tommy Reid
Pentland Swell WK353 Skipper Magnus Mackay
Amber Queen WK230 Skipper Alfie Sinclair
Liberty Wk218 Skipperr Donald Corbett
Pentland Wave Wk245 Skipper Magnus MacKay
Pentland Skerry WK 251 Skipper Jim Bruce
Pentland Firth Wk224 Skipper William Sinclair
Crest WK87 Skipper Donald Mackay
Rambler WK174 Skipper Gilbert Reid
Undaunted WK210 Skipper Jimmy McIntosh
Streamlet WK332 Skipper John MacLeod also called Emerald
Bydand WK155 Skipper Arnot Sinclair
Better Hope WK138 Skipper Magnus MacKay
Loch Fyne WK248 Skipper William Simpson
Crissy WK69 Skipper D MacKay
Ben More WK52 Skipper Jimmy McIntosh
Lea Rig WK331 Skipper John Macleod
Hopeful WK196 Skipper William Simpson
Provider KY201 Skipper Alex Mackay ??
Daisy WK21 Skipper D Maclean
Star Devine WK16 Skipper Jack Ritchie
Prolific WK53 Skipper Denny Simpson
Challenge WK27 Skipper George King
Viking Queen WK510 SKipper Jim Mackay
Orion WK112 Skipper Bews
As you can see by the question marks this from memory with a few notes Feel free to add
any or fill in the blanks "
There were also 2 more Eastward which Angus MacIntosh had and the Northward (both before my time!!!) but I think both built by Allans of Thurso

Amy ...Go for it !!! Please add any more you can think of
All best
PM

Tighsonas4
10-Nov-08, 20:30
this may have started off as wick boats but the number that used scrabster was considerable.taxi up on sunday night and home for the weekend
the like of fordie running around on sunday night trying to find nums crew would make a story in itself lol [lol] tony

Tighsonas4
10-Nov-08, 20:41
seen something in a boookie i bought in the mission where one of the boats was in trouble on a really stormy day and the star of peace went to assist but turned back
jackie ritchie then turned with the star devine and went to her assistence tony [cant find the bookie ] tony

silverfox57
10-Nov-08, 20:54
was a taxi driver many moons ago,had to pick up crew ,will not name crew all where none drinkers, but for one ,took some time to find him,was a bit tispy ,
as we got near watten ,after some heated debate with crew, skipper told me to stop
taxi ,and told crew member who was tispy to get out, left him at watten late on sunday night,skipper told me he dose not go to sea,with ill felling with crew,

TBH
10-Nov-08, 22:23
Was there a Dunbeath boat called the harvester?

peter macdonald
11-Nov-08, 20:23
TBH yes
Harvester WK33 Skipper Cowie built 1929 Noble Fraserburgh sold to Swansea 1967

peter macdonald
11-Nov-08, 20:26
was the SPRAY the only wick boat that was comissioned by the admirality during the war . she was based in stromness as an examanition boat or some thing tony ???

Another one that went on war service was the Golden West WK396 but she didnt come back to Wick but went to Shetland after WW2 due to the death of the skipper David Miller

Tighsonas4
11-Nov-08, 20:45
peter was not one of the jeannie mackays[helmsdale] bought here in wick
there was one and two ??? tony

peter macdonald
11-Nov-08, 21:27
Tony
Yes the Jeanie MacKay 3 was sold to Alister Henderson and Bill Wiseman and became the Stack Rock .She was built by Thomson of Buckie for John (Pow) MacKay and others of Helmsdale in 1948
Jeannie MacKay 2 was LOA 54 ft keel 49ft Beam 16.5 Draft 6.8ft 27.26 Tons Gross and Nett Built for Helmsdale 11/7/1938 Buckie She was sold to Robert Andrew Coffey of Portavogie in 1948 Skipper was John Mackay
The Jeannie MacKay 1 ...dont know !!!! but Ill make an enquiry
PM

peter macdonald
11-Nov-08, 22:08
Silver Star WK357 sk W Jappy
Silver Cloud WK147 sk T Jappy
Bunillidh Braes WK350 sk David Cowie
Branch Wk294 sk Ian Innes
Girl Kathleen WK 93 sk Ian Innes
Mysotis WK 190 sk D Cowie
Bunillidh WK96 sk David Cowie
Stella Maris WK142 sk David Cowie
Reliance WK79 sk Ian Whitehead
Ocean Hunter WK79 sk Ian Whitehead
Jeannie MacKay2 WK316 sk John MacKay
Jeannie MacKay 3 WK197 sk John MacKay
Stroma Isle WK408 sk Innes
Home Cliffe 2 WK 349 sk Innes
Milburn Wk142 sk D Cowie
Dewy Rose WK15 sk J MacKay
Sunbeam WK213 sk John MacKay
Sheena MacKay WK168 sk T Jappy
Seafarer INS 41 sk J Innes
Lea Rig WK 331 sk H Innes
Harvest Moon WK341 sk W Innes
Home Cliffe WK 228 sk A Innes
StrathDonan Wk111 sk A Sutherland
Celtic Dawn WK10 sk Robert Mackay
Zepher FR 444 sk Ian Whitehead
Glen Alvah INS302 sk M Innes
Golden Isle SY 809 sk W Innes
Happy Return WK130 sk A Sutherland
Harvest Home LK92 Sk WJ Innes

Some but not all by any means Helmsdale boats

I also forgot about the Morina WK196 that Charlie Mackenzie had in Wick

Tighsonas4
11-Nov-08, 22:22
yes that will be it peter bill wiseman was from the east coast but was nums brother in law
wiseman was sea sick every monday morning when they left the key heads and that was it over for the week
you must have somme almanac years ago i seem to mind a moores almanacbut think it was for tides moon etc which they had to go by in olden times
they used to say high water in wick was 12 o clock full and change and that coincided with portsmouth or there abouts tony

Tighsonas4
11-Nov-08, 22:30
hi peter forgot to say have given you a rep beforebut what you have set up here deserves a medal
you would be surprised at the yarns this has stirred up amongst non orgers
there was a handline boat in staxgioe the wjm, this was supposed to be
walters juicy medicine tony

peter macdonald
11-Nov-08, 22:37
Tony Yes Ive a couple of Olsens almanacs but I have a lot of bitties of paper Ive written down over the years (which I need to get sorted out) and get bits from the internet as well . If I mind right Bill Wiseman came from Gamrie and as you say he was Roberts brother in law ,along with Archie Miller that had the Spindrift (on Megs side)
Walters Juicy Medicine :-)))))
Thats what putting this stuff on here is for Tony Its not a lot of use lying in a drawer in here !!!! I wonder how many pictures of boats in Caithness are lying in biscuit tins below beds ??
All best and thanks for the rep
PM

Amy-Winehouse
12-Nov-08, 01:06
Silver Star WK357 sk W Jappy
Silver Cloud WK147 sk T Jappy
Bunillidh Braes WK350 sk David Cowie
Branch Wk294 sk Ian Innes
Girl Kathleen WK 93 sk Ian Innes
Mysotis WK 190 sk D Cowie
Bunillidh WK96 sk David Cowie
Stella Maris WK142 sk David Cowie
Reliance WK79 sk Ian Whitehead
Ocean Hunter WK79 sk Ian Whitehead
Jeannie MacKay2 WK316 sk John MacKay
Jeannie MacKay 3 WK197 sk John MacKay
Stroma Isle WK408 sk Innes
Home Cliffe 2 WK 349 sk Innes
Milburn Wk142 sk D Cowie
Dewy Rose WK15 sk J MacKay
Sunbeam WK213 sk John MacKay
Sheena MacKay WK168 sk T Jappy
Seafarer INS 41 sk J Innes
Lea Rig WK 331 sk H Innes
Harvest Moon WK341 sk W Innes
Home Cliffe WK 228 sk A Innes
StrathDonan Wk111 sk A Sutherland
Celtic Dawn WK10 sk Robert Mackay
Zepher FR 444 sk Ian Whitehead
Glen Alvah INS302 sk M Innes
Golden Isle SY 809 sk W Innes
Happy Return WK130 sk A Sutherland
Harvest Home LK92 Sk WJ Innes

Some but not all by any means Helmsdale boats

I also forgot about the Morina WK196 that Charlie Mackenzie had in Wick


Well Done there Peter, John Mackay also had a boat named JLC Mackay but Im not sure of her numbers his brother Neil also had a boat but cant remember what it was called? John had a few boats with the Last one being the Jeannie Mackay III WK.197 which was bought by the Wisemans & she was the last of the old Herring Queen winners in 1953. there is a picture of her on this site , I have the original though ;)

peter macdonald
12-Nov-08, 19:41
Some old Keiss seine net boats which worked from Keiss

Lupin WK99 sk Miller
Alexanderina WK361 sk Munro
Alert WK119 sk More
Loyalty WK300 sk McKenzie



PM

Tighsonas4
12-Nov-08, 21:28
never knew j mackenzie worked from keiss with the loyalty but the son finished up with the shop there right enough
willie jappys son was on holiday cant mind was it in wales and on going to the harbour came across either the silver star or cloud there tony

Tighsonas4
12-Nov-08, 21:36
its surprising when you go to a lot of that harbours today keiss staxigoe and the rest that these boats were able to use them right enough they were shallower drafted but it still amazes me
num had the golden eagle tied up in staxigoe but then again that was once one of the busiest ports at one time tony

peter macdonald
12-Nov-08, 22:20
Tony that would be the Silver Star which went to Beaumaris The Silver Cloud (WK147)was sold to MacDuff
Aye it really makes you wonder with these smaller harbours I know the Godetia went into Sandside on at least one occasion
PM

Partan
13-Nov-08, 13:24
I remember the Westward (of Aukengill) - Jimmy, Geordie and Robbie Begg - but not its number.

Once I saw it moored at Summerbank pier in Aukengill.

As far as I am concerned, the best ever thread on Caithness.org. You have a great memory and archive, Peter. It would be great if it could be combined and made available on this site. On the other hand it would probably be a lot of work to undertake and unfair to ask you to do so

Partan

peter macdonald
13-Nov-08, 16:01
The Westward WK798 built 1918 by Allans of Thurso for Allan and Craigie of Thurso
Keel 33ft LOA 39.2ft Beam 11.9ft Draft 4.9ft 9.25 Tons Gross and Nett
Skippers Neil MacIntosh from 11/1918 George Reid from 5/6/1930 Angus McIntosh from 16/7/1931 George Sutherland from 6/6/1934 all of Thurso then Robert Begg of Auckingill from 4/7/1941 until the vessel was sold to Greenock on 22/10/1965
I mind seeing pics of her lying there in the Canisbay book which along with Donald Youngs book of Lybster are great sources of info
All best
PM

Tighsonas4
14-Nov-08, 13:22
hi peter DIV E MIND
there was a boat went on the rocks dont know if it was loch erripol way
three of them was geordie thain derby and micky robertson
they scrambled onto the rocks and a crofter found them
micky never went to the sea again??? tony

peter macdonald
14-Nov-08, 14:45
Ive read the Receiver of Wrecks report on the loss of the Pursuit WK69 on the Rabbit Islands and that looks like the boat in question !!!! It did say that James Derby Swanson was skipper She built Sandhaven 1932 Sunk 18/1/1951 at Tongue LOA 52.1 ft B 15.9 ft D 5.4 ft Tonnage G and N 20.40 Tons She was BCK125 came to WK registry on 24/10/1946
All best
PM

Tighsonas4
14-Nov-08, 18:27
Ive read the Receiver of Wrecks report on the loss of the Pursuit WK69 on the Rabbit Islands and that looks like the boat in question !!!! It did say that James Derby Swanson was skipper She built Sandhaven 1932 Sunk 18/1/1951 at Tongue LOA 52.1 ft B 15.9 ft D 5.4 ft Tonnage G and N 20.40 Tons She was BCK125 came to WK registry on 24/10/1946
All best
PM
that could be it peter james derby was nums brother they said he went back on board as there was STOKER in a drawer and he just got off when she slipped off tony

John Flett
14-Nov-08, 23:19
Been following this thread with great interest and nostalgia. Readers may be interested in the long journey of one of the Wick fleet. In 1958 we bought the Starlight from Lossiemouth (built 1933 by John Dunn of Lossie) for £1,250.00. When I left Wick in 1961 it was sold and converted into a motor yacht in Suffolk. In 2004 the same Starlight, with the same 95 Gardner engine, was for sale in Malta. Asking price £125,000.00!! It is amazing how age adds value to life.

TBH
14-Nov-08, 23:24
How about it Peter, compile all that knowledge and preserve it in words.
You will be well supported in such a venture.

John Flett
14-Nov-08, 23:26
Filling in some gaps.
I seem to recall that there was an earlier Bluebell in Wick in the late 1940s?

The Atalanta was in Wick in 1955/56. I was on board for a week in December 1955 before I joined the Enterprise. Alistair Budge was the skipper, Sandy Stewart was on board but I cannot recall the name of the third crewman.

Wick Heritage Museum has an interesting film of the Morina laying on nets and sailing on what was thought to be the last recorded herring fishing trip from Wick.

peter macdonald
15-Nov-08, 10:04
John Yes there was an earlier Bluebell ,I also forgot about the Pearl and just looking at the Scrabster Thurso list Ive left out the Vine and Crissy all of which Ive researched recently
Old age Im afraid
PM

Mizpah
15-Nov-08, 15:23
This has been one of the best threads on the org. and really stretches the memory but it has just crossed my mind that nothing has been said about a very brave set of fishernen who went to sea from Wick namely those who followed the handline fishing in their small boats, there was the Ruby, Pansy, Fruitful and others whose boats I cannot remember the name.

Tighsonas4
15-Nov-08, 20:29
This has been one of the best threads on the org. and really stretches the memory but it has just crossed my mind that nothing has been said about a very brave set of fishernen who went to sea from Wick namely those who followed the handline fishing in their small boats, there was the Ruby, Pansy, Fruitful and others whose boats I cannot remember the name.
can rember the handline boats fishing off shore.there was one had a red sail seems it was some mannie wattand you could always spot him
having said that some of the fisherman mentioned here had been at the handlines
num was a crack hand at taking bearings of the land at this side
places like hilti head off noss and the like
there was always a good price for handline fish there was quite often a halibut or a turbot landed too tony

Tighsonas4
15-Nov-08, 20:34
canna go through all this again but was the el alemein mentioned[smithy ]
they had some disasters in her time tony

peter macdonald
15-Nov-08, 22:01
Aye Tony
They did not have the best of kuck
She was originaly INS 107 WINDSOR LAD 32.60 Tonns Gross and Nett built by Thomson Buckie in 1934 with a Crossley engine for Robert Corstorphine before she came to Wick
All best PM

peter macdonald
15-Nov-08, 22:18
I got this from a friend of mine who had listed all the Danish fishing vessels using Wick 1935-41 included
Asboe E270,
Kirstine FN202,
Vand Syssel 2 FN305,
Max Georg E408,
Evelyn E408,
Ribes L83 ,
Laeso FN345 ,
Ulla E502,
Linda E442,
Lady E65,
Tonny FN34 ,
Vasterland HG76,
Marie FN29 ,
Molso A712
E,Lauland FN189 ,
Annie FN196 .
Evald A69 ,
Anna Schou FN 298 ,
Kristian FN66 .
M Aaen E524 ,
Ellen E280 (skipper Kramer)
Ebbe Maria FN3 (skipper Carlsen),
Ladstrand FN360.
P Schou FN292 (Skipper Jansen)
Anna Dorethea FN242 (skipper Rasmussen)
Syrenen FN133 (skipper Matiesen) ,
Energi FN20,
Ebba FN15 ,
Venus H213,
Nordlyset FN47 ,
Astoria H123 ,
Anna E 11 .
Ostkysten E378
Hans Tavsen E372.
Erna FN180
Axel Schou FN257
Maybe some of the older Orgers will remember some of these and of course the Metha from Fredrikshaven which was lost with all hands trying to enter Wick Harbour in March 1934 The crew lost were Karl Neilsen (skipper) Karl Halgran Jacob Jacobsen and 15 year old Borje Qvist
Swedish fishing boats in the same period
Marga LL965
Linnea LL590
Berny LL854
Nippon GG248
Rex LL418
Forget Me Nought SD390
Vasterhavet GG97
Shamrock SD 449
Magne LL247
Rane LL688
Zaida LL1057
Ragnhild GG156
Elin MD 857
Comet GG158
Runa GG382
Willard GG198
Ziva LL103
Sjofogel LL208
Crosby LL248
Arne MD312
Sonja LL525
Hispano GG 103
Lillvar GG432
PM

ploo251
15-Nov-08, 22:24
My uncle was a partner in the fishing boat the Day Star (Wk84, I think). Can anyone give me any information about the history of this boat.

peter macdonald
16-Nov-08, 11:30
Daystar WK84 ex Lossie boat INS317 owned by Eddie Farquhar of Lossie 57.3 ft 31 tons MWLQ (radio callsign) Sold to Wick to Liam Smith and David Plowman in 1972 Built by Noble Fraserburgh in 1955 with a Gardner 152 engine
Sank about 12 miles NW of Holborn Head
Hope this helps
PM

bonami
16-Nov-08, 21:21
Never relised there was so many Danish boats using Wick during the war.I still say this is best thread to appear on the org. I for one have learned a lot.

Tighsonas4
16-Nov-08, 22:14
yes the metha was lost when i was a boy. it seems they tried to turn him back from trying to take the harbour with rockets etc
she broached and failed to take the entrance
there was a poem written on this but cant rember much about it tony

Fisherbigin
16-Nov-08, 22:56
The Daystar is no very far fae the Causea wreck nnw o' Holborn Hd,the El-Alimein sunk after she gied to Ireland,one o' the trawl doors gied through her side.

Tighsonas4
17-Nov-08, 21:59
yes the metha was lost when i was a boy. it seems they tried to turn him back from trying to take the harbour with rockets etc
she broached and failed to take the entrance
there was a poem written on this but cant rember much about it tony
as far as i remember there was three of these boats going to try for the harbourbut two decided against it and went about but the metha unfortunately decided to give it a try with dire results tony

Mizpah
18-Nov-08, 15:36
This thread gets better and better and certainly gets the mind thinking and I cannot recollect any mention being made of "Korky's yacht". He had a boat here in Wick which he got from the Fife area hence the KY regestration and the above quoted name, the correct name for the boat was the Ecconomy, does anyone remember it? I am of course speaking about George Sinclair. :lol:

gcmac
18-Nov-08, 21:52
hi interested to know if any one has pictures of the stack rock,as bill wiseman was my grandad.the stack rock went to gibralter not long after being sold and was seized by customs for drugs,the last i heard she was a house boat in amble.have a few old pictures of them at sea hauling the ropes aboard on the deck.

peter macdonald
19-Nov-08, 18:15
Tony the Metha was lost in March 1934 The boat that was coming behind her was the Syrenen FN133 The four crew lost were Skipper Karl Neilsen who left a widow and two young children, Karl Halgren ,a widower who was survived by two sons, Jacob Jacobsen who was engaged to a Wick lady ,they were due to be married three weeks after the accident and Borje Quist aged 15 years old ..all were from Fredrikshavn

Amy-Winehouse
20-Nov-08, 08:31
hi interested to know if any one has pictures of the stack rock,as bill wiseman was my grandad.the stack rock went to gibralter not long after being sold and was seized by customs for drugs,the last i heard she was a house boat in amble.have a few old pictures of them at sea hauling the ropes aboard on the deck.

I have a couple of pictures of her when she was Jeannie Mackay III before she was Stack Rock , lying in Lochinver & entering Wick harbour with the flags up. There was a pic of her in the P&J when Wiseman sold her , the new owners planned to take her around the world but I do know she was in Amble as a house boat - no sure if she still is but Ill find out for you.

peter macdonald
20-Nov-08, 17:46
Ive read the Receiver of Wrecks report on the loss of the Pursuit WK69 on the Rabbit Islands and that looks like the boat in question !!!! It did say that James Derby Swanson was skipper She built Sandhaven 1932 Sunk 18/1/1951 at Tongue LOA 52.1 ft B 15.9 ft D 5.4 ft Tonnage G and N 20.40 Tons She was BCK125 came to WK registry on 24/10/1946
All best
PM

Tony Just noticed a typo in there ..The Pursuit was WK160

peter macdonald
20-Nov-08, 17:52
peter was not one of the jeannie mackays[helmsdale] bought here in wick
there was one and two ??? tony
Tony Yes there was also a Jeannie MacKay ...............(one)
She was WK316 built in MacDuff in 1927 LOA 37 ft Keel 33 ft Beam 12.3 ft Draft 4.1 ft
8.53 Tonns Gross and Nett She came to the MacKay brothers of Helmsdale 15/8/1927 and was sold to Golspie owners 3/5/1932 She then was sold to Peterhead 13/2/1933 I think she was used for cod nets lines and herring as there is no mention of a seine net winch in her

Jeannie MacKay 2 was LOA 54 ft keel 49ft Beam 16.5 Draft 6.8ft 27.26 Tons Gross and Nett Built for Helmsdale 11/7/1938 in Buckie She was sold to Robert Andrew Coffey of Portavogie in 1948 Skipper was John Mackay

Jeanie MacKay 3 WK197 was sold to Alister Henderson and Bill Wiseman and became the Stack Rock .She was built by Thomson of Buckie for John (Pow) MacKay and others of Helmsdale in 1948

Tighsonas4
21-Nov-08, 21:02
This thread gets better and better and certainly gets the mind thinking and I cannot recollect any mention being made of "Korky's yacht". He had a boat here in Wick which he got from the Fife area hence the KY regestration and the above quoted name, the correct name for the boat was the Ecconomy, does anyone remember it? I am of course speaking about George Sinclair. :lol:
have most of korkys exploits but never knew he had a yacht
mizpah was another seiner taken by the admirality and was in scapa
they kept the names of drifters but took the reg off regards tony

Amy-Winehouse
21-Nov-08, 21:15
Tony Yes there was also a Jeannie MacKay ...............(one)
She was WK316 built in MacDuff in 1927 LOA 37 ft Keel 33 ft Beam 12.3 ft Draft 4.1 ft
8.53 Tonns Gross and Nett She came to the MacKay brothers of Helmsdale 15/8/1927 and was sold to Golspie owners 3/5/1932 She then was sold to Peterhead 13/2/1933 I think she was used for cod nets lines and herring as there is no mention of a seine net winch in her

Jeannie MacKay 2 was LOA 54 ft keel 49ft Beam 16.5 Draft 6.8ft 27.26 Tons Gross and Nett Built for Helmsdale 11/7/1938 in Buckie She was sold to Robert Andrew Coffey of Portavogie in 1948 Skipper was John Mackay

Jeanie MacKay 3 WK197 was sold to Alister Henderson and Bill Wiseman and became the Stack Rock .She was built by Thomson of Buckie for John (Pow) MacKay and others of Helmsdale in 1948

Peter, I have a wee bit of information on the Jeannie Mackay II for you, the chap said she was commandeered by the Navy during WWII.
He said she remained in British waters during the war. However, Angus and John Mackay (pow) got another boat to replace her after she was commandeered.
This boat was called Joey Mackay. I have never seen any photos of her or don`t know what size she was. The only thing I know is she was also commandeered because she had a Gardner engine.
She was the boat that went to South Africa and being in tropical waters her hull was so badly attacked by teredo worm that it was not safe or viable to bring her home.
When she was commandeered Angus and John got a 40ft boat with a 44hp Kelvin engine, called Hazel. I can remember her well and she was also very successful.

When Jeannie Mackay II returned after the war the Hazel was sold by a public auction held on the pier in Helmsdale and was bought by a man Garden from Cullen who worked her out of Aberdeen until he retired.

In those days there was a 3 mile limit for seine netting except for boats under a certain size were allowed to fish in Aberdeen bay and this is where she worked and was still going strong when I was at collegein 1965.

peter macdonald
21-Nov-08, 21:42
Amy The Joey MacKay WK197 was originally called the Janet in Wick She became Joey Mackay on 5/9/40 when she was sold to Helmsdale She was built in MacDuff in 1932 and was sold to JS Duncan and Mrs M Campbell of Wick on 19/1/1937 Alex Miller skippered her She sold was to Thurso on 14/1/1039 where David Thomson was skipper/owner and then as I say to Helmsdale to Messers J,T and J MacKay with John MacKay as skipper
She went on war service 12/4/1943 LOA 40 ft Keel 34.5 ft Beam 13.9 ft Draft 4.7 ft 11.76 Tons Gross and Nett

The Hazel WK171 was built in 1933 at Hopeman She came in to Helmsdale owners as above on 28/5/1942 having been registered PD230 She was sold exactly as you say to Cullen on 17/7/1946 LOA 39.6 ft Keel 35 ft Beam 13 ft Draft 5,2 ft 12.05 Tons Gross and Nett

There was a lot of small seiners/herring boats in Helmsdale in the 30s/40s Launch Out Highdale HomeCliffe etc
PM

peter macdonald
21-Nov-08, 21:53
Economy was owned by TD More and was skippered for a short time by George Sinclair but mostly by George Thain She came up from Pittenweem as KY 28 on arrival 10/6/1955 Built in 1927 at MacDuff LOA 54.5 ft Beam 16ft Draft 6.3 ft 24.72 Tons Gross and Nett
Her registry was cancelled 11/12/1959 but she was unused/broken up in 1957 (according to the owner)
Tony I have the details of the Mizpah ,,,,,just cant find them in this mess of paper!!!
PM

Amy-Winehouse
21-Nov-08, 22:11
Amy The Joey MacKay WK197 was originally called the Janet in Wick She became Joey Mackay on 5/9/40 when she was sold to Helmsdale She was built in MacDuff in 1932 and was sold to JS Duncan and Mrs M Campbell of Wick on 19/1/1937 Alex Miller skippered her She sold was to Thurso on 14/1/1039 where David Thomson was skipper/owner and then as I say to Helmsdale to Messers J,T and J MacKay with John MacKay as skipper
She went on war service 12/4/1943 LOA 40 ft Keel 34.5 ft Beam 13.9 ft Draft 4.7 ft 11.76 Tons Gross and Nett

The Hazel WK171 was built in 1933 at Hopeman She came in to Helmsdale owners as above on 28/5/1942 having been registered PD230 She was sold exactly as you say to Cullen on 17/7/1946 LOA 39.6 ft Keel 35 ft Beam 13 ft Draft 5,2 ft 12.05 Tons Gross and Nett

There was a lot of small seiners/herring boats in Helmsdale in the 30s/40s Launch Out Highdale HomeCliffe etc
PM

Thanks for that Peter, Im told that the Jeannie Mackay III & 5 other boats are the vessels that pioneered Clash & Lochinver. This is definatley the best thread weve ever had on .org imo , thanks for contributing so much to it Peter

Tighsonas4
21-Nov-08, 22:30
Economy was owned by TD More and was skippered for a short time by George Sinclair but mostly by George Thain She came up from Pittenweem as KY 28 on arrival 10/6/1955 Built in 1927 at MacDuff LOA 54.5 ft Beam 16ft Draft 6.3 ft 24.72 Tons Gross and Nett
Her registry was cancelled 11/12/1959 but she was unused/broken up in 1957 (according to the owner)
Tony I have the details of the Mizpah ,,,,,just cant find them in this mess of paper!!!
PM
the george sinclair mentioned was most probably[korky] seem to remember her amongst the fleet tony

peter macdonald
21-Nov-08, 22:35
The Valhalla Wk171 She came from Ullapool UL99 Duncan Sutherland sold her to Hugh Carter in 1973 .Built Miller St Monance in 1954 she was 51ft LOA and 23,55 Tons Gross and nett I think it was Kelvin 120 engine?? that was in her She was lost by fire cant remember what year but I think Fletter was in her when it happened 1976???

Tighsonas4
21-Nov-08, 22:36
there was a time i think when seiners were kept to under 50 feet as over that the skipper required a ticket
i know some had an old mannie on board just because he had a ticket
dowdum was one who used to do this tony

Mizpah
21-Nov-08, 23:12
have most of korkys exploits but never knew he had a yacht
mizpah was another seiner taken by the admirality and was in scapa
they kept the names of drifters but took the reg off regards tony

:lol: Hi sorry for confusing you but I remember as a youngster when the Ecconomy came and Korky was the first skipper someone asked what KY stood for and one of the harbour wits at once said it stands for Korkys Yacht and she was known as that after that, she was a boat similar to the Ivy but a little bigger. :)

peter macdonald
21-Nov-08, 23:18
"Thanks for that Peter, Im told that the Jeannie Mackay III & 5 other boats are the vessels that pioneered Clash & Lochinver".
Yes Ive heard that as well On the shore side Wull Sinclair (Royal and Mountain Dew) was heaving involved in the selling of fish in that area
Thanks for the comments appreciated
Mizpah thats brilliant :-)))
The Ivy was built by Stephens MacDuff in 1933 and as you say was a bit smaller Jockie MacLeod bought her from Lossie after he sold the Mahri Bhan to Wales and sold her to Jackie Ross and then she went to Stornaway
PM

Tighsonas4
22-Nov-08, 10:13
:lol: Hi sorry for confusing you but I remember as a youngster when the Ecconomy came and Korky was the first skipper someone asked what KY stood for and one of the harbour wits at once said it stands for Korkys Yacht and she was known as that after that, she was a boat similar to the Ivy but a little bigger. :)
that makes it all clear lol and it also brings out the type of humour that made the old days what they were regards tony

peter macdonald
25-Nov-08, 14:56
Well Done there Peter, John Mackay also had a boat named JLC Mackay but Im not sure of her numbers his brother Neil also had a boat but cant remember what it was called? John had a few boats with the Last one being the Jeannie Mackay III WK.197 which was bought by the Wisemans & she was the last of the old Herring Queen winners in 1953. there is a picture of her on this site , I have the original though ;)

Amy the JL and C MacKay WK112 was built in MacDuff in 1931 Owners were James,Angus,Neil and John MacKay LOA 41ft Keel 35ft Beam 14.2 ft Draft 5.5 ft 14.48 Tonns Gross and Nett Skippers given as John and Neil Mackay She was sold to Alex Sutherland of Brora and renamed Jan El Mar and then was sold to Lerwick in March 1962
Hope this helps
PM

Tighsonas4
25-Nov-08, 20:22
"Thanks for that Peter, Im told that the Jeannie Mackay III & 5 other boats are the vessels that pioneered Clash & Lochinver".
Yes Ive heard that as well On the shore side Wull Sinclair (Royal and Mountain Dew) was heaving involved in the selling of fish in that area
Thanks for the comments appreciated
Mizpah thats brilliant :-)))
The Ivy was built by Stephens MacDuff in 1933 and as you say was a bit smaller Jockie MacLeod bought her from Lossie after he sold the Mahri Bhan to Wales and sold her to Jackie Ross and then she went to Stornaway
PM
wulls was heavily involved in quite a lot and could well have been in clash and lochinver too. he was a sleeping partner in a lot of things tony

jock leith
02-Dec-08, 02:13
I started the Wick Fishing Boats thread expecting a few replies from some nostalgic Wickers,but have been astounded by the great stories and detailed lists of boats especially supplied by Peter .Thank you all for participating ,I think it is time to close the thread,

Best wishes J Leith

jock leith
04-Dec-08, 20:59
I started the Wick Fishing Boats thread expecting a few replies from some nostalgic Wickers,but have been astounded by the great stories and detailed lists of boats especially supplied by Peter .Thank you all for participating ,I think it is time to close the thread,

Best wishes J Leith

Some people have said that I closed this thread prematurely as some more boat stories may still be out there.Thanks to those that have sent in info

JL

Tighsonas4
04-Dec-08, 22:52
[quote=jock leith;466700]Some people have said that I closed this thread prematurely as some more boat stories may still be out there.Thanks to those that have sent in info
dont know if there is any more to come but it was one of the best threads that was on here in my time thanks to all and especially peter regards tony

Kenn
05-Dec-08, 00:40
I am in complete agreement it has to be one of the most interesting threads ever started and has provoked much discusion and interest.
I am not a resident of the county but have many friends there who at various times have had a sea heritage and as I orginate from a fishing town with many memories of luggers etc, it has been fascinating.
Hope there is still more to come.

jock leith
05-Dec-08, 20:48
I am in complete agreement it has to be one of the most interesting threads ever started and has provoked much discusion and interest.
I am not a resident of the county but have many friends there who at various times have had a sea heritage and as I orginate from a fishing town with many memories of luggers etc, it has been fascinating.
Hope there is still more to come.


Thank you for your reply LIZZ ,the harbour holds so many memories for me as a child.All my mates and I spent some wonderful times fishing under the old wharf etc.I still go back on holidays and it's sad to see the harbour so deserted,but the memories will live on in my heart.

regards JL

domino
05-Dec-08, 21:40
Remember in the 40,s and early 50,s at the harbour on a summer evening. Lots of locals and visitors about, all the boys fishing for tiddlers and peltags. The sun always shone and the peltags just got bigger and bigger!1

catran
05-Dec-08, 21:47
What a wonderful thread, loved the stories, great thanks for the best thread on Caithness.Org.

peter macdonald
06-Dec-08, 10:12
I got this link from a friend of mine
http://nationalhistoricships.org.uk/index.cfm/event/newSearch
and it shows some WK seine netters as they are today ..If you look in the fishing boat part there is Barcadale which was the Ebeneezer WK135 that the late Ernie Miller and James Sutherland skippered ,the Gleaners WK325 that Rory Bremner and then Robert Swanson had
, the Rival WK123 that Bill Wiseman skippered and the St Vincent WK117 that Jock Rosie owned. The site also has the Isabella Fortuna and other historic boats that visited Wick recently. There are also some seinenetters that were fairly frequent visitors to Wick such as the Bon Ami Enterprise and Challenge (ex Transcend)
It also mentions the Primula but with scant detail
PM

jock leith
06-Dec-08, 10:30
Peter once again you have come up trumps with a great web site for browsing throuht some of the old fishing boats .
You deserve a medal for bringing so many great memories back for so many orgers

Regards JL

Tighsonas4
07-Dec-08, 12:14
yet another good site for browsing through peter thanks all the best tony

bonami
07-Dec-08, 21:52
Yes that site with preserved boats well worth a look but a lot of the boats have changed a lot since there fishing days. What about the grounds the WK boats used to work. On the Wick side there was the Pouts Johndies Partans South Head Nells Sound Fisher Ma Kellys Graveyard Treasure Barnies Courage Sannie Sutherlands Quoy Hd Lights Spittal Hill Point O The Ord Murrys Hillhead 55 Minutes Burma . West there was Blue Mountain Blue Bell Stormy Bank Sandside Cnoc Skolomies Maggie Fleming and a lot of other bits beside. Many a coil of rope was pulled over these bits and many a box of fish was taken off them.

Amy-Winehouse
08-Dec-08, 09:10
Yes that site with preserved boats well worth a look but a lot of the boats have changed a lot since there fishing days. What about the grounds the WK boats used to work. On the Wick side there was the Pouts Johndies Partans South Head Nells Sound Fisher Ma Kellys Graveyard Treasure Barnies Courage Sannie Sutherlands Quoy Hd Lights Spittal Hill Point O The Ord Murrys Hillhead 55 Minutes Burma . West there was Blue Mountain Blue Bell Stormy Bank Sandside Cnoc Skolomies Maggie Fleming and a lot of other bits beside. Many a coil of rope was pulled over these bits and many a box of fish was taken off them.

My brother says you missed out!!!
Copinsay!!!![lol] Skaill Bay, The skerries, The Grandstand, The Noup, 16 miles the back of the sule, Suleskerry.
Smith Bank, Jocky Bhans, Jean Dugle , The Skater!!! The Skate hole , The sooth deeps, the cock, navidale hole,

in no particular order Im afraid- He says he was at Rockall & St.Kilda in bigger boats from elsewhere but Copinsay was the one he dreaded the most- sma` haddies with their eyes no open yet!!

Absolute slaughter but the crack was pretty good, rather him than me

peter macdonald
08-Dec-08, 10:49
Dont know just how accurate this is

http://www.sarclethistory.co.uk/index.php/Image:Sarcletfishing.jpg

I think the museum in Buckie has a couple of good charts of where the fishing grounds were around here and the west
PM

Tighsonas4
08-Dec-08, 20:12
this is another site to muse through peter
by the way the bobbie was never out of rackwick. bet there was a few cut and runs out of there cheers tony

bonami
08-Dec-08, 21:45
There was a yarn of a certain Wick skipper who was shooting his net in thick fog when he completed his shot and was returning to his dhan he found that the cruiser had found it first. The crew of the cruiser had picked up his dhan and well into hauling the first coil of rope. How true this tale is I dont know but remembering stories about this well known skipper of the past it is just possible.:lol::lol:.

Tighsonas4
08-Dec-08, 22:17
There was a yarn of a certain Wick skipper who was shooting his net in thick fog when he completed his shot and was returning to his dhan he found that the cruiser had found it first. The crew of the cruiser had picked up his dhan and well into hauling the first coil of rope. How true this tale is I dont know but remembering stories about this well known skipper of the past it is just possible.:lol::lol:.
i couldnt name him as i dont know but could tie it up to one or two that would be probabels tony

peter macdonald
11-Dec-08, 20:47
Could this possibly have been the indominatable Capt Swanson perhaps :-))
PM

Tighsonas4
11-Dec-08, 21:33
Could this possibly have been the indominatable Capt Swanson perhaps :-))
PM
to be quite honest that was no1 that crossed my mind [lol] tony

bonami
11-Dec-08, 21:48
Thats the mannie lads. Many a story about him some true others never proven. There dosnt seem to be his type around anymore. Mores the pity.:lol::lol:

Tighsonas4
11-Dec-08, 22:17
Thats the mannie lads. Many a story about him some true others never proven. There dosnt seem to be his type around anymore. Mores the pity.:lol::lol:
theres certainly numerous ones that cant be proven but really he wasnt a bad sort at heart [was never beat ] tony

Tighsonas4
12-Dec-08, 20:28
discussion today
our robert was in buckie and didnt want to wait for someone to come down to sail with him. decided to come up with her himself, he set off and on the way over decided to go down for a coffee ,he happened to fall asleep and there was a boat reported going round in circles
the services were called and that ploy became one of his problems [lol] tony

Amy-Winehouse
12-Dec-08, 22:29
What about the one where the WK boat had a disgusting water tank , with a fine rusty colour of water coming through so the cook decided to boil the mince with lemonade instead :eek:

Another story of a WK boat was when the crew needed to cut a bad bit of rope out then splice the 2 ends back together so that they could shoot the gear. Well none of the crew were much good at splicing so the Skipper obviously didnt trust them & asked for the ropes to be handed in the wheelhouse windows.
Only thing was, he was handed one end in the starboard window & one end through the forrad facing window !! He was halfway through splicing it when he realised what he was doing & went mental as his crew were ending themselves laughing at him[lol]

Another WK boat had a skipper who was noted for being a bookworm, of sorts, He would read his book no matter what but quite often hed get to the 4th last page only to find the rest of the book had strangely ripped out[lol] Not just the once either. The devils!!!

Tighsonas4
12-Dec-08, 22:42
talking of smaller harbours our friend took the golden eagle into staxigoe on high tide . tied her up at the north side
the bairns were aboard puttting off flairs etc and he was telling what house to aim for [lol]he got one side painted and he had put an anchor out
when he decided to leave he couldnt get the anchor in so cut it adrift
and its there to this day tony

Fisherbigin
12-Dec-08, 22:59
My brother says you missed out!!!
Copinsay!!!![lol] Skaill Bay, The skerries, The Grandstand, The Noup, 16 miles the back of the sule, Suleskerry.
Smith Bank, Jocky Bhans, Jean Dugle , The Skater!!! The Skate hole , The sooth deeps, the cock, navidale hole,

in no particular order Im afraid- He says he was at Rockall & St.Kilda in bigger boats from elsewhere but [Copinsay was the one he dreaded the most- sma` haddies with their eyes no open yet!!"]

Absolute slaughter but the crack was pretty good, rather him than me

Wis all large haddies ye got at Coupinshaw:confused

Fisherbigin
13-Dec-08, 16:40
Fishing grunds at the westard,The Houp,Geo dick,Black hole,Sands,Scottigeo,The Banks,the Bocht,High dans,Dan Taylors,the Squeeze,the white rock,Hole o' Portskerra,Trinkie Sandside,Scullumie,Point o' Strathy,Blue mountain,Maggie Fleming, Cousea,North east corner o' Stormy,Grandstand,stoolie,stook,close up to the Sule,shaal o' the Sule,the stack,Gaza strip,Nun bank,solan bank,whiten head bank,Smasher,the poles the Black o'whiten Hd,islands,Naver,Armadale,the bankie, the tackets,cnoc na fiddoch,go west to the mooth o' the loch,Smoo,Balnakiel,shepherds bay and the Staigs at the Cape;)

bonami
13-Dec-08, 21:50
Aye Captain Swanson was certainly a character but as was said earlier wasnt a bad sort and personally I found him very interesting and a clever man.He was a excellant navigator in fog. There is another story of him fishing Rackwick in the company of 3 or 4 other boats when thick fog came down the Good Hope was one and the only one with radar fitted. He called up the rest of the boats and suggested they follow him home they all did except Capt Swanson who stated he had no need to follow anyone. He then had another tow and when the rest of the boats got to Wick they found him at the mart landing his fish. Another time he was at Whiten Hd at a small bight I cant remember the name off . Star o Peace was allready shot and hauled his codend aboard empty. Gleaners shot his net that close he could nearly put codend on the beach and hauled aboard 40 boxes of jumbo haddocks of course that was him off home to mother Mackays a place he was very fond off. He certainly knew his job but was a bit to keen on the amber liquid in his later years.

peter macdonald
14-Dec-08, 13:06
I only really got to know Captain Swanson in his later years..but as has been said he was a very smart cookie , .When trying to pick up a dahn in showery misty weather without any electronic aids it must have been like trying to find a moving needle in a moving haystack
Amazing skill the old guys had which I dont think people ever really appreciated . Unfortunately I can only think of a couple of skippers left now who worked clock and compass ..there must be a heck of a lot of knowledge in the cemetry
PM

Tighsonas4
15-Dec-08, 13:50
he had his good points too. there was one time for some reason he was told to dump his fish
he said dump nothing get a old lorry here load it and take half to staxigoe and a half to ackergill and tell the villiagers to help themselves
beel dunnet obliged and was told where to leave it tony

Tighsonas4
19-Dec-08, 21:42
DANNY ALEXANDERS BOATS
can anyone fill in the blanks
VENUS WK33 BUILT FOR MCKAYS OF DUNBEATH SOLD TO STROMNESS 1959 AND THEN ???
fsher boy wk150built for bremners of wick lost at thurso 1949
GIRL MINA WK172 BUILT FOR STEWARTS WICK SOLD TO SANDAY NOW BROKEN UP
PENTLAND SWELL WK353 BUILT FOR THURSO FISH SELLIING CO BECAME MAYFLOWER FR210 IN FRASERBURGH THEN ???
ROYAL BURGH WK 561 BUILT FOR WILLIAM SHEARER SOLD TO MCDUFF THEN BACK TO LYBSTER AS DEVERSONSIDE WK176 THEN TO ULLAPOOL ?????
GOOD HOPE WK 209 BUILT FOR DONN LATHERONWHEEL SOLD TO FLEETWOOD NOW LYING DERLICT
FISHER BOY WK 150 BUILT FOR BREMNERS WICK LOST BRIMS NESS1953
TWO BOYSWK151 BUILT FOR PLOWMAN WENT TO THURSO THEN IRELAND IN1960 THEN ????
ENTERPRISE WK 229 BUILT FOR J ROSIE KEISS SUNK OFF NOSS HEAD 1975
OCEAN SWELL WK 23 BUILT FOR BAIN WICK SOLD TO LOSSIE AS OSPREY INS 142 THEN ???
GOLDEN DAWN WK 173 BUILT FOR ADAMSON WICK SOLD TO IRELAND AND???
GOLDEN CHANCE WK22 FOR GILBERT REID THURSO SOLD TO MARYPORT BROKEN UP RECENTLY
ANY ONE KNOW THE ONES IN QUESTION REGARDS TONY

jock leith
20-Dec-08, 22:09
To all the wonderful Orgers who have made this such a nostalgic walk down memory lane I would like to Wish each and every one of you

ALL THE VERY BEST FOR A QUIET AND PEACEFULL XMAS AND GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR 2009:)

Jock Leith

peter macdonald
20-Dec-08, 22:24
Pentland Swell then Mayflower FR210 left the fishing industry in 1972 The Golden Dawn went to Northern Ireland ..The Two Boys went to Eire after John Macleod (cowg) died
William James Coull had her just before she left Thurso in 1960

Jock Keep well and have a nice Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and the family
PM

Tighsonas4
20-Dec-08, 22:50
thanks for setting this agoing jock
and will now wish you and yours all the very best over the festive season and for 2009
and the same to you pm tony

domino
21-Dec-08, 00:45
This was one of the best threads so I wish all contributers a very merry christmas and all the best for the coming year and I hope they keep them coming!!

Margaret M.
21-Dec-08, 03:44
I don't know diddly about fishing boats but this is a super thread -- really interesting.

peter macdonald
21-Dec-08, 10:23
Ocean Swell after she left lossie became a houseboat in SE England possibly Burnham on Crouch

Many thanks Jock for getting this going and best wishes to Tony and all who read and write on here
PM

Amy-Winehouse
22-Dec-08, 10:50
An0other bit of fishing ground we missed out was the Riddles (how could we???) Also Spittal Hill was another favoiurite.

As for the Stack Rock, she is on the Tyne as a houseboat , or so im told- hope this helps, I was sent a pic of her but old Wiseman would turn in his grave if he seen her now!!!

peter macdonald
24-Dec-08, 12:48
Amy ..one I forgot about from Helmsdale ..The Enterprise 2 that Neil Mackay had in the 1960s WK319 She was bought from Stornaway 12.12.64 and was sold to Belfast 21.9.67
Owners H T and N Mackay she was built in Fraserburgh in 1940 50ft loa 20.95 Tonns Gross and Nett
There was one called the Kitty Mackay which may interest you WK357 LOA 36ft Keel 32 ft Beam 12 ft 9.33 Tonns gross and Nett Built in Banff in 1921 ex Snowdrop BF 493 Owned bt T J and G Mackay from 1/2/29 until 25.10.40 when she was sold to Peterhead

All best
PM

jock leith
09-Feb-09, 23:16
Peter someone e-mailed me recently and asked about Jonners Sinclair and the little crab boats he owned,I had a quick look through the thread but did not see his boats mentioned.Do you know the names of any of his boats.
??? Would they be big enough to warrant registration ???
Regards JL

sandyr
09-Feb-09, 23:38
Just a thought........ Was having lunch one day overlooking the harbour in Toronto, Ontario and spotted what looked like the bow and wheel house of a traditional Wick/ Lybster fishing boat...(Was born and brought up in Lybster).
So I investigated and found .....now I think a 1940's.. 60+ or - footer which was gaff rigged...mast and brown sails docked at the waterfront. Rather a strange sight especially when everything else was exotic.....e.g. 30-65' newer power boats... Donzi cigarette boat,
Carver power boats and the like.
Eventually I spoke with the owner....Built I think on the North East Coast of Scotland, went to Holland and there was rigged with the mast, then sailed to the eastern Seaboard of Canada/ Thence thru the Great Lkes to lake Ontario. The owner spent several years re-doing the inside and then put it in the water...fresh water and it started leaking like a sieve.So he had it dry docked and basically replace some planks and have the(packing) done again...
So I asked him how he was able to get rid of the fish smell and his reply....That was dealt with by the smell of diesel! Kinda nice inside altho quite rough. Was going to follow his journey but lost him. He did say that he needed a gale to move him and the 'thing' went sideways...No keel! And was going round the World.....nearly joined him!

peter macdonald
10-Feb-09, 08:34
Jock
Off the top of my head ...The Be in Time ,the Westering, Gril Mina (ex Lybster one)
Johners had the Ebeneezer and I think the Glad Tidings at the seine net as well as one which was never in WK registration (I think) Golden Strand? If I get a chance later in the week Ill check it out
They were all registered if used commercially for fishing .eg Be In Time was WK430
He was also emergency coxswain of Wick Lifeboat
PM

peter macdonald
01-Mar-09, 23:57
www.wkboats.co.uk

Kenn
02-Mar-09, 00:15
What a wonderful collection of pictures, great that they are preserved.
Am I right in thinking that The Opportune is the one regularly into Scrabster?

Even Chance
02-Mar-09, 09:07
Cheers for the link Peter. A really brilliant site, excellently put together.

Amy-Winehouse
03-Mar-09, 02:29
www.wkboats.co.uk (http://www.wkboats.co.uk)

I was shown this site a month ago but I didnt think it was ready to be revealed yet?

buggyracer
03-Mar-09, 10:20
www.wkboats.co.uk (http://www.wkboats.co.uk)

a nice site well done.

Tighsonas4
03-Mar-09, 18:25
I was shown this site a month ago but I didnt think it was ready to be revealed yet?
me likewise but it carried no names thenbut was in the process of being set up
well done eh tony

bonami
03-Mar-09, 21:26
Very good site. Well done I am sure there will be many viewers.

DanaFlett
07-Mar-09, 23:51
Aye Tony There were some rare guys about Robert Swanson (num) George Thain Donald MacDonald (dusty) James MacKay (fletter) George More (and his dad Rab) Ronnie Sutherland (pep) etc etc and while they enjoyed their dram it would be a great mistake to underestimate their skill and intelligence These guys were suberb navigators in a time before radio navigation aids when there was only clocks and compasses to help them
They have my total admiration

I beleive both Bill Wisemans boats the Rival and Stack Rock are still going as houseboats in England as is the Golden Spinney Superb Procure Spindrift and Ajax
The Gleaners and Girl Linda are houseboats in West Scotland I beleive whilst the 1st Boy Andrew is now a diving boat called the Gallic Rose and the Ardent is a houseboat on the Caledonian Canal
All best
PMfletter is my dad...

DanaFlett
07-Mar-09, 23:59
The Valhalla Wk171 She came from Ullapool UL99 Duncan Sutherland sold her to Hugh Carter in 1973 .Built Miller St Monance in 1954 she was 51ft LOA and 23,55 Tons Gross and nett I think it was Kelvin 120 engine?? that was in her She was lost by fire cant remember what year but I think Fletter was in her when it happened 1976???
great to see my dad on your site....fletter

jock leith
08-Mar-09, 09:04
Would be great to hear from ORGERS that can identify family connections with the boats already mentioned on this thread.Any stories told by those great men would be a great way of keeping those memories aliveThanks DANA for your post.Some great stories have already been shared, but I am sure that many more are still waiting to be told

JL

DanaFlett
08-Mar-09, 12:49
yeah that's my Dad james fletter mackay,weird seeing his name on the puter he would have been fair proud of that thanks.

bluenosenic
08-Mar-09, 21:08
just had a look at the wk boats site and was very impressed ,but it just shows how much of a loss the fishing industry is to Wick .

jock leith
08-Mar-09, 21:32
just had a look at the wk boats site and was very impressed ,but it just shows how much of a loss the fishing industry is to Wick .
Yes the harbour was the hub of the town when I was growing up,we spent most days around there, fishing under the wharf,the smells are the things I remember most,fishermem mending nets the shops etc.I worked in the butchers ,so had great laughs with some of the great characters that are sadly no longer with us.Its very sad to see the run down state of the area and the silence there is now.But always take a stroll around the area when I come home for a visit

regards JL

jock leith
16-Mar-09, 23:28
Peter I have had a few private messages asking for info regarding the dates the old fishing boats were built etc.I have directed them to the link that you posted.To all others wishing to view pictures of the fishing fleet the link is on the last page,thanks to those who have sent enquires but the link is far more interesting,than any replies from me.
Regards JL

peter macdonald
01-Jun-09, 19:22
Hi Jock et al
I have added a film taken in the Moray Firth in 1961 to the video section Done on cine it is not the greatest quality (although we are going to remaster it later) and viewed best on small screen .It was taken aboard the Danish anchor seiner Caledonia skippered by the late Niels Moller and features a few locals eg George Mackay of the Ice Factory Jack Clark John Duncan Artur Matiesen Snr and a few others
All best
DM

Amy-Winehouse
01-Jun-09, 20:23
Cant wait to get home to see that Peter, Roll on Wednesday :D


Mr.Winehouse

catran
01-Jun-09, 21:51
Brilliant, well done what an interesting site. Wonderful indeed.

hoopy1406
02-Jun-09, 14:46
It is nice to see that the old fishing industry is greatly missed as it is a big part of Wick's history, will many of you posting about these boats be present at the HarbourFest? I believe a few heritage boats are showing that weekend!

Heri
12-Nov-09, 18:35
Been following this thread with great interest and nostalgia. Readers may be interested in the long journey of one of the Wick fleet. In 1958 we bought the Starlight from Lossiemouth (built 1933 by John Dunn of Lossie) for £1,250.00. When I left Wick in 1961 it was sold and converted into a motor yacht in Suffolk. In 2004 the same Starlight, with the same 95 Gardner engine, was for sale in Malta. Asking price £125,000.00!! It is amazing how age adds value to life.
Well, she didn't sell for that much, but I did buy her last year. She's still in Malta and looking as pretty as ever. Do you have any more details on the conversion, the owners that did the conversion, the architect involved or the yard? Thanks.

peter macdonald
13-Nov-09, 00:21
Sorry Heri I dont have any details of her conversion Perhaps John Flett may know a bit more if you PM him . I saw the Starlight on the net recently and she looks beautiful Congratulations on the job you are doing in maintaining her
PM

DanaFlett
15-Nov-09, 20:32
I am looking at a photo just now of Alfred Mackay,My uncle Donald Mackay,and my Dad James flett mackay,all working away with yellow oilskins on,boy do they look young.

DanaFlett
15-Nov-09, 20:51
Just to let you know that Fletter,surname was spelt Mackay,as it is on his birth certificate,the same with my gran maggie jane and my grandad Donald Mackay(Lummy)better known as Dan,whom i'am named after,now my Uncle Donald Mckay took it upon himself to take the A out of Mackay,for reasons only known to him,but we all are MACKAY....

Amy-Winehouse
15-Nov-09, 21:14
Peter, Im just watching the Moray Firth video 1961- which is pretty amazing if just for the changes in the last 48 years but theres a wifie putting tickets on the fish shes just bought- who was she?

Fish auctions on the Wharf!!!??? Mental, the vermin with wings would never allow that these days, theyd be off with the fish while you try to chase them away lol. Smoking while bidding!!! Class, changed days

katrina
10-Apr-10, 14:49
Peter Macdonald posted a link to the above website a few months ago.It was a great site to look and get info on Wick boats:D

Does anyone know what has happened to it,when i try to go to it now it just turns up a blank page:(

Dog-eared
10-Apr-10, 15:10
Anything here useful?
http://forum.caithness.org/showthread.php?t=60105&highlight=wick+boats

or

Shipsnostalgia.com

Amy-Winehouse
10-Apr-10, 15:18
Aye he was telling me he will have it back up soon but he was gettin pestered with porn pop ups & decided to take it down. A really excellent site, especially some of the pics of old Norrie with the 1st Boy Andrew & the old cine film of the Danish seiner.

When it comes back on Im sure Peter will let us ken

bonami
10-Apr-10, 20:20
Yes a great site . Missing it a lot hope its back soon. Thanks for bringing it up Katrina:lol:

jock leith
18-Apr-10, 00:01
Was looking for this thread to show someone in Nz but it was not on the page for the last post on 17th nov 09 so am trying to see if this post will bring it back up.Failing that can someone tell me why it has been moved,because I have not closed this thread

J Leith

Stack Rock
18-Apr-10, 07:43
Where have you been ? Not locked up in one of your old clinks!!!

Aparently the site is temporarily out of action due to virus type problems.


http://forum.caithness.org/showthread.php?t=104795

wicker8
18-Apr-10, 11:28
hi my husband also worked for donnie angus then went on to be a fisherman from the glen loth to the opportune [the boy andrewssister boat]

GLENELG
22-Apr-10, 23:08
Boat in the middle of slip was the Trust,and ay Boat alongside ay Ivy was the Reaper from Keiss.[lol]